Since I turned 18 on Friday, I decided as a birthday gift to myself, I would post another two chapters! WOO!

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

-In Wonderland-

Location: White Castle; Virginia's room

Time: Night

I was sitting on Ginny's bed, breathing heavily. Maybe it was weird to just run out of there without thinking. It was all just so intense. The battle axes, the gun, and . . . Blood. Ginny was pacing around the room. I had just finished telling her what happened at Hater Mansion.

"So, why did you run away when you saw Blood?" She asked, sitting on a footstool. I took a deep sigh.

"When I was nine, I know I had a big place in my heart for Blood. But, today, when I saw him . . . I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I mean, everything felt like it went into slow motion. All these memories of Blood and I rushed into my mind." I put my face in my hands. Ginny tilted her head to the side and a big smile spread on her face.

"Alice, you love him." Ginny said. My head shot up.

"I- I- I" I didn't know what to say. Ginny just nodded with a big smirk on his face. I knew I loved Blood, I just never felt this way before. Seeing Blood brought back several old memories of us. One stuck out though. I was four. We were out by the river, inside the forest. Blood was swimming in the river. He was only in his underwear. I was sitting in the grass with my feet in the river. I was wearing one of my favorite summer dresses. Blood came up and smiled at me.

"Why don't you come in?" He asked. I shook my head with a smirk on my face. Blood swam up to me. "I really think you'd enjoy it."He said.

"No, I don't want to get my dress wet." I lied. There was another reason why I never swam. Blood took my hand in his. In one quick motion he pulled me in. I screamed as I fell into the water and started gagging.

Blood laughed, "Oh come on. It's just water."He said.

"I can't swim!" I screamed as I struggled to stay up. Blood swam up next to me and pulled me into his arms. I coughed against his shoulder, while I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt myself crying.

"I'm so sorry, Alice. Why didn't you tell me that you didn't know how to swim?" Blood asked. I shrugged; I didn't know how to answer. Blood started to let go of me. My grip tightened around his neck. "It's ok, it's ok, Alice. I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. But, you have to learn how to swim. Now, I want you to hold on to my arms and just practice kicking." When he tried to let go again, I pulled closer to him. "Come on, Alice. Don't you trust me?" He asked, looking into my eyes. I nodded. "Then you have to trust that I won't let anything bad happen to you." I nodded. "Alright, now take my arms." I did as he said. "Good, now, kick." He said. I closed my eyes while I kicked and kicked. "Alright now rotate your arms, so that they circle around you." I stopped kicking and started moving my arms, while still trying to hold on to Blood. Blood laughed. "But keep kicking," I took a deep and kept kicking and twisting my arms. "Good," Blood said. "Now, if you'll just open your eyes." I opened my eyes and saw that I was in the middle of the river by myself and Blood was leaning against the bank.

"I'm swimming! I'm swimming!" I shouted as I doggy-paddled around the river. Blood laughed. I stayed in that river all day.

"Blood was the one who taught you how to swim?" Ginny asked. I hadn't realized I was speaking out loud. I only nodded. "Wow," Ginny scratched her head. "Hey, I have an idea! Why don't you come with me to see Julius?" She stood up. I looked at her. Truthfully, I wasn't in the mood to see anyone else today but, I did want to see more people. Maybe Julius will recognize me. I stood up and agreed with her.

-In Wonderland-

Location: Clock Tower Plaza

Time: Night

"I can't believe it's already night." Ginny said looking up at the sky. Ginny was wearing a red dress with black lace. The dress was tight and stopped right at her knees. "Anyway, do you think Julius knows we're back yet? I really hope he doesn't. It'll be awesome to surprise him!" Ginny said clapping her hands. She loved Julius; she used to spend a lot of her time at the clock tower. Julius was my friend too, but I didn't hang out at the clock tower as much as Ginny did. We climbed into the elevator and we were taken to the top of the tower. We looked around for Julius, Ginny called out "Is anyone here?"

"Who's there?" We spun around and saw Julius. "What are you two doing here? Get out!" Obviously, he didn't recognize us either. He grabbed us both by the arm and started to drag us out. "Leave now!"

"Julius, we're Alice and Virginia!" I yelled at him. I was getting tired of people not knowing who I was. I mean, was I really that different? Julius stopped and spun around to look us in the eye.

"Virginia," he looked at Ginny. She had a big grin on her face and nodded like crazy. "Alice," he looked at me. "Come with me." He said, he let go of our arms and walked into a room. We both follow him. I was a bit more reluctant than Ginny. He led us into his office. He sat behind his desk and motioned us to sit in the chairs in front of him. "When did you get back?" He asked, looking between the two of us.

"This afternoon," I said.

"How have things been going?" It seemed as though Julius had difficulty recognizing us. He kept looking at us in a way like he was studying the flesh on our bones. I guess it was understandable. I mean Elliot held a gun to my throat.

"Not well, since Alice was attacked." Ginny managed to say for me. Before Julius could say anything, I explained everything that had happened since I got here. Once I was done, Julius was rubbing his forehead.

"I can see things have changed." I said. At that moment I thought back to what Blood said 'why can't you just enjoy your innocence while you still have it'. "Maybe things have always been like this, I was just too blind to see." I thought back, maybe they've always used guns and weapons. But, how could I not notice?

"I better explain things. Alice, you were Hater's territory earlier. Elliot March and the Bloody Twins are dangerous people who are quick to wield their weapons." I never noticed that. Then again, maybe Blood told them to be careful around me. "The importance of my 'innocence'"as Blood would say.

"Well, when they didn't recognize me, things got really violent, but then Blood stopped them." I said. Julius looked up at me curious.

"Blood Dupre stopped them?" Julius was clearly shocked. I didn't understand. Blood was the most awesome person I knew. I loved him. "Odd for a mafia boss."

"He's a mafia boss!" 'What the hell' I thought.

"His crime syndicate family is known as the "Haters". Blood Dupre is currently in charge." Julius explained. "Let me remind you of the other territories. There is Heart Castle ruled by The Queen of Hearts. The amusement park is managed by a man named Gowland. You already known about White Castle, ruled by Alice's parents. You are currently here at the center of the four territories known as the Clock Tower Plaza. This and White Castle are the only neutral areas. The other three territories are at war with each other."

I looked out the window while Julius continued to discuss the things I already knew. I missed Wonderland and I felt as though the longer I was here the more I might be able to remember. I was glad to be back home, things were different, but I was home.

Thanks to James Birdsong for being my first reviewer! WOO! GO YOU!

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