Chapter 18- Mirrors and a Headless Man

He had had the dream again. It started off the same way as always, he was once again underwater. Her voice called to him from an unreachable distance. He could not find her. He could not save her. He pressed against the hard surface of the water, and this time, attempted to peer through the glass. Light flashed at him violently, reflected from all directions. He squeezed his eyes shut in pain, both from the bright lights and the stinging of the water in his eyes. Then he heard her again, the closest she had ever been. He reopened his eyes to see her ear plastered to the waters surface, her body lying out above him, untouchable.

"Alice.." He called, only bubbles leaving his mouth.

She placed her hand onto the surface of the water and locked eyes with him. He could just make out her face, the bright, reflected light shining all around her.

"Help me." She mouthed, a tear streaming down her check.

He reached out to her, but only hit the invisible barrier between them.

"I love you."

More bubbles escaping his lips as he placed his hand on his side of the glass. Alice smiled weakly at him, but then her face started to take an odd shape, contorting in pain, while large black gloves circled around her neck, pulling her away.

"Alice!" He yelled, waking up with a start. The Hatter looked frantically around him and realized that it was in fact, just a dream. Large trees and bushes surrounded him, and he lay in the middle of a destroyed field. The wreckage. The place where he had lost all his family.

Tarrant's face contorted in a mix of outrage and pain as he stood hastily to his feet. He had had enough of this. No more resting. No more messing around. He had to find Alice. She was all that he had left.

He got back up on his feet and began to walk through the woods once again, letting his mind wander.

If he was Stayne, where would he hide Alice? He had already been to the Red Queen's deserted castle and it was just that….deserted

Tarrant had asked all around Underland about her, the flowers, Absolem, and he even consulted the oraculam. Well, not exactly with the Queen's permission. Thinking about this, he reached into his pants pocket and unrolled the ancient scroll to have another look. Nope. Still blank. Frustrated, the Hatter stuffed it back into his pocket and continued to trudge on. He was going to find her soon. He couldn't let her disappear, leaving him to drown in the waters of his useless life. She was all he had left.

Alice opened her eyes. She was still in the strange room, but now she could feel a chain wrapped around her leg, keeping her in the center of the room. She tried to stretch but the shackle scratched at her leg when she moved. She was stuck.

Alice glanced around looked from mirror to mirror, trying to decide how to escape. She knew that her husband was probably on his way, but deep down inside she hoped he wasn't. Alice remembered her Hatter's eyes when he had spoken to her about the knave and how he had killed all his family. She knew what would happen if the Hatter came to save her and found her in this fate and she dreaded it's results. Hadn't Stayne vowed to kill him if he showed up? Hadn't Tarrant said he would hurt anyone who ever hurt her….

She didn't want a fight. She didn't want this!

But she knew it was inevitable. Even if she did escape, Tarrant would never let this go….

"Ah! I see you've decided to grace us with your presence once again." An oily voice said, calling her back from her thoughts. "Good news. You're Hatter should be here any day now to rescue his little damsel in distress." Stayne said, placing his hand under her chin. "And won't he love what he finds when he gets here…."

"What are you talking about?" Alice asked, leaning out of his reach protectively.

"His little Alice in love with another…." The Knave cued, stalking towards her as she backed away as far as the chain let her.

"The mad man shall surely burst out into hysterics!" The red queen called from behind her knave.

"No! I won't!" Alice yelled, spitting at the knave who's face had gotten terribly close to hers.

"Oh, but you will. You don't exactly have a choice."

And with that, a large sack was thrown over her head and she suddenly became very dizzy. Needless to say, Alice attempted to toss the bag away, but she became so sleepy that it didn't seem important anymore. She could barely lift her head.

The Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors. He had finally figured it out. That was the place he kept seeing in his dreams. The glass floor, the bright lights, it all made sense now. But why? Why was he dreaming of the Hall of Mirrors?

And Alice. Why was she there? The Hall had always been a friendly place ,open to all of Underland to travel anywhere they want. So why was she there? And why could she not get out? There were mirrors that lead everywhere, including one to her own room in the Otherland. So why was she stuck there?

It must be a dream. He shook his head and tried to get that image out of his head. Alice can't be there. But yet, the dream seemed so real and… wasn't it possible that the one place he wouldn't look is where she actually is?

Without a second thought, he turned around and headed towards the hall. He was going to find her…. And he was going to get his revenge in the process.

How dare that man take form him the person who is most important in his life?

How dare he after all the damage he has already done?

Waves of different colors flooded his eyes, sadness, angry, hopelessness, jealousy….

How could you let this happen? How could you let him just take her away? Your useless, Mad Hatter. No one need you. You just a nuisance, always making things difficult with your mood swings. Alice would be better off without you. No wonder she left…

Frustrated, Hatter threw his head in his hands, and paced back in forth, trying to break out of the madness. He muttered sadly to himself while he paced, his hands shaking violently over his eyes.

She needs me. She needs me.

"I want this. I love you, remember?"

His arms stopped shaking as he drew them away from his eyes.

She loves me, and I will not let her down….

"Your Majesty!" The White Rabbit yelped in fright as the queen burst into his bedroom. "What's going on? What is happening?"

"Tarrant. He's gone…" She said nervously, pacing back and forth in front of the rabbits bed.

"Gone, Your Majesty? But how? I thought all the castle was guarded." McTwisp shivered, pulling the blankets up to his chin. He was worried for his friend, who knows who in the forest was still on their side now that The Red Queen had returned.

"And not just him, McTwisp. The oraculem." Mirana spat in panic. What was she suppose to do without it? How could she make sure Alice and the Hatter were safe?

"It was stolen!" The rabbit gasped.

"Well… Not exactly." Mirana placed her hand in her dress pocket and pulled out a rather crumpled scrap of paper. "Here, read it yourself." She said, handing over the note.

My Dear Queen,

I am sorry, but I cannot follow your orders. If Alice is in danger, I must save here, and seeing as you ordered me not to, I could not under good conscience obey said orders. Alice needs me….And I need her. I do hope you understand and are not too cross with me. I am in a terribly un-muchy mood, and I didn't mean to hurt you earlier. You are my friend, at least I hope you still are. I am very sorry Mirana, but I….opps, pardon. My mind was wandering. So, this is why, I had no choice but to leave, no matter how much I hate disappointing you. I'm headed towards the Tuley woods, and don't try to stop me. I thought I start there you know, somewhere familiar with lots of hiding places. And don't send anyone after me, you know perfectly well I am capable of getting lost on purpose, and they would never be able to find me. Last, but probably the worst, I am taking the Oraculem. Nothing you can do about it now, It's done, and I am very much in need of it. How else will I know where to look? Terribly sorry again for the little stealing thing, as well as disobeying your orders , my Queen. But really, did you really expect for me to wait around doing nothing while my wife is in danger? It's like you don't know me at all! Since you're probably still in bed, I don't wish to wake you.

Sweet Dreams (and hopefully no bugs),

Your (Friend?)

Hatter

"Oh Dear…" McTwisp grumbled hopping out of bed. "What shall we do without our champion and the oraculem? What shall happen to Underland?"

"I don't know, friend, I don't know. "Mirana said sadly, looking out the window, the moonlight reflecting on her face.

"Surely there must be something we can do to help them. The sooner they return the better. Do you think the Hatter would actually avoid our help if we offered it?"

"What we need is someone close to the Hatter, someone he trusts. We need someone who bring them both back safely and keep us updated on their happenings. We need someone strong, brave, willing to go to any limits, beating all odds." Mirana said, pacing back and forth, tapping her face lightly with her forefinger.

Suddenly, the door creaked lightly, and a squeaky voice demanded, "What's going on around here? Where is the Hatter? I just went to check on him and he's disappeared. Is there something you two are keeping from me?"

"Mallyumkun!" The Queen gasped happily, turning towards the mouse with a bright smile.

"Mallyumkun?" The Rabbit asked confused.

"How would you like to be made part of the royal guard?"

The mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors. He was so close, about a few more hours of walking and he would be there. The Hatter pulled out the oraculem and check for any changes. And for once there was.

A picture had appeared above the next day, a young woman in a blue dress, in the arms of a man. Surrounding them both were mirrors, thousands and thousands of mirrors. The strange thing about the picture though, was that the man, had no head. His face was completely missing, and there for so was his identity.

Poor Fellow, Tarrant thought, He lost his head all together.

But who was the man? And why was he holding His Alice?

Frustrated, he wrinkled up the oraculem in his hand, and speeded up his walking, hoping that if he arrived at the hall fast enough, the oraculem would be wrong.

Alice wouldn't, she would never…..

Anger turned to sadness grew across his face, as he slowed to a stop. He sat on a nearby log, becoming more and more upset. He knew he didn't deserve her and maybe Alice had finally figured it out as well.

"Hatter?"

He knew that voice. "Mally? What on earth are you doing here?"

"Looking after you of course? What were you thinking running off like that in your condition, and with the oraculem none the less?" The small mouse yelped up at him form the ground.

Tarrant leaned down and offered his palm for her to step on, lifting her up to eye level.

"I'm sorry Mally, I didn't mean to worry you, but I had no other choice. I have to save Alice." Tarrant whispered, he's eyes remaining a sad blue color. What if she doesn't want to be saved?

"I know, Hatter, I know." The mouse said compassionately, reaching out to pat his nose.

"Oh, Mally, what if she doesn't want me to save her? What is she wants to go back to her old life? What if she doesn't want m…."

"Don't be silly, Tarrant. Oh, course she wants to be saved. Now, do you have any idea where she could be?" Mally jumped on to his shoulder, and then crawled up onto his hat.

"The Hall of Mirrors. I'm almost certain of it." The hatter said, standing up. He was going to save her, even if she didn't want him to. He needed her, and he's do anything to convince her to stay.

"the Mirrors? That's odd. Are you sure?" Mally asked, leaning over the brim to see her friend more clearly.

The Hatter's eyes grayed over and turned very dark, remembering the image of Alice in the man's arms. "Yes, I'm positive," He growled in his deep Scottish brogue.

Reviews make me happier than the Tea makes the Hatter!