Return to the Madness
Chapter 4
-Sorry this chapter is a little short. I have been busy with moving and getting ready for college. Anywhos here is chapter 4 of Return to the Madness. I hope you like it. TTFN!-
Alice opens her eyes as her feet touch a sandy surface. As she opens her eyes they adjust to the watery environment around her. Strands of her hair drift past her face. Alice looks down at her changed outfit. It was the same light colored, glowing dress but with a few changes. The puffy sleeves where now gone and scales now ran from her collar bones, down her arms, and fades into her hands. There was seaweed wrapped around the bottom of her feet as to protect them. She looks around to find the rest of her group. Hatter is dusting his hat off while behind him Mouse and Hare are getting their bearings. Cheshire is sitting on a large seashell watching them rather annoyed.
"Hurry up!" Cheshire growls. "We have no time to waste!"
"Cat you're putting me very much on edge!" Alice yells back.
"Purrfect. When you're not on edge, you're taking up too much space." Cheshire purrs evilly.
Alice huffs furiously and walks up to the top of the sandy hill that they landed on. Her feet sink into the sand and Alice feels at peace in the underwater world. When she reaches the top of the hill and sees the small town of Barrelbottom. Slice could see the fish citizens go about their daily business. It was hard for her to believe that is has been five years since she was last here. Back then she didn't have to worry about the Queen n the damn Infernal Train but things are different now. She wasn't looking forward to asking that bastard Carpenter for help. Last time she encountered him he was sacrificing Oyster Starlets to the Walrus. It disgusted her to ask for his help but she had to do it. Hatter walks up to her and looks down at Barrelbottom as well.
"Hatter I thought the Infernal Train killed Carpenter." Alice asks.
"Well I guess he came back somehow." Hatter tries to explain. "It's your world not mine so shouldn't you know?"
"I guess not." Alice says quietly.
"Come." Ordered the recently appeared Cheshire Cat. "We must get to the Carpenter before his show starts."
"Show?!" Alice exclaimed. "The last show I saw was called Totentanz and that Walrus of his ate the dancers!"
"That's life Alice." Cheshire growled. He was now extremely close to her face. "A new law reigns in this Wonderland Alice, it's very rough justice all around so I suggest you get used to it."
"I am used to it Cat. This is my Wonderland after all." Alice snaps back before pushing Cheshire out of the way and starts to walk down the hill towards Barrelbottom. The town seemed to be in a buzz. The citizens of Barrelbottom seemed excited for whatever event was happening today. The old wooden buildings were the same as ever but the town square was decorated with seaweed streamers and seashell buttons. Everyone looked happy. Alice saw a poster some people were crowded around. The group made their way to the poster that everyone was so fixated on.
Alice is taller than the fish people so she could easily look over them at see the poster. There was an Oyster Starlet on the front of the poster and was dressed like Alice. Around her were other actors and actresses dressed like the Puppet Master, the Queen, the Hatter, and so on. In big letters at the top of the poster was the title. Alice's Fight Through Wonderland! Written and directed by Carpenter. Alice stands there in shock that the slimy man would ever make a play about her. She is pulled away from the poster by Mouse as she is about to tear the poster apart.
"That bastard!" Alice yells angrily. "How dare he make a play about me! I just might kill him myself when I see him!"
"Alice calm down." Hatter says. "Remember we need his help if we are to fight the Queen."
"I know but I still don't like him making a play about me." Alice mumbles.
Hatter led Alice away from the poster and out of the town square. After several minutes of walking and trying to calm Alice they arrived at the Dreary Lane Theatre. It looks grander than before. The inside was like the old theatres in London that Alice had been in before. Alice couldn't help but feel like she was back in London off to go see a play. They walked up the stairs that led to the main stage. The seats were empty mainly because they were very early for the play. Rushing all over the stage was Carpenter. He had also gone through a change. He was shorter than before and he wore a puffy long sleeved shirt under his overalls. His orange hair was now longer and pulled back into a ponytail. He is so busy that he doesn't notice Alice walk up to the stage. Alice clears her throat to grab his attention. Carpenter whips around.
"Ah Alice how wonderful of you to come by." Carpenter says while still running around the stage fixing things. "I do hope you stay for the play. It's about you Alice."
"I know it's about me!" Alice yells. "You had no right to make a play about me!"
"Of course I did." Carpenter explains. "All's fair in love and play writing." Alice is about to yell at Carpenter but Hatter quickly steps in and stops her.
"Carpenter we need your help. We need to stop the bitc- I mean the Queen." Hatter explains.
"I don't have time right now to talk." Carpenter says. "We can talk after the play. Do stay for the play you can take one of the box seats."
Hatter drags the seething Alice out of the main stage area. As people start to pour into the Dreary Lane Theatre Alice and her group head up to the box seat area. They find on already reserved for them. They file into their box. Alice sits next to Hatter and Cheshire.
"Come now Alice." Cheshire purrs. "This play can't be that bad." The lights start to fade as the play is about to start.
"I highly doubt that." Alice mutters as the lights on the stage flicker on and that play begins.
