Hi people. I just started going back to school after New Year's, so don't expect an almost every day update like I have been doing. It's a miracle that I could find the time to write today. Well any way I decided that I would make the Red Queen evil since it makes the most sense. And Raven didn't recognize Chess because it's been like ten years since she has seen him. Thank you for pointing that out fearless-forever98. This chapter has some trouble.

Alice

I was having a wonderful dream. I was flying on some sort of creature, maybe a dragon? Someone was saying my name in a panicked tone, but I didn't care, I was flying.

The creature had a strange cry, it sounded like a person screaming, "Jabberwocky".

I laughed at it, what a strange cry.

Then my arm was yanked and I tumbled off the Jabberwocky's back. I was scooped up by strong arms and then we were walking back towards wherever I came from. Then I heard another sound. It wasn't really far off.

"JABBERWOCKY!" its voice was deeper and came from a massive creature.

The person next to me spoke in to what I now recognize to be Hatter's voice, "Uh oh, time to RUN!" And he took off while muttering to himself.

We skidded to a stop beside a tall tree. He gave me a boost and then proceeded to scramble up as well. Climbing was no trouble for me and I soon was a substantial height off the ground. Hatter stopped a few feet below me. I was giggling uncontrollably.

I loved climbing and running and the tumble with the jabberwocky was the most fun I had in weeks.

"You just had to wander off and play with a baby jabberwocky?" An out of breath Hatter said.

And then someone was shaking me awake.

I rolled away hoping to go back to the dream, but whoever was waking me up was insistent.

I cracked open an eye and saw a dark form standing by my bed. Wait, what was a person doing in my bedroom?

I sucker punched whoever was there and jumped up ready to defend myself.

The person who I had just punched fell to the floor with a thump, clutching his nose.

I blinked. It was Hatter.

Oh man, I punched Hatter.

"I am so sorry Hatter. I didn't mean it." I said while helping him up.

Then it hit me. Raven wasn't here. She was probably dead. Has been dead for ten years I reminded myself.

. Then Hatter interrupted my ramblings.

"Well, now we know who needs their beauty sleep." He said while rubbing his sore nose.

"Sorry." I repeated.

He shrugged it off, "Do you know where Chess is?"

I looked around the room, no Chess.

A loud growl came from Hatters stomach. We both laughed, despite the situation.

"Maybe he went to get breakfast." I said jokingly.

A second later the person in question walked through the door holding a tray full of food.

I smirked at Hatter who scowled back at me.

He then made a beeline for the Chess.

Chess had a strange look on his face, but as soon as Hatter grabbed the tray his became annoyed.

"Hey give it back; I am just dying to try pancakes."

"Pancakes?" Hatter asked.

I burst out laughing. This was too good. They didn't know what pancakes are.

"You two don't know what pancakes are?" I said in between laughing.

They both stared at me.

"Um no," Chess said, "I just assumed that they were invented in the last ten years."

"It's very good breakfast food, dummies." I said while grabbing one.

"So, these pancakes are considered a delicacy?" Chess asked.

"Hardly, there not very fancy." I said with my mouth full.

They both grabbed one. Hatter, the braver one, bit into it hesitantly. His instantly shoved the rest of the pancake into his gob. Seeing this Chess also took a bite. His joy was more restrained but it was clear that he enjoyed it.

We spent the next hour the rest of the food. Chess liked the egg sandwich but not as much as the pancakes. Hatter wouldn't touch his eggs after his first bite. I gleefully finished his portion of eggs.

Chess finished eating first, "I have to go into town today, so I'll be gone most of the afternoon."

Hatter nodded. "I'm going to go down and mingle and find out what's new in the world."

He stood up and then the strangest thing happened. His appearance changed slightly. He was shorter now and was sporting a short buzz cut. His hat had vanished entirely. To someone who didn't know him he looked like regular Joe of the street.

He stood and left before I could question him.

Chess turned to look at me. I smiled innocently.

"I'll just stay around here not causing trouble." I said.

He nodded reassured. "Alright, bye Alice." He said and then he too changed his appearance and left.

15-20 minutes later

To my credit I did wait around for like an hour. Okay maybe it wasn't an hour, but I still got very bored. I stepped out of the room hesitantly. I had a pretty good feeling that I wasn't supposed to leave the room, but Hatter and Chess never said I couldn't. Plus I said I would stay around here, not specifically in the room.

I went down the steps slowly taking in all the chatter and smelling the food for the early lunch hour. I spotted Hatter talking to a tall blonde waitress about ordering pancakes for lunch.

So much for gathering information.

I smiled and walked on. The day was a cool one but people were still trying to enjoy the sunshine. I saw two children selling some kind of drink on the side walk. I felt my pockets for loose change, I pulled a few ones and some coins from my person and walked towards them.

The little girl smiled at me with her front teeth missing.

I started to sing 'all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth' in my head.

She couldn't have been more than five. The boy next to her must have been ten. I wondered where there parents were.

"Hi, can I have a cup?" I asked as I approached them.

The girl filled me a cup full of dark green liquid. Maybe I should have asked what it was first.

The girl handed it to me with a toothless smile, "Two nickels please, miss."

I was appalled at the cheap price. I handed her a quarter and told her to keep the change.

She looked at me surprised, and then thrust the money at her brother.

"Thank you kindly miss."

I took a sip; it tasted kind of minty and soft. I eagerly took another sip.

"Thanks sweetie, it tastes great."

"You're welcome miss. My mum helped me make it."

"Oh, you don't have to call me miss, Alice is fine."

The boy who hadn't been paying much attention much before snapped to attention.

"Your name is Alice?" He asked dangerously.

"Yes…?"

He turned to his sister and handed the money to his sister. He also whispered something in her ear.

She nodded fearfully and took off.

I started to back away from the stand. "Wait Alice, come back."

"Why did she have to leave?" I asked worriedly.

"I gave her the money to give to our mum." He said hurriedly.

"Um, thank you for the…" I didn't know what the drink was.

"…pepper rock tea." He supplied.

"Yes, the pepper rock tea, but I really have to be going now." I said, something was definitely wrong.

Then the girl came back with her mum and what I guess was her dad. They took one look at me took their son away from the booth and ran away.

"Well that was weird." I said to myself.

I looked around for where they had gone. There, over by the corner talking to SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE A COP."

At least he seemed like a cop. He actually was dressed like a soldier from those old movies, that we were forced to watch in history class.

They were now pointing at me. He started to walk towards me.

Oh great, what had I done?

I started walking away quickly. I saw an alleyway and ducked into it. I immediately ducked behind the garbage pile and watched the soldier/cop run pass me. It reminded of when Raven and I hid behind the bush at the park.

I smiled at the memory. I crept out of the ally after a minute or so.

I kept my head down after that and pretty much ran back to the hotel.

I didn't look up until I was safe in the room. I waited nervously in there until Hatter came back with a snack.

While we were chomping on something called Quox beans, Chess came barreling into the room.

"We need to go now! "He pretty much shouted in our faces."

"What? What's wrong?"

He dragged us to the window, people were running from more soldiers/cops, but that wasn't the most terrible thing there.

There were grotesque metallic monsters crushing and setting fire to buildings. People were running and screaming from them.

"Machines." Chess and Hatter deadpanned.

"Why?" I asked in horror.

"Apparently, someone saw Alice in the streets and reported it to the Card's."

Hatter whirled around to look at me.

"You were out in town?!" He said appalled.

"Well, no one told me that I was so bloody important!" I said right back at him.

"Oops…"Hatter and Chess said in sync.

Chess shook his head, "Uh guys, I don't know if you noticed, but we need to get out of here."

We reacted at the same time. We tore down the stairs and tried to navigate through the mess of what the inn had become.

Just as we reached the door, a Machine whacked the building with its metal claw. We were separated, Hatter and me and Chess somewhere in the mess of the inn.

"WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE." Hatter yelled, gesturing to the hole in the wall.

"WHAT ABOUT CHESS?" I yelled back.

"HE'LL BE FINE." He shouted.

Then he pulled me out the hole. We ran for the forest at a breakneck speed, I only hoped Chess would be alright.

Chess (p.o.v)

A Machine whacked the building with its metal claw. We were separated, Hatter and Alice and me on the other side of a big column that had fallen because of the Machine.

I looked for another way out. There, by the kitchen bar, another small hole probably kit by a passing machine.

I leapt out of it running to the forest. It was the most logical place for Hatter and Alice to go.

But as I was leaving town I saw an unconscious girl lying in the rubble of a building.

There were unconscious people all around but something about her made me stop.

I lifted the hair from her face and frowned in surprise.

I don't know what made me do it but I picked her up and proceeded to run to the forest.

It was Anna Rose.