"Miss Knight." A soft voice reached Alice's ears. "Miss Knight." The voice was more urgent now. "Miss Knight." Then she felt a sharp slap across her cheek. "Alice!" Alice Knight pulled herself to face Toby. He bowed low to her. "So sorry, Miss Alice, Miss Knight, ma'am. I'm afraid you were most unresponsive to any painless form of stimuli." Alice nodded and pulled herself to her feet. "Quite alright, Toby. Thank you, though I'm very sorry your actions were necessary." Toby looked downwards, bashful. "It's quite alright, Miss Alice. Although, I assure you, quite unexpected." Alice snorted derisively. As if he didn't know she had a problem.
Anyone looking at Alice could tell. Her arms were scabbed, there were dark circles under her eyes, and she wore an expression that could be described as alert, but the first word that came to mind was manic. Toby was the only one who had stuck with Alice all these years, and for that she was grateful, though perhaps he only stayed because she was a Knight, and the Knights pay well. Alice slipped out of her gown, Toby turning away respectfully. She changed into a simple blue dress. The light blue matched her eyes, which were a startling, crystalline, translucent blue. People often told Alice her eyes were the most beautiful thing about her, although these days that did not mean much.
In the past, Alice had been beautiful. People would stop in the street to stare at her as she walked by. Several times she had been told, "My dear, you are so beautiful, and, oh, your eyes..." People had always loved Alice's eyes. A tear ran down her cheek as she remembered; James had always loved her eyes. But James did not matter anymore, she did not need anyone: she was independent. Well, almost...
She held her spotted arm out to Toby. He hesitated. "Miss Alice, we have business to conduct. I believe, right now, it would be better if you abstained..." Alice glared at him. "Toby! I do not pay you to disobey me!" Toby bowed again. "Quite right, ma'am, quite right. Very well, then." Quickly, expertly, he found a clean vein and injected a clear fluid. Almost instantly, Alice felt herself relax...
Since her parent's death, drugs had been her salvation. For the first time, she was able to forget... She needed so badly to forget. Alice Knight was all alone, save for Toby, her long-faithful servant. Her parents had been killed, her sister was missing, James had left her, and even her cat had run away. Alice found no solace, save for in her drug-induced hallucinations. No one thought she was beautiful anymore. They only stared when they overheard her talking to herself.
Toby grabbed her hand. "Come now, Miss Knight. There is someone here to see you."
A/N: So... what do you think? This chapter just kinda popped into my head and I have no idea where this story is going. If you have any suggestions please review or PM them to me because I am so stuck! I think one of her old friends from wonderland will be the person that Toby is taking her to, but which one should it be? Please help!
-Mia