CHAPTER EIGHT

A Hatter's Memory

Alice passed through the cold and ghostly passages. The heat seemed to have died down, and the bitterness crept back in. It was only a phase as the chasm boiled in a unfathomable heat. So many times they stumbled upon dead ends. When Alice observed the labyrinth from the chasm entrance it didn't seem all so massive, but now that she was here, she felt like a mouse tyring to find the slice of cheese. Thankfully, she felt much more uplifted with the Cheshire present at her side. She was thankful she wasn't left to wander this accursed maze alone.

As they both passed one corner, there was a long passage before them. At the end stood a pedestal, and on top sat something Alice could not make out from this distance. She cautiously approached it, and then the object was clarified. There seemed to be a stone top hat upon the pedestal. This confused Alice, but not as much now as she knew nothing made sense in the labyrinth, and neither in this world alone. She cocked her head to the side, and ogled at the intricate stone hat. It was very familiar. On the side of the stone, carved with much care, was a price tag: 10/6. She gasped. 'This is a copy of the Hatter's hat.'

The Cheshire nodded. 'It is. There seem to be duplicates of residents or of certain objects carved in stone within this labyrinth. I'm you've seen them?'

'I have.' Her hand crept up the cold plinth, and it caressed the brim of the hat. She then felt a tingle in her fingers; like pins and needles only not as sharp. Her eyes strayed from the hat, and then she looked in front of her. It was then the stone wall was... melting? It looked as though a canvas painting was being washed away by rain. Even the Cheshire witnessed this strange occurrence. Alice spun around and watched the world dissolve around her. As the mist disappeared and the walls vanished, colour intruded into the livid surroundings. She could hear laughter, and voices, and the sound of music joyfully playing in the midst. A new canvas was painted, and it was a much warmer feeling then in the enclosure of the labyrinth...

. . .

There was grass beneath her feet, and trees about her of all kinds. Not far from her either were wooden house with thatched roofs. There was a long pole in the middle of a small field, and there were people dancing around it. There were smiles upon there faces. The labyrinth had vanished from her eyes...

She stood frozen, utterly befuddled by this sudden shift in environment. Her eyes were the only part of her that moved. 'Where are we, Chessur?' she asked.

The Cheshire didn't seem too surprised by this alteration. He sighed. 'It appears we're in a memory.'

Alice quickly looked at him. 'Who's memory?' Just then, Alice's eyes caught sight of a familiar face. There stood, clapping gleefully at the rhythm of the music, was the Hatter. Alice blinked, not believing what she saw. 'Is... is that the Hatter?'

The Cheshire floated smoothly beside her, and then nodded. 'Yes.'

'Look at his hair.' She said. The Hatter's hair was down to his shoulders; curled in orange locks.

The Cheshire smiled. 'He was a lot younger back then.'

Alice then began to walk amongst the crowd. They showed no sign of her presence. She stood in front of the Hatter, who still clapped and smiled merrily. Alice then lifted a hand, and tried to touch him on the arm. To her surprise, her hand passed through, as if he (or she) was but a formed mist.

'Alice, this is a memory,' said the Cheshire. 'They cannot see you, hear you or feel you. You're invisible to them.'

Suddenly, a little girl with ebony hair ran up to the Hatter with a large smile. The Hatter smiled in return, and then lifted her up and took hold of her within his arms. 'Did you see me, Tarrant, did you see me?' She said excitedly.

'Indeed, I did, Rosanna, you were tremendous,' said the Hattter gleefully.

'I'm not as great as you are though.'

'I thought you were; you could beat me anytime,' he then set her down onto the ground. She gave out a sweet giggle. 'Come along now,' said the Hatter taking hold of her hand, 'Tea will be served now.' The two turned and walked towards one of the houses.

Alice decided to follow them and Cheshire pursued her. She glanced at the feline. 'Who is Rosanna?'

'The Hatter's little sister,' replied the Cheshire.

Alice then looked confused, 'He never said he had a sister.'

'A memory long since forgotten, I suppose,' said the Cheshire sadly, and they then followed the two into the wooden house.

. . .

'Hello everyone,' said the Hatter.

'Hello, Tarrant,' said a man sitting around a long wooden table. He had bright green eyes and copper hair like the Hatter. 'Where have you been?'

'Just outside. You should have seen Rosanna; she did a splendid job,' Rosanna was flattered by the Hatter's praise. Rosanna always wanted to become a great dancer like the Hatter; it was one of her dreams.

'That's nice, dear,' said a woman, who sat opposite the man. She had jet black hair and also green eyes. Alice assumed they were the Hatter's parents. 'We have some great news for you.'

'What sort of news?' asked the Hatter, taking a seat at the end of the table.

'Great news,' smiled his father. 'The good sort.'

'And what news exactly?'

'You know Alana, don't you?' his mother asked him. 'Beautiful girl. Lovely golden hair.'

'Most magnificent emerald eyes,' said his father, 'Like yours, Tarrant.'

'I think she'd be a wonderful choice, don't you agree, Niall?'

'Absolutely, Una. And who best than to be with the greatest Futterwacker in the village?'

'It's the perfect match. What do you say, Tarrant?'

They both turned to face him, and the Hatter only responded with bewildered look, but then it turned somber. 'Alana?'

'Yes. Daughter of Delwyn and Megan. She's a gorgeous girl, isn't she?' said his father with much joy.

'Um, yes,' said the Hatter, somewhat still confused. 'I suppose.'

'Why don't you go out and see to her?' suggested his mother. 'We've already discussed everything.'

Now the Hatter was puzzled. ' What exactly is 'everything'?'

'Why, your engagement, Tarrant.' said his father.

The Hatter's large eyes seemed to grow wider, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but he was absolutely speechless. He tried his best to let out at least two words. 'My what?' He asked again, hoping that what he heard was not true.

'Your engagement, Tarrant,' said his mother nodding.

'Yes, I caught that bit.'

'What is the matter with you? She's the perfect match,' said his father.

'And for the most beautiful girl to be wed to the most handsome man. It's like a fairytale,' smiled his mother.

'Except this isn't one,' suddenly, he arose from the table, eyes pacing below his feet.

'Where are you going?' asked his mother.

'For a walk,' replied the Hatter, and he immediately left the house.

. . .

Alice and the Cheshire followed him as he tensely walked across the field. 'Who is Alana?' asked Alice.

'I know not much of her, but the Hatter never took much liking for her, yet she too much for him.'

'Oh, then,' began Alice, understanding how he felt. 'He should have the right not to marry her.'

'Like you had the right not to marry Hamish?'

Suddenly, the Hatter accidentally bumps into whom he wished to avoid: Alana. She had long golden hair and bright emerald eyes, just as his parents described her as. She seemed quite a beautiful girl, but Alice knew not of what lay underneath her visage that the Hatter seemed not to take liking to. She smiled at him. 'Hello, Tarrant.'

'Afternoon, Alana.' He tried his best to stay relaxed, but this didn't fool Alana in the slightest.

'Why are you so tense?' she asked.

'Oh, no reason.' The Hatter pulled one of his toothy smiles.

Alana gave a quick smile in reply. 'Okay then. Do you want to go and dance?'

'I'm a little busy at the moment,' he said, obviously trying to avoid this request.

'Surely you can leave whatever it is your busy at, and have a dance? It's the Quadrille.'

He turned to see the dancing upon the field. 'So I can see.' He turned back to Alana, 'But, no, I am very busy. I need to get going.'

'Oh, well, don't be too long. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again.'

'Same...' And then the Hatter rapidly scurried off and out of sight.

Suddenly, the environment melted like before, and the colours were darker. It was nightfall...

Alice and the Cheshire walked along the shadowed grass, and saw the Hatter sitting upon a bench beside a brick wall. He starred up at a waxing moon lingering in a canvas of glittering diamonds. The moon reflected from his larger emerald eyes. He let out quite a sorrowful sigh.

'Is he alright?' asked Alice.

'Probably annoyed with this arranged marriage, he thankfully doesn't get into,' Replied the Cheshire.

'Thankfully?'

'Well, that probably isn't the right word for what is soon to happen, if I remember correctly.'

'What is to happen?' she asked curiously.

'Watch...'

Then a duo of familiar faces approached the Hatter from the shadows beside him. A little figure hoped up onto the wall beside him, and then sat on the edge, ''Ello, 'atter,' The figure greeted. Alice couldn't see the character clearly but she instantly knew who was sitting upon the wall by their accent: Mallymkun.

'Evening, Mallymkun,' said the Hatter, giving her a gently smile.

The other character approached from his side. 'Now what has gotten into you to be so glum, then?' they asked. Alice saw large ears sprouted from the shadows head, and she knew then it was the March Hare. She watched from afar.

'Oh, nothing,' said the Hatter, but he let out a sad sigh.

'You wouldn't sigh like that if there's nothing wrong,' said the Dormouse, 'Now tell me: what's wrong with you this evening?'

The Hatter exhaled and then straightened up. 'My parents wish me to marry.'

'Oh, that's nice,' said the Hare. 'Who's it to?'

'You wouldn't know her.'

'Well, why wouldn't you wanna get married?' asked the Dormouse.

'I just don't. Why be betrothed to someone who you do not feel affection towards? It seems empty and pointless, don't you agree?'

'Hm, I suppose so,' said the Hare, his lively voice softening.

'I wish there was a way to prevent this. Just anything. I don't wish to marry. But I can't say no to my parents; it'll break their hearts. If they want their son to be happy, let him be happy making his own decisions then ones already planned out before me without my knowing,' he sighed, 'It's just mad.'

'Well, you're gonna 'ave to tell 'em,' said the Dormouse, 'You can't just run away from this. You can't run away from a proposal. Who would do that?'

Alice then felt quite awkward at this, and the Cheshire smiled.

'I guess I'm going to have to go through with it,' said the Hatter sadly. 'It'll just have to happen.'

'If there was some way to prevent it, but there isn't unless some miracle happens for you,' said the Hare.

'What would happen within these days? Nothings going to happen...'

Then the land melted away again, and it was daylight once again. It seemed to be midday as the sun was high in the clear blue sky.

They were out on the field once again, and this time many groups of people crowded around them. There were dancers frolicking around a pole, and the residents of the village clapped merrily along. Although Alice saw someone she did not expect to see: The White Queen. She sat proudly upon her white horse, and smiled at what the village had to offer. It was a dance arranged for her delight, and delighted she was. Some soldiers were aligned behind, and although they bore no expression on their chess-like heads, Alice could tell they seemed happy. The Hatter was beside the queen too, clapping as everyone was. Alice smiled at this uplifting sight; it was lovely to see so many people smiling about her, and it was much better than being trapped inside the labyrinth with despair hanging on your shoulders. To be in a positive atmosphere was what one could be longing for so long. Better than being imprisoned inside a ghostly labyrinth, with a phantom causing you to succumb to grief and hopelessness. Alice wished this was real; she forgot all about the labyrinth... it was all behind her; this was the present, and she was grateful to be away from the chasm...

But then, the sapphire skies suddenly turned dark, and the green, fresh grass was shadowed by a creeping darkness. The music suddenly stopped, and the dancers halted in their tracks. They all looked up to the sky, where a blackened beast glared down at them all. Out from its obscure mouth a cloud of violet lightning expelled. The bolts of the beast's breath began to scorch the village to cinders. The woodland lit up like a thousand matches; burning embers rising into a black sky. The dwellings caught the flames, and they began to wither from the burning fire.

The people screamed; running in all different directions to escape the destruction the malevolent beast caused. A number of crimson armoured card men accompanied the fiend, spears in hand. They clasped any fleeing innocent, and executed them where they lay. It was deafening; the screams, yells, and the beast's roars were enough to burst the ear drums.

Alice watched the horrid destruction; frantically observing the catastrophic scene she was witnessing. Every woman, man and child were under the beast's chaos. There would be no mercy to show to these peaceful people.

The Hatter, undergoing the turmoil, tried to grip the reins of the White Queen's horse, who flung itself around in fear. The White Queen clasped on tightly onto the animal, trying not to fall off and fall victim to the beast's carnage. The Hatter's beloved hat fell off his head, although that didn't stop him from escorting the queen from the massacre. He pulled the horse forcefully, praying that they will manage to escape unharmed and alive. He dared not to turn back; to lay his eyes into the scarlet pupils of the dreaded Jabberwock. He heard the screams; and they sent shivers down his spine. He had never felt this much fear before, the people whom he loved were helpless to the Red Army's hostility. He and the queen darted off into the forest, leaving behind the agonising screams.

Alice, although knowing she will remain unharmed by what was occurring, couldn't help but feel the same as the others - fear. She lay her eyes into the Jabberwock's; the creature whom she had slayed those years ago. The Hatter once told her of this heart-breaking story, but she never knew of it much until now, to see it all for herself.

The Cheshire materialized beside Alice. 'It is horrible, isn't it?'

She couldn't answer, only observe what was happening. The flames engulfed the the entire area, causing a thick, choking cloud of smoke to unfold. The screams and yells were fading, but the Knights continued to wreak havoc onto the village. They lit the remaining standing houses with torches, and watched as the dwellings collapsed to the ground.

A cloaked man on a tawny horse appeared; an ebony heart-shaped eyepatch covering one of his scarred eyes. Alice recognized him immediately, 'The Knave,' she whispered. He halted, and pulled out a luminous sword from the soil, and looked at it with a smirk on his face. The Vorpal Sword, clasped tightly in his hands. After he looked at it, he rode off into the burning forest, with the soldiers following him behind...

The village continued to suffer the flames of the Jabberwock's destruction, until nothing else remained...

. . .

Alice stood there; overwhelmed by what she just witnessed. Flames continued to burn on the debris of the dwellings, and the trees endured their blazing inferno. The Cheshire glanced around; no grin on his face. The Hatter had always blamed him for what had happened. He saw this before, and couldn't bear the chaos the fiend caused, so he vanished in front of the Hatter's eyes. He always was a coward.

From the thick smoke, a figure appeared. From his posture, he was drowned in despair. It was the Hatter; gazing at the aftermath of the cataclysm. Tears were forming in his eyes, as he glanced down at the bodies of the Hightopp clan. They lay motionless; departed from this world. He slowly walked around, examining every detail. The Jabberwock had made its mark. He saw what was left of his home; now knowing he had no home any longer. His family, as much as he prayed that they would still be well and breathing, knew, unfortunately, they had suffered this undeserved fate.

As he walked back into the centre, he caught sight of a hat. It was scorched, but still quite in well condition. He went over towards it, and lifted it off the ground. He quickly glanced at it, and placed it on his head. The only thing that survived the creature's turmoil; a memento of his clan.

Alice gradually went over towards him, and looked into his broken eyes. She stood in front of him; knowing what he must feel. His eyes arose, and gazed into Alice's. Although she knew he couldn't see her, it felt as if he did. Tears ensued in her eyes; feeling everything he did - the despair, the agony, the guilt. For moments, they starred into each other's eyes. She lifted her hand, and moved it towards the Hatter's cheek. She wished that he would feel it, her hand gently caressing the side of his face. But her hand was just a ghost. He couldn't feel it. As a tear fell down her cheek, the fires began to die down. The land behind the Hatter vanished, and the Hatter along with it.

As she stood there, engulfed in melancholy, as the maze formed around her again, and she found herself touching the stone hat in front of her. She was unable to move, overcome with every form of anguish. The Cheshire glided over to her. 'Alice,' he whispered, trying to regain her senses, 'Alice.'

'Yes?' she feebly answered.

'We must be heading on. I sense the heart is very close.'

Alice glanced at him, then back at the hat. A new formed wave of determination ensued inside her. She was anxious to drive this despair out and end the phantom's inhumane illusions. It was time to act; time to fight back, and time to withstand whatever barricade this entity formulated before her...