Oh, come on. Don't tell me you didn't see this coming.

I did. Deep down. I'm serious.

Which is one of the reasons why I'm still better than you.

Back to my story. Why do you keep distracting me? Jesus.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Mad Hatter? This couldn't have been a coincedence. I just read about him. I'm in this situation because of him.

"M-mad Hatter?" I whispered. Godammit, Alison, don't stutter. You fucking fool.

"Yes, my lovely siren. And your name?" I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Why do you want my name?"

"Yes, it's a funny story, actually-"

The blow was so unexpected my knees buckled and I hit the cold ground with a hard smack. Ow. I think I popped my kneecap.

"Because I told you mine, " he hissed. He grabbed me up before I registered my pain , and pressed me against the wall. "You tell me yours. Got it? Tell me your name, pretty one, or else I might have to hurt you." A sharp point was pressed to my stomach.

" Alison."

"Is that all, Alison? Don't you have a last name?"

"Of course I do," I snapped. Fucking fuck, Al, why go and make him mad?

Stop swearing, inner voice.

He said nothing during this little arguement.

"Land. Alison Land." I opened one eye. He was blurry, but I could make out the rough features from his newspaper article picture. I shut it quickly. I didn't want to see him kill me.

"Nice to meet you, Alison Land. Now, what was that funny story you were babbling about?" He chuckled.

Babbling was a good word for what I was about to do. "Well- I- Since your- alias was the -Mad- Hatter- I - just - my - middle name- is w-Wonder." I pushed out the words in a gush and mentally slapped my forehead. Be calm. Be assertive. Be cool. OPEN YOUR FUCKING EYES.

I opened them.

For a psycho serial killer, he was pretty damn hot. Maybe 20? Like, mega legit attractive.

He blinked. I blinked.

Then he laughed again. This time it was a geniune laugh, full of humor and surprise. "Alison Wonder Land! Ahahahaha! Ha! Oh my stars, dear Alison, if you say it out loud, it- well, its sounds like, Alice in Wonderland! Ahahahaah Ha!"

It was so nice, his laugh, it sent warmth through my veins. "So, you're not going to kill me?"

He paused. Shit. "No, I don't think I will kill you, Alison, not tonight. But," he got in close, his lips brushing my ear, his hands still on my wrists, making me shiver, "Come back to me again."

"Yes."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Home again. My brain waged a battle against my soul. Or whatever. Poetic liscence.

I miss him.

No I don't.

Yes, you do.

No, I don't.

Yes, you do, he's normal, like you. Not crazy like the rest of them.

No, he's crazy, he killed a family for no reason.

Maybe there was a reason.

Why would there be a reason for murder?

Just because he didn't tell you, moron, doesn't mean there wasn't. You're just not important.

A wave of self-righteoues anger licked its way up my chest.

I am so important, you-

"Oh hon, you're home!" My mother cried, and she rushed at me, enveloping me in a bony hug.

"Mom. Its eleven."

"So?" She looked at me uncomprehendingly.

"Its not that late."

"Alison. Don't talk to your mother like that." Great. Dear old Dad was home.

"Like what? It was a fact."

"Alison." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever."

My parents are both idiots. Blonde, perky-boobed young teen meets big protective jock, and everything else is SO predictable, I really sometimes think they're lying about how they met. They had me when they were both eighteen. They dropped out of school to work to support me, which is nice, I guess, but if they had finished college or whatever they would have good jobs that they like.

But they have to work weekends.

I'm alone all week.

And I love it.

"I'm going to bed."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Mad Hatter was driving me insane.

His voice, his words, his eyes, they clawed at my brain. Viciously.

A beautiful girl...

Come back to see me...

Dear Alison...

I got up and jumped out the window.

I got to the alley, panting. What. The. Frick. Did. I. Just. Do.

"Mr. Hatter? Mr. Hatter!"

"Yes?"

I whirled around. He was there, in a grey shirt and jeans. Ooh, he looked so good. Stop it, he's a murderer and you just walked back to him? You nimrod!

Okay, who's side are you on?!

"Mr. Hatter-"

"Hush, Alison." I shut my mouth. "I knew you'd come back," he said airily. "And call me Jack."

Jack.

A/N: So, yes, here's some brief background of why she doesn't like her parents, and a longer chapter, requested by the anonymous reviewer, Kay.