What happened to little Alice? Now we get to find out!

Death Note © Ohba & Obata

Alice in Wonderland © Lewis Carroll

The plot and writing is mine.

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Chapter Eight: The Bloody Truth

"Long ago, in Alice's time, we weren't all…like we are now. We were a peaceful people, and only hunted the animals that could not change form when they entered our world." Nate explained. "We didn't kill anyone, and we got along well with people of your world."

Mihael frowned. "Something changed that."

Nate nodded. "Every year, we would hold a banquet. The diplomats from your world would come with your families and join us. Every year it was the same." He closed his eyes. "My…ancestor was rather fond of little Alice, and they spent a lot of time together. In fact, she even interrupted his work by coming early or on her own sometimes."

He looked towards the ceiling. "That day…he was making sure the suits of armor were all polished. Alice had come early, ahead of her family as usual, and was generally being a curious little nuisance." He looked down, closing his eyes. "There was…an accident. She was running around, and she knocked over one of the suits of armor. Its axe was sharp, and…"

Mihael gasped, covering his mouth in horror. "Oh no…"

"Alice's head was cut off." Nate finished grimly. "When news reached the King and Queen, they didn't know what to do. First there wasn't enough meat for everyone, and now they had a dead girl on their hands. That's when…the Queen got an idea. She said that they had to hide the child's death, and she would simply be missing forever."

"How?" Mihael frowned. "I mean, wouldn't they notice her body?"

"…Mihael, didn't you pay attention?" He looked at him, frowning. "We were low on meat. We needed to hide the girl's death. What do you think the Queen did?"

Mihael's eyes widened and he hopped out. "Oh my—mngh!" He clapped his hand over his mouth before he knelt by the trash can and began to throw up. Nate waited until he was done before he continued his story, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"Her family and the other diplomats arrived, and dinner was served. Alice was searched for, but never found." He closed his eyes. "After the diplomats were gone, the Queen said that the girl's meat was the sweetest she ever tasted, and she also noticed that it gave her youth." He stood up. "Thus began the bloody tradition. The Queen sent out her White Rabbit to lead children of your world to ours, where the child would be killed and devoured after being coddled and pampered. I…"

He clenched his fists before bringing them to his face. "I brought countless children from your world by my own hands and allowed her to devour them. It was normal; a tradition that had been going on forever! But, I recently found myself unable to be in the room when she ate, and now I can't even do my job right! I want to free you!" He looked at Mihael, tears slipping down his cheeks. "Even if it must be my meat she devours in your place."

Mihael frowned and stood up. "Nate…I'm glad that you're risking yourself, but I want you to escape her as soon as I'm free, okay? I don't want you to be hurt." He gently kissed the boy's forehead. "Promise me?"

Nate sighed softly. "I make it a policy not to make promises I can't keep."

They heard a knock at the door. "White Rabbit and Mihael, it's time for the feast."

Mihael looked over, pursing his lips and steeling his gaze. "…I'll take care of things." He said, nodding to Nate with a smile. "That pendant, right?"

"Yes…" Nate nodded, frowning. "Why? What are you planning?"

"Trust me!" Mihael grinned, opening the door and heading out. Nate followed after him, growing concerned.

They got to the ballroom, following the man sent to get them, and Mihael was escorted to the seat beside the Queen, Nate on his other side. "Ah, Mihael." The Queen smiled, rubbing his head fondly. "How are you enjoying my castle?"

"It's beautiful! Just like you." Mihael said, smiling.

"Aww, such flattery!" The Queen giggled. "Surely you have seen more beautiful than I?"

"Nowhere, ma'am." Mihael said, smiling as he reached for a knife to cut his steak with. The golden heart-shaped pendant around the Queen's neck caught his eye and he ate quietly, looking thoughtful.

"Little Mihael, why so quiet?" The Queen asked.

Mihael glanced at her as he finished his steak and then he set his fork down, examining the knife. "This is really sharp." He mused.

"Yes, we do have some tough steaks." The Queen said, nodding.

"Sharp enough to cut rope, I gather." He hummed, looking at the edge.

"It can cut many things." Misa smiled, taking a bite of her food. "Are the knives in your world dull?"

"No, just not this sharp." He glanced at Nate, who was also done with his food, and then nodded quietly. Then he suddenly changed the hand his knife was in and swung out. Misa let out a cry as the knife cut through the cord of her necklace, letting the golden heart fall to her lap. Taking advantage of his small size, he ducked below the table and grabbed it.

"Hey, stop!" Misa cried as she saw Mihael darting out the other side. "He took it! He took my pendant!"

The King rose quickly, as did Nate, and they both headed after him. As they ran, Nate glanced at the King. "My Lord, would it not be wise to split up and block his exit?" Nate offered. "I'm faster, so I can stop him."

"Very well, do so." The King nodded. Nate nodded and hopped out the nearby window.

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That was an intense story, huh?