Authors Note: Hello readers! Most of you have been reading my other fanfics and are pretty upset that I haven't published anything recently. I'm so sorry about that! But I've been so focused on THIS story! So, to calm you guys down, I'm publishing THIS one so you can read it until I get my act together on the other ones, kay? Please enjoy and comment!

Alice

Alice's Dream

"No!" Alice cried, jumping up from her bed, beads of sweat trickling down her face. Stomps from outside her door could be heard, and an elderly man carrying a shotgun burst through the door.

"What is it, Alice? What's wrong?" The man, an English man with the name John Carpenter, swung his gun around, preparing to shoot.

Alice, scarlet faced and heart beating, sat back down on her bed, her face in her hands. "Nothing Mr. Carpenter, just a really bad dream."

"A really bad nightmare more like it, with your screaming." Mr. Carpenter sat beside the frantic girl. "Do tell me what had frightened you."

Alice fingered the golden locket that hung around her neck and sighed. "It was the day that my parents had left again, when I was 8. I called for them, but no one answered. I felt so scared and alone, all by myself in the house," Alice, teary eyed, looked at the aged man beside her, "but that's when you and Mr. Walrus found me and took me in. Without you I have no idea where I would be today."

Mr. Carpenter smiled, revealing aging wrinkles beside his old eyes, and patted the girls back. "I have never been happier since you have arrived here, my dear little oyster." He wiped back hidden tears and picked up his shotgun. "I will meet you downstairs for a lovely cup of tea, does that sound nice?" Alice smiled and nodded as Mr. Carpenter whistled a tune and shut the door behind him.

Alice arose from her bed and reached high to the air, then down to the floor, stretching from her interesting nights sleep, then once again fingered the locket that hung from her neck.

It was in the shape of a heart, showing much signs of age and wearing, but Alice didn't mind, for it was the only thing that she had to remind her of her parents. She missed them deeply, and the remembrance of them leaving her 10 years ago was a strong pain to her heart, but she lived at the orphanage now with Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Walrus, who had graciously taken her in.

She must return the favor by being as much help as she could be to the other "oysters" as the two men called the other children, and not let her own sorrow get in the way.

With a sigh, Alice dressed herself for the day and trotted down the stairs to help herself to a nice cup of tea. "Good morning, Mr. Walrus." Alice smiled as the plump caretaker walked into the room, signs of sleepiness still hanging over his head.

"Mornin' Alice, my dear." He said back, his words slurred. Alice fought back a laugh and sipped another drink of her tea.

"Today is Saturday, February 29th." She stated, watching Mr. Walrus pour his cereal into his coffee and drink his bowl of milk.

"Ah, Leap Year is finally here. Such an odd day. Many weirdoes and loonies running about on this day. I don't think we will let the oysters out today. Much too dangerous." Alice simply nodded at Mr. Walrus's logic of the fine Saturday ahead. "Oh, but I need a few items from the store today." He fumbled about the kitchen, realizing that he was eating his cereal with a spatula.

"I'll get them for you." Alice stated, washing out he teacup and drying it off.

"I don't want you out today. It's Leap Year and-"

"I'll go with Will. He and I will be fine if we go together. You don't have to worry." Alice begged eagerly.

"Will? Will?" Mr. Walrus dipped his fork into his cereal. "Oh of course! William! Such a fine man. Yes, you may go with him." Mr. Walrus looked at his cereal frustratingly.

"Great!" Alice cheered, running up the stairs. "I'll go tell him!"

"You go do that, my little oyster." Said Mr. Walrus, his attention back on the fork in his hand. "Bloody spoon."