"I hate you."

"I heard you the first time, dear."

"I really, really hate you."

"Yes yes...,"

"I really, really wish you would fall off the edge of a cliff."

"And yet you know I would come back one way or another correct?"

"...I really hate you." I sourly grumbled struggling to lift a hand to punch him. He hummed along completely at ease as he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Do you now? Well, that's a shame seeing how you'll be spending the next few hours with me." He teasingly hummed still fussing with my hair as he coolly read a book. Ugh...I made a bet to get out of a similar situation but now that I went against his wishes it only became so much worse for me. My eyes narrowed. Is this his way of giving me a warning? 'Do as I say or else I'll force you and you won't like it when I force you; kind of thing? Unlike before I can't move. Every time I try my body simply falls limp much to my growing frustrations. At least now I can think a little clearer although my mind is still foggy. My focus shifted spying a few roses dotting the bushes outside of the wooden framework of the pure white gazebo. When did we get into a garden? Ugh...I can't remember anything. After I fell down...my nose scrunched up as I struggled to piece together what occurred.

"My, what a hideous face your making. What are you thinking about?" He purred tracing his finger from my nose to the center of my forehead. My hand barely rose into the air before falling. Hm...that's the furthest I've been able to move it for a while.

"I'm trying to remember what happened." I admitted biting my lip. All I remember is falling down. How did I get here and how long has it been?

"Hm~ yes, that shall be a mystery to you for quite some time." Blood teased placing his hat over my face. I immediately inhaled his deeply enriched scent intoxicated by the masculine smell. Ugh...why does this jerk have to smell so good? "Now go to sleep; I'm sure you are still feeling some of the effects."

"No." I breathed clenching my teeth. I reached up, forcing every bit of power into my limbs as I could. My body trembled from the simple exertion as my fingers encountered the soft velvet hat ungracefully knocking it off onto the ground. I tilted my head aside glaring at the Hatter's surprised face. "I'm leaving, Blood." His cheek twitched into a smile as he raised his hands in a surrendering motion.

"By all means...you are free to go." My eyes widened, dumbstruck. Really?

"What are you planning?" I growled suspiciously. His smile only grew as his fingers brushed over my shoulder.

"A relaxing day with a stimulating woman. But, if she can leave on her own two feet, who am I, a gentleman, to refuse her?" He innocently asked wearing a crooked devil's smile.

"Deal." I eagerly agreed, lamely moving my leg. My brows furrowed together as my foot touched the solid ground, trying to twist my torso up. My lips twisted into a sneer as I tapped the ground trying to sit up at the very least. My body sluggishly followed my command unwillingly going along with my wishes. Tch this is hard...

Blood offered no support as he observed my struggling, amused at my efforts.

"My dear, would you care for some help?"

"Don't need it." I can do this. It will be sloppy and humiliating but...

I will do this.

I will prove to him that I am strong enough to defy him.

I heavily breathed out as I wobbled to my feet. I stumbled back a step barely keeping my balance as my sleepy legs began to work through the pleasant lazy muscles and loose ligaments. There...we go. Now all I need to do is walk. I hesitantly slid my foot forward forcing my body to hold itself together. Each and every tiny step brought me closer to my freedom as my body lethargically followed my commands.

"My~ I'm quite impressed. The drug should still be kicking quite a fuss at this time. But, riddle me this; what is your plan for the stairs?" He teased with a grin.

"Stairs?" I asked before gapping in horror at the traitorous task ahead of me. Oh gosh...this isn't going to be pretty. The three steps to the ground offered a terrible choice for me; stay up here with Blood until the stupid Rohypnol is out of my system or find a way down. Ugh...of course there are no rails to help me. Well, I could always just fall down but that's not ideal. I tightly grasped the side frame glowering over the treacherous obstacle. Alright. Falling it is then. I glanced back at blood who curiously looked over me, also trying to figure out how I would get down. I sighed. Well, here it goes. I leaned forward simply letting fate take hold of me.

Fate is a real b**** you know?

My forehead smacked into the first stair as I tumbled over, biting my lip as I sprawled over the ground. I rolled onto my stomach, peeling myself off with not only unwilling limbs but bruised too.

"...you are not too bright are you?" Blood questioned with a strained voice. I glanced back and grinned much to his confusion.

"Yeah it hurt...but you know what? I got down the stairs." He remained silent as he returned to his infamous poker face. I chuckled at my own stupidity and hobbled away. Ugh...I hit my knee pretty hard. I ignored him as the boards creaked signaling he was following me. Oh peachy.

"You're bleeding."

"Oh well."

"You're hurt."

"It'll heal."

"Are you so desperate to flee that you are willing to hurt yourself?" He pondered with a troubled smile. Oh~ he's not too happy about that.

"I'm not running."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Going to work."

"My~ such a dedicated worker Mary has. I wonder, what sort of other services do you provide that man?" Ugh, really? Back to the sex jokes already?

"Fixing the rides, going on bagel runs, helping him perfect ideas...anything he wants me to do, really." I absentmindedly answered not caring what he could pick from that.

"Anything then? Does that include servicing his 'lower' needs as well?" He mused trailing closer than I would like.

"Why are you following me?"

"So I can be there when you fall."

"That's a shame." I paused, getting my bearing before turning to him.

"How so?" I grinned watching as his smile turned to a puzzled frown.

"Because I'm not going to fall." Blood's not the only one who can pull off a double meaning every now and then. Once again his face fell into an unreadable poker face as I forged ahead. Well, that put him in his place. For a little while anyway. My eyes glanced over a nearby bush spying something long slither about on the ground. I froze; a snake? Well, as long as I steer clear of it, it shouldn't bother me...

...since when do snakes have thorns on them?

I curiously eyed the few vines which rose out of the bushes watching as they waved back and forth in slow, calculated motions. Oh that's just bizarre.

"Blood, what are these things?" I asked, reaching up to poke one. The vines paused in motion as my finger touched it's smooth edge, curling around the digit with ease. Huh. That's interesting. I jumped as something skirted by my calves glancing down to spying my legs surrounded with the stuff. My eyes widened as the many thorn filled vegetation ventured about an inch from my legs, prepared to spear me at any moment.

"Oh what-?" I leaned back right into Blood's chest as his hand clapped over my eyes. I stiffened and fell into his arms, one of which wrapped tightly around my waist. I weakly pushed against him unable to get a good hit in my position.

"Blood -," I began as he tilted my head back. An electric shock shot down my spine as his lips pressed against my neck. W-W-What...?

"You think that you won't fall?" He asked in a strange note as his hand slid over my stomach, pinning me to his. My heart skipped a beat as his teeth grazed my sensitive neck. My fingers dug into his sides unable to dish out any damage other than wrinkled clothing.

"You think that I won't trip you?" He pressed moving his hand further down over my pelvis. I gripped his wrist unable to halt his advances as he dragged something wet over my forehead. He licked me -?! His other hand left it's place, gingerly touching my throat as he craned my head back even further.

"You think that I won't force you down?" He asked as hot breath poured over my lips. My breathing hitched as my legs buckled but his arms held my head in place forcing me to stay on my feet unless I wanted to break my neck.

"My dear...you will never escape the Mad Hatter." He finalized pressing his mouth to mine. I whimpered and struggled to pull away but something icy slid down my throat. Ugh...what...?

BLOOD'S POV

What is wrong with me? I messily disconnected our lips spitting out the remainder of the drugs into a napkin. When I saw that she truly did have the power to flee at that moment I couldn't stop myself from reaching out. It's not as though she could have gotten very far. It's not as though I couldn't have hunted her down at a later date. It's not as though she was going to vanish in that instant. So why did I drug her once more? I bereted my foolishness for wasting such a lovely drug at the most inopportune moment. Bah...that was expensive stuff too.

A sigh rolled off my tongue as I picked up the little girl once more carrying her back to the mansion. I suppose this can be considered a small step back.

No matter.

"Elliot, take her back to the Amusement park." I ordered handing her off to the man. He jumped, startled but otherwise took the unconscious girl without question.

She will be mine soon enough. I just need to be patient.

‡

Ooooh~ what's going to happen now? He's drugged the poor girl TWICE! What do you think Jackie is going to do when she wakes up? 10 REVIEWS for the next chapter~