This chapter is about Alice's near death-experience and what happens after she takes Mirana's potion. Enjoy! :D
Alice's POV
The facts flooded into my head but they were just facts. I knew I was bleeding, from what I learned in China, Stayne must have severed an artery. My heart was now pumping my blood out of my body. My heart was killing me. Oh the irony. I hate irony. A sharp shooting pain raced along my wound. I had a feeling it was supposed to hurt more if not for my adrenaline levels.
Pamina was the only reason I was alive. I know she's tough and has lots of Muchness as well as training from Mally( I found a list.) but I never would have thought she'd be able to fight of Stayne. She was so brave and so good, she didn't even kill him. I couldn't even begin to understand how hard that must have been.
I felt a little dizzy as Pamina pulled me onto the Bandersnatch, panting as her tiny body tried to support my weight. I couldn't stop smiling, though there was not much to smile about. Pamina looked at me worriedly. She tried to say something but I only caught a few snatches of her voice.
'Mirana…castle…room…get Tarrant.' I said, finishing my last two words as strong as possible. I needed air but it was like I couldn't get enough into me.
I felt a soft bumping and rocking, Bander's fur felt lovely as always. I must have dozed off because when I woke up, I was in Pamina's room. The poor girl was frantic, running here and there carrying the most disgusting stuff to her dressing table. She dumped it all into the blackened pot, muttering unintelligible half-formed words in fear and panic.
The blazing orange that were her eyes when she fought Stayne had not gone away, merely changing in shade. There were lighter now, desperation and fear were the most apparent things in her large eyes. She muttered my name and Death and her potion in the same sentence. I had to fill in the blanks, of course. But I didn't worry about anything she said, I trusted her with my life.
A chill brought in by a sudden Wind, tingled my perspiring skin. I struggled to turn my head around but it was worth it because there stood my Hatter. The heart rendering look on his face made me sad. He was so scared for me. I could see it in his eyes. I gave him a reassuring smile but I didn't know how long I'd be able to look at him, my eyes wanted to rest badly. I could barely keep them open but I fought to keep them that way.
I was bleeding only a little now which was very bad according to my logic because that meant I was running out of blood to bleed. Tarrant was stunned but he got over it, coming to my side. He held my hand and I squeezed back.
'Dear Hatter, you came.' I said, trying hard to smile at him.
He spoke too but I only heard a few words like with Pamina but I knew he was trying to reassure me as well as himself. Pamina came running next, tears flowing down her pretty little face as she rambled something about Mirana and not be good at something.
Tarrant spoke something quickly, hugging her in his free arm when he let her go, she continued her potion with new determination. I squeezed his hand but even that was so hard to do. I had to tell him something. I tried to apologize for this whole mess but I had to choke out the words. It burned my throat.
Tarrant's eyes blazed into a bright orange at Stayne's name. Oops. That will definitely come back to bite me in the future. Future…was I dying? Currently, yes. Would I die? Definitely not. If I do die, in which case, someone should start praying for Death because I swear I will give that man hell if he does not bring me back at once.
A whirl of white entered the room and I knew Mirana would make sure I stayed alive. But she had to hurry, my eyes were so tired, I didn't know for how much longer I could keep them open.
In any case, much sooner than I expected, my Hatter was holding a steaming thing to my lips. My head told me to blow first but my body didn't care. I swallowed a mouthful and not only was it surprisingly freezing cold but it was the most disgusting thing I had ever tasted.
I finished the entire repulsive mug of healing potion. I could feel the effects sinking in, I felt happier by the second. My eyes lowered a little more and I yawned widely, it would be so easy to just close my eyes now but I fought through once more.
'Tarrant, don't go.' I said, no longer choking.
I needed to make sure, whatever this potion was going to do, Tarrant would be there. Once he promised to stay, I gave up my losing battle with sleep and almost immediately, I lost consciousness.
Not at all long later, I woke up in a dream. I wasn't alone though. We were sitting in a meadow, somewhere in Underland I knew because the flowers had faces, though they were asleep. The two people in front of me were deep in conversation, so much that they didn't notice me wake up.
In front of me, there was a woman dressed in all sorts of colours I could ever imagine. She was so beautiful cherry pink lips and slightly tanned skin. Her hair was so incredible, a mix of brunette, redhead and blonde, simply wild. She radiated happiness and joy then I saw her eyes. Pitch black irises dominated her face.
The man beside her was utterly different, style-wise. He wore only black, depressing clothing as black as the woman's eyes. His pale skin looked like they have never seen sunlight and his lips were only a shade more colour though he was just as handsome as she was beautiful. He had the exact same hair as the woman and his eyes…were the most brilliant striking yellow, bright and beautiful as the sun.
It was awhile before I noticed they looked extremely alike. I stared as they continued their conversation still oblivious that I was awake.
'Excuse me but you two look amazingly similar even though you're both of different gender.' I remarked, bringing their attention to me.
The woman jumped slightly, startled before she smiled. The man however, jumped and then shifted little further away from her. The woman began to giggle while he glared at her quite menacingly.
'Oh calm down, Death! She has no reason to hurt you!' The woman said, chuckling.
'No reason doesn't mean won't, Life. Can we just get this over with?' He said, sulking though he did relax a little.
'Death and Life? Oh my goodness, this is even more imaginative than my usual dreams.' I mused, looking from Life to Death, smiling.
'Life, I do believe she thinks she's dreaming.' Death said, looking at me with surprisingly compassionate eyes.
'Well, she's not completely wrong. Alice dear, we are in your dreams at the moment though we are very much real.' Life said kindly, explaining.
'Oh my, Mirana's potions… You can't be seen unless you choose to reveal yourself. You're like Time or Wind, right?' I asked, excited to meet Life and Death.
'Yes, we're twins. That's why we look alike. I am curious, Champion…aren't you afraid I might be here to take you away…?' Death asked cautiously, looking at me intently.
'It's crossed my mind, yes. I dare you try, Death. I promise you won't like it in the slightest.' I said coolly.
Death stiffened and shook his head vigorously.
'He's not here for business, Alice. Don't worry.' Life said, smiling, a comforting hand on her brother.
'Oh I know, I was just wondering what it was about me he was so scared of. Now that I've found out, I do apologize, Death. Curiosity.' I said, grinning as Life laughed and Death smiled, relieved.
It made sense, if Death was here to take me then Life's presence wouldn't make sense. That and Mirana's potions always work.
' In any case, we are here to inform you of a change. As you know, Mirana casted a spell over Underland a long time ago. From then on, people could not die in Underland unless killed. We'd like to make an exception for you.' Life said, smiling happily.
'You want me to be able to die in every way?' I asked, eyes wide at the news.
'No, no. Quite the contrary, we don't want you to die under any circumstance.' Death said.
'Thank goodness, but why the privilege?' I asked, suspicious. I wondered if there would be a price to pay.
'Death has a fear of you and actually any sort of pummeling or threat of pummeling from a strong woman. It terrifies him. He refuses to accept your death especially, so he asked me to take on your life full time. I agreed.' Life snickered at her brother who acted quite shy for someone who's supposed to be Death.
'Thank you but I cannot accept.' I said firmly.
'What?' They both exclaimed, sounding very much like twins.
'Why would you refuse this gift?' Life asked, incredulous.
'Why? Are you looking forward to beating me up?' Death asked, very much alarmed.
'No! Of course not, Death. But I can't be an exception to this when all the people I love aren't.' I said, simply.
There was a moment of completely stunned silence. Then, roaring laughter. Life laughed a most childlike laugh, like wind chimes while Death's laugh was deep and manly and very very merry. I waited for them to stop but soon when they didn't, I began to pout. Not at all ladylike, but it wasn't as if my mother were watching.
'Oh I'm so sorry, Alice. It was just so funny!' Death said, struggling not to laugh.
'What's so funny?' I asked, rolling my eyes.
'Your reason, I'd be happy to take on all your loved ones. They'll all be exception!' Life said, grinning wide.
'Really?' I asked, utterly flabbergasted.
'Yes, really.' Death said, smiling kindly.
He was awfully kind but then I suppose he'd have to be to calm all those who died in despair.
'Go now, Alice. Celebrate the news with your friends! Perhaps we will meet again.' Life said, waving with her brother as they held hands and disappeared.
Everything went black and when I opened my eyes. The light made me gasp in surprise. I was really awake this time. Beside me someone stirred and I heard my most favorite voice in the whole world.
'Alice?' Tarrant said.
Hope you guys liked it! I'm leaving for a trip soon, out to sea, on a boat. I'll try to update as soon as possible once I get back! :)