Chapter 3 Part 1: Fear

I awoke to the bitter chill of morning; the warmth of last night was long gone... I felt sore for some reason and the branch seemed somewhat fresher, I slightly wondered if I had dreamt the Night; but soon I realised it was as real as the branch I had slept on- The ring around my finger seemed foreign to me but I was enthralled with its beauty, a combination of Topaz and Diamond forming a butterfly- he must have planned this for some time.

Sighing lightly I sat up and gazed at the charm that I hadn't noticed last night, he didn't want me to take it? It did seem meant to remain there for each rendezvous, I guess if I had to travel I would take it with me- I heard from below a voice calling to me; no way, Oliver! The rabbit man I followed the first time… he seemed anxious as I climbed down to him and asked him what was wrong, "Everything! They took her! They took my…" he trailed off before saying the last word… could it be there had been more Alices?

I smiled faintly as I asked what her name was, "Alice... Alice Snowdon, She had the prettiest smile and Sapphire eyes" he spoke warmly although his eyes were upset and fear was still clearly visible… "We'll find her" I had promised and I could see he was uncertain of that promise, I rolled my eyes and limped slightly past him- I'd have to talk to Lance about restrain next time we met… Oliver seemed confused until he noticed the charm in the tree, he visibly shuddered as he followed me- I felt the handle of a sword being pushed into my hands until I took hold of it with a confused expression… "What's this for?" I asked slowly to which he replied, "To defend yourself, also next time you meet with Lance... Make sure you don't uh you know ok? Don't want you to dig yourself in too deep" when he ended his mouthful I rolled my eyes and felt my skin burning in embarrassment.

The sword felt light in my hand as I walked along; I examined the careful carvings… A red jewel was on the handle, shaped like a Spade and engraved on the side were the words, Lance x Meiko; I felt my face flush once more but it soon faded away... I could see Vicky running towards me with a strange expression.

I asked her what was wrong and all I heard when she started mumbling was that a Beheading was happening at Lunch time, a Girl named... Alice; from behind me I felt Oliver begin to quiver, he was breaking down and I couldn't do anything to help him… suddenly his face was set in a confident stance as he strode on approaching town square…I put a hand on his shoulder and told him to stop, I would save this girl for him, Hours seemed to fly by us, he became more nervous by each passing second and soon began pacing like an Expecting father- I couldn't blame him with his love on the line like this… Soon the time would come and I would have to do something, Sword in my hand as I mentally asked Lance to forgive me for taking such a risk.

Soon the time came as the Clocks all hit the arrival of Lunch time, the execution would soon happen… would this even work I wondered?

I ran trough the crowd and soon saw the young girl with Blonde hair, Blue eyes wearing a similar dress to what I used to wear… She had tears on her face and her stomach was thin; obviously they hadn't fed her at all- Thoughts aside I leapt onto the platform and held my sword to the executioner's throat, "Don't even think of touching that Guillotine". I snarled lightly at him and Oliver bound on stage, Untying his Alice and carrying her away… Great now I was stuck here.

Chapter 3 Part 2: Longing

The audience stared at me in disbelief with their wide eyes and podgy faces; clearly holding distaste for me ruining it for them… Cruel bastards, she turned her own nose up in distaste when she felt the sword being awkwardly knocked from her hands- Damn it she had allowed herself to be distracted! I stared into the eyes of the executioner who kneed me in the stomach causing me to double over in pain, he soon pushed me onto the guillotine block and restrained me… the panic burnt my insides.

A bittersweet moment passed as he checked the blade and all I could think of was images of Lance, his touch and his voice echoed and yelled for me… My eyes twitched as I felt my body lurch as if someone had grabbed me from my deathbed, I chanced it and opened my eyes to see passing forest and I could hear the buzz of wings- who in wonderland could fly? Wait... Jack! Lance's best friend- Why had he saved me? Because he did it for Lance.

I felt myself being rested on a low branch as Jack gave me a disapproving look for putting myself in danger, I heard Oliver and Alice coming through the bushes and settling near bye me… Oliver caressed Alice with such care and soft words of comfort were hear able, they seemed perfect together and despite it being so nice to see him happy, I longer for the one I loved more then ever.

Jack pulled me into a hug and I felt myself shocked at the sudden action, he muttered softly… "Your not the only one separated from your love… many of us are, in fact there's another Alice locked up in the Dungeon of the clock tower… her name is Marley and she was to be Queen, but now Elliot has been kidnapped she was considered an obstacle to Alistair's power" it sounded like a rant to my tired mind.

Oliver kissed Alice visibly in the corner of my eye and I tried not to make a face at the love that was obvious between them, I wondered if Jack had ever found someone… he did seem depressed but Lance had once told me his eyes would brighten when he fell in love, if he was joking I would never know- I had to stop thinking like that; I would be reunited with him even if it takes a long time.

Jack patted me on the shoulder before retreating to a higher branch of a random tree; I too climbed my usual one and settled next to the charm that showed me a clear image of Lance's face… I hoped he was ok where ever he was now, he had some injuries last I saw him after all; ones that he was anxious about- he was hiding something and I would not give in till I found out.

I heard the branches creak as Alice and Oliver transcended into the Higher branches also; most likely sharing an embrace as they settled on a branch together, I didn't blame them for wanting to be together tonight after almost losing each other forever… they didn't know I had almost died- I longed for Lances comfort and his arms around me… why was our love so Forlorn? What had I ever done to deserve it, what had any one of us done to deserve this?

Settling down again, I laid my head against the warm wood… why was this always warm when everything else was a like an Iceberg? Was it some sort of presence or my mind playing tricks on me, sighing lightly I told myself to think about it tomorrow- I was far too exhausted to think about Impossible things.

I welcomed the world of dreams that embraced me when my mind drifted out of consciousness, and Lance's voice echoed in my surprisingly pleasant dreams.