Ch1-A Curious Rabbit
"Alice," a soft voice called across the lawn. "Alice!" Alice Liddel looked up dreamily from the book in her lap and smiled at the sight of her favourite sister. "Alice, father is returning today." Alice felt shock ripple through her and a cold sense of dread wrapped icily around her throat. The words she had begun to say drifted away and died unspoken. She hastily turned back to her book and feigned intense interest. "Alice," her sister continued," he should be here soon. Please go inside and get ready now." A gentle hand touched her shoulder and nudged her to her feet. They started back to the house, Alice feeling more and more clausterphobic with each step. Just as they reached the veranda, it struck her that she had left her shawl under the bushes she had been reading near. "I'm sorry," she murmured, "I'll be right back." Glad for the excuse to put off seeing her father, she hurried until she was out of sight of the house, then slowed, moving leisurly towards the large maple tree in the garden. "Now then," she said to herself, "where in the world..." She bent down, looking closer under the mulberry bushes. Her shawl was nowhere in sight. "I could have sworn I put it right here," she said, feeling a little frustrated. A small rustling to her right startled her, and she turned towards it anxiously. If father catches me out here I'll get a scolding, she thought frantically. She could remember all too well what happened when her father became displeased. She shut her eyes tightly and waited as the rustling came closer. Then it stopped. After a long moment she gathered the courage to look, peeking warily at the last spot she had heard the sound. Dark eyes set in a white, furry face stared back, curiosity and a strange look of familiarity disturbingly taking residence there. Alice gasped and shifted a little, peering closer at it. The rabit twitched it's ears in response and hopped closer."Alice!" her father's voice thundered across the garden. "Alice!" She looked away from the rabbit, fear taking precedence, and her hand that had subconsciously extended itself towards the rabbit retracted quickly. Forgetting the shawl, she stood and began to run back towards the house. She was unaware of the rabbit, still watching her as she went.
Her father stood with his back to her, facing the window. She could smell the wine and scotch on him from where she sat. "Alice," he began, his voice now smooth and relaxed, "I've arranged for you to be married this fall. Your fiance should be here to meet you in two days. I expect you to be on your best behaviour and I won't permit any of your usual foolishness. You wouldn't want to end up like your mother now would you?" That said, he swept from the room, the door clicking shut behind continued to sit on the floor, feeling the bruises on her sides and arms. He had been careful this time not to hit her face. She slowly pulled herself up and fought bck the tears that tried to choke their way to the surface. Married? She shuddered at the thought and shakily made her way to the door. She stopped short as a flash of white caught her eye. She bent and picked up her father's dinner shirt. As she held it up, the large burgandy stain stood out sharply. She winced and felt her bruises ache as she remembered tripping and spilling the expensive vintage on the also expensive material. What do I do now? She wondered, missing her mother more than ever. Still clutching the shirt she slipped out of the room and into the hall. She trembled as she looked around the hall, expecting to see her father any moment. Seeing it empty, she ran on tiptoes to the back door and finally burst out into the garden. She didn't mind that she had forgotten her shoes. The only thought in her head was to get as far away as possible. She stumbled a little as she went, her feet flying over the grass. Finally she slowed as she reached the maple tree, her breathing heavy and rasping. The evening had become chilly, the sun dissapearing fast. Alice leaned against the rough bark and closed her eyes. Does anyone realize I'm gone? She wondered, Father would be mad if he knew I went out. Alice felt her stomach turn at the thought of returning and sank to the ground. "I'll go back in a little while, she whispered." More exhausted than she realized, her eyes drifted shut. As Alice slept, she was unaware of a shadow drawing closer.