AH, HOPSCOTCH! I JUST NOTICED I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT ALISTER IN THE LAST CHAPPY! XP YOU KNOW YOU'VE MADE AN UNOTICABLE CHARACTER WHEN YOU WRITE A WHOLE CHAPTER WITHOUT HIM IN IT! -_-' I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND, AND PLEASE DON'T BE CONFUSED WHEN HE MAGIKLY DROPS BACK INTO THE STORY.

Ch. 38: Cunning Shadows

I looked around our now regrouped party, all in a circle by the intersection. I sighed and started getting the reports, "Alright, Ace and Yuri. What did you find?" Yuri sighed, "Nothing that I can say helps. We found a building that seemed in decent condition though. I believe it was an old shoe makers workshop. …I wouldn't suggest going there though." I raised an eyebrow, "Why not?" "…I could smell death in there."

I shivered the ominous meaning behind that sinking into my bones. I quickly turned to Peirce, Boris, and Alister. "And what did you find?" Peirce got nervous and twitchier than before, "W-w-we f-f-!" Boris cut him off, "We found this place full of dead plants everywhere. Alister says it was a…a…." "A healers hut." "Yeah, that's it. …I wouldn't want to go there again either." I braced for what I knew was coming, "Let me guess; you found or noticed something very off putting in there."

At first, Boris and Peirce were both silent, glancing at each other. Alister gulped, "…We found some chicken, pig and dog bones on the floor." "…So?" "Arranged in a pattern and surrounded in lines of blood and old candle sticks."

Everyone was silent for a moment. Peirce squeaked, "What did you and White find, C.J?" I clenched my fists so hard the knuckles turned white. I gulped and turned my head away, the sick feeling rising in my gut again. Immediately noting my paleness, White did the honors, "We found an orphanage." Everyone shut up and just stared at me. I bit back my illness and managed a grin, "Hey, I'm fine! Stop worrying so much!" Everyone awkwardly looked away.

I sighed. "Ok, you all try to think of a new plan. Alister, I need to talk to you." I grabbed his arm and started pulling him away from the group, behind some buildings. I glanced back at the others. White was defiantly not happy. The others looked rather curious. "Don't even think about eavesdropping, or I'll kick you're a****!" Turning back around, I continued to drag Alister out of ear shot.

I ducked behind some rubble and pulled him behind it with me, once I was sure not even Yuri could hear us. I finally let go of Alister, "Alright, I have lots of questions for you." He nodded solemnly, just a bit red in the face. "I'll do my best to help you C.J."

I paused, should I tell Alister? I mean, he is the most knowledgeable of any of us here, right? I can't talk to White about it….But is telling him all that happened really the best? He is the only one who might be able to answer my questions! I sighed, seeing I really didn't have a choice.

"Alister, what exactly does the Joker do? You know his role?" Alister looked nervous, "Are you sure you wish to hear this C.J? It's not a pleasant role." "I know. Just…tell me. All of it. Please, it's important." He hesitated and nodded, "The Joker's role is to imprison rule breakers, and torture the innocent. He is the villain of the story." "That part I know. What else?" "Along with that, he is also charged with the game." I froze. "So…he does run the game?!" "Not run. More as in…manage. He must follow the rules as much as the rest of us do." "And these rules that apply to him are…?" "Firstly, he controls the changes in seasons, as well as the time of day." A sick feeling welled in my gut. "Also, he cannot be killed. As the games…manager, he always comes back within a week or so." Now the sick feeling was in my throat.

Alister raised him brow, "Are you well C.J? You look ill." I managed a small smile, "I'm fine. Now what do you know about the game?" He frowned and but his lip, "The game is…a very particular thing. I can't say I know much about it." "…Can you tell me about what happens after the game is over?" "…."

I sighed, "I guess not." He frowned and put a hand on my shoulder, "Are you sure you're feeling well? You look as though you might be sick." I sighed, not bothering to lie this time. "You know, I might not be alright. Not after what you just told me." The furrow in his brow deepened as he stared at me, clearly wanting to ask what had brought all this on. Instead, knowing I wouldn't talk about it, he tried to smile sweetly. "If it's of any consolation, I suppose the end of the game would begin the sequel, would it not?" I looked at him, letting the strangely insightful advice sink in. I managed a dry laugh, "Thanks Alister. …We should head back now. Before they start wondering if we're dead." He nodded grimly and started to head back, me following behind, deep in thought.

From what Alister told me, the voice wasn't lying…but did it tell the truth either? I can't tell if it's a friend or some kind of enem-! I choked back a gasp. The only person who could want White dead that badly, the only person who would know how to kill him is the guy we're here to kill! Alistair! That b******! He's trying to trick me, get in my head, and make me doubt myself and my friends! All those creepy places we all went to were probable just to freak us out to! Not falling for it! I stopped in my tracks, "YOU HEAR ME?! I'M NOT FALLING FOR IT!"

Alister turned abruptly and stared at me like I had the plague.

…..

P.O.V Change: Fly on the Wall

He chuckled as the foreigner silently yelled into the air, having apparently seen thorough his attempt to instill doubt in her. His smile vanished. It's a shame really. Had she been a little stupider, I might've won her to my side of thinking. Hmm…no matter. I suppose stupidity is not a desirable trait in heroes.

He watched as Alister spoke to her, she responded, and they continued their way back to the others. He sighed; I suppose I'll just have to try harder to win her over.

…

P.O.V Change: C.J

I bunched my fists as I looked over the others. I punched the air, "Let's go! Time's wasting!" I then stormed off in a random direction. As the others followed me, I hear Boris ask Alister, "What's up with her?" "I haven't a clue. She suddenly got excited and started yelling random things on the way back. Since then, she's been eager to get on with this." "…You think she has Turrets*?" I stopped, "No! I do not have Turrets!" "It would explain a lot."

…

P.O.V Change: Fly on the Wall

He watched the group's progress through the mirrors silvery surface, starting to feel a bit bored. They certainly won't find me unless they tear this city down to the bricks. He let a sly smile curve over his lips, an idea stirring in his bright eyes. I think I shall send them a little company.

…

P.O.V Change: C.J

I halted the group. "Did you guys hear that?" Yuri nodded, his ears lowering, "I did." The other looked confused, "Heard what?"

Something black shifted among the shadows. I jerked my attention to the area, only to have the same happen behind me. Again, I tried to pin point the shape, but it was everywhere! …Wait a minute…they ARE EVERYWHERE! "We're surrounded!" I shouted to the others, "Everyone, group together!"

Soon, we were all back to back in a circle, waiting for our unseen enemy. And soon enough, they came. They melted from the shadows, black as though they themselves were shadows; knee high, black twitching things that looked a lot like the cross between toddlers and giant ants. One of them approached, its movements jerky and unpredictable, as though it were a child with an attention disorder. It looked up at me, its eyes nothing more than red pits set into its skull.

It had something in its hand. It held it out, like a child offering something to a grown up. I gulped, noting for the first time the wicked claw fingers it had. They could easily chop my hand clean off.

The item it was offering was a yellowed and old rectangle of paper. I finally understood that this was a letter. From their master. I gulped and managed to breathe the question, "Is this from Alistair?" The thing cocked its head and made a strange string of clicking, gabbling, and basic babbling. If this thing was even capable of thought, it certainly wasn't capable of speech. I frowned when it finished, confusion clear on my face. It made a hissing sound and shook the letter, insisting I take it.

I breathed deep and held out my hand. I took the tip between my forefinger and thumb, careful not to get too close to the dangerous claws. After making sure I had a grip on it, the thing stepped back into the shadows, its friends following it. For a moment there were red coals glowing in the darkness. Then next, it was just that once more; darkness.

We waited a while before breaking the circle, fearful the little buggers were lurking in the shadows. But after about five minutes of silence, we finally turned our attention to the note.

We all examined the envelope, cautious of it. Finding nothing particularly wrong with it, it was given to me to open. It felt crinkly in my hand. I gulped as I looked at the old fashioned wax stamp on the front; a detailed scene of a building. I popped it off and lifted flap, carefully removing the letter.

I read a few sentences of flowing cursive and frowned. Peirce and Boris leaned in, trying to read over my shoulder. Yuri growled low, "Well, what does it say?"

I cleared my throat and started reading it aloud;

"Dear C.J and company,

I do hope my little messengers didn't give you too much a fright now. They won't harm you…unless ordered. But no need to be frightened, for I have no notion of harming any of you. In fact, I should like to propose a compromise. You see, no doubt you already know of my predicament C.J, and I pray you can find it in your heart to sympathize with me when I say this. I wish for vengeance. You wish for me not to destroy all of Wonderland. I can understand that sentiment, but I have already informed you why staying in this world would not be wise. Believe my words or not, they are the truth, but as I know you wouldn't listen to me, I come up with a solution to both our problems.

I know that despite you're new found liking of this world, you desire to return to you own. What I know is that playing that game is not going to get you there. I have told you how to get home. And I can help you. By helping you, I'll admit, would adversely be helping myself, but all things have motives. And I know you're probably reading this aloud to the others, so I'll just leave the matters of how and why between us, but this is how you could help me.

Vengeance is purely my motive, so help me fulfill that motive C.J. Deliver the Hatter, the Marsh Hare, the Dorm Mouse, the Bloody Twins, the Lizard and the Caterpillar and the Joker to me. You shall have to help with one, but I can take care of the others well. Think on it C.J. If you had a chance, would you not avenge the death of those dear to you again? Would you not make them sorry for what they've done?

I'd like a reply to my proposition when I have the pleasure of finally meeting you. I hope you have enjoyed your look about the town, and I pray you stay. Under the condition, of course, that you refrain from entering the town house. It is not very safe in there. And I will warn you about my little friends. When they get hungry, they are difficult to control. Stay clear of darkness.

Sincerely,

Alistair Kraze"

We all sat in silence as his name sat between us like a heavy weight. I felt a twinge. Of white hot anger. Pissed off, I ripped the note in half without warning or second thought, "SON OF A B****! HE MUST HAVE SOME KINDA A NERVE, TRYING TO BARGIN THAT WITH ME!" I crumpled the two halves of the note angrily and chucked it as far as one could throw a wad of paper. I put my hands on my hips and glared at the shadows, where I knew his little creeps were spying on us. "THERE IS NO WAY I'M GOING TO BUT THAT!"

White put his hands on my shoulders and forced me to be still. He shushed me until I was calm enough the take questions. "C.J, what does he mean, he can help you get back to your world?" I was shaking badly. I was pissed off, I was tired of this s***, and I was tired of lying.

I took a deep breath, trying to get myself worked down enough to speak. "When I fell, after you left, I hear this voice. It kept telling me that if I won the game, and filled the vile, the game would be over and nothing else. That I wouldn't get to go back. It said I could break the game by breaking a rule and that I could go home if I did that, but I could never do than, never!" He put his hand on my head, calming me down again. "The voice…was it HIS?" I nodded, "Yes. I couldn't tell because it was under some kind of disguise, but now I know it was him."

He then took my chin in his hand and tilted my face up to his, his dark eye staring into mine. "C.J, what did he tell you to do?" I started to tremble more. Tears started to well up in my eyes. Why? Why does the thought of that make me so angry?! Why does it make me want to cry?! "He told me to kill you."

He stared at me for a moment, surprised, but not nearly as surprised as he was by the tears that slipped out of my eyes. I couldn't stop them. They just came. The sobs started soon after. White quickly slipped his arms around me and pulled me close. "It's alright C.J; you're just a little shaken. It's alright."

Before I knew it, I was the center of a group hug. White looked slightly annoyed. "What are you all doing?" Ace grinned, "You're not the only one who gets to hug C.J!" Peirce glared, "We care about her to!" Alister sweat dropped, "Though this is a smidge…awkward."

...

P.O.V Change: Flay on the Wall

He watched as the role holders all gathered around C.J, trying to comfort her and calm her nerves. Which, he admitted, must be in very bad shape by now. He felt a tick of irritation and disappointment. His plan to lure her to his side would never work. Why? Because she was apparently in love with the Joker! How had he not noticed it before? It was obvious through her tears over the notion of his death. (He could now hear as he was using the senses of a Shadow to watch the scene himself.) He sighed, this ruins all my plans…I suppose I haven't a choice but to move on to plan B….

…..

P.O.V Change: C.J

After I had finally gotten myself under control, along with the embarrassment over my total meltdown, I broke up the group hug. I shoved down the humiliation and quickly moved on, making it apparent to all that we were to never speak of it. EVER.

"Alright, any ideas on where to go?" Boris scratched his head, "What was that place he mentioned in the letter? The…." "Town House." "Yeah, the Town House! He bothered mentioning it, and he told us not to go there, so he obviously wants us to go there!" I frowned, seeing the logic in Boris's answer, "I get it, but I could be a trap." "Everything is a trap here! The whole city is one gigantic trap!" "Good point. All in favor say I." Only Boris said I. I frowned, "All opposed?" Everyone was again silent, clearly uneasy about the situation and feeling conflicted. I sighed, "Alright, since no one opposed, to the Town House we go!"

AND THERE WE ARE! I HOPE YOU LIKED IT AND PLEASE DROP A REVIEW! LIKE IT, LOVE IT, OR HATE IT!

(OH, ALMOST FORGOT! I'VE HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING AS QUICK CAUSE I RECENTLY GOT OBSESED WITH THE IB GAME SERISE. SERIOUSLY, IT'S EPIC. LOOK UP THE LET'S PLAY ON YOU-TUBE. I RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING LET'S PLAYERS:

PEWDIEPIE- FUNNY, AWSOME, AND SWEDISH!

CRY- FUNNY, BETTER AT THE GAME THAN PEWDIE, AND I THINK HIS VOICE IS SUPER SMEXY x)

ENJOY!