Ok my wonderful fans, I know I know, Ive been very naughty and have not updated. BUT I AM HERE AGAIN WITH AN UPDATE!
Thanks to Niphuria and AndieGibbs09 for pushing me into my next update, it helps to have people remind me that they want more!
And now splendid heaven, Chapter 7!
Stayne dragged Alice along through the castle, carefully avoiding anyone that might see them. Once outside, he pushed her to the ground. Whistling, he raised his hand. Alice turned her face to the sky, as well as she could with the Knave's foot on her back holding her down.
A rope appeared from the sky, seemingly on its own, tied to nothing. Stayne grabbed Alice by her hand and took the rope in his other. He tugged twice and the rope began to ascend, pulling them both upward. Alice's feet left the ground, her only anchor, the Knave's hand. She began to shake and called for help.
Laughing, Stayne shook her, as though to drop her and she screamed.
"No one can hear you, girl!" He laughed as they rose higher. They went through the clouds and Alice began to see different colors, and twinkling lights within them. She looked through a particularly purple haze (Hatter...) and saw a dark shape. As they grew closer, Alice knew it to be a ship. Te exact one that she had been on before it sank.
Alice's heart began to hammer. Had Stayne done this to mock her? Goosebumps covered her arms as they neared the hull. They grew closer to the bow, where the rope seemed to be anchored. She could see odd, animal looking creatures bustling about the ship.
Stayne pulled them aboard once the rope had reached the railings, tossing her onto the deck like a sack. "Oof!" She mumbled as her stomach hit the planks with a soft thump. Her hair in her face, she pushed herself up on her knees and looked around.
The creatures were hideous. Their faces were doglike, with fangs longer than her arm. They looked at her through sickly green eyes. The fur on their faces was patchy, appearing to have fallen out in places due to long lives of drooling non-stop.
Alice was not able to get much more of her bearings, as Stayne dragged her from the floor by her hair. "Come with me little chit, you are mine now." He growled and stalked off into the cabins with her flailing behind him on the floor. She cried out in pain as her shoulder hit the door Stayne dragged her through. Alice squirmed madly, attempting to dislodge his hand from her hair, without luck.
Stayne threw her into an empty cabin. I'll be back later to take care of you." He sneered as he closed and locked the door. Alice shivered and backed away from it. Taking in her surroundings, she recognized the room as one of the shipmates she had talked to. He had helped her transition to a life in the sea. Now he was gone… There was a tiny bed and a broken, waterlogged dresser near her, as well as a broken stool. She slumped onto the bed, burying her face in her hands and closed her eyes.
Meanwhile...
Hatter sat alone at his tea table. His head down, he stared at his teacup. It wasn't an amazing teacup, just a small ivory colored cup with a small handle, the rim covered in blue vines. No, not an amazing cup. Just something he could stare at, thinking, pondering.
"Why can Alice not love me?" He asked. Mirana, silently appearing behind him the moment before he spoke, now walked forward and sat beside him.
"She does not know she loves you." Mirana said softly. "She is afraid to know."
Hatter smiled a wistful smile. "How then, can one make someone unafraid to love?" He asked her, his eyes dilating from one size to another as they changed colors. Sorrow mixed with puzzlement dripped from his voice.
Mirana took his bandaged fingers in her hand. "By not giving up, my dear Tarrant." She whispered softly. She picked up an empty cup, and held it in both hands. "That's all she needs."
Hatter picked up the tea kettle, and began to pour Mirana some tea.
"How… I do not understand." He said as the cup became full. Mirana raised her cup to her lips as he put the kettle back on its holder.
"Don't let her go, Tarrant." She said. Hatter's eyes stopped and he stared at Mirana.
He jumped up, knocking his chair over, and with a clumsy bow began to walk away.
"Excuse me, Highness, I must find Alice and speak with her." He said. Before he reached the door, he stopped and turned, his eyes far away. "Thank you, Highness, for your advice." He said, and disappeared into the castle.
He walked swiftly towards Alice's room, hoping she would be there and not in the maze, where it would take him hours to find her. Just before he reached her room, the frogs that guarded the hall bounded towards him.
"Master Hightopp!" They cried in unison, and nearly toppled him over as they neared him at top speed.
"What the devil?" He cried exasperated. The frogs stopped and stood frightened in front of him, trembling. "Well, come on, out with it!"
The taller of the frogs stepped forward. "Master Hightopp! It's Alice, sir!" He cried. Hatter's breath hitched. Slowly, he breathed in and spoke again.
"What…about her?" He asked them, grabbing the frog by the shoulders. "What about Alice?"
The smaller frog flailed his arms. "She was taken, Master Hightopp! I seen it with my own eyes!"
Rage boiled through Hatter, as his gaze flicked to the flailing frog.
"TAKEN BY WHO?" He roared. The frog cringed and backed away. Hatter, dropping the first frog straightened, balling his fists. The tall frog stammered, trying to speak and finally, his voice broke through.
"Ilosovic Stayne, Master Hightopp…"
The Mad Hatter's roar of rage and pain was heard throughout the castle. Outside in the gardens, Mirana shivered from the sound.
DUN DUN DUN! Hope everyone liked the new chapter! Remember REVIEWS REVIEWS REVIEWS! THEY BRING MORE CHAPTERS!
