WHHOOO! CHAPTER 13 IS HERE! REJOICE! This is the second to last chapter to this story, and I want you all to know that I have loved writing this story and getting feed back from all of you! It's time to start mentally preparing yourself for the end, because it's coming.

Shayde had done good work on fixing Alyce's arm. It was now covered in a bright yellow cast that, in Alyce's opinion, almost cruelly contrasted with the whole atmosphere of Wonderland. He had also given her some kind of drug for the pain, which made everything around her seem rather dream like (though she distinctly remembered Kaleb yelling at Shayde over "hookah" or whatever). The night had ended uneventfully, with Alyce drugged, Sophia trying to feed her, and Kaleb playing with a half unconscious Delilah.

The next morning was a tad more...excitable.

As Alyce slowly opened her eyes, moving carefully into a sitting position as not to aggravate her wounds or broken arm. That failed miserably, and Ayce hissed in pain as she felt sharp pain in her arm and a strong throbbing in several of her lacerations. In her momentary pain induced pain, she failed to notice the Mad Hatter sitting in the armchair in the corner with his trademark top hat in his lap.

"Something the matter, my dear?"

Alyce's head whipped towards the chair, regretting the action as soon as she did it. She brought her good hand up to her head, willing the blossoming headache to go away.

"W-what do y-you want?" For once, her stuttering had nothing to do with fear, but pain. Jack smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I simply came to see how everyone's favorite runaway is faring after recent...events." Alyce glared.

"Well I'm fine, so you can go," she snapped. Jack clenched his fists.

"Actually," he started, "I can't. See, I believe I specifically told you not to leave the property unless you had my permission and someone was with you." He was standing, and leisurely strode towards Alyce. "Which means, dear Alyce, that you broke the rules I so carefully explained to you earlier. And I do hate when people don't listen." Against all better judgment telling her to remain silent, Alyce snapped at Jack.

"Well it's not my fault someone forgot to close and lock the door. After, what's a girl supposed to think when her bedroom door is wide open? It was practically an invitation to leave." She had managed to push herself up into a sitting position. "Besides, I was going stir crazy in this room. I just had to leave. How could anyone expect otherwise?" She was smiling now as she spoke with a tone of false innocence. The Hatter was less than amused.

"Really? Is that so?" The Hatter's smirk grew into a terrifying, manic grin. "That's funny, because last I knew, I was in charge, and that means that you have to listen to me. And you'd been doing so well too. Such shame you had to go and throw it all away." He was hovering over the girl, his presence ominous and powerful. His crimson hair hung in his eyes, masking their crazed depths from the girl sitting on the bed before him. Alyce did everything she could to hide her apprehension.

"You don't own me."

The Hatter chuckled.

"I believe that mark on your face says otherwise," he responded. Her eyes narrowed.

"You think you can control me because you tattoed my face?" For once, it was Alyce who snickered. "You're delusional."

His hand shot out so fast that Alyce had no time to react. He harshly gripped the girl's chin, his smile impossibly wide as he stared her down.

"I guess someone forgot to teach poor little Alyce some manners."

"Bite me."

She really should have seen it coming. Her eyes widened as her head whipped to the side, pain blossoming in her cheek from where the Hatter's hand connected with it. She sat there, frozen as her mind attempted to catch up with what just happened. Slowly, she turned back to the Mad Hatter, her rage boiling over.

"You sick bastard," she said, "you think you can hit me and I'll just do as you say?" Jack chuckled.

"It's worked in the past, my dear."

"Not anymore, you insane freak! You can't tell me what to do and you can't control me! You have absolutely no-"

"This conversation is starting to sound familiar," the Hatter interrupted. Alyce glared hard at Jack, her fury exploding inside her.

"I hate you, you stupid hatter! You can't keep me here! Why the hell won't you let me go HOME!?"

"Because I already lost you once and I am not willing to do so again!"

Silence. There was nothing but silence as the Mad Hatter's words rang in Alyce's ears. The tension had grown to an almost unbearable level as the two stared at one another. For the longest time neither of them said anything, until Alyce decided to break the deafening silence.

"Well," she said quietly, "I never really meant to leave, ya know. I was just excited and-"

"That's not what I mean, and you know it."

Of course I know, she thought solemnly. Alyce ducked her head, unwilling to look at the Hatter's face any longer. The fight left her, guilt and pity taking over. For all the horrible things the Mad Hatter had done to her, she knew the pain of the pain he felt when he lost Pandora, and that he only wanted her back.

"I'm not her," Alyce whispered," You know I'm not her." The Hatter gave a soft smile, and a small hope bloomed within the teen that she had actually gotten through to him.

"We can fix that." Well, so much for that hope. Alyce scowled at Jack, who turned away from the girl and started back towards the arm chair.

"Are you serious,"she cried, "You're mad! You can't 'fix' a person! God, what's the matter with you? And just when I started to feel bad for you, too!" Jack chuckled, but otherwise ignored her in favor of retrieving his top hat from the chair. She got off the bed, fully intent on following the Mad Hatter about the room and screaming at him. He had other plans.

Before Alyce had taken two steps the Hatter had scooped the girl into his arms and swiftly placed her back on the bed.

"Now, now," he chastised, "let's not over exert ourselves. No need to reopen any wounds or break anymore bones." His manic smiled had returned, and he grinned brightly at the girl as if he was the happiest man in the world. Alyce was less enthused. Is he joking? This man's moods change so rapidly it gives a person whiplash. The Hatter sat on the bed next to the girl, and casually placed his arm around her. He place a kiss on the top of her head, then donned his top hat and strode (practically skipped) out of the room, leaving behind a very confused and somewhat agitated Alyce. What. The. Hell. This was all far as Alyce could get before all living hell broke loose.

Without warning, a massive explosion went off, blowing apart half the mansion (the half Alyce wasn't in) and shaking the other half to its core. Screams echoed above the chaos, and the Mad Hatter and March Hare could be heard shouting orders. But before Alyce had even a hope of reacting, a chloroform covered rag was held to her face, and Alyce promptly lost all consciousness.

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