"Mom?" Alice was finally coming to.
"I'm right here sweetie." In that moment the last 5 days came rushing back to her, capped by the memory of her father killed in her arms.
"He's gone." She started to sob. "Dad is really gone." Her mother held her as she cried, just as her Father had held her after Dinah died. She finally regained herself after an hour or so.
"How long was I gone?"
"Oh honey you ran out of the apartment after Jack and you just didn't come back. I got so worried, ever since your father left you never stay out without letting me know when you will be home. I started searching everywhere, Jack's apartment, the gym, I called all the hospitals. Even some of the other instructors from the gym pitched in. Finally after almost 24 hours I got a call from the hospital saying they had a person admitted who matched your description. I just had the worst scenarios going through my head, but I got here and the doctor said he couldn't find an injury on you. I don't know what would have happened if that amazing man hadn't found you. His name is David and he is the sweetest guy. He stayed with you until I could get here."
Alice had trouble following her mom's excited speech. Alice was especially stuck on the 24 hour part. She had been in Wonderland the better part of a week. "Mom slow down, I'm still not fully coherent."
"Alice, what happened?" Alice was so wrapped up with leaving wonderland and leaving Hatter the thought never occurred to her that she would have to explain where she was. If she tried to explain the whole Wonderland experience to her mother she had the feeling they wouldn't be letting her out of this hospital any time soon.
"It's still a little fuzzy. I remember running after Jack to return his ring. I thought I heard him run into the alley and I heard a struggle. I remember running into the alley and that is it. I must have been knocked out from behind. Where is Jack's ring?" She knew it wouldn't be found, but it did back up her story.
"The hospital didn't find anything on you. Maybe David can take you back to where he found you, it could have fallen out of your pocket."
"No I'm sure it's gone. That's probably why I was knocked out."
"Honey I need to talk to you about Jack. No one can find him. We pulled his info from the gym when we were looking for you and he hasn't been at his apartment and his cell phone is turned off."
"Before he rushed out of our apartment he was talking about meeting his parents and leaving right away, he is probably overseas by now. I don't think he will be back any time soon."
"I'm sorry sweetie. I really did want things to work out between you, despite the impression I may have given."
"It's ok Mom, it wasn't meant to be." Alice was deeply saddened at the thought of "meant to be". The phrase made her think of a certain person who was most definitely not Jack, but they finally had their chance and neither took it. She had tried to drop hints but he really didn't seem interested. The full implications of their final conversation and possible brush-off had not hit her fully and she was just fine not thinking about it yet. "Mom I need to rest, clear out some of this fuzziness."
"Ok sweetie. The doctors said pending you wake up they only need to keep you overnight for observation and then we can go home tomorrow."
"Thanks mom, I love you." Losing her father made her appreciate her mom.
"I love you too. Now get some rest!" Alice's mom walked out of the room and shut the door behind her, and once again Alice's thoughts drifted to Hatter. She had a feeling she wouldn't be seeing him anytime soon, which left her with a deep sense of loss. Maybe her luck meeting guys hadn't changed after all.
Carol was finishing up the paperwork thinking about how relieved she was to have Alice back. The flashbacks to when her husband disappeared had been unbearable, especially if Alice was where she thought she was. Carol had been hoping she was wrong. Alice asking how long she was gone was odd. Getting mugged and being passed out for 24 hours with no injuries is highly improbable. But it's what Alice said in her sleep afterward that all but confirmed her suspicions. She was tossing quite agitated, and when Carol had tried to calm her she almost yells "No, the stone! Not the Queen of Hearts."
