Chapter 2 Wonderland

Forgot to put this in the previous chapter, however there is quite a bit of character injuries.  Also, there are a few deaths, but  not the regular characters.  Other than that ENJOY!

Bobby, Claire, and Darien arrived at the train station a little before three. They were all dressed rather elegantly. Actually, they looked as though they were filthy rich, but then so did everyone else. Even Fawkes in his wheelchair looked rather stylin'. He even had a different leg splint to match each outfit.

Once on the train, within moments they were surrounded by so many people it was making Darien a bit claustrophobic from his position in the wheelchair. He reached up and tugged at Bobby's coat-tail.

"What?! Fawkes do you realize how much this thing cost?" Hobbes asked while straightening his jacket.

"Yes I do Robert, but its not like you paid for it, man."


"Whatever Fawkes, but I for one don't want to see my paycheck once Eberts has finished with it if that place don't get this stuff back in perfect condition my friend."


"Alright man… I won't ever do it again." With that Hobbes turned back to the crowd. He had this look like he was in secret-agent heaven. Fawkes turned away sulking. He wanted to ask Hobbes a question, but obviously Hobbes wasn't interested. He was more interested in the guests than him.

Just as he was about to roll away completely. Claire squatted down beside him stopping him in his tracks. "Darien, what is it?"


"Fox remember keep?"


"Oh yes… and I'm …what was it?" She had to ask, she'd forgotten already.

"Its Caitlin Keeply, Caitlin. And, I must say I kinda like it."


"Thanks, but weren't we trying to get at why you're sitting here sulking and looking like you just lost your best friend?"


"Well, its just … I don't know…its just that since… since I can't see what's going on I thought maybe…I wanted to know if all of these guys were agents? And…can we go to our room now? 'Cause, 'cause I'm really starting to hurt. He winced as he tried to reposition himself in the chair.

"Oh Darien!" Fawkes looked at her with a look of warning. Then it hit her that she'd done it again. "Oops! I'm sorry…I'll just go tell… Robert and then we'll go get you settled." Claire stood to find Hobbes. She had to stand on her tip toes to see over all of the heads. After a few minutes she spotted him. Hobbes had moved through the crowd and was mingling and enjoying himself. "Darien I'll be right back okay? I think I see him."


She was never going to get this name thing down, he thought.

Fawkes just looked down and mumbled something about not being able to go anywhere anyway to himself as she left.

After a few minutes she was able to get Bobby's attention through the crowd. Seeing her he excused himself and was to her in a heartbeat. Once he found out what she wanted however, he acted like a child being dragged away from his favorite toy. It wasn't like he 'had' to go. In fact, Claire had told him to stay that she could handle it. But he insisted, Fawkes was his partner. 'Robert Hutchins doesn't bail on his partner' was all he said as he followed Claire to the kid.

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After they got themselves and especially Fawkes settled Claire decided to give Darien his daily physical therapy treatment and check-up. Which was clearly Bobby's cue to leave and nobody could have screamed it any louder. Cause as soon as his partner started screaming and grimacing at the pain it caused Hobbes to back into the compartment door and excused himself as quickly as he possibly could.

He just couldn't take watching his partner, go through stuff like that even if it was to help him. It just wasn't done. Besides, he'd want to help the kid, save him from it, but he couldn't. So, this time Hobbes decided it was in the best interest of both of them for him to bail, which he's never done anyway, so he figured it was okay just this once.

Once Darien and Claire were finished Hobbes came storming through the door like the train had been taken hostage or something. The two on the floor jumped in shock when he came through the door causing Claire who was on her knees to fall over and land right on top of Fawkes's leg. He screamed in agony as Claire with Bobby's help got up as quickly as she could.

"You okay there, partner?"


"Not really, seeing how 'someone' just landed on my leg. But, hey I'll live once my leg stops throbbing that is." Fawkes quipped.

Claire gave Darien some pain meds just as Hobbes began to explain why he had stormed in so suddenly. Which was, that things were about to get under way up front, and they needed to get going before they missed something. Fawkes protested, he wanted to rest for awhile, but after some minor convincing they got him dressed, back into his chair, and were soon on the observation deck where the events would get underway. A few minutes after they joined the rest of the party, the conductor took the podium and everyone crowded around.

Fawkes looked around there were so many people he didn't think that all of them could be agents. But then who was he to say. Had Claire answered his earlier question maybe he would have at least 'some' idea but…


Just as he was in his train of thought, a voice came over the loud speaker. As soon as it did Hobbes and Claire hoisted Darien out of the chair and into a standing position so he could see what was happening. As he stood he was met with the source of the voice. The conductor, who had walked up to the podium before. He was a short, skinny, bald little man. Then suddenly, Darien was grateful that Bobby and Claire had a hold of him because a horde of people stormed past him to exit the train and surely they would have knocked him over if they hadn't. Once they were gone there was only a small handful of what there had been left.

Bobby and Claire lowered Fawkes gently into his chair and moved up to some empty seats. Darien combed his hand through his hair in relief that, that was over. Once everyone was seated the proceedings began.

The agents in charge were introduced. Brett and Bradley McShawn. They both had long, straight blonde hair. Brett was quite a bit thinner than Bradley and a bit shorter, too. As they both stood a look of concern stole across their faces as they noticed the pain-filled, and exhausted face of Darien Fawkes, who was too tired to notice. But Bobby did. Brett shook off the concern for this man and took the podium. Hobbes didn't 'think' he knew them but…yet… there was something familiar about them.

Brett began, "Ladies and gentleman, thank you, thank you all for comin' on such short notice. Now that we have a much more manageable group. Why don't we get on with things, shall we?"

He then motioned to several elegantly dressed women at the back of the group. Coming forward they handed each of them an envelope much like the ones the invitations arrived in, and a name tag. Fawkes, Bobby's, and Claire's group received a second envelope addressed to the three of them.

Brett began again. "Now, if you would please wait to open your envelopes until you are in the privacy of your rooms please? Reveal the contents to no one. Neither that nor your identities are to be revealed. Revealing them will give away more than you may want to be revealed. Especially, if you are the criminal for this trip. So be careful what you say to one another.

There will be seven stops along the way. Each stop is considered free, meaning the mystery is on hold. There will be no criminal acts committed during this time. Use this time well to get to know one another. We will remain at each stop for two to four days. That is all. Sit back, have fun, and good luck to all of you!"


With that Brett left the podium and the two McShawn brothers took their exit. After that, everyone went their separate ways.

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A simple looking man sat alone in his room. He had laid out all that they would need for the trip. They all thought that this trip was all a game with the end awarding the winner of their little game. But, they would find out the truth soon enough. How truly wrong they really were.

Picking up the envelope he took out the card. Other years they'd received the finder card or the agent card. The agent card, that was what he'd received that first year twelve years ago. He remembered that distinctly. It was a fond memory but there was so much pain along with it. Shaking it off he looked at the card. It read Death card no. 4.

The plan would begin in three weeks they'd be at the third stop by then. Which meant there was plenty of time to prepare and gather some much needed information. Looking at the card again he began to laugh almost chillingly. No one would ever suspect them now. For, who would suspect someone who was supposed to be dead? This year taking care of the targets would be much easier.