The Fugitive

Disclaimer: The Alice books and the 2010 film are not mine. This is only for fun and no money is being made.

Chapter 2: A Deadly Encounter

Alice had walked no more than half a dozen paces before she became aware of someone heading towards her through the trees. In the dim twilight it was difficult to make out who it was but as the two of them came closer Alice recognised him.

"Lowel!" She spoke her brother-in-law's first name in surprise. "I didn't think you were coming tonight."

"We arrived only a short time ago." Lowell said stiffly. "Your mother sent me to look for you. She was worried about your safety, being out unescorted."

"Mother worries too much," Alice said in annoyance. She was rather offended at the idea of her needing an escort and Lowell Manchester was the last man she would want to fill such a role anyway. "I am perfectly capable of looking after myself."

"Are you?" He inquired sceptically.

"Yes, I am!" She declared confidently. "We had best be getting back!"

She started to walk back to the Ascot mansion but halted when she felt Lowell's hand on her shoulder.

"You're looking very beautiful tonight, Alice," he whispered.

"Oh…Thank you!" She looked at him uncertainly. Her brother-in-law had never paid her such compliments before and it made her uncomfortable.

Alice started to move away again, but Lowell seized her shoulders and pulling her towards him pressed his lips to hers.

Alice tore herself away violently.

"What are you doing?" She demanded angrily.

"I've always wanted you, Alice!" Lowell grinned at her and reached out to caress her cheek.

Alice struck his hand away from her. "Have you gone out of your mind? You're married to my sister!"

"Oh don't try playing the outraged innocent," he chuckled. "It doesn't suit you anymore. Just how many men did you sleep with on your travels, Alice?"

"That's none of your business!" Alice retorted then wanted to bite her tongue. Her words had been more or less an admission.

"I thought as much!" Lowell chuckled again. "You can always tell if a girl has experience. There's something about the way she carries herself and the look in her eyes."

"Even if that were true, which I don't admit, that doesn't mean I've cast aside all moral scruples," Alice informed him icily. "You're a married man and I'm your sister-in-law. That makes any liaison between us impossible, even if I desired such a thing, which I most certainly do not!"

She tried to move away from him again but Lowell seized her arm and dragged her back.

"I'm not asking for your consent, Alice," he snarled. "I will have you tonight, willing or not!"

Alice decided the time for trying to reason with him had passed. She struck out, the side of her hand slamming into his abdomen. With a cry of pain he collapsed on the ground, clutching his stomach. He looked up, his face pale, glaring at her murderously.

"I'll make you pay for that, you little whore!"

Alice said nothing as he staggered to his feet, just clenched her fists and prepared to defend herself. She had learned a great deal about fighting in her travels and under normal circumstances would have no doubts about her ability to handle Lowell. But the way she was dressed tonight put her at a significant disadvantage. Her voluminous skirts and high heels drastically reduced her mobility and the tight corset impeded her breathing and agility. But despite that she would not attempt to flee. For one thing her attire made running virtually impossible and besides that her muchness would not permit it.

He lashed out at her suddenly. Alice tried to duck, but hindered by her restrictive clothing was just a fraction too slow and Lowell's fist caught the side of her head, sending her reeling. One of her heels slipped on the uneven ground and Alice had to clutch desperately at a nearby tree to prevent herself falling.

Before she could recover her balance Lowell was on her, sinking a vicious punch into her stomach. Alice doubled up with a grunt of pain as all the air was driven out of her lungs. Lowell seized her by the hair and slammed her brutally against the tree trunk. Thinking he had knocked all the fight out of the girl he reached for the front of her gown, intending to rip if off her.

But Alice had only been winded for a moment. She was a lot tougher than the soft and pampered women Lowell was used to and ironically, considering she had been complaining about it all evening, her corset had actually helped her, the heavy boning absorbing some of the force of Lowell's blow.

He arm shot out, her extended knuckles slamming into Lowell's throat with a force that sent jolts of pain up to her shoulder. With a gurgling scream he staggered back, clutching his throat then collapsed writhing to the ground.

Alice staggered away from the tree, her chest heaving as she fought to get her breath back. Looking down at Lowell she gasped with horror; still clutching his throat, the man's face had turned a dark purple. With growing terror Alice realised what had happened; her blow had struck about half an inch lower than she intended and crushed the man's larynx. He was slowly choking to death.

Alice looked around desperately for something sharp she could use to cut into his windpipe and allow him air, but found nothing. She even searched Lowell's pockets hoping to find a penknife but without success. As she watched helplessly his body jerked convulsively a couple of times then went limp.

Her hand trembling, Alice reached out and grasped her brother-in-law's wrist then felt at his neck. There was no pulse. Lowell Manchester was dead and she had killed him!

Alice's first thought was to go back to the Ascot mansion and get help. But then she began to ask herself how this would look; Lowell dead and at her hands. It was unintentional and she had been acting in self-defence but would anyone believe that? It was well known they had not been on very friendly terms and the Manchester family had a lot of influence; if they got their way she would probably end up being prosecuted for murder. Alice had no illusions about what would happen in that event. Given her unconventional lifestyle no judge or jury would be sympathetic to her; there was a very significant chance she could end up hanging for this.

Even if she was not charged, if she escaped the hangman's noose, Alice realised this would still ruin her. It was difficult enough being a woman in what was generally considered a man's occupation but no one would want to do business with someone to whom the slightest suspicion of murder attached. For the sake of her father's company she would have no choice but to resign her position.

Rising to her feet, Alice walked slowly back to the Rabbit Hole. She had rejected the idea of returning to Underland because she hoped her achievements might be an inspiration to other women. But what had happened tonight changed everything. If she stayed in this world then at worst she would end her life as a convicted criminal, at best go back to being an unwed young woman without independent income or influence from a not particularly rich family, a family that would probably now despise her. Her sister Margaret would certainly hate her for being responsible for her husband's death and Alice doubted her mother's attitude would be much different. There was no longer any reason for her to stay and if she did it might well cost her life.

She moved closer, standing at the very edge of the abyss and took one last look around her at the world of her birth. Then Alice stepped forward and fell down into darkness.