Adventure of a Lifetime

Chapter 6

I bolted up, but was then shoved back down onto the bed. Waves of pain went through my body. I saw Mirana beside my bed. "You need to sleep." She showed me a bottle with red liquid in it. "Drink this."

I gasped. "What about Hatter and the others?!"

"They didn't make it back." She said. "You need to-."

"I have to save them!" I tried getting up, but Mirana shoved me down and forced the liquid down my throat. Once I had swallowed all of it, darkness came over me.

MEANWHILE

"OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!" the Red Queen bellowed.

The executioner raised his sword high in the air. It came down and hit the stone with a clang where Hatter's neck was. His head…….

Was gone.

Then it became clear that the Hatter's hat was floating. It was the Cheshire Cat! "Good morning everyone!"

Hatter cautiously peeked from behind a wall. "Whew, thanks Chessur." Chessur handed Hatter his hat and he put it on his head. "Well, shall we be leaving?" he whistled very loudly.

The Bandersnatch came running through the courtyard and stopped by Hatter and the others. They all got on and rode off to the White Queen.

………………………..

Mirana gazed through the spyglass and sighed sadly, looking away.

"No sign of them?" Bayard asks.

Mirana shook her head. "Nothing." She looked through the spyglass again and gasped when she saw Hatter, Mallymkun, Hare and Nivens make their way over the hill and towards the castle. She looked away and smiled. "Thank goodness they're okay." And she raced down to the entrance courtyard.

When she got down to them, she smiled. "It's good to see all of you back."

"Is Jessie alright?" Mallymkun asks.

Mirana sighed. "She is sleeping right now. But her injuries are severe. I don't know how long they'll take to heal."

Chessur suddenly appeared. "Chessur!"

"Hello to you my Queen." The cat said with a grin.

"If it wasn't for Chess, I would be dead." Hatter says. "Can we see Jessie?"

"I'm not sure if she's-."

"GUYS!!!!" a voice yells.

They looked up to see Jessie waving at them from a balcony. "You're all okay!" she then ran inside and to the entrance courtyard minutes later.

"Jessie!!" Mallymkun jumped into Jessie's arms.

JESSIE'S POV

"How'd you guys get out?" I ask.

"Chessur helped us." Nivens replied.

I patted Chessur on the head. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He purred.

I looked over at Hatter. I then walked over and punched him in the chest. "How could you make me worry like that?! I thought you were dead!"

He slightly groaned. "No hello?"

Without thinking, I hugged him. "Don't make me worry again."

………………………

"When will the Red Queen attack?" I ask.

"I'm not sure." Hatter replied. "Since Mirana has the crown….we might be safe for a while."

I sighed and looked out into the distance. "Y'know, for the first time in my miserable life….I don't feel alone. I forgot what it's like to have friends."

"But you're not alone anymore." He says, putting his hand on my shoulder. "No matter what happens, we'll always be your friends."

"Right….." I looked at my bandaged hands. This can't be a dream. It's far too real. "Well….I should probably get some sleep."

"Good night."

I smiled a little. "Night." And I walked into my bedroom.

………………..

"Jessie, what's wrong?"

I looked up from my cake at Hatter. "Nothing."

"Tea?!" Hare threw a teacup in my direction.

With a sigh, I ducked and the teacup broke somewhere behind me. "I was just wondering….how good I am with a sword."

"That you will find out." A voice says.

We all gasped as Stayne and his Red Knights walked out of the woods. We all stood and Mallymkun got in front of me. "You'd better leave or else!"

Suddenly, Stayne threw a sword at my feet. "Pick it up. We're going to fight."

I scoffed. "Like hell I will."

"Unless you want your friends dead, I suggest you agree little girl." He unsheathed his sword.

A vein popped in my forehead and my right eye twitched. I picked up Mallymkun, moved her out of the way and picked up the sword. "Stay back. I'm going to kick his ass."

We circled each other and then I charged. He charged and our swords met. "You made a VERY bad mistake Stayne." I grinned and pushed him away. I charged and he swung his sword. I ducked and kicked him between the legs. He doubled over and fell to the ground.

I blinked. "Uh…wow. What a mama's boy." I muttered.

A couple seconds later, Stayne grabbed his sword and stood. "Let's continue."

I grinned. "Let's."

As the others watched Stayne and I fight, they talked. "Wow, Jessie is fast!" Mallymkun exclaims.

"What if she gets hurt?!" Hare clutched his ears, threatening to rip them out.

"And she's still injured." Nivens added.

Hatter gasped. "That's right! We have to stop this fight!" before he could move, two Red Knights blocked his way. "Get out of the way!"

"This fight is between Stayne and the human girl only." The first one said.

"No one else is allowed." The second one said.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" Hare began throwing stuff at the Red Knights.

I glanced over at the others who were trying to get to me.

"Don't let your guard down!" Stayne's foot connected with my injured side, sending me flying at a tree. I fell onto my knees, holding my side. I took my hand away and saw blood. I glared at Stayne. "That was a dirty trick!!"

I stood just as he charged and I blocked his attack. Using only one hand was really hard. "Never let your guard down." Stayne shoved me against the tree. His sword got really close to my skin and sweat rolled down my face.

"Get off!!" I shoved him away, panting heavily and clutching my side."

"You're weak." He hissed.

"Screw you!!" I screamed and charged. His swung and I dodged, trapping his hand under my arm. I grabbed his other arm and slammed my forehead against his. Pain erupted through my head and I kicked him in the leg and used my sword to slash his right side.

I backed away with a grin. "See you fight with that."

Stayne began laughing. I glared. "What's so funny?"

Stayne stood, ignoring his wound. "You think just because you found a small glimmer of hope that you'll be able to defeat me. You thought wrong!" in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of me. Before I could react, his sword came down on my left shoulder, slicing it open.

I gasped and he knocked my sword from my hands and slashed across my torso diagonally. Blood came out my mouth. I struggled to stand, blood pouring from my wounds. And I collapsed to my knees.

"Jessie!!" Mallymkun yelled, trying to get to me.

Stayne approached me. "You're good, I'll admit that. Any last words?"

I grinned and began chuckling. "What's so funny?" he asks.

"You are." I answered and whistled loudly.

There was a roar and the Bandersnatch came running out from the woods. As Stayne turned around, the Bandersnatch slashed him across the chest.

"Bitch!!" Stayne grabbed my throat, lifting me up.

"Jessie!!" Hatter yelled. He and the others finished off with the Red Knights. "Put her down Stayne!"

"Bastard!!" I screeched and my fist connected with his face. He let go of me and ignoring my wounds, I tackled him to the ground. We rolled down the hill and off a cliff. I caught the edge while Stayne held onto my leg. The water below looked deadly.

"Jessie!" I saw Hatter reach for me.

"Hey….."

I looked down at Stayne. "Only one us is going to make it. You deserve to live." The hold on my leg became loose.

"What are you talking about?!"

"Send my regards to the Queen." And he let go.

"Stayne!!"

His eyes closed as he fell into the water.

"Jessie…you're an idiot…." I muttered.

Hatter grabbed my arms and pulled me to safety. Breathing heavily, I glanced down at the water below. With a small salute, I muttered. "Goodbye Stayne." And I blacked out.