Breaking Wonderland: Alice in Chains
BTAS (Batman Animated Series)
(Sequel to Breaking Wonderland) After her breakdown, Alice is forced to seek psychiatric help. Though the criminals in Arkham have other things on mind, again.
PS: Sorry for any grammar mistakes, typos, anything else.
Chapter 9: Mixed Emotions
Jervis took a taxi towards Hill Park, it was beautiful spring day as birds chirped and children played. It was almost storybook. Jervis sat on a bench as he read an old newspaper. He sat there reading it, feeling quite normal for once in his life. Sadly the reason why he felt normal was that he did something that wasn't normal nor legal. Jervis sighed as he turned the page there was a small article that caught his attention.
Arkham in Trouble: Most number of inmates to escape in a short period of time. Gotham's citizens have every reason to be on guard as notorious inmates such as the Joker, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow,-
"Jervis is that you?" a female's voice asked. Jervis shut the newspaper immediately and folded it up as he slammed it on the park bench.
"Alice? You startled me," Jervis let out. Alice giggled as she glowed. Jervis could feel his face growing hot and he knew he had to be blushing. He cleared his throat calming himself. "Why Alice, what brings you here?" he asked trying to carry on a conversation.
"Oh nothing really it was such a beautiful day today, I just didn't feel like going straight back home," she said as she looked up at the sky and the rest of her surroundings. Jervis's head tilted to the side as he heart melted at the scene of Alice looking so happy with the sunny clear sky behind her. He let out a lopsided grin. "So did I interrupt an important article? You seemed so focused, you didn't even hear me walk up to you," Alice stated. Jervis snapped out of his daydream and blushed again.
"Oh that no it was nothing in particular just reading some of Gotham's headlines that's all," he said casually. He stood up as he grew too anxious sitting on the bench. "So..." he started he didn't know what to say. His eyes widened as he began to panic, How can this be? Again? Here alone with Alice on a beautiful day and I can't even think of a word to say! Jervis thought to himself as he rubbed his elbow becoming self-conscious. "Ugh-I so it's such a beautiful day isn't it," he stammered. Jervis looked at his side inwardly kicking himself. Alice giggled again.
"Yes, it is. What's wrong Jervis I never saw you so tongue-tied?" Alice asked as she tried hard to stop giggling.
"Oh I'm just nervous that's all," he said exasperatedly. His heart pounded wondering if he actually said that out loud. Alice started to blush as her eyes darted to her side, it was evident she was starting to feel awkward. Though a moment later she smiled.
"Awe, I guess I can understand why you might be nervous," Alice let out. Jervis sighed as he shook his head.
"If you don't mind me asking..." Jervis started his tones soft with caution. "What's the real reason you didn't want to go home?" he asked simply. Alice face went blank as well as pale. She looked down nervously then back at him she seemed to glare at him for a few moments before she looked down swallowing.
"Oh, is it that obvious?" Alice asked her voice soft and weak.
"Alice my dear, you don't have to say anything at all!" Jervis exclaimed knowing what he had done. He stepped closer to her. "It was foolish of me to ask something like that, so don't," he reassured. Alice just stared at him for a moment.
"Actually, I just came back from seeing Dr. Richardson," she answered. Jervis stepped back startled as Alice so bluntly spoke her words. He didn't know what to say nor how to respond. In fact, he never saw Alice so serious and cold.
"Oh..." he managed to breath out. He looked down at the sidewalk wondering how such a beautiful day turned into the most awkward evening.
"It's not so bad actually I mean it's nice having someone listen to you," she continued.
"So how is Dr. Richardson?" asked Jervis in a nonchalant manner. Alice smiled.
"She's fine," she replied swaying playfully. Jervis smiled a cool breeze blew as a bell jingled. Children started gathering as an ice cream man pushing his cart stopped nearby. They both turned distracted by the scene.
"Alice, would you like some ice cream?" he asked feeling a bit more confident leading the way towards the ice cream man. Alice tilted her head interested.
"It is a bit hot," she said as she followed. They made their way toward the ice cream man, however, there were already plenty of children around him ordering.
"I want a strawberry swirl!" a little girl asked.
"I want an orange sherbet!" a boy yelled in the opposite direction.
"I want a vanilla cone!" another little kid yelled. The ice cream man opens his cart and grabbed ice cream handing it out left and right, gathering money from the children as he handed them their treat.
"I want a chocolate fudge pop!" a little girl asked. He got out the chocolate fudge pop and the little girl handed him her money.
"Ugh, sorry little girl that's not enough," the ice cream man spoke about to hand her chocolate fudge pop then pulled it away. The child's eyes widen with sadness. Alice frowned. Jervis pulled out a five dollar bill and handed it to the man.
"Here, keep the change won't you," he said giving the man a grimace. He then handed the girl her treat as her face beamed.
"Thank you!" the little girl said before running off. Alice smiled happily.
"Awe that's so sweet of you, Jervis," Alice leaned in and whispered near his ear.
"Are you going to order something or not?" the ice cream man asked rudely. Both Alice and Jervis gave him a grave look.
"Hmm, if my mind serves me right, isn't there an ice cream shop not too far from here?" Jervis started. Alice looked up thoughtfully.
"Actually there is," she said in agreement.
"Perhaps we should take our business elsewhere," he said towards the man who was starting to look even more upset.
"In fact!" Alice squeaked in. "I think I even know the way," Alice said as she walked up to his side and interlocked her arm with his. Jervis's eyes widen as they both walked away heads up high looking quite proud of themselves. Alice looked back at the man who shook his head angrily at them. They both hurriedly walked away from the scene. Alice let go of Jervis's arm laughing loudly.
"Oh did you see the look on his face?" she asked as she held her gut happily.
"Yes, I swear he looked like a ripe tomato," he said in agreement. They walked toward the edge of the park towards the general direction of the ice cream shop. Jervis stopped suddenly unsure where to go.
"What's the matter?" Alice asked as she caught up with him. Jervis scratched the back of his head.
"I'm ashamed to admit this but I do believe I'm lost," he said frankly.
"Oh, that's okay I know the way. It's this way," she said as she grabbed a hold of his wrist once more and led them across the street towards their right. They walked up a few blocks passing by some odd stores. Finally, they found the ice cream shop, it was decorated in light pink and white stripes. It was quite cute to look at it as it stood out from the rest of the shops. They entered as the little bell jingled.
"Oh look another customer!" a young Asian woman let out excitedly. A man stood up.
"Oh oui," the man said as he let out a small smile. "Ow, can I've help you?" the man asked his French accent evident. "Vould you like to try our veekly especial?" he asked. Jervis looked down at Alice.
"Ladies first, pick anything you like, my dear," Jervis announced debonair.
"Anything?" Alice repeated.
"Of course," Jervis said with a nod. Alice nodded.
"Well okay..." she paused looking around for a while. "What's the weekly special?" she soon asked. The man smiled.
"Buy un scoop get the other free," he said happily. Alice smiled.
"Okay, well I'll have vanilla and strawberry Sundae," Alice stated. The owner nodded and the young assistant started to bring out a Sundae glass and scoop in Ice cream. She soon placed in two vanilla and two strawberry.
"Anything else?" the woman asked. Alice thought for a moment then shook her head. "How about any toppings?" the woman asked.
"Oh, whip-cream, nuts, chocolate fudge, and a cherry on top," she said happily. The woman nodded.
"And vor the gentlemen?" the man asked.
"I'd like vanilla and blueberry ice cream, and I'll have the same toppings except for nuts, granola and no chocolate please," Jervis blurted already knowing what he wanted. He soon paid for the Sundaes and they sat on a table nearby the window.
"Thank you for the ice cream," Alice started as she stuck a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. Jervis smiled.
"Oh pish tosh it's nothing, my dear," he said as he took a spoonful of ice cream. He closed his eyes and relished the flavors of the frozen treat. Alice snorted as she tried to cover her mouth. Jervis blushed.
"When's the last time you had a Sundae?" Alice asked curiously.
"A very long time ago," he let out. Alice smiled as she watched him take another bite with a similar effect.
"It's so strange..." Alice started. Jervis opened his eyes and stared at Alice. "I mean I used to come here with Billy when we first started dating..." Jervis's ice cream went suddenly sour. "Though... even though I miss him, I find myself thinking less and less of him," she said looking around sadly. Jervis swallowed his sour ice cream, realizing it may have been sour because it was a whole spoonful of blueberry or perhaps the mention of Billy. Jervis took a deep breath and stood up quietly. Alice's eyes widen as she looked up at him. "Oh no," she said out loud. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" Alice asked nervously. Jervis shook his head.
"No, it's nothing... I'm just not feeling well and it's getting very late," he started defensively. "I should be on my way," he mumbled on. Alice looked at him sadly. "Goodbye," he said simply. Alice grabbed his hand suddenly and Jervis turned.
"Thank you... for the ice cream and I'm sorry," she said simply. Jervis smiled as she let go of his hand. He turned and walked out of the store. Alice looked across at his vanilla blueberry Sundae melting into each other turning a light shade of blue. She placed an elbow on the table cupped her chin on her hand and ate silently to herself.
Jervis walked home his hands in his pockets, his heart broken, defeated. It was wrong to pursue Alice especially if she still loved Billy. He sighed remembering the look on her face, she was sad when she spoke of him. She was hurt and it was all because of that rogue Scarecrow. It took a while but finally, Jervis caught a Taxi and returned home, he seriously put some thought of getting a car of his own. He returned home and closed the door. He turned facing the door he sighed as he banged his head on the hardwood a couple of times.
"Why? Why? WHY?" Jervis said to himself. The phone rang and distracted him from beating himself up. He just leaned and answered the phone, which was by the door, and pulled it up to his ear.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Uhh is this Mr. Hats?" the hesitant voice of Larry answered.
"Yes, it is Mr.- I mean what is it!" he snapped.
"Sorry to bother you sir but the packaged has been delivered, me and my associate made sure he got his stuff," he continued sullen.
"Good... good," Jervis sneered letting out a smile. "You may enjoy the rest of your evening. Good Bye," he said and hung up. Jervis smiled as he imagined Crane soon discovering the empty silver containers of his precious Plethora gas. How angry he would be and how bad it was probably going to set him back. Jervis grabbed his mind controller headband and started to dance around the room, along with his mice who danced around their terrarium with him.