Chapter One

Do You Believe in Fate?


Hatter sat in Alice's bedroom, resting his back against the cool dry-wall of her apartment. He began nonchalantly tossing around his black fedora. He found it's shape didn't quite match his head as well as his old hat, so he preferred to make it dance intimately with his quick fingers. Alice was comfortably stretched out across the perfectly made bed. Her fingers clicked carefully at the laptop in front of her. Although Hatter disapproved of the idea, she was searching for a job.

He had only gotten to Carroll's apartment an hour earlier. Alice told her mother an elaborate tale in which she had gone to the same Middle School as 'David' and they'd always held a secret fondness for each other. Included in this tale, Hatter noted with a small smile in spite of himself, was that Jack was using her.

Alice's mother, ever the proud entertainer, awkwardly asked Hatter to stay for dinner. In an attempt to ease some of he tension Alice offered to help cook, but Carroll declined: "You two look like you have some catching up to do." she said with a smile. Alice knew that her mother would hound her later for being so reckless.

"Here, you could work at a real tea shop." she picked up the small device that she called a 'netbook' and joined Hatter on the floor.

"I don't see why I have to get a job. I just got here." he said, staring at his hat as it twirled in his hands, it was almost like being hypnotized.

"Work isn't as easy to come by in New York as it was in Wonderland. You can't live here forever."

"'You'?" Hatter echoed Alice's passed comment. He perched the restless hat on his knee and turned to her with a cocked eyebrow. "What happened to 'we'?" a blush tried to tint her cheeks, but she wouldn't let it.

"You know what I mean Hatter." She feigned irritation but her smile gave her away.

"Alice! Could you come here?" Carroll's voice wafted into the room. Alice set the laptop aside and hurriedly went to her mother. Hatter jumped up and followed, flipping the ill-fitting fedora onto his head.

He caught up with Alice and found Carroll at the front door. She held it open to reveal a man who was about a foot shorter than her. Alice slowly stepped forward, a quizzical expression on her face.

"May I help you?" She asked, the man was clearly not from New York. Not only was he about four feet tall, but his eyes were the lightest blue Alice had ever seen-almost white and his hair was fine and silver. Despite the deep crevices that pulled at his face he looked somewhat child-like.

"Alice of Legend." He dipped his head slightly "The White Queen is in dire need of your assistance."

"Oy..." Alice heard Hatter whisper behind her.

"Uh," Alice's attention flicked momentarily to her mother, than quickly she caught Hatter's eye. "We should um... yeah" She walked forward, head down, subtly motioning for Hatter to follow. "be back in a second mom. Don't worry, he's a... friend." Once again her mom stood stunned in front of her. They could not keep up this charade for long. Alice dreaded having to confess that she lied to her own mother.

The air was colder outside than she had remembered it being, snow had actually begun to speckle the crisp air. Alice wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she was wearing a heavier jacket.

"What's going on? Who are you?" Alice was on the verge of being livid, she spoke in undertones and glared at the short man accusingly.

"I am a loyal Pawn of the White Queen. According to Wonderland legend you are the only one who can restore her kingdom." Alice stared steadily at him, slowly stepping closer.

"No, hold it. Are you asking me to return to Wonderland? I'm not going back." She said it with a obstinacy that Hatter knew well.

"You must come. It is your fate. It is for a greater cause!" The Pawn insisted.

"How do you know what my 'fate' is? And who's to say that I even believe in fate." She shivered in spite of herself, it was freezing cold.

"You may not believe in fate, Alice of Legend, but that doesn't mean it is not there." The Pawn's eyes glimmered momentarily. For he knew something that both Alice and Hatter didn't. The Pawn knew that, at least in Wonderland, fate was very much a factor. He also knew that strange things happen to those who try to meddle with it.

At that moment Alice vanished. She was gone before the surprise reached her face. Hatter stared open-mouthed for a moment at the air that had replaced her. Outrage bubbled in him. He grabbed the short man by his white lapels and brought him close.

"Where've you taken her?" He growled. The Pawn barely looked shaken.

"I have not taken her anywhere. That was the work of fate-she literately had to be in Wonderland and her disappearance just righted the wrong of her leaving." Hatter's rage softened slightly under confusion.

"How is that possible?" The Pawn made a little un-amused laugh.

"I am not exactly sure... but what does it matter? Alice of Legend is en route to the Eighth Square of Sessa!" He smiled then, triumphantly, like his job was done. Hatter would see to it that it wasn't.

"Take me to her." Hatter whispered huskily, letting go of him.

"I'm sorry?" Was the Pawn timid reply.

"You said she was on her way to the Eighth Square of Sessa. Take me to her." The Pawn gawked at him confusedly, "Now!" Hatter's voice came out higher than he expected. He wanted to intimidate this Pawn, not a difficult task taking into account their heights, but he couldn't seem to extinguish that gnawing panic that set in when she vanished. The Pawn nodded curtly and hobbled away, Hatter followed with one quick glance at the closed apartment door behind him. Carroll would start to worry. Oi, he thought, she'll never forgive me for this.