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xxx

I plastered a false smile on my face as Stayne got closer to me.

"Good, you're awake now. I'm sorry about what happened in the courtyard. I'm just getting worried about being found. There is a large group of us now. Over 200. It's good many volunteered to help with jobs around the castle. Now, let me escort you to dinner, you must be starved after practice and you're late already."

He tucked my arm under his and smiled down at me. I was frowning at the contact.

"What is it?" He laughed nervously.

I pulled my arm out of his and looked at him.

"I just need some time on my own right now. I'm confused. I need time to think."

"But you just had several hours to think." His voice had a hint of anger in it.

"I won't be long. I'll meet you in the dining room."

Before he had time to respond, I ran back up the corridor and up a flight of steps. I opened the first door I could find and slid in the room then pressed my back against the closed frame.

I sighed. Touching Stayne felt wrong. Lately, everything about him seemed wrong. It felt like he was keeping tabs on me and I found it very irritating. He wouldn't need to know where I was, unless he had something to hide.

I looked around the room for the first time and blushed slightly when I realised it was Stayne's bedroom.

Maybe my subconscious had made me end up here.

Maybe I knew I had to sort things out once and for all.

I remember Stayne telling me that my curiosity was going to be the death of me, but I wasn't afraid of death, not when it was compared to my nightmares. I couldn't be allied with my enemies could I?

I marched over to his desk and started pulling the draws out and searching them. I didn't know what I expected to find, but I couldn't stand the secrets anymore.

The desk was clear, so I moved onto his bed. I looked under it, in it, behind it, but I came out empty. With more determination, I searched every inch of his room for anything that seemed out of place.

After fifteen minutes, I sat down on the bed and sighed. My eyes scanned the room to make sure everything was in place and when I was sure it was I headed for the door. The moon was now rising in the sky and a beam shone in onto the floor. I was looking at the little circle of light and about to shut the door when I noticed the lump on the rug.

I peered closer at it and slipped back in the room. I yanked the rug out of the way excitedly. I knew there was something going on. I prepared myself for a hatch or a key or something out of the ordinary, but I found nothing.

I seemed to realise what I had just done and I stood up in shock. After all Stayne had done for me, I had jumped to the conclusion he was keeping dark secrets from me and our enemies were really my friends.

"Get a grip Alice." I told myself.

I stepped forward to pick up the discarded rug and my boot got caught on something. I fell to the floor and moaned.

"Ow." I rubbed my head.

I looked back and saw I had caught my foot on a loose floorboard. I picked the small plank up and scowled at it. I leant forward to put it back in place and almost died of shock. Where there should have been solid material, there was a hole. In the hole was what looked like an old scripture. I pulled it out and unravelled it.

I scanned quickly and dropped it in horror. There had been several pictures of me under titles of Gribling Day, Quillian Day and Frabjous Day. I was with the White Queen and the Hatter.

Slowly, I picked up the scroll again and scanned it to see if there was anything on it that I could recognise.

"No, it can't be." I whispered in horror.

I watched as I fought a group of seven red cards at once. One went down after the other before the picture started again. I remembered that day. It was the first day of training and I was showing Stayne what I could do. I had shock both him and myself.

If this scripture was of actual events, then that must mean…

I rolled it up and ran out of the door. I sped down the corridors towards the dining room. Everything Stayne had said was a lie. He wasn't my friend, he was moulding me into a weapon, just like the Queen had said in my dreams.

I opened the doors with such force they bounced back and hit the guards who were stood by the door.

Guards. Why did he need guards within his own safe place.

People had volunteered to work. I laughed sarcastically in my head. Stayne had probably forced them to work for him.

I felt stupid and used and angry. Red hot tears ran from my eyes as I stormed up to the man at the head of the table.

I slammed the scripture onto the table in front of him.

"What is this?" I screamed at him.

"Alice, where did you-" He began innocently.

"What is it?" I asked again. "Why does it show you killing the Red Queen? Why am I on the White Queens side?"

He looked around at the knights seated at the table. "Leave us." He said.

"Answer me!" I screeched.

The diners scrambled for the doors whilst Stayne stood up. His face was neutral.

"What do you want me to say Alice? That this isn't true. That I really am your friend and this is a sick trick of the White Queen?"

I didn't answer and just stood there shaking in rage.

"There'd be no point, mind you. You're too intelligent for that parlour trick. So I'll just say it would be in your best interest to return to your room and we'll talk in the morning."

He began to turn away, but I grabbed his arm.

"No! I want to know now! Are you using me? Like my dreams said you were?"

"What dreams?"

I scoffed in anger.

"And I believed every word that came out of your mouth. I should have seen it. Why I didn't remember and how you just happened to find me. And you were always checking on me. Why? So I wouldn't go looking. So I wouldn't find this? And yet you kissed me. You wanted me. I trusted you!"

"And so you shall again." he said in mock sadness.

I gasped.

"What? "You did poison me. It was you!"

"You've found the Oraculum before. It was pretty annoying really, but nothing a good dose of poison won't help you forget. Although, I have to say I'm impressed. This is the furthest you've ever gotten. And with no help at all. You certainly are a clever girl aren't you?"

He laughed.

I thought about everything that had happened these past few months. I had ignored my intuition and believed every lie that had come out of his mouth. He had said he loved me and I had believed him. I had even been stupid enough to let myself fall in love with him too.

"Why." I snarled through hateful tears.

"Well how else was I going to get you to kill the White Queen so I can be sole ruler of Underland!"

He began to walk closer to me and I edged back, trying to think of a plan. A candle shimmered and the light reflected off something metal on the wall. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw to swords crossed and mounted to make an 'X' on the wall.

I moved towards them and within seconds, I had grabbed one of the weapons and was facing Stayne again. In the time my back was turned, he had drawn his sword and a crooked grin had appeared on his face.

"So it has to be like this then."

"Well I highly doubt you're going to let me walk out of those doors of my own free will."

"Tell you what, if you can defeat me, I won't stop you from leaving."

"I don't believe you."

He laughed once and just as I thought he was going to say something else, he lunged. He was fast, but I was faster. His sword cut through air time after time as I dodged his attacks, not prepared yet to attack the man who, despite my disgust, held my heart.

The swords clashed and guards came rushing in, weapons drawn. I saw them advancing towards me, but Stayne shouted;

"No! Stay back. She's mine." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me.

I scoffed, repulsed.

"You're a pig!" I glowered at him.

Now I felt ready to start the real fight. He momentarily turned to laugh with the knights and I took advantage of his mistake, charging at him. By the time he realised I was attacking, it was too late, my sword sunk into his shoulder and he screamed. I had drawn first blood and Stayne realised we were not practicing anymore. He clenched his teeth together and tightened his grip on his sword.

"You'll pay for that."

"Try me." I invited.

He ran at me and I blocked his sword with my own. He tried again, but metal hit metal as our swords smashed into each other. He swung high, I ducked low and aimed a swing at his legs. He pushed me back strongly and I fell onto my back. My breathing spread as he advanced on me. He stood above me, sword raised.

"I'm not going to kill you. I need you for my plan, but try one more move like that and I swear, I will bring you so much pain, you'll wish you had never crossed paths with me."

I lay still and made my eyes fearful as I felt the red hot confidence rise in me.

"Hey Stayne." I whispered.

He leaned closer.

"Fight's not over yet." I said loudly and raised my leg until it collided with his groin.

I rolled out of the way just in time for his body to buckle and land on the floor. I heard him groaning as I scrambled up and righted myself.

"What am wrong Stayne, am I too much for you to handle?" I mocked.

I watched him shake in anger as he got up and shot me a fierce look.

He bolted forward and I raised my sword to stop his when he lowered his arm and slashed my leg. My dress ripped and I felt warm blood run from the wound. I paid the injury no further attention and blocked another attack from Stayne.

Metal clashed repeatedly for what seemed like hours and neither of us gained the lead, our clothing was torn up and we were both sweating, but neither he nor I were letting our guards down.

Then, in what seemed like a miracle, I got around his defences and made a cut down the length of Stayne's face, which matched the other scar on his face.

I grinned victoriously and laughed. He brought his hand to his face in shock and I took the chance to end the fighting once and for all. I sliced through his armour and onto his stomach and crimson blood sprayed onto the remainders of my dress and my face. I kicked his body with a force so great that he flew back a few feet and landed in a mangled heap on the ground.

I walked over to his still body, the bloodlust had all but disappeared. He was breathing thankfully and was watching me with tentative eyes.

"I hate you." I told him. "And I have nothing more to say. Goodbye Stayne."

I turned towards the doors and walked towards them, still alert in case Stayne decided to surprise attack me. I knew he would not give up, so I increased my pace and began to walk as fast as I could without looking suspicious.

"Guards." I heard his strangled whisper.

I broke into a run. I knew he was a slimy cheat. I had been right not to believe he would uphold his word.

Guards advanced on me from all sides, but I ran towards the doors despite the impossibility of escape.

'Only if you believe it is.'

That same whisper. I knew what was to come next.

"No!" I breathed.

But I was powerless to stop the pain that erupted in my head and collapsed onto the floor screaming. So many images, some colourful, some dull. It was like watching a whole life in two minutes.

First, I saw my life in England. My father and I laughed and played as the sun shone high in the sky, but then clouds gathered and it began to rain. My fathers hand turned to nothing in mine and I was looking down on his grave. For years, it remained dull and I was an outcast in the society. I cared for nothing but my mother and sister and the dreams that took me to a magnificent land so different from my own. Then I had to grow up and drop the idea that Wonderland might actually exist. That's when my hand was asked in marriage and that's when I rediscovered Wonderland.

It was still dull, but I felt more at home than I had done in years. Several faces floated in my mind; a beautiful white haired woman, a rabbit in a waistcoat, a dodo bird, twins, but there was one that came up more than the others. His orange hair and pale skin appeared in almost every scene, but it disappeared as the Jabberwocky replaced him. I fought it and slayed the beast, winning peace for the land.

Everything got lighter after that. I returned home, but soon returned and lived a year with the orange haired man. Everything was good and happy until time seemed to stop as I realised I only had mere weeks to remember my friends.

Then, for the first time, I heard a voice. It was broken and hollow and my heart beat faster at the sound of it.

"You won't remember me."

Then there was another. It was soft, yet demanding and coming from my mouth.

"Then give me something to remember."

Then all I could feel was bliss. Even through the pain, I felt it fill my body with happiness.

Then, everything came rushing back. The pictures were no longer irrelevant. I could remember names, dates, beliefs and feelings. The pain increased as my memory came rushing back into my head and I clutched at it whilst curled in a ball on the floor.

I knew I was an easy target, but I could not make my body move to safety. The pain had paralyzed me and I could do nothing but screams as the guards picked me up and carried me to the dungeons of Salazen Grum.

I was thrown to the cold stone ground and felt my ankle twist painfully. The pain began to fade and I was left oddly numb. Perfect timing, I thought sarcastically.

"I'm fine you imbecile! Now go and help clean up."

I heard Stayne's voice swim into the dungeons and it wasn't long after I heard his voice that his gloating face appeared in front of the cell I was in.

"Well look here, the champion of Underland reduced to nothing." He sneered.

I looked down at my body. It was bruised and bleeding and my torn dress didn't help keep my modesty, but I would rather look like I did than be under his monstrous influence a moment longer. He was pretty bloody too, his stomach had been healed with a potion no doubt, but even without the stomach wound, he looked worse than me. I smiled a little at the fact that I gave much more than I got.

"I don't care. Because I remember him. And I know that will hurt you more than I'm hurt looking at myself like this. I love him, Tarrant Hightopp and I will not stand against him or my Queen ever again. You're sick Stayne. A sick bastard."

He looked distastefully at me, but didn't seem too offended.

"I forgot you were really like this. I liked you so much better when you hang off my every word."

"Never again."

He laughed and reached into his pocket, drawing out a small vial of liquid.

"Do you really think I'd give up this easily. I still need you to win me the crown and if you won't do it willingly," he unlocked the cage and stepped inside, "well, a little Black Magic should loosen you up."

He moved closer to me and shook the liquid. I knew what it was and I had no intention of drinking a single drop of it. I pulled myself up on the wall and I felt my ankle protest at the weight that was put upon it.

I waited until he was barely a metre from me, then I dove under his legs in what I thought would be a surprise move that he was not accounting for. I managed to get back on my feet again, but as I took a step forward, my ankle gave in and I fell to the size. Stayne, who had realised what I was trying to do, grabbed me by the hair and as a gasped, he tipped the liquid down my throat.

I coughed and spluttered at the foul taste and I wished that it would just come back up my throat, but I knew that would never happen. The taste got weaker and my mouth got saltier as tears dripped off my open lips.

"I wont forget, I wont." I whispered, more to myself than Stayne, but he still laughed and responded.

"Yes you will. No one has ever resisted and won over Black Magic."

"Black magic…its fitting for such a immoral thing." I forced out.

I sensed something slip from my mind, but I couldn't remember what it was. I had started forgetting. But why! I thought I had at least a few days with my memories, only to have them ripped away from me as soon as I got them back.

"Why am forgetting already?" I felt another thing go. "No! Stop it! Please, stop it now!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that. This dose was purer than the first one you took. You will not remember any of tonight's events, or any doubts what-so-ever about me. And in a few days time, you will fulfil your purpose and kill your mad lover and his Queen."

I opened my mouth to protest, but shut it when I realised I need all my energy to fight off the growing amnesia. He was doing this on purpose, so I would fall quicker and a naïve soul would take my minds place.

"And then, when I am king, I will make you my queen and we shall rule this kingdom side by side. And we shall lay, side by side, where you will give yourself to me and I shall have you, body and mind. You will belong to me and only me."

I belong to on-one. I thought angrily.

I felt my memories slip away until I could not longer recall my mothers name or what she looked like. No, I have to fight this, for Tarrant. He deserved that much. I had promised him I would and I had no intention of breaking that promise.

Though it seemed impossible to win over the poison, I had overcome that which I thought was impossible before. I had slayed the Jabberwocky. And sometimes, I thought of six…

Six what? I couldn't remember. I felt so like myself still. I knew Stayne was bad and the White Queen…Miranda? Melinda? I search my head, but I couldn't remember her name. But why did I need to know such personal detail, after all, she was my enemy…

Tarrant, Tarrant Hightopp, my lover, my partner, my soul mate, my everything. I couldn't forget his sweet, beautiful face. His voice was music to my ears and I held onto him in my mind like a lifeline. Everything else was gone already, but I knew when I forgot Tarrant and blinked, I would go back to being something that wasn't me, only I wouldn't know it.

"Tarrant." I whispered through tears. "Help me."

Then, I blinked.

Next chapter will be back in Marmoreal. It will be up by Friday.

xxx