For the next three days, Jack and March switched off 'Alice watch', and successfully fended off Hatter a number of times with threats and even a bit of a skirmish.

Jack flexed his hand, where two deep bite marks spoke of Hatter's furious rage. In front of him, slumped over the neck of the horse-fly, was Alice, still in a coma from March's poison. The March Hare was walking behind with a sullen Hatter, having just come back from a scavenging expedition for the salt and silverrod blossoms needed to wake Alice. As he walked, he was trying to rip the flowers in half, but to no avail. Sighing, he gave up and turned to Hatter, "Can't you at least get the blood off your armor?"

Hatter sniffed and rubbed at a patch of crusted gore on his breastplate, "Yes."

"Ah, cheer up, Hats!"

Hatter scowled, "We're taking Alice to the Jabberwock and you tell me to cheer up?"

Shrugging, March clasped a hand on his comrades shoulder, "She's not Lily."

"She might as well be…" Hatter paused and wiped at his eye. Suddenly, he started sobbing and turned to March, groaning, "He'll kill her, March! He'll rip her apart as he did Lily! I could have saved Alice from that, but you stopped me! How could you?"

"Look, Hats. There's a chance Jabberwock won't kill her!"

"How can you say that?" Hatter's bandages showed streaks from the tears.

Match patted him on the back reassuringly, "Just trust me."

Alice was disoriented when she finally came out of the drugged sleep. First, sparks of color flitting around a canvas of black, then shady figures crossing, then… Alice blinked up at March and Hatter tiredly, "W-where are we?"

March smiled, "Welcome to the bliddy capitol of Wonderland!"

The capitol of Wonderland, a large, gray medieval type city, spanned for several miles square. On the outskirts inching towards the center were low bleak cottages, subject to the despair of a conquered city. But Alice, in the hands of her captors, could only gaze at the fortress.

The entire center of the capitol sprouted up into a grand castle, one that may have been decorated in the past, but now was fortified immensely. Atop the stone buttresses, guards patrolled in grim lines, weaving around walls. Towers soared upward to stop and point an accusing finger at the sky above.

As the grim parade of soldiers entered the city, thin hallowed faces of residents peered out cautiously from their shutters and doors, gazing silently as Alice passed. Slowly, the people opened their doors and, coming into the street, called for their loved ones in the ranks.

An old blind woman groped forward, voice cracked and shuddering, "Margot? Margot? Where are you, my dear boy?" Falling over her ratty shawl, she clasped a gnarled hand around Hatter's leg, "Please, sir, where is my Margot?"

Hatter stared at the hag, silent, then bent down to help her up. As he led the lady away, he called over his shoulder, "I'll catch up to you later, March."

March nodded and threw an arm over Alice's shoulder in boredom. Half-walking, half-leaning on her, he waved a hand at the dismal city, "This all used to be colorful, before Jabberwock came."

The Jack of Diamonds glared back at them from atop his mount, "You know we're not supposed talk about before the Revolution!"

"Ah… Revolution, you call it? More like a bloody massacre!"

They had reached the gates. From atop a battlement, a black card watched them silently before motioning behind him. The portcullis and gates slowly rose, sending off screeches that scared the birds to flight from nearby roofs. As the body of soldiers moved forward, March grasped Alice's hand tightly, grimacing under his helmet, "Whatever you do, don't imagine."

Alice glanced up at him, startled, "Don't imagine? But… why?"

"Just don't."

March tugged Alice down a torch-lit corridor, scowling. Almost there and all he could wish for was that they were a thousand miles away! Taking a deep breath, he glanced at Alice, her frayed clothes, her messy hair, her red-rimmed eyes… "Remember! Don't imagine!"

Alice's eyes flickered. "Why?" she asked hotly.

"Just… do it… I'll explain later." He licked his lips nervously as he watched black ebony double doors draw near them. All too soon, they stood before it. "Ready?" March asked as he knocked.

Alice had no time to answer as a grating from within growled, "Come in."

Frowning, March opened the doors and shoved Alice in, following her stiffly.

Jabberwock sat at his desk, dressed in dark red livery that accented his midnight-black skin. Yellow eyes flashing, he gazed at Alice with a sneer, "Ah… finally!"

He stood, clothes rustling, and stepped down from his slightly raised platform.

March saluted, ears quivering, "Here is Alice, sir."

Trembling suddenly, Alice could do naught but stare at those catty golden eyes filled with hate and pain. Jabberwocky smiled, his pointy white teeth blaring out of the dark, "So I see…" Switching his gaze to March, he spat, "Where is Hatter?"

"He is coming, sire."

"Good! I have a little problem with him trying to kill the one I want."

March's ears fell back, "Who told you?"

Grinning, the Jabberwock motioned with a hand, "You didn't expect Jack to tell me?"

March fell silent.

Finally summoning up her courage, Alice squeaked, "You're Jabberwocky?" She had been thinking he'd be a lot more… scary-looking.

Scowling, Jabberwocky glared at her, "Yes, I am. Do I surprise you? Expecting something dif-"

A knock at the door, and Hatter's solemn voice, "Sir?"

"Hatter…" Jabberwock's voice was dangerous as his eyes faded to a cloudy white, "Why don't you come in? I have something to ask you…"

Creaking open, the door revealed Hatter, who scuffed the ground anxiously, "Must I?"

Jabberwocky snarled, "Yes!"

Slowly, Hatter stalked in and stood at fearful attention as Jabberwock circled him like a cat trapping a bird, "Have I done something wrong?"
Jabberwock ignored him and ordered, "Helmet off."
Hatter unhooked his visor and unwrapped his cloth strips with a trembling hand. Dropping them to the ground, he nodded, "Yes, sir."

Growling, Jabberwock appraised his assassin with a narrowed blank eye, "Jack told me you were trying to kill our guest here." He waved a hand at Alice.

Hatter stiffened, nodded, then bowed his head.

"Why?"

No answer came.

Jabberwock snarled and, lunging forward, grabbed by the throat. Slamming his head against the wall, the tyrant pulled the locket out from under Hatter's armor. He flipped it open and shoved the small portrait into Hatter's face, raging, "It's because of her, isn't it? You're thinking about Lily!"
Hatter was silent, tears slipping down his cheek as he gazed at Alice.

Snarling, Jabberwock followed his gaze to glare at Alice. His eyes snapped yellow as he realized what Hatter thought and he sneered. He leaned forward and muttered, " Alice does look like her…"

Hatter stiffened and started sobbing hysterically.

Seeing March step forward, Jabberwock snapped, "Stay where you are!"

March froze.

Jabberwocky turned back to Hatter and accused, "You didn't want me to have her, did you, Hatter?" He threw the locket down, then let Hatter drop, "But, unlike your 'princess', I'm not going to kill her. But if you approach her again with the intention to kill her, I'll take her and tear her apart!" Kicking out, he watched as Hatter grope his locket to his chest and cry in pain, in fear, in remembrance, "And you know how hard that can be, don't you, Hatter?" His voice was grimly amused.

March fidgeted, yearning to run over and comfort his comrade, but Jabberwock's glare kept him in check.
Alice, however, was unaffected.

Rushing to Hatter's side, she knelt and put a hand on his shoulder, worried, "Hatter, are you okay?"

He shied away from her touch, staring pitifully at her with a black distorted eye and watering green eye.

Alice felt something hook the back of her shirt and she was jerked up into the air by Jabberwock's clawed hand. Feeling his hot breath on her neck, she struggled, but to no avail.

Jabberwocky carried her over to a door leading off from the main room, opened it, and threw her into a small room, about 5 meters by 7 meters. Closing the door, she could hear him bark, "March, go find a maid and assign them to Alice. Hatter… just get out of my sight!"
Alice ran to the door and struggled with the knob. Locked! Sighing, angry, she surveyed the bare dark room.

Trapped in the center of the enemy's threshold!

It had been an house since Alice had been locked in the darkness when the door clicked open. Alice glanced up as a thin mousy face peered in, "Miss?"

Blinking, Alice cocked her head, "Who are you?"

The maid curtsied hastily and mumbled, "My name is Em, ma'am. Master sent me to see to your problems." She peered up, face fearful, "Do you require anything?"

Shaking her head, Alice glanced at the floor in frustration.

Only when a shadow covered the room did the prisoner look up. The maid whirled, cringing as she bowed quickly, "Master!"

Jabberwocky stood in the doorway, his tall, skinny frame blocking the light. A silhouette on a backdrop of gray, his eyes glinted out like topazes. Stepping into the room, he gazed at Alice and directed to the cowering maid, "She'll need a bed, a wardrobe, and a small table. Have them here by tonight."

"But… sir…"

"Have the guards help you." Jabberwocky tore his eyes from Alice and stepped out of the room.

Leaping up, Alice followed him with a determined frown. She exited, turned, and saw the tyrant watching her with morbid curiosity. Going up to him, she asked angrily, "What are you going to do with me?"

Jabberwock's eyes glittered as he smiled, "I have no idea yet."

"Are you going to kill me?"
Scowling, Jabberwock narrowed his eyes, "What use would you be to me dead?"
Alice crossed her arms, "What use do I have to you alive?"

Silent, Jabberwock pondered, then growled, "Back to you room."

"No." Alice retorted furiously.

Teeth bared in a snarl, Jabberwocky slapped her down harshly, "Get back in the cursed room!"
Alice scrambled back to the room, where Em stood trembling. Gulping, the maid whispered, "He's in a bad mood, isn't he?" When Alice nodded, she paled and meekly walked out of the room, "Sire? I-is there anything you n-need?"

Furious mutters, then a snarl, "Paper. More paper."

"Y-yes, sir." From the sudden sound of footsteps and a door slamming open, Em apparently had run from the terrifying chambers of her liege.

The door slammed shut once more, leaving Alice in darkness.

Alice blinked at the sudden light when the door opened two hours later. Stiff and a bit scared, two black cards carried a bed in, having a bit of trouble fitting it through the door but managing. They placed it down against the wall without a word, exited, then came back hefting an ornate wooden wardrobe. They set it at the foot of the bed and hastily shoved past Em as she tried to bring a small table in. With a cry of dismay, the maid fell forward.

Alice leapt up and rushed to help the now sobbing girl. Helping her up and finishing the task of placing the table, she asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"
Em bit her lip and nodded, "I-I'm sorry, milady. I am but a klutz."

Behind her and out through the door, Jabberwock smirked at his desk and returned to his papers.

Alice shrugged, "It's nothing, and you're not clumsy."

Sniffling, Em murmured, "Anything you say, miss."

Alice pulled her to the new bed and sat her down, "Come on! I know a way to make you feel better! It's something my mom did when I was little." Putting her hands on top of the trembling maid's hands, she gently ordered, "Close your eyes and think about a place you'd rather be."

"But…" The maid took a deep, shuddering breath and, closing her eyes, began to ponder on where she'd rather be. Her face slowly turned from worried and fearful to a calm…

Chair screeching, Jabberwock stared through the door at the two, eye switching to a pastel blue. He sneered and started walking towards them. As his shadow fell across the room, Em's eyes snapped open, the fear returned, only ten times over. She leapt up and pleaded with the Jabberwock, "No! Please, sir! I didn't mean to imagine! I'll stop! I'll-"

Jabberwock's eye sparkled ravenously as he grabbed Em by the shirt. Holding her, he placed a hand on her head and sneered.

Alice stared in confused horror as Em started screaming in pain, body writhing in Jabberwock's grasp. Eyes fluttering to show white, the maid slid to the ground as Jabberwock finally released her, grinning, the light gone from his eyes.

Alice stumbled forward, furious as her muscles unfroze, "What in the world did you do to her?"

A satisfied smile crossing his face, Jabberwocky spat on the writhing, shivering maid, "I devoured her imagination."

In a sudden bout of fear and pain-induced adrenaline, Em staggered up and ran out of the room, tears dropping to leave a sort of watery trail. Alice started to go after her, but Jabberwock hissed, "You stay here!"

Alice glared at him, pale face changing to an unusual red, "You monster!"

Flinching, the tyrant snarled and exited, slamming the door behind him.