Chapter 1
She could feel the cool touch of water before the lack of air was realized and the water become suffocating in the dark river. She felt her feet hit the ground and one snagged on a loose pile of stones. The last breath of air she had left her body and she began to frantically thrash about, trying to free her foot. Using the last semblance of strength she had, she used her right foot to kick away from the ground. The stone pile broke apart and her foot began to propel herself to the surface. Her swimming became more controlled, but remained frantic, as her blue eyes opened and found the riverbank
As she dragged herself out of the rushing river, Alice struggled to remain conscious. The blonde couldn't get enough of the air around her, her adrenaline making her gulp down air every second. Her vision began to go dark as the adrenaline left her with only exhaustion. She didn't think about staying awake and let herself collapse on the ground.
She hadn't been here in what felt like years. Nothing in The Dream, besides the absence of a certain person, had changed. She looked around at the colors that faded in and out of the world.
Alice jumped when something grabbed her arm and held her in place. "Who are...Alice?" Nightmare's hostile tone vanished and became unsure and frightened as he moved to examine her.
"Who...who else would it be?" Alice asked. Her voice was hoarse and hard to hear, but judging from the pure worry on Nightmare's face, he heard her. He released his grip on Alice's arm and floated a short distance from her.
"What's the last thing you remember Alice?"
"What?" The blonde was confused before the meaning of the question sunk in. She thought for a second. "I went to the Hatter's tea party..." Nightmare nodded. "And then I worked my shift...and Peter came to get me, but-" Alice held her head, a loud screech and someone...
"Alice!" The blonde opened her eyes slowly. She was back on the riverbank. Her clothes were damp and clung to her body. When she stood, her muscles screamed and she stumbled over her feet at least three times before she could steady herself by leaning on a tree. Whenever she took a step she fell forward with her body almost giving out.
She hadn't made it far before she fell against another tree and slid down.
"Alice!" Nightmare gripped the outsider's hand. "Why do you keep jumping back and forth?"
"I-I don't know..." Cracks began forming in the world.
"Alice stay calm."
"I'm trying..." There was a laugh that echoed through the world.
"So sorry Nightmare." A shadow appeared behind the dream demon. "I need your precious little outsider for a little."
The role holder spun around. "And who are-" His eye widened. "You."
"Yep!" The shadow turned and floated up to his face. "Bye-bye!"
A/N: I was not proud of the original plan for Spades. It was cliche and had no plot in the slightest. And so, I've decided to re-write it into a completely different story with an actual plot and a hopefully likable original character. Please let me know what you think!