Alice was weary of opening the package laid out on her bed for two reason. First, she never received mail. It had only been once sense her release from Rutledge Asylum that the teen girl received post. And although she had been thankful for crumpled and aged photo of her family that came sealed inside envelope no sender's name or return address had come with gift. The second reason, this brown paper wrapped mail actually had a name and address to it: "Keir Cheston. 1313 Wonder Lane, Dooms Village England."
The only think keeping Alice from completely believing her Cheshire cat was playing her was fact that his sense of humor rarely ventured down such a low path. Yet if it wasn't her cat then who else could have known her mind well enough to fathom such a play on words? Rutledge's doctor Wilson, maybe? Not likely however, reason reasoned. Though Dr. Wilson had intimate knowledge of her mind he had even less of a sense of humor then the cat. Leaving only a member of wonderland's population as culprit.
Still, the only wonderlandians that Alice had ever faced outside of her head's world where Rabbit and, factoring in yesterday's events, Ches Cat. And sense Rabbit hadn't actually made an appearance to her sense before her release from Rutledge Alice's webbing thoughts slicked back to the cat.
"Mockery isn't really your thing Cat; yet I don't really see any other alternative." Alice glowered at package atop her bedding as if it were in fact her wonderland's feline.
As if realizing how mad she looked, spiting at a letter she addressed like a cat, Alice's brain scolded suspicion. Like she had told herself twenty-some hours before hand, when faced with a white puss much like one that had enticed her into most recent wonderland venture, she was over thinking. Maybe she wasn't just insane, but paranoid too. For all Alice knew there was a Keir Cheston that lived at 1313 Wonder Lane, Dooms Village England.
"Only one way to find out." Alice snatched and tore at letter like removing bandages. The quicker she got this over with the better.
Even older and more wrinkled then the framed photo of her family presently hanging above Alice's bed, another photograph topped package's contains. Yellow, parchment like paper capturing a scene of adult men, most of which looking more like school boys in grown bodies and formal dress.
Alice's eyes were quick to ketch a man seated in a second row of these men to boys. Although he had no lines to his face and his beard could barley be considered one Alice knew her father; even if it was a young version of her father.
Dear Miss Liddel, finely calligraphy executed on sheets beneath photo began a message.
My name is Keir Cheston. I don't fathom that you have ever heard of me, due to fact that house fire stole only person that could explain my existence to you years ago. My father attended oxford with your father, as I hope enclosed photograph helps to prove. My dear dad being the rigid one in bottom left corner. If your having trouble finding him he is the only person in image that looks as if young age is an equivalent of living in sin.
Despite herself, Alice smirked at line. Keir Cheston, imaginary or real, certainly had wit.
But I am not writing to you to describe how bothered my father was in his own skin. No, the purpose of this letter is more important. For a time I fallowed in my father's footsteps and began to learn the practice of medicine.
At this the teen girl nearly crumpled the letter and tossed it out her tiny room's even tinier window. Yet a smooth voice interrupted her upset.
"There's an ugly name for those who do things the hard way."
"I've heard that one Cat." Alice whirled; barley surprised to see Ches Cat smirking on her bed. She had been haft expecting him after all. "Couldn't you think of something more original to say?"
"Your testy Alice. I've never been one for tests. To many questions and not enough answers."
"Testy am I? Is that what this is?" Huffing at Cat she dangled letter she had begun to wad. "A test of some kind? Well I can't say I see the point or reason in it. If your goal was to outrage me I suppose I pass. I'm in no need of another haft baked doctor thinking he can cure me! I believe I already told you I am beyond saving. No matter how many doctors take up the challenge of curing London's favorite lunatic."
"Only a few find the way; some don't recognize it when they do; some don't ever want to- Finish what you've started." The cat added when Alice only glared at another quote she already knew.
With a frustrated breath and a roll of her bright eyes Alice smoothed letter. She didn't understand it, yet even if she though she knew better the girl always took grinning cat's advice. Though his words taunted her more often then eased her.
It was during my studies I originally came to learn of your life's happenings. The fire that murdered your family, your years locked in an asylum, your inheritance denied because of your relation to an asylum, London's lack of notice for you after Houndstich Home closed. Pardon my raw opinion, but all rather unjust.
Here, I will finally address my point. I hold a weapon that I'd like to hand over to you. Power to challenge at least one injustice that has befallen you. Your inheritance.
You see, I gave up on the world of doctors and remedies once realizing several of the doctors were misguided and many remedies pointless.
Although, quarrels with professors and questioning of tonics has lead me to both my passion and prior mentioned weapon. I have just acquired my own law firm and would like my first solo case as an attorney to be for your sake.
If I have at all sparked an interest, or even distain, in you please contact me. I will be in London on unrelated business at months end, so feel free to stop by and grace me with a word or two. My London address is scribbled on the back of this page.
Bravo to you if you have made it through my ramblings.
A potential ally,
Keir Cheston
"Last we spoke you mentioned a waiting foe, not an alley."
"When alliances are made an enemy can't be to far behind. Remember that when you speak with Cheston."
"And whom said I was going to meet with this Cheston?" Alice inquired with a snapping tongue. "I'll admit, I'd like to believe his words are sincere, but who have you know, have I know, that has ever done anything for anyone else's sake? The hatter? The queen? Nurse Pris maybe? Bumby?" Despite herself Alice snarled the last name.
Although over the time of months Alice had excepted that spitting on her former Dr. Bumby's name was better therapy then keeping memories of his crimes under lock and key the man still had a way of groping his unpleasant way into her thoughts; attempting to corrupt her already damaged and confused brain. Memoirs of deprived, perverse, illicit man often clawing it's way towards her without warning. Without a trigger.
"A tulip among the roses is rare, but easily spotted when blossomed." Alice mentally thanked, although she'd never let him know, the cat for drawing her attention away from her own thoughts. "See if Cheston is a tulip, or another thorny rose. Confront him Alice, and decide for yourself whether all hearts pulse with ulterior motives. Or stay here. In a butcher shop's storage closet turned bed chamber. Forever smelling of pig snouts."