Chapter 2 - Perfect Insanity
Audrey POV
I knew the only reason Elliot didn't want me to come was because he wanted to be alone with Leah, but he could've just said so! I sighed, heading back into the mansion. I stopped a few feet from the door, the lumbering black and white mansion stood befoore me. A beautiful mansion, no doubt. Is it home? I'm starting to wonder.
"Something wrong?" I blinked a few times, my gaze leaving the top of the building to the two boys infront of me. I didn't even realize I was standing here for a while, must've zoned out.
I felt a tugging on my sleeve, grabbing my attention. Dum was tugging my arm, and Dee was staring at me questioningly. "Come on Audrey! Lets go out for a bit." Dum's voice was soft, his face lighting up. Dee pursed his lips, like he was thinking, then his face lit up too. Like they were thinking the same thing, like they were telepathic or something.
"Yeah! Go into town, get some sweets!" Dee hugged my arm, grinning widly, looking like he just opened the best present on Christmas Day.
For once, they actually looked like young innocent boys, but I knew that that could change in an instant. But this would be good for me, spending time with- my boyfriends? I don't even know anymore- them, and I do love candy! "Sure, lead the way!" I laugh, grasping their hands.
We decided on not going into but to the Amusement Park, Dee and Dum hoping to find Boris. They didn't, but we still got our sweets here. Right now we are sitting on a bench, Dee and Dum eating ice cream while I was nibbling on some chocolate cake.
"You look like you want to say something." Dee observed. He tried to come off intimidiately with his questioning gaze, but in reality it was hard to be intimidated by a boy licking an ice cream. Now, if said boy was casually licking an ice cream while pointing a scythe at your throat, that'd be different.
But I realize, with a shock, that those says are over. They won't hurt me, that much I've learned. Actually, that's probably all I learned. My time here in Wonderland, I thought it was over. But now, a wave of relief washes over me whenever I think about how I'm stuck here. Weird. Glancing up from my cake, Dee and Dum were talking and laughing quietly. I have a feeling that that wave has something to do with them.
"You think you'll stay?" Dum whispered. His eyes were glued to mine, trying to be light with such a serious matter. He notices my hesitation and welcomes me in with a warm smile, but I could tell it was forced.
I pondered on the question. I mean, I felt pretty at home in the mansion, I love everyone there. "Does it really matter what I think? It's not like it's possible anymore for me to leave, so it doesn't matter." I just shrugged, not answering the question.
But my answer made Dum frown. "Doesn't matter huh?" He mumbled under his breath, his frown increasing to a pout. Out of annoyance, he took a large mouthful of ice cream, regretting it afterward as his hand flew to his head and he cringed from the cold. Dee burst into a loud guffaw, pointing and laughing at his twin.
Quieting down, Dee grew serious. "So if it doesn't matter, does that mean you don't care?" He lifted his eyebrow in question. I know he meant if I cared about them, and I did, but was it enough to keep me from my original world? It's something I prefer to think about later.
I just stared at him, stupefied. "What are you talking about? Of course I care." I frowned, wondering how he could ask such a thing. I stared down at my plate, taking a forkful of the cake as the time period changed to evening.
Dum sighed heavily. "We gotta go, work." He grabbed me, pulling me up and off the bench. He took something brown out of his coat pocket, strapping it on my waist securely and tightly. The structure was oddly familiar.
"This is for you." Dee tossed me something. Catching it, I gasped in surprise. It was a silver pistol with a single purple steak along the middle. "You'll need to protect yourself from now on." He added. I then realized what Dum put on me was a holster.
"W-What? Why? The only time I've-" I paused, that comment was going to probably endanger my relationship with the twins. "I've never been in any real danger." I pouted, not liking the fact I have a deadly weapon in hand but found it thrilling at the same time.
"We told you we'd do whatever to keep you here?" Dum reminded me.
"Not to mention you live with us... so it was only a matter of time." Dee agreed, shrugging.
"Just spill it already!" I hissed, the gun clutched tightly in both hands.
"You're part of the Hatter's." They answered in unison, replying nonchalantly. My body froze, the Hatter's? Did they mean the mafia? How did that happen?
"H-How did that happen?" I whispered mostly to myself. Sure, I felt like I was accepted at the mansion, but work there? I pushed the gun back into the twin's hands. "I dont need it, seriously. No one should trust me with a gun." My voice was shaky, but I tried to put on a brave front.
Dee took my hand, wrapping it around the gun. "We'd feel better if you had some protection, and trust me, we aren't the only ones who consider you part of the Hatter's." He smiled warmly, kissing me on the cheek. "Take it, or Boss will end up giving you one later." He stepped back and shrugged. "Now, that you're staying here, it's inevitable." They waved bye as Dee and Dum left. Leaving me shocked and confused.
I spun around to face the direction they were leaving. "What, why couldn't we leave together?" I frowned. Unless by work they didn't mean being gatekeepers, then that could be a reason.
Tossing my cake away I headed for the exit, gingerly placing the gun away into the holster. Know me I'll probably end up shooting my foot and not the target... woah, woah Audrey! What are you thinking? I'm not a mafioso nor a murderer! I shook my head, trying to clear it of these thoughts. This is what I get for living at the mansion I guess.
I kept my hand over the holster, a shudder of fear coursed through me. The Bloody Twin's words raced through my head, was someone hunting me? But it doesn't really seem like anyone hates me... but if people think I'm in the mafia.. I stop at the exit, looking over my shoulder. If I am part of the Hatter's mafia, that means the Amusement Park is my enemy, right? Then wouldn't Rikki be my enemy?
"Crap..." That's the last thing I needed was to make my friend my enemy. But even if Blood wanted me on his team, I could still be friends with enemy territories, right? Right. He does let the twins befriend Boris.. so yeah! It should be alright!
But what am I thinking? I am not in the mafia! I don't live in Wonderland, this isn't my home, I still need to find another way home. I can't be worried about minor things like that, that'll eventually not affect me.
I shook my head again. "I need to stop thinking about this! The twins are getting to me. Grr!" I argued with myself.
The once clean rocky path was now starting to get scattered with orange and brown leaves as the warm weather dropped to autumn. My feet crushed against the dead leaves, losing myself in my thoughts. I need to stop thinking about this, Leah, I need to talk to her. She'll know what to do, hopefully.
I gripped one of the metal bars, pushing the gate open. Heading into the mansion once again, I needed to set things straight, talk to Blood. Yeah, that's the first thing to do.
"Audrey!" I heard my name get called. It was Rikki, running my way. "I need to tell you something!" She wheezed, gasping for breath as she probably raced from the park to here.
"Can it wait? I need to talk to Blood." I frowned, my mind was seperated from my heart. One says one thing while the other says the opposite, and I no longer know which to follow.
"I think I found a way out! A way to leave, I might know!" Rikki yelled, like she wasn't the one who told us we were stuck here. "I might know." She whispered excitedly. Of course she'd be happy, she has someone to go home to, Zak. I have no one back home. But here... here is just a dream, I have to remember that, I have to remember.
"But-" I paused, unsure if I shouuld speak my mind or my heart. I glanced at the mansion and back at Rikki, so full of jubilance, but I felt hollow. Split, divided, uncontrolled and yet controlled. "You see-" I frowned, I couldn't speak. Not knowing what to say nor do. I turned away, my back facing Rikki. "Shouldn't you tell Leah? I thought the medicine of hearts was the only way home and that was all destroyed." I rambled.
Rikki grabbed my arm, peaking over my shoulder. "Audrey, aren't you happy? We'll be able to go home, to our real family." She muttered, trying to comfort me.
"This is our real family!" I snapped back, covering my face in my hands. "Argh, I mean, I mean... I have no family back home, not like you and Leah.. I mean..." I started to sway left and right.
"Audrey, what's wrong? What's going on? I know we haven't seen each other a lot since we've been here but we're still family." She held my shoulders, trying to stop my agitated swaying.
"Are you kidding? I'll be stuck in friggin' New Hampshire, do we even know what the date is in our world? The summer is most likely over! You and Leah will move back. You to Canada and Leah to Greece, do you know how far away those places are from me?" My stomach churned uneasily. "I'm sorry..." I bit my lower lip, stopping myself from talking.
"I didn't know you felt his way Audrey." Rikki admitted.
"You don't even know the half of it." I ran away, to the entrance of the mansion, a place I've grown used to, got comfortable, and felt safe here. I knew I had to eventually go home, and yet I went and drew close relationships.
I just stood there, back against the main door, trying to control my emotions before talking abother step. But I no longer know which emotion to follow and which to let die. Why does this sh*t happen to me?
