Chapter Five

Alice thought she'd lose her mind waiting for eleven thirty to roll around. Hatter had fallen asleep on the couch and she left him there, covered in a blanket. He was sleeping a lot more these days, and Alice found herself grateful for the quiet time. And then finally – finally! – it was time.

SPARROW: Hey, Alice! How's Hatter today?

ALICEH: Not good. Very not good.

MOUSE: Alice…welcome to the forum. Sparrow filled me in.

SPARROW: Everyone was excited that you're here.

ALICEH: Where's Mole?

DOG: Taking his own time, as always.

MOLE: Shut your gob, Dog.

TURTLE: Mole! Finally! Alice needs a rabbit hole.

MOLE: So I hear. Is he bad off then?

ALICEH: He wanted to jump off the roof.

MOUSE: OMG! Poor Hatter!

ALICEH: Please, Mole. They said you could help me.

MOLE: And so I can. You live in NYC?

ALICEH: Yes.

MOLE: Tomorrow night at midnight you need to be in Central Park.

SPARROW: Isn't that dangerous?

DOG: There's a rabbit hole in Central Park?

ALICEH: Where?

MOLE: You need to stand in front of the Alice in Wonderland statue.

DOG: You can't be serious.

SPARROW: There's an Alice statue in the park?

TURTLE: I keep telling you to come visit, Sparrow. NYC has lots to offer.

SPARROW: So does Chicago.

MOLE: May I? Thank you.

SPARROW: Sorry, Mole.

ALICEH: So what happens at midnight?

MOLE: You use your muchness to make the hole open.

ALICEH: My what?

TURTLE: You should have plenty of that, Alice. Don't worry.

MOUSE: Can anyone use the rabbit hole?

MOLE: No. So don't even try.

ALICEH: And if I get Hatter home, he'll get better?

DOG: Wonderland magic should cure him.

SPARROW: It'll work, Alice. You have to believe it.

ALICEH: I do. Thank you so much! All of you!

TURTLE: We're rooting for you, Alice! You and Hatter.

DOG: Well, mostly you.

SPARROW: Shut up Dog.

*o*o*o*

Alice was up before Hatter the next morning, not an unusual circumstance these days. She called her mother, asked her over for lunch, and then started making a list. If she was going back to Wonderland, she'd be prepared this time. No mini dress and high heeled boots.

By the time Carol showed up, Alice had already loaded up her backpack with extra clothes and provisions, a pocket knife, and some necessary toiletries. She didn't know what they'd need, exactly, but if it seemed even remotely useful she wanted to have it. Hatter had watched her, offering no responses to her babbling monologue.

"Alice? Are you home?" Carol poked her head in the front door, for which she had her own key.

"Be right there!" Alice called from the bedroom. "Hatter…you want something to eat?"

Hatter just shook his head. Alice prayed, as she had never prayed before, that this rabbit hole thing would work. That Hatter would be restored. And that she would get five minutes alone with Jack.

Alice gave her mother a hug and led her into the kitchen, where she'd made up some chicken salad for sandwiches.

"Is David joining us?" Carol asked. Alice shook her head.

"He's not hungry."

Alice set out the sandwiches and poured her mother a drink. She herself wasn't very hungry and only picked at her food.

"So. What's going on?" Carol asked. Alice gave her a weary smile.

"You were right, Mom. Hatter has a Wonderland sickness, and I have to take him back there. We'll be leaving tonight."

"How? I thought you said the mirror wasn't working."

"It's not. But some Wonderlanders who live here told me of another way." Alice pushed her plate away. "I don't know how long we'll be gone. But the apartment is taken care of for the next month. Once Hatter's better, we'll be back."

"Is it safe there for you?" Carol asked, concerned. Alice had tried to downplay a lot of the dangers she'd faced there, but she knew her mother could read between the lines.

"Honestly? I don't know. The Queen is gone, and I have to believe that things have improved. But it's Hatter's only chance."

As if on cue, Hatter came shuffling into the kitchen and stood there for a moment, looking confused. Carol gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Alice tensed up, worried what Hatter was going to do.

"Your hair wants cutting," Hatter said. Alice had no idea if he was talking to her, her mother, or perhaps someone only he could see.

"David?" Carol stood and put her hand out to him. Hatter merely looked at her. Carol slowly lowered her hand and backed up.

"Alice is leaving," Hatter said conversationally. "She's always leaving. Leaving me alone. Always alone."

"Oh, Hatter." Alice just put her head in her hands. "Just a few more hours, okay? Just a few more hours and we'll be back in Wonderland."

"Not enough treacle," Hatter muttered, wandering out of the kitchen.

"I didn't realize things were this bad," Carol said.

"He's slipping away, Mom. A little more every day."

"Then you do what you have to do." Carol put her arms around Alice. "Just get word to me as soon as you can."

Alice blinked away her tears. She had to be strong now. It was her turn to save Hatter, and she meant to do it.

*o*o*o*

When Carol had left, Alice went to the bedroom in search of Hatter. He was sitting on the floor beside the bed, his knees drawn up to his chest. Alice sat next to him and leaned her head back on the wall.

"What if this doesn't work?" Hatter asked, his voice so low Alice almost didn't hear him.

"It'll work," Alice said, with a certainty she didn't feel. "I'll make sure you're okay, Hatter."

"That's my line," Hatter said. There was the ghost of a smile on his face. Alice rested her head on his shoulder, and they sat there together for a long moment without talking.

"I'm sorry." Hatter put his hand in Alice's, tightening his fingers around hers. "This has been hard on you."

"It's not your fault. We'll make it right, Hatter. I'm not giving up without a fight."

"That's my Alice."

"We should get a little sleep while we can," Alice said, standing. "I have a feeling it's going to be a long night."

"Yeah." Hatter let himself be pulled up off the floor. He wrapped his arms around Alice, hugging her tightly to him. "If this doesn't work…if I go completely mad…I want you to leave me."

Alice pulled away and held Hatter's face in her hands, forcing him to look her in the eye. "No. That's not going to happen. You didn't leave me, even when I pushed you away. I'm not leaving you. Not ever."

A tear tracked down Hatter's cheek. "Just…please don't let me hurt you. Not again."

Alice silenced him with a kiss.

AN: I know, you guys are all on edge waiting for Hatter to get better. I promise there'll be some resolution very soon, so hang in there!