Chapter Six

Alice sat on her bed alone for a long time, checking the clock every so often for the time. Soon she would need to go see Bumby again. She didn't know what was going to happen. All she was sure of was that she couldn't take another hit to the face. It was too tender right now. Alice gingerly ran her fingers across the bruise but winced at the pain. Even that she couldn't handle yet. Alice wanted nothing more but to leave. Bumby had done something unspeakable to her, and even though she had nowhere to go, she could find something,

But… Alice though somberly

Bumby isn't the only cat chasing me.

In and out she was in danger. Jack Splatter was out and waiting. Bumby was in and waiting.

Alice let out an incredibly deep sigh and looked at her clock. It was about time for her afternoon meeting with Bumby. She got up slowly and looked in the mirror once more. The purple blemish was starting to become a sickly yellow, Alice couldn't handle the sight.

Alice walked out of her room and towards Bumby's office. She could always skip but she knew that wouldn't end well. She didn't have enough time to get away from the Home either before Bumby would come looking for her. She stood in front of his door for a couple of minutes, steadying her breathing. She suddenly felt very hot and her stomach was in knots. While standing there the door opened suddenly, and Alice was face to face with Bumby. No words were exchanged, Bumby just ushered her into the room.

Alice walked in slowly and cautiously painfully aware of this man's chocking presence. She sat down slowly onto her usual couch never taking her eyes off of Bumby. When Bumby noticed this her merely chuckled and took his usual spot by his desk. It was quiet for some time and Alice watched as Bumby pulled out a white tube from his desk drawer that she couldn't recognize. It continued to stay quiet as Bumby got up again and walked towards Alice. Her stomach did a twist and her forehead started to get damp. Bumby sat down next to Alice and squeezed something from the tube onto his fingers. With his other hand he gently grabbed hold of Alice's chin pulled her closer. Alice struggled but he kept his grip firm. Bumby inspected Alice's face for a few seconds then very gently rubbed the salve from the tube onto her bruise. The touch sent her nerves crazy however Bumby was being very gentle as he rubbed the cold salve onto her face.

Alice's eyes widened at this gentle treatment that was coming from the cause of the issue. She cleared her throat but stayed very still as Bumby was rubbing the salve into her cheek. Bumby grabbed the white tube again and put some more on his fingers, he grabbed Alice's right wrist gently and started to rub the salve into the bruises around her wrist. Once done with the right, he started with the left. Alice just sat there stunned. Bumby was so gentle with her. To Alice's surprise her face and wrists were starting to feel better.

Once Bumby was done, he leant forward and placed a gentle peck onto Alice's lips. Alice sat there stunned. Bumby then moved away and walked back to his usual seat and pulled out her file that he kept throughout their sessions.

"So, Alice how have your dreams been progressing?" Bumby asked breaking the silence.

Alice sat there quietly; stunned as Bumby continued looking through the papers as if nothing had happened. Her stomach twanged with a sort of pain, doubting herself if anything had actually happened.

The session went on like usual and Bumby listened to all her stories of Wonderland. Slowly throughout the session she was feeling more comfortable again with him and spoke of her broken memories and even her issue with entering Wonderland again which seemed impossible.

At the end of the session things went on like normal and Alice left with a promise of another session. Alice left stunned. So much had happened that morning yet Bumby never said a word about it.

Alice walked back to her room. The mess she had left earlier with the ripped up pictures was gone; she stood in the middle of room. Jack Splatters coat wasn't missing; it was folded up neatly on her bed. The sight disgusted her. Alice walked by and noticed her reflection in the mirror. The blemish had gotten very yellow indeed but looked like it was improving. The broken skin was healing rapidly from Bumby's salve. Hopefully it would be gone soon. Alice noticed it was starting to get dark and that she hadn't properly eaten since the day before. She got up slowly to check on when food was going to be served. She walked out of her room and downstairs into the kitchen. The other children were already crowded and Alice stood in the back. When it got to her turn, she grabbed a plate and was allotted food.

"Alice! What happened to your face?" The cook said while gasping

Alice didn't know what to say. She wanted to make something up. She was about to say was actually happened. It wouldn't hurt and with luck the cook would tell the police.

"She fell over in my Office" Bumby's voice said from behind Alice.

He had pressed up against her back and she could feel the heat through his clothes. Bumby reached around Alice, pushing into her and towering over her as he grabbed his own food. He then left her there stunned and went to go eat. Alice slowly made her way to the living room where everyone else was seated and ate her food in silence. She didn't really taste it. Her mind was elsewhere. Bumby sat in his respective seat across the table from Alice. He was watching her. Alice could tell. She looked up once and noticed him but refused to look up again. His hair wasn't the usual tucked away look. It was shaggy and it made him a lot younger… and more attractive.

NO! He isn't attractive! Alice yelled at herself in her head.

When she was done she got up and cleaned her plate. She then headed back to her room to sit around and do nothing.

Once she entered her room she felt hot and out of breath. She couldn't get Bumby out of her head. Whether they were bad or good thoughts all she could think about was him. She was confused because he had been such a monster that morning, but so gentle afterwards. Alice opened her window and let the breeze roll over her. She then lay down on her bed trying to keep her mind clear. She was unsure of when she dozed off.