Spade looked at Alison with so much hatred, Alison actually felt a shiver go up her spine. Alison thought about that song that Loretta sang for a second. Someone would be coming for Spade pretty soon...so all she had to do was get her attention just long enough for them to come get her.

"Cheshire!" Alison yelled over her shoulder.

"What the Hell do you want Psycho?"

"Shift forms." Alison said.

"And what do you think I should shift into?" he asked.

"A sword."

"Are you fucking crazy, Alison?!" Cheshire yelled, obviously confused. "You seriously intend to fight her?"

"Yeah, I do, dumb cat." Alison said, like it was completely obvious. "Now shift!"

"Stop talking!" yelled Spade. She charged at Alison, sword ready.

"Shit!" Alison exclaimed, dodging Spade before she got cut. "Hurry up Cheshire!"

Cheshire growled but he listened. He walked out from the bushes and shifted into a katana, the blade black.

"Good kitty!" Alison giggled, picking him up.

"Shut up..I haven't had to shift forms for a long time so sorry if I don't live up to your expectations." he said.

"That's okay, I have a plan." Alison assured. Cheshire became very intrigued but he didn't ask, he knew that if Alison was anything like Alice then she would be fine. She was proving to be a lot like her.

Spade charged again but this time Alison blocked with Cheshire. Spade jumped back and tried again and again, but Alison somehow kept up with her. Spade almost didn't believe it, no one had ever been able to keep up with her before.

Spade acted like she was going to charge again, but jumped over Alison at the last second, quickly drawing her sword down Alison's back. Alison cried out in pain as the sharp blade sliced through her skin. Alison knew that she needed to hold out, so she spun around and cut Spade across her abdomen.

Spade jumped back, clutching her stomach. Alison winced when she stood straight.

"They're here...Cheshire..you can change back." Alison said. She could feel the blood slowly dripping down her back, knowing all too well that it was going to be a bitch to clean and bandage up.

Cheshire shifted back, supporting Alison a little. "You okay?" he asked, concern in his violet eyes. Alison nodded slowly, though she wasn't that okay, it hurt like Hell. But she was too stubborn to admit it.

"Of course I am, dumb Old Tom." Alison laughed, standing straight and walking back to the bushes where Loretta was waiting. "Sorry to keep you waiting." She said, smiling.

Loretta smiled, until she saw the blood soaking in Alison's shirt. "She got you pretty bad Alison..." Loretta observed, worried. Alison nodded but she smiled reassuringly to Loretta.

"It's nothing, I can take it."

Loretta took the bait, but Cheshire knew better. Because he's the same way, independent.

"NO!" Spade screamed. Alison and the others turned and saw Spade struggling against these shadow-like creatures. They grabbed her by her ankles and wrists, dragging her into the darkest part of the woods. "I WONT GO!" she screamed. But the things just gagged her and kept dragging. Spade dropped her sword to the ground. Then they were gone.

Alison walked to the fallen sword and picked it up. She looked at its blade and saw something engraved into the blade underneath Alison's blood. She gently used her thumb to wipe away the blood. It said:

The strongest people, can stand tall after being hurt.

They are the ones that live through anything.

Alison smiled softly, knowing that was true. So she stood tall and took the sword with her.

Cheshire led them to a stream that was a bit of a walk. By the time they got there, Alison was pretty dizzy from blood loss. But she didn't ask for help, no way would she ask the Old Tom for help.

Cheshire set Loretta down on a stone, Loretta not even noticing. Loretta's eyes were closed and her breathing even as she slept comfortably.

"Come on Alison." Cheshire said, walking to the water. Alison stood there confused.

Cheshire removed his shirt, revealing his nicely sculpted torso, and rolled up his jeans. He kicked off his shoes and socks, stepping into the water.

"C'mon, lets clean your wound." he said.

"Ha! No way am I going into that water with a perverted cat like you!" Alison snapped. Cheshire smirked.

"If I wanted to do something to you, I would have already. So get in here, unless you want it infected." he said casually.

Alison blushed but she kicked off her shoes and socks, rolled up her pants, and stepped into the water. Cheshire led her to a rock, making her sit down. He sat on a rock behind her.

"Take off your shirt Alison." he instructed.

"What?!" Alison squeaked, blushing bright red.

"Just do it, dumbass. It's not like I can see anything but your back when I'm behind you."

Alison growled but she removed her shirt, tank top, and bra. She tossed her tank top and bra to shore but she kept her shirt with her, holding it over her chest. Cheshire chuckled at her. making her blush more.

Cheshire had stolen the jar from Loretta, letting her sleep in the shade. The sun was setting now, soon to be night, so Cheshire couldn't wait for the cold water to hit Alison's back. Her reaction would be quite amusing to him.

He dipped the jar into the water before bringing it above her shoulders, where the cut started, and slowly tipped it. The water poured down her back, washing away some of the new blood. After a few times of repeating this process, laughing every time when Alison shivered or squealed when the cold water hit her warm skin, Cheshire noticed that the old blood would need to be cleaned by scrubbing it a bit.

Cheshire reached over and took Alison's shirt from her.

"Ah! What the hell?!" she yelled, quickly using her arms to cover her chest. Cheshire burst into laughter, making Alison turn her head and look at him. His cheeks were slightly pink, his smile really bright. His laugh was very light and happy, making Alison start to laugh to. This was a real smile from Cheshire, and a real laugh. Not like those smug grins she always saw.

"I just need to borrow it to wash the old blood." he said, still laughing a bit. He wrapped her shirt around his hand and dipped it in the water, then he used it to wash the blood away. Alison winced and even hissed in pain a little, but it felt much better when he was done.

"All better." Cheshire said. "I'll clean your clothes of the blood, use my shirt to cover up."

Alison nodded and stood, running to his shirt that he left by Loretta. She put it on, noticing just how much taller he was than her. The shirt was long enough that it reached to the middle of her thighs.\

Alison looked over at Cheshire, who was currently bent over at the waist, cleaning the blood from her shirt and tank top. Alison smiled softly.

Maybe being around Cheshire wont be so bad.