Chapter 10: Don't Leave Me

As soon as the Cheshire Cat went down that's when everything went to hell. Hatter and March Hare leaped into action, trying their best to distract their attacker. The man with the white rabbit ears just simply laughed at them, dodging their attacks and toying with them. However he would pull out his pocket watch every now and then, and quickly check the time.

"Alice!"Hatter screamed at her,"Take Cheshire and get him out of here! We will hold off the White Rabbit."

So they knew this killer. Clearly by the long ears on top of his head he was a resident of Wonderland, and a servant to the Red Queen. She tore her eyes away from the fight to look down at the crumpled form of the Cheshire Cat. Blood covered the top half of his body and he wasn't moving. A dark thought entered her mind, what if Cheshire is dead!

She pushed that thought aside and tried not to panic. She brought her ear to Cheshire's mouth and she could hear him breathing! It was faint and in tiny gasps, but he was still alive! She wiped away the tears that were forming in her eyes and carefully lifted the Cheshire Cat up. She put his arm around her shoulder and slowly started walking away from the White Rabbit and her friends. She had to get him out of here after all and try to heal him. She was pretty sure that the Mad Hatter and the March Hare would be ok.

Without looking back Alice dragged the limp form of the Cheshire Cat out of the park. She didn't know where to take Cheshire exactly. Her apartment was too far away to carry him and she was pretty sure she couldn't take him to a hospital. He did have cat ears and a tail after all. Not to mention he could turn his hands into claws at will. What was she to do?

Her body was starting to tire and she was sure to drop him soon. She needed to get as far away from the park as possible. She continued onward down the street, even if it was difficult. People was still in a panic over the incident in the park and the city was in an uproar. She had to push through the crowds all the while carrying her friend. She could feel her clothes getting more and more soaked in his blood and it worried her greatly.

She managed to carry the two of them a few more blocks before she collasped on the sidewalk. Using the last of her strength she drug Cheshire into a construction site, where a half-completed building stood. Once inside the building, she gently laid Cheshire's body down on the ground. She fell to her knees and breathed heavily, trying to regain her strength. Alice gazed at Cheshire and noticed that he still didn't move.

After a minute or so Alice got to work on trying to heal the Cheshire Cat. She inspected his wounds and noticed that the bullet hole had gone clean through his shoulder. She could see muscle tissue and torn flesh inside the gaping hole. Alice supressed the urge to vomit and looked around the area for anything that could help. The construction site was completely empty of anything, probably to make sure nothing could be stolen.

She saw that more blood was starting to ooze out of the hole in his shoulder. Alice stared helplessly as Cheshire slowly bled to death. Tears started to fall down her cheeks as the overwhelming horror sunk in. Cheshire was going to die. She was going to lose him...

"Please Cheshire...don't leave me."Alice said, barely in a whisper, "I can't handle losing someone else."

Alice wasn't even sure her voice could reach him anymore, but she continued talking anyway. She had kept these emotions and fears hidden deep inside her for years. It now felt like a dam had burst inside her chest and she couldn't stop herself from talking.

"When I was little I lost my parents in a car accident."Alice said, reliving the horrible memories in her mind," A drunk driver had hit them head-on and they died on impact. After that I was forced to move to New York to live with my grandmother. She was kind and a wonderful person. She raised me for years, but she too died eventually. I spent my whole life without friends, until Hatter, March Hare, and you came along."

Her hand gently held his cold one as she continued on her rant," You guys are the only friends I have made or ever have. I can't stand to lose someone else close to me. Please don't leave me. I'm not sure what you mean to me exactly just yet...but I know you mean alot to me and I don't want to lose you."

Suddenly she saw Cheshire's face curl up into a grin, followed by a raspy voice,"Don't worry my dear. I'm not going anywhere just yet."

Alice stared in shock as she saw Cheshire slowly raise up. He winced in pain and clutched his shoulder. She noticed that wound was closing up by itself! The blood had already stopped and the tissue and skin was merging back together. Slowly, the bullet hole was healing on it's own.

"I hate the wait."Cheshire said,"Each time I die it takes longer to come back to life and heal myself."

"What in the world is going on!"Alice shouted, in a mixture of shock and relief, with a hint of anger at the calm nature Cheshire was in.

"Oh well you see I am a cat after all." Cheshire replied,"I think I still have at least six lives left so don't worry Alice. I won't be leaving you anytime soon."

Alice could feel herself welling up with anger. She had thought he was dying and noone had told her that he was going to be ok! She had always thought that the nine lives thing was a stupid tale regarding cats, but Alice guessed it was true after all.

Despite being beyond furious with Cheshire she couldn't help but shed tears of joy that he was ok. He smiled sweetly at her and all her fears and former saddness melted away. It didn't stop her however from hitting him in his bad shoulder in mock anger.

"You jerk!"Alice shouted as she punched him,"Do you have any idea I worried I was!"

"Ouch! Still tender!" Cheshire screamed, rubbing the newly healed area on his shoulder.