Adventure of a Lifetime

Chapter 4

"Her name was Alice. As a child, she came here to Underland and became friends with everyone. But the Red Queen made her paint her roses red." Hatter began. "Then, Alice left and about 13 years later, she came back…." He paused. "But she didn't remember any of us until later. She thought everything was just a dream."

"Like me." I say.

"Yes. In order to restore order to Underland, Alice defeated the Red Queen's dragon, the Jabberwock and she returned home." Hatter sighed sadly. His eyes turned to a dark blue color. "After nearly 200 years, I still miss her."

Oh….so he cared for her. Almost like an older brother. I thought and looked down at my lap. Wish I had someone to care for me…..

All of a sudden, Nivens ears went up and he sniffed. "What's wrong?" Hatter asks.

"I smell someone……it's Stayne!"

Mallymkun and Hare gasped. "Hide Jessie! Quickly!"

"Jessie, get under the table." Hatter said, his eyes not glancing over at me.

"But-."

"Now!"

Without a second question, I hurried under the table and got comfortable just as I heard heavy footsteps. "Well, if it ain't my favorite lunatic trio." A gruff male voice says.

"Nice to see you too Stayne." I heard Hatter say.

"We're looking for a human girl. Have you seen her?"

I covered my mouth to stiffen my breathing as I saw legs through the white tablecloth.

Hatter laughed. "A human girl?! Why would a human be down here?!"

My eyes narrowed and I punched him in the leg. I heard him let out a groan. "Asshole!" I whispered.

"What….was that?"

I froze.

"What was what?" Hare asks. "Tea?!" I heard Hare throw a teacup and it broke somewhere.

"I thought I heard a whisper. You're……not hiding anything are you?" the one called Stayne asks.

I heard clanging sounds and more feet were seen. I again covered my mouth with my hands to quiet my breathing. What's going on?

"Hey, put me down!!" Mallymkun yelped.

I silently gasped. "Mallymkun….." I whispered.

"You'd better not be lying." Stayne hissed.

"Oh, let's sing a song!" Hatter said cheerfully. "Twinkle, twinkle, little bat, how I wonder where you're-!" his singing was suddenly cut off and I heard a slight choking noise.

"If I find out you're hiding the human girl called Jessie, I'll kill you and your lunatic friends."

"You gotta prove I'm hiding the human girl first." Hatter said in a strained voice.

"Knights, let's leave. There's nothing here but a bunch of mad people."

I heard Mallymkun yell out and I saw her fall to the ground. I heard Stayne's footsteps walk away and soon, everything was quiet. Hatter slightly kicked me. "You can come out now."

I crawled out from under the table and gathered Mallymkun in my hands. "Are you alright?"

"Pfft!" Mallymkun said, standing up and brushing herself off. "I'm fine, but thanks for asking."

I nodded and set her down on the table. "Who the hell were those people?" I ask.

"Ilosovic Stayne, the Knave of Hearts. He's the head of the Red Queen's army." Hatter replied, slightly rubbing his neck.

"Red Queen…?"

"Mirana's older sister." Nivens replied.

"Oh….so I guess the Red Queen is the evil one?" nod. "O…kay…..I'm screwed." I sat down at the table and sighed, putting my face in my arms. "This is impossible."

I felt hands on my shoulders. "Only if you believe it is." Hatter says.

I lifted my head a little. "Is there any way to find the Vorpal sword?"

"Hmmm….that's a very good question." He paced.

Suddenly, Chessur appeared beside me. "You!"

"We meet again Jessie. So…..you're looking for the Vorpal sword?"

I nodded. "Does that mean you'll help us?"

I sighed. "Well…..I might as well."

Chessur grinned. "Great! Oh and I know where the Vorpal sword is."

I quickly stood up. "You do?! Where?!"

"The Red Queen's castle."

"Not again…." Hatter muttered. "Well, looks like I'll be joining you then." He said to me.

"And me!" Mallymkun says, jumping onto my shoulder.

"Me too!" Nivens said.

"See? You have us to help." Hatter says, motioning to everyone.

All of a sudden, I burst into tears and covered my face with my hands. "Um….what's wrong?"

"It's just………" my voice trailed off. "You wouldn't understand! I…..! I………." I collapsed onto my butt and hugged my knees close to my chest. "It's hard……" I muttered.

Hatter knelt down in front of me. "What is?"

"You….don't know what it's like to be alone." I lifted my head a little and wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. "My parents….died when I was only 15."

"How did they die?" Mallymkun asks.

"Our truck swerved off the road and went halfway off a cliff. I was able to get out…….but the truck fell off the cliff before I could do anything….." I explained with a sad sigh. "Since then…I haven't been the same."

"The same?" Hatter asks.

"I was more cheerful before my parents died…..now…" I looked at my hands as they slightly shook. "I'm just an empty shell. I became angry……I got into fights and almost killed someone….I never accepted anyone's help because no one could help my parents." I put my hands together, staring sadly at them. "I'm pathetic……"

Suddenly, one of Hatter's hands covered mine and I looked up at him. He smiled. "You have us Jessie. And we're with you till the end."

For the first time in my life, I actually felt…….

Somewhat relieved.

I smiled just a little. "Okay……let's go get the Vorpal sword."

He nodded and helped me up. "Uh, one question." Mallymkun says. "How are we getting there?"

"Oh, that's not a problem." Hatter suddenly whistled very loudly.

There was silence for a few moments and then there was a rumbling sound and a large, grey creature came running out of the woods. "Whoa, what is that?!"

"This is the Bandersnatch. It once belonged to the Red Queen, but then betrayed her." Hatter replied. "He will get us to the Red Queen's castle. Ask him."

I walked up to the Bandersnatch and it sniffed me. "Um, can you take us to the Red Queen's castle?" I asked nervously.

The Bandersnatch licked my face. "I guess that's a yes." I said with a slight chuckle. Hatter, Nivens, Mallymkun, Hare and I got onto it's back and it ran off to the path of the Red Queen's castle.