Here it is! The long awaited chapter 8! Soon following will be chapter nine! If you guys haven't already read them, all previous chapters have been updated and improved! Alyce is on it's way once more and I hope I haven't lost anyone in while my story was under construction! PLEASE REVIEW! I APPRICIATE YOUR INPUT! Enjoy, my friends!
Alyce shrank back into her seat as the occupants of the table turned their attention to her. She bit back a whimper and stared at the floor, her face turning a deep shade of red as she prayed a hole would open up in the floor and swallow her. Oh, wait, she thought, that already happened. That's why I'm in this hell hole.
Jack cleared his throat, and, mercifully, everyone's attention went to the Hatter. Alyce bit back a sigh of relief and kept her head down, listening silently as the Mad Hatter got down to business.
"The faceless are starting up again," Jack began, his tone serious and authoritative. "Small armies of them have been going about Wonderland and burning buildings, destroying mushroom trees, and obliterating the homes of important Wonderland figures. This must be stopped before it gets too out of hand." The room hummed in agreement as Alyce sat in confusion.
"I agree," Cheshire added. "Things are getting bad. The faceless have already closed in on my territory and started destroying the surrounding area. At the rate they're going, I might have to find a new place to live."
Alyce tuned them out, their voices becoming a dull drone as her thoughts whirled inside her mind. What are they talking about? she wondered. What are 'faceless', and why are they destroying things? Lost in thought, she was unaware of the Hatter's eyes on her. Jack reached out and tugged on Alyce's hair, causing the teen to yelp in both pain and surprise.
"Bored, Alyce?" the Mad Hatter enquired, his expression cruel. Alyce bit back a whimper.
"N-no," she stuttered, unsuccessful in her attempt to keep her voice even. Jack snickered, as did the rest of the table.
"Good. I'd hate to have to find...otherways to keep you focused, my dear." With that, Jack released his grip on Alyce's hair, his threat echoing in Alyce's mind. She kept her head up this time, gazing around the room as she attempted to appear focused.
"Frankly, Jack," The Queen of Hearts said, "I don't see we just dispose of them all. Off with their heads, I say." Alyce shivered at her tone of voice. It wasn't cruel or malicious, but rather delighted and full of glee. It caused Alyce's stomach to twist into knots.
"Honestly, Valentina, are you that dense?" Alyce quickly turned towards to the unfamiliar voice, staring directly at silver haired man that had peered at Alyce earlier. His expression was no longer bored, but agitated. "Killing off the faceless would be the exact opposite of beneficial." Briefly, Alyce wondered if he was the only sane person here. "With the faceless gone, who would we have to torture?" Well so much for that. "Who would we have to do our work for us? I know for a fact that you yourself use faceless for slaves and the infliction of pain. If you beheaded them all, who would you have to do all that?" The Queen of Hearts glared viciously at the man.
"Well, I can start with you, you insufferable fool!" This comment led to an vicious argument between the two. The argument continued for several more minutes, evolving into a screaming match between the two about who was right until Jack slammed his fist down on the table.
"That is enough!"
The entire room fell silent. All eyes were on the Mad Hatter. Alyce gulped as she watched Jack. Gone was his poisonous grin and crazed eyes; now his expression was one of fury, viciousness, and authority. His eyes fell on each and every member of the room, as if inspecting them, until he returned his gaze back to the arguing pair.
"Now, if you two can stop bickering like three year olds, perhaps we can find an actualsolution to the issue at hand. Valentina, Shayde is right. We cannot kill off the faceless. Rather, we must come up with a solution that will benefit us and keep those wretches in line." Valentina immediately changed her demeanor.
"Oh Jack," she cooed, rather sickeningly, "I completely agree." She leaned forward, staring seductively at the Hatter. Alyce wanted to gag, but she held it back. Shayde, however, did not, and earned a sharp glare from the Queen.
Alyce shifted slightly in her seat, feeling extremely uncomfortable in the presence of these people, and desperately wanted to be rid of these crazed lunatics and be back home. She chanced a glance at the Hatter, and immediately regretted it. The Hatter was staring directly at her, his gaze boring into hers in an unpleasant way. The frightening grin had not come back and his expression still held anger.
"You've been quiet, my dear."
Alyce suppressed a shiver and fought to remain calm in the presence of this unpredictable man.
"There's nothing for me to s-say." Her voice wavered at the end. Jack smirked, eyes flashing briefly with madness. Damn, she thought. Not good.
"Is that so?"
All eyes were now on her, making the teen want to squirm. She sat as bravely as she could as she faced her captor, but her courage was quickly diminishing.
"Well, my dear," Jack began, "if you can't find any reason to say something, why don't I just have you...removed." Alyce gulped, audibly. The Mad Hatter smiled. "Kaleb, why don't you escort our lovely Alyce to a more...appropriate setting so we can chat."
Alyce's eyes widened at Jack's words. She let out a yelp as hand painfully grasped her upper arm and dragged her from the room, tripping over strewn body parts once more. As the March Hare led the poor girl out the large double doors, the Mad Hatter turned his attention back to the others at the table.
"Now, where were we?"