The Wonderland Gang
Chapter 4: Royal Flush
As the battle between the three mystery men and Alice's former boss ( there was no way she could work for him now!) Alice tried her best to remian silent and blend into the alley wall. Mr. Spade threw the limp form of the one called the Hatter at the other man with the grin. The man gracefully caught the one with the big hat in his arms and laid him on the ground, where the fidgety one took care of him. The man then leaped at Mr. Spade and scurried back up to the man's head, continuing his clawing of her bosses' head.
At that moment the man with the enormous hat woke up, pulling out his huge knife and joining the battle. Mr. Spade was too busy trying to swipe at the smiling man on his head to notice Hatter in front of him. Before Spade knew it the tea-loving lunatic stabbed him in both his knees, causing him to cry out in pain. Both the smiling man and the one with the hat fell back beside Alice and the fidgety one.
"Looks like we are holding the trumph card now Spade." The Hatter yelled.
"Was-was that suppose to be a joke?"Spade spat through clenched teeth.
"I thought it was humorous." The grinning man replied nonchalantly.
"We will see who has the last laugh as I squeeze the life out of all you!" Spade snarled, then slowly started advancing towards them. He was limping due to his injuries.
"Quick! Fall back to the river over there. I have an idea!"the man called Hatter said. Before Alice could protest the grinning one grabbed her arm and lead her away from Mr. Spade.
As they made their way across the street, dodging cars and shocked civilians, Alice couldn't help but look behind her. Mr. Spade wasn't far behind them. Instead of avoiding the automobiles Spade just simply swatted them out of his way, like they were nothing more than a fly on the wall.
"Hey Hatter uhm...what's your idea?" the small frieghten one of the group asked.
"Well Hare we are going to lure that monster close enough to the river where he will fall in and hopefully sink like a rock." Hatter answered as they finally crossed the street and onto the sidewalk.
"What if Spade can swim?" The man who was pulling Alice along said.
"His legs are injured. Hopefully he won't be able to stay afloat." Hatter replied.
As they neared the river Alice couldn't help but look back again. She screamed as she saw her boss lift up a car and toss it in their direction. The three men looked behind and jumped to the left as the car slammed into the ground where they just were two seconds ago.
Before the group could get to their feet Mr. Spade was on them. He grabbed the man that had dragged Alice and pulled him up. Spade swung his gigantic arm and knocked the other two men away before they could get up and help their companion. Spade started closing his hand around the small form of the man in it, practically squeezing the life out of him.
" So Cheshire Cat." Mr. Spade said with a smirk, "Tell me why you are here."
" I hate telling secrets...why...why dont you guess." The man replied in gasps, smiling despite being in pain.
"`Fine then. Let me guess...are you searching for perhaps Alice?" Spade said, flashing a menacing grin.
Were these men looking for her? She wouldn't be staying long enough to find out. While Spade and the other men were busy with each other they didn't even pay Alice no mind. She quickly started to run away from them. She just wanted to get away from all this and hide in her apartment for awhile.
That was when an image of the man with the grin flashed in her mind. Something about him made Alice pause in her run. The man's smile was so alluring and he had a certain charm about him. Not to mention he had saved her from her boss. Alice came to a halt and cast a glance back at the battle between the crazies.
The man Spade had in his grip was desparately trying to escape while Spade just laughed at his effort. Alice could see that his face was getting red and his attacks on Spade's hand was starting to weaken. He wouldn't last much longer. Alice had to help him.
She quickly scanned the area and saw a nearby car, parked on the curb. She raced towards it and prayed that it was unlocked and that the keys were inside. Looks like the gods heard her prayer and answered because when she tried the handle the door came open and the keys were in the ignition. Alice couldn't help but laugh the car owner's stupidity.
"You leave your car unlocked and with the keys inside. Are you wanting to get your car jacked? This is New York for God's sake!" Alice thought to herself as she climbed inside and started the engine.
She slammed on the gas and did a complete u-turn in the street. As she sped towards Spade she couldn't help but think she was going insane, especially after what she was about to do. She honked on the horn to get her boss's attention. He cast a glance up and dropped the man onto the ground, but that was all he had time to do. Alice hurled herself out of the car as the vechile rammed into Mr. Spade. Alice rolled on the hard concrete, getting alot of deep cuts and bruises, but other than that she was strangely fine.. Spade was knocked backwards into the river with the car. He screamed as he hit the water and instantly started to sink into the murky waters of the river. He tried to move the car and swim up but with his bad legs it couldn't be done.
Alice and the three men ran over to peer down at the river, watching as Spade receded into the darkness. The only thing that even hinted that he was in the water was the stream of bubbles rising to the surface, and after awhile, they stopped.
"Guess he got the royal flush eh?" Hatter said to Alice and his companions. Not even the one called Cheshire Cat smiled at that lame joke.
Just then the group heard police sirens in the distance. They would arrive soon and Alice was pretty sure they would arrest them. Not that she could blame them though, she didn't have a good story to explain what had just happened, well...one that wouldn't land her in the crazy house.
"Looks like we need to disappear." Cheshire said.
"Quick follow me!" Alice commanded as they raced away into the opposite direction of the sirens.
"Why are you helping us?" The one called the March Hare asked.
"Well I guess I owe you for saving me from my boss."Alice replied, not really sure why she was helping them, but that was the only thing she could think of.
"Where are we going my dear." Cheshire asked with a pur. He sounded just then like a cat.
"To my apartment to hide out for awhile." Alice replied as they followed her down the street.
