Hello readers! It's good to be back! Thanks for waiting! Don't have much of an author's note, just hope you enjoy!
After that horrible party, we had found that unfortunately Aleister Chamber was not the suspect, however since he was found trafficking, he is now behind bars. (at the moment) With the killer still on the loose, my mother thought it be best if we both stayed the day over ay Ciel's private house. She kept going on how she felt anxious that her beautiful-young daughter might end up a target for Jack the Ripper, and since she couldn't rely on Grell to watch over me, she thought have Sebastian would be perfect. Although, I think her real plan was to spark a relationship together.
I did not sleep well last night, my mind kept playing the scenario I had with that butler; holding me close, calling me his fiancée, almost kissing! I tried to hide my scarlet face behind my book, while mother and Ciel played chess. But just behind us, Sebastian was still going over records. If it was the Duke, this case would have now been closed. But Ciel regrettably told me Chamber wasn't responsible. Still, I sleep better now knowing he was rotting in jail.
"You must have had other choices in life besides policing England's underworld," Madam Red starting small talk with Ciel, "I'm sure my sister... your mother, wanted something else for you." Alice took a concerned glace at her mother, just saying her aunt's name brought sorrow to her, "And yet, after their deaths, you returned to be the Queens guard dog. Is it because you are trying to avenge your parent's murders?" Alice then looked to Ciel.
Her cousin was silent, before answering, "The need for revenges is a funny thing, but it won't bring back the dead, nor will it bring them happiness. To answer your question, I didn't come back to the house of Phantomhive for my parents," rubbing his thumb over his ring, he narrowed his eyes at his aunt, "I did it for myself. I want to find the people responsible for what happened, and I want to make them experience the same pain and humiliation that I suffered."
Madam Red smiled in pity, "I still remember the day you were born," standing up from her seat, she walked over to Ciel, "You were so tiny and fragile. I remember thinking, 'No matter what I must protect him'." We share the same feeling mother... Alice frowned. "I wasn't able to have children, but," Madam Red turned to Alice, with a smile filled with happiness, "I was blessed with a beautiful daughter," Alice's cheeks turned pink, as she smiled back to her mother, "And I've come to see you as a son. Which is why I wish you would quit this."
"This is a task I freely chosen, and it's still my choice to make and no one else. I don't regret my decision and I won't be caught by anyone." Ciel swore, looking stern at the madam.
Seeing is how there was no reasoning, Madam Red thought it be best to call it a night. Sebastian saw to two Dalles' to the door, helping Madam Red with her coat. He offered to help Alice but she managed herself.
"You don't have to escort me, Sebastian," Madam Red politely declined.
"But my lady..." Sebastian began, only to stop at her stern face, yet her eyes were full of worry.
"Promise me, say you'll never leave his side. This is a dangerous world for a boy, make sure he doesn't lose his way."
Sebastian smiled, and got down on his knee, "Fear not, I shall stay by his side and protect him to the end." Standing back up, he opened the door, where Grell stood outside in the rain with an umbrella.
"I am here to escort you back home, my ladies."
The carriage ride home, was quiet. Dinner, was quiet. We spoke not a word the rest of the evening, we were too occupied on on the same subject. I didn't like it, I was open to talk to my mother, why couldn't she? I didn't want to think of unpleasant assumptions, to assume... This, dreaded feeling in my chest was growing bigger by the hour of the night. The killer, Jack the Ripper was infecting my mind, like an unfinished puzzle, all the pieces were their, except the last one; A name. The person behind the mask.
As I sat in my bed, trying to calm my nerves by reading a book, I kept glancing at my bedroom door. Would I... be a bother, if I checked on her? I know I was a young woman now, and sleeping in bed with your mothing is childish, but I need that comfort that security. I wanted to be close to her, for I dread... that this might be the last time.
Madam Red was startled awake when she heard a knock on the door. Lighting the lamp back on she asked, "Yes? Who is it?" she was surprised when her daughter opened the door, "Alice? What on earth is the matter, my love?" Sitting up, she could see her daughter shaking.
Taking a deep breath Alice asked, "M-My I... stay with you tonight?"
Madam Red blinked, trying to recall the last time Alice asked to sleep together. A warm welcoming smile formed on her face, scooting over she patted the bed.
Alice smiled, quickly getting under the covers, she nuzzled next to her mother. Madam Red wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her close to her chest, and started humming a lullaby. Alice sighed, listening to her mother's beautiful voice, as the lamp slowly went out on it's own, "Mother..."
"Yes, my love?"
"I... I love you. No- no matter what happens, no matter what you do, I will still love you. For everything you have done for me, I am grateful." Alice pressed her face in her mother's chest, trying to hid the tears forming in her eyes, "I love you mother, always have... always will..."
She felt her mother's arms tighten, "Thank you Alice... I will always love you more, the light of my life. You have brought my so much joy, I couldn't be more happier." Kissing her daughter on the head, they both silently drifted into a deep sleep.
Had I known that that was our last conversation Maybe I could have done more...
~~WONDERLAND~~
Something wasn't right... This is all wrong...
Exiting through the garden maze I looked out in horror at the sight in front of me; The Red Castle, once standing tall in pure colors of white and red, now bleeding from the walls and towers. The lushes garden of roses all wither and dying, the sky was dark like smaug, the air thick with blood, screams echoed all around.
I raced to the gates, where the card soldier stood guard, "H-Halt!" They trembled with their timid voices, "Alice, you are forbidden from entering the castle!"
"Let my through!" I glared pushing past their spears, "I have to see the Queen!"
"The Queen does not want to see you! You are banished from the royal lands! That is the law the rules!"
"You think I give a damn about rules?" With surprisingly little effort I pushed past the flimsy cards. They tried to call me back but I didn't listen.
The inside of the castle was no better; black stained walls, crooked glass windows, the chaindelers red cantles dripped wax on the floors. The stench of blood was getting stronger, as I climbed the stairs to the highest tower, pushing past the guard and servants.
"NO! NO PLEASE I BEG YOU!" A bloodcurdling scream shrieked. Finally at the top, trying to catch my break, I stood behind my old friend. Queen of Hearts leaned over the balcony, glaring heartlessly at a woman who's head was in the guillotine. Tears streamed down her eyes, begging for mercy, as the large executioner card with a bag over his head waved the axe above her neck.
The Queen's pupils were a solid red, as she raised her hand, "N-No- wait-!" I tried scream, but I was too late. Her hand dropped and the axe went down. I covered my mouth, refusing to believe what I just saw, "Why..? How could you do this?"
The Queen turned around and faced me, her deadpan expression never changed, as if she was lifeless, "What are you doing here Alice?" Her cold voice sent a shiver down my spine, that was not her kind cheerful voice.
I swallowed, trying my best not to vomit, "I don't understand, why are you doing this? My friend..." Slowly walking over, I reach my hand out, but was rejected.
"Why..? WHY?!" Her voice boomed, I flinched away, "You of all people should know why!" Looking over the balcony again, the Queen watched at the executioner stack the headless corpse on the pile with the others, "Because they have something I crave... Something I want more then anything. And yet..." slamming her fist on the railing she glared daggers down at the next victim, "THEY DECIED TO THROW IT AWAY! AS IF IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE! THESE WHORES THAT PLAGUE THIS WORLD! WHY SHOULD I SHOW MERCY ON THOSE WHO DON'T FOR THEIR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD?!"
I was left star-struck, unsure of what to say. After the Queen bellowed all her rage and emotions, she place a shameful hand over her face, and began to chuckle, "Death and sorrow is all I know... all I bring. Even you see me and the monster of Wonderland." She stared at me with her uncovered eye, waiting for my answer.
I shook my head, "No... No I could never! You are not a monster! You are my friend! Remember," I slowly started to walk towards her, "Our croquet games. Afternoon tea in the garden. Playing dress up," My smile was honest, I was trembling not because I was scared, I was afraid I would lose my dear friend, "Please, your majesty... Angelina." I reached out my hand again, my smile never waver.
The Queen looked down at my hand, then back at me, "Alice... My dear Alice..." Dropping her hand she extended her arm, her hand inches from mine.
We were so close... but world is cruel, even in Wonderland. The castle began to crumble, the platform we were one cracked between us, "You must go Alice!" The Queen of Hearts cried.
"NO!" I tried to reach for her again, "Come one!" But she shook her head.
"You have too. I'm sorry..." I was shock when tears started to fall down her cheeks, I had never seen her cry before, yet her smile was pure, "Thank you... For always being their for me. And thank you, for fulfilling my dream."
The castle started to fall onto itself, pushing me further away, "No! Please wait!" But it finally collapsed, and I was sent plummeting down, "AAAAHHHH!"
"Wake up Alice! WAKE UP!"
~~Reality~~
Alice gasped in shock, eyes flung opened, trembling in a cold sweat. Thunder and rain stormed outside the window, which must have awoken her. Her heart beat slowly died down, sighing in relief, "What a horrific nightmare... But, it had to mean something?"
She reached her right arm over the bed, "Mother? Are you-" Her eyes widened again, the bed was empty. Now fully awake Alice franticly looked around the room, "Mother?!" Where did she go? She was just here! In the middle of the night? Lightning flashed again followed by thunder, "Oh no..."
Drawing the cover off her, she leaped out of bed and ran to her room. She didn't have time to get dressed, she pulled on her thick coat over her nightgown and ridding boots. Racing down the stairs out the doors, ignoring the butler who was patrolling the mansion. Alice headed to the stables, and quickly put the reins on her horse, there was no time to hook up the saddle.
"Come on, girl!" Hopping up she whipped the reins, her horse cried, raring up and raced out into the storm. Alice didn't know where to look, but she had an idea, "Please... Please don't be too late!"
By the time she reached London, the rain had stopped. All was quiet except for her horse's hooves clanking against the stone road. It was so cold she could see her breath.
"Come on..." Alice pleaded, eyes looking all around, every alleyway she came across. She remembered the areas where the victims were found, so maybe there was a chance the killer would strike again, "Please give me a sign! Anything!"
Suddenly she heard a horrific sound that echoed through the city; it sounded like a car engine about to burst, it was unlike anything she had ever heard of. Alice pulled the reins, stopping for a moment, trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from, "There!" Whipping the reins she charged down the streets of Scotland Yard. She had to reach it, she must! There was still time!
By when Alice reached the alleyway, the sound had died, Stopping her horse, she jumped off and ran. But when she turned the corner, she was greeting by a nightmarish sight. She saw her cousin, his butler covered in blood... and the body of her mother, on the floor in a pool of her blood, a coat draped over her figure to not show.
Ciel and Sebastian looked up, shocked to see the young Dalles, "A-Alice..?" Ciel gasped, "What are you-?"
She said nothing, slowly walking up, before dropping to her knees next to her mother. With a shaking hand, she gently moved the coat down, just to see her face. Large tears formed in her eyes that dripped down when she blinked, landing on her mother's face.
"No..." Alice voice cracked, "No.. it- can't be too late... I-I-" Cupping her mother's face, she leaned over shaking, "I could have help her... I could have made it!" Her crying was quiet but got louder, as it echoed through the night.
Ciel frowned, he couldn't say anything that would comfort her, for they both new the truth. All he could do was watch as Alice cried the night away.
*Big dramatic groan* Man, that was hard... *grabbing a tissue box* Sorry if this chapter seemed short, I didn't want Alice to find out the truth about Demons and Grim Reapers just yet. Thank you all again, see you guys in the next Chapter! ;)