Chapter 8, Deeper into the Hatter's Past

Alice had once again followed behind Hatter as they continued their long trek. Alice didn't know exactly where they were going, but she figured she'd find out soon enough. Hatter had quickened his pace and Alice had to quicken hers. She didn't like moving fast because her clothes had air dried which made her feel uncomfortable.

Hatter all of a sudden came to a halt causing Alice to ram right into him. He turned around to see her sprawled on the ground rubbing her head where she had butted it against his.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed.

"Did it hurt?" Hatter asked maliciously.

Alice looked at him menacingly.

"No it felt like a pillow." Alice said sarcastically.

Hatter held his hands up, giving in to her voice.

"Ok, I give up. I'll try to stop sarcasm when it comes to my brain." He said with a smile.

Alice shook her head in defense.

"It wouldn't do any good even if you tried; you have a sense of humor similar to a rock."

"Does that make sarcasm normal in my defense?" He asked wickedly.

"Well it is the only way you can get someone to laugh. Your jokes suck. So I guess you can use it, but only when I'm in the mood." She replied a smile forming her lips.

"Anyways didn't it hurt you?" Alice asked.

"Nope. I've got the head of steel."

"That's a sign of no brain." Alice pointed out.

"Actually it isn't because I have a brain; otherwise I think I might be dead."

"Oh yeah?" Alice asked.

"Yep." He replied.

"Well maybe it was because your hat was too tight as a baby which caused numbness." Alice laughed.

"More than likely." Hatter joked.

They had started again to walk, and didn't talk much more. Alice followed in unison behind him and it felt like the trip through the Cheshire Forest, but it wasn't.

The trees looked poisoned and the atmosphere seemed dull. She couldn't stand to look at it. She spotted an owl in a nearby tree, and he glared at her like she had invaded his privacy. But there was no privacy in a land that was ruled by a Queen. It was like back in America. They were said to be a land were a democracy was formed and every one was equal, but how was it equal if they still had a group of people making major decisions. This she pondered on but could never find the answer.

"So Hatter, where are we going?"

He peered past his shoulder at her.

"Um….. just a place I know."

"Uh huh, and where is this?"

"Well, actually it's just up ahead." He replied.

"Great!" Alice said.

"Because I'm tired."

Up ahead was what looked like a curtain. I was hanging from what looked like a cave.

"Is this it?" Alice asked.

Hatter nodded, but said nothing. He slid into the curtain and beckoned for Alice to follow. She closed her eyes and slid past the fabric. She opened them and saw a beautiful lake.

"Wow." Alice breathed.

She felt cool like ice, but didn't complain. It was something different like she had never experienced before. The feeling was a quiet serenity, full of peace and tranquility. She walked over to the water and dipped her hands into the crystal clear water. She splashed over her face, and she felt refreshed and refilled with energy for the quest.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Hatter announced.

She whisked around to face him.

"It's amazing!" She proclaimed.

"It's quite a memory." Hatter said.

Alice was turning back around for another splash when she got stuck on something he had said.

"What did you say?" Alice asked.

"I said it's quite a memory."

She paused before saying, "What do you mean memory?"

Hatter sighed, his eyes clouding up with thought.

"I used to come here as a kid to sit and think. It was always my way of escaping everything around me. But I could never understand why here of all places I found solitude."

Alice reached out to take his hand in hers. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear.

"It's probably because you know a good place from bad."

He smiled at her and began to lean in to her. She closed her eyes and couldn't believe it was happening.

They almost combined before a sound of hooves pounding against the ground sounded from behind the curtain.

Hatter grabbed a hold of Alice and pushed her out of the way. Hatter stood still bracing himself for impact.

"Hault!" A familiar voice called.

Alice splashed into the water just as a carriage had halted in front of Hatter. She swam back up gasping for air. The water had literally knocked the wind out of her.

Hatter came to the side of the lake helping Alice out of it.

"Sorry about that." He said.

"But on the bright side, look at who came to visit us!" Hatter exclaimed.

Sitting in front of her was a large red carriage and the driver was Cheshire.