Destructive Memories

Had a little trouble with this chapter but it's all good now.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All that stuff goes to Quinrose.

4. Language Barriers and Withered Roses

The misty world of dreams surrounded her, whispering and swaying aimlessly. Alice glanced around, looking for the embodiment of bad dreams himself.

" Are you looking for me?" Nightmare asked. Alice spun around, seeing the cloaked man hovering in front of her.

" Why did you run off? Surely a closet isn't that bad," Nightmare laughed. " You're not funny," Alice sneered.

Nightmare grew silent. " Alice, I won't taunt you for it, but you made a foolish decision to leave the Tower. You may be in more trouble than your capable of handling, and we can't be there to protect you if that's true." Alice shrugged. " Alright. But where am I anyways? I heard someone shout, then everything went black. What happened?"

Nightmare glared at her." All I know is that you are in the hands of the mafia. Alice, you must be careful. If they weren't loose ends 10 years ago, they are now. Nothing good comes from them. They're cold blooded murderers, so watch your back. I'm sad to say that our time is over, but I'll return soon to check up on you." Alice nodded and smiled.

I'll come back.. if your still alive.

" Ni chreidim e. Ta se i ndairire a!"

Alice fluttered her eyes. What on earth was that! I thought I was the only foreigner.Twitching her fingers, Alice flexed her arms, bringing the life back to her limbs. In the distance, she could hear the reoccuring gibberish being spoken. Leaning up, she saw a roughly refurbished couch with torn springs and ripped leather. She sat up and went to the door, cracking it slightly to get a better listen.

" Nior chreid me iad ar dtus, ach ta se i ndairire a!"
There was a moment of silence, then Alice heard a smooth, glass voice speak surely. But it wasn't the strange, rough accent she had heard earlier.

" Era saggio di tornare. Se non altro, li Jabberwock sara strazio prima di queste prossime settimane sono finiti. Se no, che dimostra solo che lui e andato molle."

What the heck are they saying! I can't get a single word. Suddenly, Alice lost her balance and crashed through the door. " Who's there!" a stern voice asked.

Alice looked up to see a man towering above her. She stood up, shaking.

" ...Elliot..," Alice stuttered," you..." Alice reached forward to try and touch his face, but he quickly snatched her hand up in his. " Don't act like I'm some sort of animal. You know better, Alice." Elliot's lips curved into a smile. Alice joyfully jumped into his arms, catching him in a surprised hug. " I-Im sorry, I just so happy to see you again." Elliot broke out into a wild blossom blush, and Alice started laughing again.

" Sembra che ti sei dementicato di me," the smooth voice called out to them

Elliot snapped forward and Alice turned with with. Her eyes fell on him. The man she thought she would have never missed.
" Blood," Alice murmured," is that really you?"

He nodded his head, his raven hair falling perfectly around his face as usual. Now that she looked, Alice saw that, out of all the people she thought had changed, Blood and Elliot may have been the ones that had changed the most right now.

Blood wore a dark white robe with a trail of soft pink rose petals sewn at the bottom, but he still wore that old green bow that hung loosely around his neck. A strange bracelet with a flower print hung from his wrist, but that wasn't what made her question his slightly changed appearance.

It was his eyes. They weren't that soft blue she had remembered.

They were such a light blue that they were almost .. white. What happened to him?

Elliot on the other hand still fashioned his black and green coat, but wore a black shirt underneath with a bow that was similar to Blood's in a deep shade of purple that hung loosely around his neck. He also wore a weird bracelet with a purple and green wave print on it. His boots were laced from his knees to his ankles with small metal heels.

" Well, you else do you presume sits here?" his sleek voice hissed.

Blood made a motion to Elliot, who quickly came to his side and held out his hand. Blood placed his palm in Elliot's and stood up from the chair.
" Let us make haste to the garden. We have much to discuss, Princess." Elliot started walking, and Blood sauntered to his pace. Alice stood behind them. Elliot's hair slightly whipped her face; it had grown out to his shoulder blades. Blood's had stayed the same, and it flapped as he walked close to Elliot.

Something happened to Blood. He was never as dependent on Elliot as he was now.

They made their way from the mansion to the garden, entering the familiar area. Alice glanced around, imagining what used to be there, instead of what was. Instead of the beautiful tables that used to be covered with gorgeous teapots and plates and vases filled with roses, broken wooded tables sat there with torn lining. Shattered dishes and silverware covered the table along with broken vases and dying, withered roses.

Elliot made his way to an old ragged chair with a leather cushion and sat Blood down. "Grazie amico."

Elliot smiled." Am ar bith."

Elliot turned to Alice, gesturing for her to come closer. He pulled up a chair for her, and she sat in it as told.

" Alice, why have you come back to Wonderland? Where you forced here again?"

Alice quickly shook her head. "No, I wasn't forced. I came here on my own, but .. I didn't know Wonderland was like this. A-at war, I mean."
" Deliberately coming back? I wouldn't have thought you would ever think of such. Surely life at home must be more comforting than life here in Wonderland."

For a long time, Alice didn't say anything. Elliot stood next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. " Hey, you feeling ok?" Alice looked up at his. His curly bangs shaded his face. " Yeah..just fine."

Alice turned her head to the sky." What's the castle like now?" Blood turned his gaze to her." Utter ruin, like everything else. Why?"
Alice looked at the red streaked sky, then stood up." I have to see them!" Elliot jumped back." See who? The people at Heart Castle?"

Alice started toward the gate, but a voice stopped her." Be careful, White isn't the arrogant man you once knew. She kept on going, but one thing ran through her head, a sentence Blood uttered before she ran away.

Don't try to change him, because you can't. We're far too gone to ever come back, and you should know this before you make any hasty decisions.

Alice ran through the forest, her breath staggering from her lungs. Then I'll still have to try. I won't feel better until I know everyone's alive.

The maze in front of the castle came into view.

The ragged, shredded maze that seemed to be permanently burning along with the rest og Heart Castle.

YES! Blood and Elliot are bilingual. If you want to know what they said, here's the list in order.
Blood - Italian
Elliot - Irish

1. " I don't believe it. It's really her!" - Elliot

2. " I didn't believe them at first, but it really is her!" - Elliot

3. " She was unwise to return. If anything, the Jabberwock will slaughter her before these next few weeks are over. If not, that just shows that he's gone soft." - Blood

4. " It seems you've forgotten about me." - Blood

5. " Thank you, friend." - Blood

6. " Anytime." - Elliot