Destructive Memories

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

9. The Haunted Carnival

Smoldering heat poured in from the cracks that were etched in the stone walls, making Alice sweat underneath the blankets.

How does anyone sleep in this kind of heat!

She didn't have her silky yellow nightgown. That alone would have helped at least a little.

Well, I'm up. I might as well do something productive.

Making her way to the shredded office, she saw that no-one was there. " Hey, where did you guys go?"

That's odd. Wouldn't they have told me if they were going out?

Heading towards Julius's desk, Alice brushed her fingertips along the rim as she went by. Looking out the window, she frowned. She stood there, remembering something she had read in a book, something about fire being one of the ultimate destroyers without even meaning to be.
Somehow, I doubt that's the case here.

Alice, who still had her eyes still closed from thinking, was met by a pair of hands that twisted over her mouth and waist. A cloth was wrapped tightly over her eyes, and another piece of cloth of put against her mouth, but it wasn't for gagging. It was dripping in alcohol, the scent overwhelming. Alice could feel blood running from her nose as her vision went black.

Opening her eyes, Alice's sight was blurry. In the distance, an off-beat circus theme played, it's notes dragging longer than what should have been. Ugh, where am I? The circus? No. Even if Wonderland is at war, the circus would still be somewhat up-beat.

Using her hands to spread apart a draping curtain, Alice peaked outside of the doorway. This isn't possible.

The statues were crumbling from the slightest touch, the concrete cracked and shattered. The rides that twisted throughout the park were broken with parts snapped off, paint smeared and discolored. Garbage was scattered across the pavement, stands and carts turned upside down, electrical wires hanging from every pole and fixture. But those didn't even compare to what was laying on the ground.

Oh m-my, are those.. DEAD BODIES!

They were sprawled around, laying motionless on the cold paved ground. Blood oozed from cuts and slashes, dripping from their mouths and noses. All the park employees.. why aren't their bodies cleaned up?

Suddenly. the answer hit her like a brick. Julius can't fix clocks anymore. If he can't fix clocks, that means the Afterimage has no reason to collect the clocks! And if the clocks aren't taken, the bodies won't fade away. Her thoughts were shaken as a black cloud hovered past her.
Alice used every force imaginable to keep from screaming.

It looked like on of the female employees, only she was nothing more than a silhouette, a shadow made entirely of black. It waved at her, smiling with a familiar face. The employees haven't lost their touch.

Holding out her hand, Alice waved back and the shadow went on her way. Looking around, Alice began to see more shadows of people, male and female, walking by, some waving at her and others smiling. One even said "hello" which made Alice creeped out and fuzzy at the same time.

I wouldn't have guessed they could still talk.

The entire park looked the same. Bleak. Dreary. Lifeless. Everything an Amusement Park shouldn't be. As Alice continued her solo exploration, a loud screaming, hissing sound echoed through the park. Alice almost jumped out of her skin, cursing under her breath at the freaky park and haunting screams. Drawing closer, she noticed a curtain that seemed to be vibrating. Reaching under and slowly pulling it up, she saw a shivering figure, hands over his head, practically shaking as though were having a seizure. His streaked hair and silky brown ears made her smile.

" Pierce!" Alice shouted happily. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to calm his shaking frame. Stroking him like a fragile piece of glass, she whispered in his ears softly. " Stop shaking pierce, it's alright. Your just fine," she assured him. Nothing worked. He only shook harder, his hands tearing away at his hair and skin, his forehead slowly started to trickle with blood. " Pierce, stop it! Your hurting yourself!"

Underneath his whimpers and radical shaking, Alice could hear Pierce whispering something.

" The wind seeping through the burning bushes, the shadows crawling with malcontent. All those who stand in his way, with their life they shall pay, no loyalty or devotion will live or die, merely gripped at the Jabberwock's side. Breath of flames and eyes of greed, the pounding hooves of his faithful steed. Mane and tail of the fire's flame, it's time for you to stake your claim."

He repeated the odd rhymless poem, as though it held the answer to something. Alice gripped him tightly, holding him close, determined to make him feel secure. " Pierce, look at me. It's me Alice, stop shaking. You'll only hurt yourslef more, there's no reason for this." Alice protested for what felt like forever. " Alice, you came back, chu."

Glancing up at her, Pierce reached for her face. " I'm scared Alice. I'm so scared."
Touching her face with his cold fingers, the blood touched her cheek from where he had torn away his skin.

Pierce, your even worse.. than I expected. Your almost like a masochist.

Holding him close, Alice lifted him up along with herself. Using her apron, she wiped what blood she could off his forehead, sighing as she did. Clutching his hand, she started to pull him towards the center path of the park.

" NO! A monster is down there. You can't go, chu! He'll kill you!" Pierce shouted, begging her not to go.

She squeezed his hand tightly, placing both her palms over his. " Then we'll go together," she smiled warmly, taking Pierce's arm next to her, holding his hand tightly to calm him down. They leaned close on each other and started walking, their sides pressed as close as possible.

Pierce, I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do for you, but there isn't. You've been so.. corroded. So corrupted from the war, so how is it you still stand before me, next to me, still alive and in one piece?

As they held hands, Alice sighed. " What's wrong Alice, chu?"

Turning to look at him, Alice smiled. " Nothing. I'm just happy your alive." Pierce smiled at her.

But I can already see, I can already, that could change. Like the time cycle that never stays the same, life is just the same as it was 10 years ago. Fragile and changing, no rhyme or reason. You fell into that circle, Pierce.

Now you'll never get out.

That poem was written by me if you were wondering.