12-18-2018- Author's note: Second chapter rewritten! I hope you'll enjoy it.
Chapter II
Alice woke up with a disturbing pressure on her back.
She grunted and slowly opened her eyes. She squinted so they could adjust to the sudden brightness.
She had a heavy headache and her body was sore.
''How could I be so stupid to climb that balustrade?'' she whispered shifting carefully trying not to hurt herself.
She clenched her teeth as she moved her right arm. She slowly sat up, but the pain rushed through her spine.
''Why won't it stop?'' she asked frustrated. She felt tears emerging from her eyes, and squeezed them tightly shut when she tried to stand up.
Come on, Alice! Just stand up! she urged herself.
Despite the pain, she stood up but immediately regretted it. Her ribs felt smashed and the rest of her body was sore.
She tried to walk to the sink, but she couldn't take more than baby-steps. It felt as if her legs had rooted into the ground. ''Come on,'' she muttered to her feet. When they didn't do anything despite her hard attempts, she became frustrated. ''Come on!'' she shouted.
She ignored the pain and walked to the sink.
She examined her face in the mirror that hung above it. I'm a mess, she thought looking at her reflection. She looked tired and her hair was tangled. She rubbed her eyes and looked again.
I can't go outside like this, she thought. Her attention was drawn to her injured hand with a rag bound tightly around it. She looked at it in awe.
Her hand hurt and stung and she was afraid of what might be revealed when she removed the rag.
She watched it hesitant, then decided to do it quick. She closed her eyes inhaled, and removed the rag.
She gasped when she saw her hand. The wounds hadn't healed well, here and there stray crusts covered her hand. The wounds on her knuckles started bleeding again, but not as bad as the night before.
She watched it with agony, and was afraid something might be terribly wrong with it.
She ripped her gaze off the hand, and forced herself to go downstairs. It took her some time, and above all perseverance, because her wrist and back weren't very gentle.
She grunted many times on the way, but finally after what felt like eternity, she reached the dining room where the men from the Ascot family sat, eating.
Lord Ascot looked up when she hobbled into the room. At first sight he smiled, but when he realized something was wrong his smile immediately changed into a concerned expression. ''Alice?''
He stood up and walked toward her. ''What happened?''
Alice looked up, her cheeks completely covered by fresh tears and her skin deadly pale. ''I fell,'' she forced herself to say through clenched teeth.
It hurt when she did anything. Even talk. ''From...balustrade...balcony.''
She closed her eyes and breathed heavily, though it didn't help, it only send a fresh wave of pain through her body.
Every word took an enormous amount of energy.
''You must lay down,'' he said immediately. He led her to the living room, and helped her onto the couch. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as she felt the cushions touch her back.
When she was settled, she closed her eyes and tried to ignore the pain, but it was hurting too badly.
She tried to shift but grunted uncomfortably, and after a few useless attempts, gave up.
She lay back down and watched the Ascot's talk in the dining room. Lord Ascot was taking his coat from the coat rack and quickly put it on. ''I'm going to get a doctor, take care of her.'' He walked to the door and opened it. ''Gently!'' he shouted into the house before he closed the door behind him.
She tried to get some sleep in the time Lord Ascot was away, but she couldn't get herself to it, the pain was too overpowering.
She tried to shift again, but her back felt raw as if it was completely burned.
After some time, Hamish came walking toward her with a tray of food and a glass of water.
He gently put it next to the couch and handed her some food. ''Here,'' he offered. She carefully took it and put it in her mouth. ''Thank...you...''
She forced herself to thank him, even though he said she shouldn't talk anymore.
Hamish looked at the ground. ''Actually, I am the one whom should thank you,'' he said softly. Alice watched him with curiosity. ''I mean, if you hadn't cleared my sight I would still live how my mother wanted,'' he said looking at the dining room.
''And if I would've done that, I wouldn't have been able to propose to Glinda.'' He looked back at Alice and smiled. ''So, thank you.''
Alice didn't want to talk anymore, so she just smiled back in reply.
They sat there for some time, Hamish handing Alice food and she listening to his stories.
Hamish had changed. At first he was just some kind of annoying freak. But now, he was kind, generous and helpful. She was glad he had changed, especially because he would go his own way now, just like she would.
Suddenly the door opened and Lord Ascot entered with a bald man on his heels. ''I'm back,'' he shouted in the house. ''We're here, dad!'' Hamish shouted to the hall.
The duo entered the room and walked toward Alice. The doctor kneeled in front of the couch so he faced Alice. He was middle aged and had a kind expression.
''I'm doctor Haynes,'' he said. ''What happened?'' he asked opening his suitcase. Alice tried to speak but clenched her teeth instead. The doctor looked up at Lord Ascot who started explaining. The doctor nodded a few times, and then turned to Alice again.
''Where does it hurt?'' he asked. Alice stuck out her hurt arm and tried to ignore the pain it caused. Doctor Haynes examined it closely and did some tests.
Finally after what felt like eternal torture he said, ''It's just bruised. Nothing to worry about.'' He closed his suitcase again. ''But those are mean wounds. I will treat and bandage them if you let me,'' he said to Alice. She looked at him with a smile. She would do anything to take away the pain she felt now.
Haynes reopened his bag and took out a pair of scissors and bandages. He carefully bandaged Alice's hand. She often grunted and clenched her teeth, but when he was done her hand did feel better, as if it were protected.
''About the wrist, I can prevent it from hurting. Or at least, hurt less than it does now.'' Alice abruptly nodded but regretted it immediately because it sent a fresh wave of pain through her back, she gasped when the pain flashed through her body. Haynes looked at her with a questioning expression.
''My...back…'' Alice breathed through clenched teeth. Haynes stood up and walked to the back of the couch. He put his hand on her back. She immediately felt a fresh wave of pain flood in her body. ''When did this happen?'' Haynes asked.
''Yesterday...night...'' Alice replied. Haynes shook his head. ''You shouldn't have waited so long. It doesn't look good,'' he said. ''I suggest you rest for a while until your back is completely recovered and healed. If you fall again, it can do some permanent damage.'' He packed his suitcase, and closed it. ''How...long…'' Alice breathed desperately. ''I'd say about two weeks, maybe three,'' he replied thoughtfully.
Alice closed her eyes, as new tears tried to escape her eyes.
She couldn't stay that long away from Wonderland, if a few days there, were a few minutes here, who knows how much time would go by in three weeks? Maybe a year, or maybe even a decade, she thought miserably.
When the doctor had left the house, Lord Ascot proposed to help her back to her room.
So the next half hour, they tried to get Alice back upstairs without hurting her.
By the time they got to her room, her entire body ached and felt sore. They carefully helped her back in bed and lie comfortably. ''Thank…'' Alice started but was interrupted by Hamish. ''I said you shouldn't talk. It hurts you,'' he said sternly, though he was smiling gently.
She smiled in return. ''If you need anything you can pull that string, it'll send a signal to the kitchen.'' He pointed at a string next to her bed.
Alice nodded curtly trying not to hurt herself, but nothing seemed to be that easy.
Hamish and Lord Ascot left the room.
Alice looked through the balcony entrance at the bright sun. She only saw green and the light from the sun that peeked over it, but she didn't mind. She loved the green leaves and forests, it calmed her and helped her regain focus when needed.
Why does it hurt so much? she thought desperately as she tried to roll onto her side.
She struggled for several moments, and finally managed to roll onto her side. Pain erupted inside her body and she groaned softly. She put her injured arm out of any possible ways of harm, and closed her eyes. She slowly drifted off into a light slumber.
''Alice! Help me!'' A desperate cry rung through the room.
Alice slowly opened her eyes, trying to understand what was happening. She blinked a few times, then held her eyes open, but there wasn't any difference in what she saw with her eyes open and closed. Everything around her was pitch black. She couldn't see anything, not even her own feet.
''Alice! Please!'' the voice begged from a distance. Alice turned to the source of the sound, but couldn't see anything.
Alice started to panic. ''Why can't I see anything? Why is everything so dark?'' she shouted into the darkness.
''Help!'' The voice grew more and more desperate. Alice wanted to help the person, but she wasn't even able to help herself.
''Alice, why did you take so long to return?''
She froze. To her horror she recognized the voice, it contained a slight lisp.
''Oh, no!'' she whispered to herself. ''Please, Alice!''
It was unmistakably his voice.
''Tarrant! Where are you!'' Alice yelled into the darkness. She still couldn't see anything, her eyes didn't adjust to the darkness and it frustrated her.
''Alice, why?'' Tarrant asked sadly.
Alice looked around wildly. ''What do you mean?'' she replied. She stopped turning and looked down, concentrating on what he said.
''Why have you been gone for so long?'' he whispered. Alice could hear his voice shake. ''I-I had to do some things. You know that, and I couldn't come earlier, '' she whispered back reminded of her injuries, and feeling her eyes burn with tears.
''Tarrant, the last words you said to me before I left Wonderland. I want you to know, I love you too,'' she said, feeling tears stream down her face like waterfalls.
Alice fell onto her knees on a ground she couldn't see, and buried her face in her hands and sobbed softly.
''I know Alice. I know,'' Tarrant whispered, his voice seemed closer.
Alice quickly looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, right into those bright bluish, green eyes. The Hatter bore a smile which exposed the gap between his front teeth, his face as pale as usual, and his hat slightly askew on his bright orange hair.
''I love you too, Alice,'' he said shaky again. Alice noticed a tear roll down his cheek. ''I want you to know, no matter what happens, I will always love you,'' Tarrant said.
He kneeled down in front of her, took her hands in his, and leaned forward.
Alice closed her eyes, as she felt his soft lips meeting hers. She felt one of his tears brush her own cheek.
She enjoyed his touch and warmth. But to her horror, she felt him fading away. She opened her eyes, and saw his body slowly vanishing. She tried to grab him, but her hands went right through him.
''Tarrant! Don't go! Please!'' Alice begged him through heavy sobs.
Only his head was barely visible now, the rest of his body had faded away. ''Remember, Alice,'' he said softly. ''I will always love you,''
''No! Tarrant, don't go!'' Alice screamed, but it was too late. His face had faded away into the darkness. Alice felt tears stream down her face like waterfalls.
Suddenly she felt sick, and wanted to throw up. But instead, she lay down on the ground, and allowed the tears to silently slide down her cheeks, onto the invisible ground.
''Tarrant!'' she shouted when she woke up.
Alice quickly opened her eyes. And found herself looking up at the painted ceiling. Her back was sore and hurt terribly and her hand felt crushed.
She closed her eyes again and sighed. ''Right.'' She opened them again and looked through the balcony entrance.
She saw the sun was already going down, there was only a small part of its top visible over the green bed of leaves.
She shifted so she would lay a bit more comfortable, but realized she had a raw throat from her shout.
She tried to get up and walk to the sink, but her back was hurting too badly. She looked hesitant at the rope that hung next to her bed, but decided not to bother them with her 'problem'.
Instead she tried again and this time managed to get up and sit on the edge of the bed. She gritted her teeth in pain, but forced herself to stand up. She shuffled toward the sink, and drank a few gulps. Then returned to her bed.
When she lay under the covers again, she started thinking about her dream.
A call for help, nothing but darkness, and an accusation that I had been gone for too long, she thought. I think Wonderland needs me.
No, I know Wonderland needs me. She almost forgot about her conditions and had almost jumped out of bed and run down the stairs to the tree.
She felt terrible now. She knew people needed her help, and she was powerless to do anything.
This is real torture, she thought angrily.
After some time, the door opened and Hamish entered the room. ''I've got your dinner.''
Alice quickly sat upright, despite her pain, she didn't want to look weak.
Hamish put the tray in her lap. ''Bon appetit,'' he said before he left the room again. Alice wasn't hungry at all, but she forced herself to eat at least a few bites.
Swallowing hurt, but she ignored it. When she felt sick of the food, she put the tray back on the ground, and lay back down.
She stared at the ceiling. It troubled her deeply to know Wonderland was in danger and she couldn't do anything to help. After a few frustrated moments, she dozed off into a troubled sleep.
When she woke again the room was flooded with sunlight. The sun shone exactly through the gap of the balcony entrance and onto her face.
She blinked a few times, but then she realized her back hurt less than before her nap.
''How is that even possible?'' she asked sitting upright. She felt her throat and didn't understand how she was able to talk again without harming herself. ''Alice?'' a voice next to her asked.
Alice shot around to the source of the sound. Lord Ascot sat on the wooden chair at the desk. He watched her with tired eyes.
''You've finally woken, good heavens.'' He closed his eyes and sighed in relief. Alice watched him surprised. ''What do you mean?'' she asked.
Lord Ascot opened his eyes and looked at her. ''Alice,'' he started. ''You have been asleep for three days.''
Alice watched him dumbfounded. ''T-three days?'' she asked miserably. She didn't realize she had said it out loud. ''Yes, three days.''
He stood up and immediately filled a glass with water from the sink and handed it to Alice. ''You have been muttering in your sleep too,'' he said as Alice took the glass.
''Like what?'' she asked cautiously. She hoped so badly she hadn't said anything about Wonderland.
''I don't know, it was more gibberish than real talk. We couldn't understand what you said,'' Lord Ascot replied.
Alice relaxed her muscles and sighed in relief. She quickly drank some water then handed the glass back to Lord Ascot. ''Can I go outside now?'' she asked. ''I'm feeling better, and I'm less sore,'' she said.
Lord Ascot eyed her suspiciously. ''Why do you want to go outside so badly?'' he asked turning around to put the glass back in its place. ''I don't know,'' Alice replied truthfully.
Lord Ascot returned and said, ''I'm sorry, Alice. I can't let you go outside, the doctor said you should rest for at least two weeks.''
He turned around and walked to the door. ''By the way,'' he turned around. ''There's someone here for you.'' He opened the door and left the room. Again, Alice was alone.
She was angry with Lord Ascot because he wouldn't let her outside, now she couldn't slip away and descend down the rabbit hole.
But after some time, she realized it wasn't his fault at all, it was hers. I was stupid enough to go climb that slippery balustrade, she thought angrily. ''Why am I so stupid?'' she shouted in frustration.
The door opened and her mother stormed into the room. ''Alice!''
She dashed toward the bed and kneeled next to it. Alice wanted to scream inside, the chance that her mother would take her back home was bigger than anything.
''Are you alright?'' She embraced her daughter which sent another flash of sharp pain through her back, she gasped. ''I'm sorry.''
Her mother retreated and examined her. ''Lord Ascot contacted me you were hurt, I came right away. But when I arrived, you were asleep,'' she said. ''That was three days ago. I've been here since then.''
She watched her daughter with concern. ''I guess you're going to take me home now?'' Alice asked softly. A lump formed in her throat and her eyes burned with tears.
Helen watched her for several moments. ''No,'' she said finally.
Alice looked up. ''No?'' she repeated confused. ''What do you mean?'' she asked turning to her mother.
''Exactly what I just said, no.'' Alice watched her mother suspiciously. ''Are you feeling alright?'' she asked concerned after several moments.
Helen rolled her eyes exaggerated. ''I think you're old enough to take care of yourself,'' she said reasonably.
Alice raised an eyebrow. ''I'm serious,'' Helen said. ''You're old enough, and this was your choice. I'm not going to treat you like a child anymore. Even though you're still a child to me. I must accept you've grown up and ready to face your own troubles and difficulties.''
A grin appeared on Alice's face as a flood of relief washed over her. ''Thank you, mother,'' she said softly.
After a few hours her mother left the estate and set home. Alice was still deeply troubled by the dream she had had, and she had left Wonderland unprotected for who knows how long.
When the evening neared she grew very anxious. She had been thinking about the possible dangers and happenings that could've taken place in Wonderland while she was absent. The next more unpleasant than the last.
The heavy burden of guilt started to grow inside her heart and weighed on her conscience.
I have to return! she thought panicky against noon. ''I hate to ignore a doctor's advice, but I'm going to Wonderland,'' she whispered determined. \
She waited for the evening to fall, and the sun would've been consumed by the horizon.
Then she quickly left her bed and walked to the sink. She splashed some water onto her face and looked at her reflection. ''I'm still a mess,'' she muttered grinning.
She shook her head and started brushing her hair.
When she was done she walked to the door. She put her hand on the door knob, and threw one last glance at the stunning room. ''I'm sorry mother,'' she whispered. ''But I have to do this.'' Then, she opened the door and disappeared into the dark hall.
She carefully closed the door behind her, and tiptoed to the huge staircase. She went down the stairs as careful as possible, she was granting extra caution not to fall again, to avoid any permanent damage.
She walked to the doors and looked around, she watched the hall for a moment. She wanted to be sure this was the right thing to do. ''I promised.'' she said to herself.
And with that, she opened the doors, and went outside. Ready to return to her Wonderland.
She crept as silent and careful as she could across the grounds, her back started stinging softly and her wrist burning.
She was almost there, just a few feet left. She could hear her heartbeat pierce the silence of the night.
When she had reached the tree, she walked around it to find the hole. Finally after what felt like a century, she thought she had found it. But the darkness was deceiving her sight, and it was just a random hole in the ground with a dead end.
She continued her search, and finally when she narrowed her eyes to look, ''Yes, Here it is,'' she whispered. She carefully kneeled next to it, and glanced around at the estate. ''I'm sorry, I have to do this,'' she whispered softly. She closed her eyes and sighed.
She turned to look at the rabbit hole again, and dropped into it.
She felt the adrenaline stream through her veins and the wind rush past her, her hair fluttered in the sudden force of the dashing wind.
The trip down the rabbit hole went exactly the same as last time.
She could see the bottom and knew she would fall through it. Alice covered her head with her hands in order to protect her face, but she had forgotten about her wrist and back, but when the terrible thought came to her, it was already too late.
She slammed right through the bottom and a fresh wave of pain flashed through her entire body. She clenched her teeth, but it was to no avail and she slammed another time into the ground, but this time she didn't break through it.
She screwed her face in pain because her whole body felt broken. She slowly opened her eyes and lay there motionless for some time. She groaned and pushed herself up. ''I forgot about that,'' she said rubbing her back.
She was a bit confused when she saw her hair standing upright, but then remembered she was standing on the ceiling.
She jumped as the gravity pulled her down to the real ground, where she fell another time onto the ground and her body became even sorer.
She clenched her teeth, and pushed herself onto her side. She closed her eyes and sighed dramatically. ''That's something I shouldn't forget again,'' she said shifting painfully.
She pushed herself up and looked around. Her eye fell on the wooden table and remembered what she had to do. ''Right, I have to drink the pishsalver to get through the door. But first...''
She stumbled to the table, her hand tightly pushed to her side. She quickly took a key that lay on top of it, and held it tight in her hand.
Then she took the bottle with the note that said, 'Drink me', and quickly pulled off the cork and drank some of the liquid.
She felt she became smaller, and smaller, and smaller. The walls around her shot up into the height, and the floor closed in on her. She looked at the door, and saw she was almost small enough to fit through it.
She set off right away when she noticed she had stopped shrinking.
She quickly pushed the key into the keyhole, and turned it. Alice pushed when she heard a soft click. The door swung inwards. She quickly went through the door, and found herself in the most wonderful place of the universe.
She recognized it at once, the bright colors smiling at her and the weird creatures that must've been bugs flew past her. The rocking horse hobbled in front of her, as it was chased by an enormous dragonfly, and in the distance she could see the talking flowers and a little bit further she could see the forest that lay between the old mill and here.
''I have done it,'' she said with a sigh though she smiled broadly.
She quickly walked down the small staircase, and looked around. Despite the fact she recognized it at once, something seemed off about it, just like she had expected. There was a different ambience than the last time she had been there. A bit tenser.
''Well, well, well. If it isn't our little heroine,'' a deep voice said behind her.
She froze, and slowly let go of her side. ''No,'' she said her eyes widening. ''It can't be.''
She felt a cold sweep of air embrace her back. ''You were banished,'' Alice said not turning around. ''Well, a year or two of banishment seemed enough to me,'' the voice said.
The word 'year' struck her like a bomb. She shot around, and clenched her teeth in pain.
About twenty feet away from her stood the banished knave, Ilosovic Stayne. He took a step closer. ''Get away from me!'' Alice yelled at him stumbling backwards.
She kept hurting herself with her stupid actions. She quickly stood up, and watched him in agony. ''Well I like the way you greet people, my dear Alice,'' he said smirking. ''It's a pity you've lost your largeness though, I liked you better that way.''
He walked in small steps toward her. ''But that can be solved,'' he whispered grinning.
Alice did the first thing her senses told her to do, run. Her side was loaded with pressure and her breath became uneven. She tried to hold on.
Bolts of pain erupted in her back and wrist. She ran as quickly as she could with her injuries. Stayne laughed, and then set off after her.
''Leave me alone, Creep!'' Alice screamed out of breath though she knew it wouldn't help and she would only hurt herself.
Alice knew he was going to catch up with her if she wouldn't think of something.
She quickly kicked off her heels, it was way easier to run without, injuries or not. She knew she couldn't run forever, her body would collapse if she wouldn't do something that changed her position.
She quickly looked around, in the hope she could use something to escape.
She was a bit faster without her heels, but the pressure on her side increased.
As she looked around desperately, tears trickling down her head, she noticed a large hedge and quickly sprang into it in the hope she could shake him off.
She heard his footsteps cease.
She kept running, even though the pain and pressure became unbearable. She tried to keep her breath even but that was a lost case. When she had reached the end of the hedge she ran through the flower field she had arrived in.
''Alice!'' one of the flowers said surprised.
Alice didn't respond, and she didn't care how rude that would be. She just kept running and desperately hoped she wouldn't die in pain because it felt like she had reached her limits.
She managed to run further, despite the exhausting pain in her body. She ran onto the path again, and recognized the spot where she had met Tweedledee, Tweedledum, McTwisp, Mallymkun and the Dodo bird.
She quickly took the turn which they had taken when they took Alice to Absolem, and quickly ran under the enormous mushrooms where she had been chased by the Bandersnatch.
She ran until she came to the signs that said, 'Quest and Snud'. She breathed heavily trying to lean onto her knees, but couldn't reach them without frantically hurt her back.
She went down the path of the sign that said Snud. She looked around, and saw Stayne running down a remote path to avoid the sight of the flowers. She quickly looked back in front of her, and tried not to think about what would happen if Stayne managed to capture her.
So to make sure that wouldn't happen, she kept running as fast as she could.
She entered the forest and looked around. She recognized the trees, they grew into a spiral. She quickly looked ahead of her again. After several minutes of running, she could see a faint light emerging from a hole at the end of the path.
She had almost made it, she wanted to cheer, but it would hurt terribly if she would. She looked behind her, and saw Stayne running about forty yards behind her. His detour had been fatal to his advantages. She kept running, and didn't even look back anymore.
She entered the clearing. It was- just like before- filled with dark fog, and was only pierced by the faint light that emerged from the mill. She saw the table where her first Wonderlandish tea party had taken place.
She quickly ran to the old mill, when she reached the door, she banged against it desperately with both hands, even her injured hand, as hard as she could. She didn't stop until the door was opened.
But it wasn't the Hatter who was standing on the other side of the door, it was Thackery Earwicket the mad march hare.
''Alice!'' he said surprised. She didn't reply, she just ran through the gap between his legs into the house. ''What are you doing here?'' he asked confused closing the door.
Alice didn't reply, she didn't do anything but breathe heavily. She sat down on the floor and slowly lay down on her back.
Her lungs felt like they were crumbling apart, her body was sore, and her wrist prickled uncomfortably. She closed her eyes, and tried to get her breath equal again.
Thackery walked toward her, and watched her concerned. ''What happened to your hand?'' he asked crouching next to her.
She couldn't get herself to speak, her lungs were pressed flat and all the air had escaped, they needed time to replenish. She opened her eyes and tried to speak, but nothing seemed to work.
At last the pain had ceased enough to sit upright, talk and do everything else. ''First put me on the window sill,'' she demanded.
He watched her confusion showing on his face. ''Just, do it,'' she said impatiently.
He picked her up, and placed her on the windowsill. As she had hoped, Stayne didn't dare entering the clearing. He stood under the trees, dark shadows cast over his face.
''Quickly, look!'' she said to Thackery. But by the time he stood next to her and looked into the right direction, Stayne had vanished.
''Too late,'' she said glumly. ''He's gone.''
She turned around and sat down on the windowsill. ''Who is he?'' Thackery asked.
''Stayne of course!'' Alice said irritated. This is why I had the dream, Wonderland really needs me.
''Stayne? But he is banished to the Outlands,'' he said. Alice ignored him and looked around.
''Why are you back?'' he asked turning around, and walking to the hearth. A fire was crackling merrily behind the iron bars that hold the logs. ''Well,'' Alice started. She sighed, and told him about her dream in detail, except the kiss.
Thackery turned away from the fire and walked to a cabinet and took two tea cups out of it.
''Where is Tarrant?'' Alice asked. ''He is at the White Queen's castle,'' Thackery replied.
''Why? Isn't this his house?'' Alice asked.
Thackery walked to the table and put down the cups. ''It was, until he decided he would move into the castle. It would be easier for him to make hats for the Queen that way. So when he left, he told me I could live here and keep the place clean,'' he said.
He took a kettle from the fire. ''Tea?'' he asked absentmindedly.
But he received no answer. ''Thackery?'' Alice whispered miserable. ''How long have I been gone?'' Alice asked. She dreaded Stayne wasn't exaggerating when he said 'a year or two'.
''About two years.'' he replied casually.
''Two years?!'' Alice yelled.
Startled, Thackery dropped the tea cups and they smashed into a million pieces when they hit the ground. He crouched and, grumbling, started collecting the shards.
''Thackery, I have to get to the castle. Now!'' Alice said urgently, the sudden emotions sent flashes of sharp pain through her body. She clenched her teeth while Thackery looked up.
Alice felt the pressure on her side increase and looked at him with a stern expression.
''Alright!'' Thackery said defeated. He dropped the shards, stood up and walked toward her. She felt guilt root inside her again. She shifted uncomfortably, and grabbed her side.
She was furious, not with Thackery, not with the Ascot's, not even with Stayne. She was furious with herself.
I had promised Tarrant to return quickly, and I took two years! How could I? I should've noted that time goes by much faster here! she thought furiously.
She wanted to hit herself.
Thackery raised her onto his shoulder and opened the door. ''Are you sure?'' he asked Alice before walking into the open. ''I'm sure.'' Alice said coldly.
Thackery nodded curtly, and set off into the darkness of the night.
Author's note: Hi there (。･д･)ﾉﾞ. That's it, chapter II. I hope you all enjoyed it. I try to write as much as possible. I'm sorry if I won't update the story very much, but my school is very important at the moment. Feel free to leave a review, I would love to use your tips in my stories. And if you like this story don't forget to add it to your favourites. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
12-18-2018- Author's note: I hope you enjoy the story as it is now. I'm adding different plots and happenings to the tale now so it'll make more sense. I would really like it if you'd let me know what you think about the story in its new jacket.