A/N: Diddnt want it to get boring…so Im kind of speeding things up here…not too fast, don't worry, I just don't want to lose sight of where the story is going. That tends to happen when too many fillers are involved. Fluff moment followed by action in this here chapter. Please try to enjoy! I know it sucks :(
(6)
"i'm not afraid of tomorrow,
i'm only scared of my self,
feels like my insides are on fire,
and i'm looking through the eyes of someone else"
~SR-71, Tomorrow
"You cant keep running like this," She told him, feeling his heart race at a most unhealthy speed, "You'll die."
She heard him grunt, felt his grip loosen before finally letting go, "I'll be fine. I made it this far. Lets go. We aint got much time…Its almost here…and you n-need…t-to-" He hacked and she heard the thud of his body hitting the ground.
She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
She fell to her knees, hands searching desperately for him, but he was not there…all she could feel was grass.
Hot tears fell down her face as fear gripped her once more.
The blood red sky above her suddenly went black…
She could hear heavy breathing above her own sobs…breathing that clearly wasn't hers.
"Hatter?" She called into the darkness, feeling around once more. Nothing but grass still. She made her way towards the sound. The breathing grew heavier, more frantic, followed by a series of growls. "Hatter? Is that you? Where are you! Are you okay! Answer me please!"She sobbed.
A pair of ruby red eyes stopped her in her tracks…Long, almond shaped eyes, and large…very very large. They obviously belonged to some massive creature.
~ Game over, Alice ~ A deep voice roared in her head, loud enough to make her head pound in pain. She fell backwards, gripping her head and screaming in fear. The red eyed beast before her pulled its lips back in a hideous snarl. Its shimmering white teeth were visible in the darkness.
With a howl, it leapt forward towards her.
Alice screamed, sitting up suddenly. It was dark, she couldn't see a thing. She could feel wind blowing hard. Fear gripped her chest as she started to pant. "No! No! NO!" She cried, trying to stand but her legs were too shaky. "Alice!" a voice called, followed by a pair of strong arms winding themselves around her thin frame. Her eyes widened, "NO! Let me go! LET ME GO!" She squirmed, trying to escape from whatever creature held her captive.
"Alice! Calm down, Please! Its me! Its Hatter!"
Alice stopped squirming, "H-Hatter? Wha-" "Shh. Calm down. Talk later," Hatter said trying to keep his voice as gentle as he possibly could. Alice shut her eyes tightly, trying hard to clear her mind, willing her heartbeat and breathing to slow down to their normal pace. Her body was shivering, but she couldn't help that. It was freezing.
"Come on, we have to get moving, we cant stay here." He said to her, releasing his hold on her.
"What? Why?" She asked, fear still clear in her voice, "Its way too early."
"You had a nightmare," Hatter said. She could hear the sound of him saddling up the horse, "That's almost like a neon sign proclaiming 'HEY I'M HERE' to whatever is following us. Why do you think the wind picked up? They bring their curse with them wherever they go…and judging by this wind, they're too close for comfort." He finished saddling the horse and mounted it, "come on, get on. You can sleep, I'll worry about getting us safe."
Alice stood, balancing herself by leaning one hand against the giant oak tree beside them. She felt Hatters hand brush against her shoulder, "Come on, love."
"I cant see…"
"I know…it'll take you a while to get used to it."
He felt her hand slip into his and instantly he pulled her up onto the horse, seating her infront of him as always. He sat closer to her this time, using his body warmth to stop her shivering. Kicking the horse into a steady trot, they made their way out of their campsite.
Alice hugged herself, trying to rub the goosebumps away from her arms, but they diddnt seem to want to leave. There was an eerie chill creeping up her spine, and she diddnt like it at all…
It was almost as if they were being persued…
The sun seemed a little brighter, and the world much happier the further they traveled on. Judging by the feel of it all, it was clear to Alice that nightmares haven't been able to reach this far yet. For once, she actually felt somewhat safe…so safe, in fact, that she insisted on walking instead of riding. The air was cold still, but the beauty of the day seemed to make her forget that.
Hatter walked alongside her. Though he felt safe here aswell, there was still that urge to protect her, despite knowing she had the capability of defending herself. Alice shook her head a little at this, yet couldn't help but find it rather adorable.
It wasn't much longer until they were finally clear of trees and woods and had reached an open valley. Hatter sighed in relief at this. Although they were more exposed, it was much easier to spot any danger when there was nothing for said danger to hide behind…and they were under the protection of constant sunlight.
Alice was too busy marveling at the beauty of the land around her to even think about the benefits of finding this open land. Just yesterday, everything was dull and cold, and seeing this place now, it was almost as if they had found paradise.
"Its good to see that at least this valley still stands," Hatter said to her with a small smile on his face as his dark eyes scanned the world around them, "This is one of the most sacred plots of land in all of wonderland…"
"How so?" Alice asked curiously, tearing her eyes away from the valley to meet his. "This place is where the Stag makes his home…or where he used to…who knows where he is now but, these valleys…they sing."
"Sing? As in music??" There was clear disbelief in her voice, enough so to make Hatter chuckle. "Yes, they sing…" he said, then his expression suddenly changed to sadness, "but they've long stopped singing sing he left...no ones heard a tune come from here in years."
They made their way through the forgotten paradise, stopping briefly only to eat and to allow the horse some graze time before heading out again.
As the day went on, Alice's mood seemed to have spiked up. Hatter diddnt think he could ever see her so happy. 'Must be the valley…who wouldn't be happy here?' He thought to himself, but he knew all too well that he wasn't very happy…he couldn't be, considering all the things he had constantly nagging at the back of his mind, one of which he was sure he had to talk to Alice about before it got too far.
He had already begun to feel fatigued during the day…so much so that he had decided to ride most of the day instead of walk. Alice diddnt seem to take notice of this. She merely thought he had finally realized that it was okay for her to walk alone, and Hatter preferred that she thought so. The last thing he wanted was for her to worry about him…
As the night fell, Hatter felt much more energized, and this level of energy continued to rise as the sun set. He bustled about, collecting various twigs and leaves from bushes that he could find, and if he was lucky to find a tree, he would take a couple small branches. He returned with armfuls of material to burn way before Alice was able to finish building a pit. "That was fast," She commented. Hatter smiled, but quickly frowned as a strange noise emitted from Alice's midriff. She wrapped an arm around herself to silence it quickly, blushing as she looked down. "You okay?" Hatter asked, kneeling before her. "yeah…just a little hungry." She responded shyly. "Oh! Why diddnt you say so!" Hatter reached into one of the horses saddle bags to retrieve a handgun. "Hatter, don't, were not equipped to cook anything. I'll be fine with what we-" A finger on her lips silenced her instantly. Hatter side smiled, "I'm not about to let you go hungry, love." "But-" she protested, but Hatter silenced her again. "I'll be right back," He said with a wink before running off.
If there was one thing Alice wasn't used to, it was being spoiled…and spoiling her is exactly what Hatter has been doing for the past couple of days. Needless to say, she did enjoy it…quite a lot actually. She's never met a man so willing to wait on a woman without so much as a second thought.
A gunshot fired in the distance, followed by a piercing screech. Alice's heart skipped a beat, afraid maybe that Hatter may have hurt himself. She stood and called out to him, "HATTER! HEY WHERE ARE YOU!" "I'm all right!" She heard him respond, which brought a sense of relief to her. She sat back down and continued her work on the fire pit.
Hatter returned quickly with some strange animal on his arm…thick grey fur, long legs, long ears and…antlers?
"What is that?!" Alice was clearly in shock at the odd creature in his arms. "Jackalope!" Hatter responded with a cheery tone. "Jackalope?? Those are real? In my world-" "ah but this aint your world is it." Hatter cut her off. Alice looked at him, then at the carcass, then back at him. He wore that charming, prideful smile once again. Alice laughed and shook her head.
Alice couldn't remember the last time she ate so well. With a full stomach, she was able to sleep quite peacefully.
This night, she dreamt…
Alice could see stars and a bright silver moon bathing the land with its heavenly light. Fireflies fluttered over the tall grass, making each individual blade sway in tandem with their elegant dance. Hatter slept soundly by the dying fire. She seized this opportunity and wandered away from the camp. She diddnt like the idea of leaving him there by himself, nor did she like the idea of him angry at her for wandering away from him…but for some reason, she felt it would be okay.
'Alice…' A soothing voice called to her. She knew this voice…
'Don't be afraid…come closer.' It said.
Alice made her way towards the voice, walking uphill towards the silhouette of a large stag lying on the ground, its great head staring up towards the sky. He was not the ethereal white figure she met previously…he was much more…mortal. Under the light of the stars and moon, she could see his brown and beige coloring. His eyes were bright gold, like hot embers inlaid into the sides of his massive head. His antlers were as enormous as she had remembered.
'Beautiful, isn't it?' He said as she approached. His eyes never left the stars, and when he spoke, his mouth diddnt move. 'This was my home…my first creation. A little piece of paradise…a refuge to all who needed an escape from the madness…As you can clearly see, it can still be found…you just have to know where to look.'
"What do you mean by that?"Alice asked. The stag shifted his gaze from the stars, looking directly at her, 'You have a very open mind, little one…which is why you were able to find this place…there are very very few who are as lucky as you are at this very moment.' He stood up, towering over Alice by quite a few feet, 'It is quite lonely here sometimes…your people, always so caught up in their daily life don't always have the time to come here and unwind…to seek a haven in which nothing matters but their own happiness…and they've taken the children with them too.'
Alice diddnt understand…as wise and majestic as the stag was, he really did have an odd way of saying things.
As if sensing her confusion, he chuckled, his eyes reflecting the smile in his voice, 'You'll understand soon enough, little one...' His gaze turned back towards the stars, 'Go back. There is someone who will be missing you if he realizes you're gone.'
Alice looked over in the direction of their camp, then back to the stag, "Can I just ask you a few things first?" 'all in due time, Alice…shh…listen…can you hear it?' He said, shutting his eyes as a warm breeze caressed his long face. Alice could hear something faint in the breeze as it blew gently past her ears…
"What is it?"
'Hope…Answered prayers…a new beginning…'
Alice listened intently as the sound grew a little louder…
Music…
She could hear music…
Music…
Faint at first, but rose in volume as time went on. Her eyes fluttered open. It took her a moment to focus…
She sat up, looking over in the direction from which the music came, then quickly turned to Hatter, asleep some distance away from her, and shook him, "Hatter! Wake up! Listen!"
It took him a while to come to…he was so groggy from his lack of sleep but once his eyes were open, he was wide awake. "What is it? Whats wrong?" He asked, sitting up and taking hold of her arm, fearing something may have happened while he dozed off. Alice laughed, "nothing is wrong. Listen!" At first, Hatter diddnt understand, until a faint wisp of music caught his ear. He stiffened, his eyes grew wide in disbelief…
"no…no, It cant be…come on!" He jumped up and pulled her to her feet. Keeping a hold on her hand, he ran with her towards the source of the sound, his feet flying beneath him at a speed he never thought was possible for him…
Could it be?
How?
He had to see it for himself before he could believe it.
This had to be some sort of dream.
As they peaked atop a steep hill, Hatter nearly dropped to his knees at the sight before him…
Fireflies, everywhere, flying low atop the tall grass. The grass swayed back and forth, as though dancing to the music emitting from the earth. Slow, gentle music…very peaceful to hear.
Alice looked over at Hatter, who stood there staring at the sight before him with a smile on his face that she had never seen before. It was peaceful, serene and…happy. "Hatter?" She said, trying to get his attention. "Small little rays of hope, those flies are… Look how many there are…the more there are, the more incredible their music is…" He said softly, giving Alices hand a gentle squeeze.
After a moment, he turned to her and held out his other hand, "Madam? May I have this dance?"
Alice cocked an eyebrow with a smile, "You can dance?"
"You'd be surprised." He said, giving her a charming smile she couldn't seem to resist.
"I cant, though…"
"Its not difficult. Here," He placed one of her hands on his shoulder, and held the other up while his free hand found her waist, pulling her close to him, not enough where they made contact, but enough to make her blush. "loosen up a little, and just follow my lead, yah?" She nooded.
He started off with a slow sway, just to get her comfortable before moving his feet. He was amazed at how fast she picked it up…so fast than before they knew it, they were everywhere, spinning, dipping, everything…all in perfect time with the music that surrounded them.
They were engulfed in the tune, their moves becoming more intense and passionate as the music swelled, and smaller and slower as the music softened. For the first time since her arrival, Alice was happy…Never before had she felt this happy or this free all at the same time. Hatter was amazed at how freely she laughed and smiled, and how comfortable she had suddenly become with him.
He diddnt know when it happened, but sometime during their dance, their bodies had finally made contact, and he hadn't realized it until now as he held her to him, his arm around her back and his cheek pressed against hers. They could feel the warm breath of the other against their faces…
The music kept playing but their dancing had long stopped…and for a while they held eachother this way, relishing the feel of the others warmth…
Alice let go of his hand, winding both her arms around his neck in a warm embrace that made him gasp…never before has a woman held him this way. He could almost feel everything she was feeling, just with this one gesture…
His free hand gently ran down her back and side, followed by the feeling of lips brushing against her temple, emitting a small shiver from her.
"Alice…" He softly whispered.
As if her name was her cue, she tilted back to look into his handsome brown eyes. She could see something there that was never there before…the way he looked at her with such amazement...
Her hand found the side of his face and he leaned into her touch, but diddnt take his eyes away from hers. He was searching her…searching for something he needed, something hes always wanted but has always been denied…Its only been two days, he knew that very well, but to him it felt like it was much much longer...he felt as though he had known her forever. In those two days, she had come to know him better than anyone else involved in his life, and he had come to know her extremely well in return…
He leaned towards her, stopping when he felt her breath on his lips. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest, feel her shivering nervously against him. Was she afraid?
"Do you trust me?" He whispered softly. It took her a moment, but she nodded, "I do…"
"Good…" He said gently, closing the distance between them. The kiss was soft and featherlight, but it was enough to melt Alice away…one single kiss was all it took…
Alice always thought herself to be a strong girl, one who was not easily broken…but this single kiss stripped her of all her defenses, leaving her bare and vulnerable. Vulnerability was not something she'd felt before, especially this level…but oddly enough, she was okay with it.
She sank into his embrace, returning his gentle kiss without hesitation, but to her surprise, Hatter broke away from her. She could feel his arms tighten around her…more protective than affectionate. His eyes were torn away from her and searching the land around them.
"Whats wrong?" She asked, but he diddnt answer.
There was a very annoying tingle creeping along the scar on his back…he knew exactly what it meant, but here? It couldn't be so…
The music had long stopped…the dancing lights were gone.
Hatters heart skipped. "We have to get out of here," He said. The urgency in his voice scared her, "Hatter, What is it?"
"Run," Was all he said before taking her hand and breaking off into a run towards camp. Alice ran beside him. She was confused, very confused, but she knew she had to trust him, especially when he felt something was wrong.
Hatter diddnt know what happened…
One second he was running, the next he was pinned to the ground staring into a pair of gleaming red eyes. The beast above him snarled, its long claws digging into his shoulders, "Where is she!!"
When he diddnt respond, the beast roared and tossed him aside looking around for any trace of Alice. Hatters heart pounded furiously against his chest….if that thing so much as touched her, it would all be over. Fear gripped him, a sickening fear that consumed his mind and narrowed his vision. His senses heightened…he could see clearly, though it was dark, his hearing was almost strong enough to hear a butterflys wing beat...
A primal growl, unlike any a human could possibly make, escaped Hatters lips as he charged forward at an inhuman speed. His mind was set on one thing and one thing only…Kill.
Kill kill kill kill kill kill kill
From her distance, Alice could see the large, shadowy creature approaching her. She could hear it sniffing for her…searching for her scent like a dog on the hunt. She tried to sneak away as quietly as she could, but the slightest bit of movement, she knew, would give her away…
She focused on keeping herself wrapped up as tightly as she could in her black cloak…hoping, praying, that they would both get out of here alive…
A loud cry, followed by the thud of bodies hitting the ground caught Alices attention. She looked up to see hatter fighting the creature with his bare hands. He was repeatedly scratched, kicked and bitten…and Alice knew very well what happened to those who were touched by these things. "Hatter!" She called but her calls fell on deaf ears.
Hatters single goal was to destroy any flesh that came in contact with him…
Alice felt something in her stomach turn at the sight of his ferocity…the beast was dead, but even so, Hatter continued to beat the carcass, ripping and tearing the ink black creature into a poisonous mess….Where its parts landed, plants withered away and died.
Something was wrong…she could feel it in the air that surrounded them.
"Hatter?" Alice called, approaching slowly, "Hatter…are you okay?" Instinct screamed at her to stay away, but she couldn't help it.
His head whipped around and Alices heart froze at the sight of his fire red eyes and sharp silver grin.