AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, hello dear. You must be the one causing such a stir,” a man approaches me through the trees. His eyes are different colors, the blue one prone to wander. His hat is green, like his jacket with split tails around the back. My mother would say such a person appeared to have dressed in the dark. I take a step back. Halting, he smiles and removes his hat to bow. A cup on a saucer balances on his head of orange hair. “Hatter, at your service. Do tell me, how does one take her tea?”
“More sugar than milk and half a cup of cream,” I reply without blinking.
His smile widens. Removing the cup, Hatter tilts his hat and a long pour of steaming liquid pours out, filling the cup perfectly. Plucking a spoon out from behind his ear, he hands both to me. Raising my pinkie, just as my etiquette tutor showed me, I whisk a small whirlpool into the tea without the spoon even touching the sides.
“Quite the stir indeed,” he praises. “Careful, it’s hot,” Hatter urges with raised hands. Slips of frayed material cover his knuckles to fingertips, catching my eye as I sip the best tea. Not even Thelma, my etiquette teacher, can make it equally as sweet and strong as this.
“It’s perfect,” I nod, replacing the cup on his head and giggling. “I like your fingerless gloves.”
“I prefer gloveless fingers but I’ve misplaced the palms. Come, my dear, my home is nearby and there’s an awful storm brewing our way.”
“Where is your house?”
“Wherever you need it to be, it shall appear. Do you need a place to go, young Malice?”
“It’s Alice,” I giggle, falling into the man that feels like home to me. I suppose I would like to rest a while. I’ve been walking since I fell down the rabbit hole and lost my way.
“Malice suits you. I expect you’re going to bring a great deal of change around here one day. But no need to worry about that now, it’s time for tea. Reach out and let yourself inside, I’ll gather the wood for a fire.”
Following the funny man’s instruction, I outstretch my hand and close it around an invisible nob. Feeling the cold weight, I turn it and jump when it screams in pain. Hatter’s laugh can be heard through the trees so I presume it doesn’t mind, and I push the door open.
Invisible on the outside, a cosy living area opens up, the fire already lit and a kettle steaming above. The dining table is spread with all of my favorite desserts, from chocolate trifle to that delicious grey stuff no one knows the name to. My instincts warn against entering a stranger’s house, enticed by desserts - but my father did always say I read too many fairy tales. I just never expected to live in one.
A tear escapes, curving a path down my cheek and pats onto the blood-stained floor. Sure, looking back now, a full-grown man coaxing a child into his home seems pretty shady, but anyone who wants to think that can meet the business end of my fist. Hatter and I were like two lost souls meeting in the abyss. One needing a child to love, the other needing a father who cared. I’ve spent my whole live waiting for another one of his warm hugs that fuses all the dismembered thoughts in my mind into place. I won’t stop hunting now.
Cash has left me to my devices, having moved across the room to keep watch out of the window. Lost to his thoughts, his easy-going façade has slipped. The sun beats on his pale skin, highlighting the ridge of his jawline. How long has it been since he’s felt the sunshine? Since he’s gazed upon the gloriously green garden below, punctuated with red roses throughout.
“Do you miss it?” I ask, coming up behind him. I’m starting to get the feeling this mission wasn’t solely for my benefit. His green gaze slips over his shoulder and he gives me a fake smirk.
“The red castle? No fucking way,” he chuckles but that’s not what I meant.
“Being with Tweed.” His laughter dies. Whatever happened between them, I’ve seen enough today to deduce enough. Cash knows this castle too well; he’s heard too much not to have been a resident once. The fact Tweed remained, and he hasn’t means Cash either ran away or was exiled, and that’s the cold face of rejection I understand all too well. My whole family may have turned their backs on me long before I was committed to Charmsfield, but I’ve never had someone as close as a twin cast me aside. Cash can joke and smile if that’s what helps, but I want him to know he doesn’t have to. Not around me.
Unbuckling the chest plate, I let it fall and wind my arms around his front. My cheek rests on his back, an exhale echoed through both of us. The room falls still, not even a breeze rattling at the window. Outside, croquet holes are visible amongst the lawn, trees artfully positioned to create a pattern of hearts, the next starting within the dip of the last. Sculpted hedges create the border, featuring playing cards, white rabbits and teacups in various colors of flowers. Stunning really, and totally at odds with the evil that owns it.
“I don’t like it when you’re quiet,” Cash says, leaning back into me. Threatening to topple over, he whips around and holds me low, like the ending of a dance number. Smiling, Cash’s eyes roam my face, wholly satisfied with what he finds. What a way to make a girl feel special. Dipping lower, his mouth claims mine in a long, unhurried press of our lips. “Can I tell you something? I held off coming for you. I was sure you’d have forgotten and moved on. If I’d known you were sitting there, so ready and waiting…”
“Regret is for the wasteful. I don’t live in the past for that very reason.” Nuzzling my neck, Cash inhales and then groans.
“Looks like we have to wait a few more days before I can take you to the Shadow Planes. Tell me, Crazy One, why do you keep drinking from him?”
“I mean, I was kinda suffering from a head injury,” I start. Cash whips me upright, all mirth vanishing. I wave away his concern. “I’m fine. Anyways, what more is a few days? We haven’t found anything of use here.” Easing out of his hold, I spin on a sigh. I’d really hoped I would have walked out of something more than a dredged-up memory I’d been suppressing. Cash heads for the exit, a shelving unit behind the door catching my eye. I smile sadly.
Displaying a range of fantastical hats in every color of the rainbow and all sizes, I pause to appreciate the hard work left behind to gather dust. Many follow the same style - a top hat laid with velvet and lace, a thick sash around the centre. My fingers trail one in navy blue, a steampunk pocket-watch fixed within a netted fascinator. Peacock feathers plume from miniature to large, all with the distinctive shimmering green eye detail. A hat deserves a head, as Hatter would say. But I can’t bring myself to put it on.
Moving on to admire the stitch work on a tiny trio of head wear, small enough to fit a dormouse, Cash clears his throat from the doorway. Yeah, yeah, I’m coming. Walking away, a hat on the bottom corner shelf catches my eye. Mostly because it wobbles, but on closer inspection, it appears familiar. Green with three features in white, orange and yellow protruding from the purple ribbon. An exact replica of the hat which was sent to me in the institution. Kneeling, it bops again and I lift the hat.
Sitting on a tiny wooden perch, a budgie blinks back at me. Grey pollutes his green and yellow features with a spot of blue over its beak. A monocle sits over one eye, a walking stick under his fragile wing. It’s a wonder he’s still on the perch at all. Opening his beak, a small cough comes out in place of what he was trying to say.
“Malice, we have to go,” Cash urges me. Just then, I hear the slam of the main doors below bursting open.
“Where is she?!” a female voice cries out. Sharing a look like Cash, I apologise to Mr. Budgerigar and grab him from his stand. Stuffing him in my cleavage, I straighten the basketball jersey and run from the room. We navigate the hallways, appearing at the railing by the side of the grand staircase. Cash shoves me down to kneel, his hand on my back as we peer around the corner. The Red Queen has strolled inside, a playing card peeling off her long gloves and removing her crown.
“Well, someone speak! Where is the Al-” Tweed steps in behind her, whispering in her eye. The Red Queen nods, plastering a shrewd smile over her painted lips.
“Oh, I see. I’ll try again. Malice, my darling Malice! I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you. Do come out to play.” I bristle, hating Tweed’s sway over her. He remains postured at her side, his eyes scanning the lobby, knowing I never would have stayed in the hot tub like a sitting duck. Cash’s hand is removed from my back and he drags me up by the jersey, swinging the same arm around my shoulder to step into view.
“Cash!” the Queen gasps, snapping her fingers. “How did he get passed the defences?!” Playing cards rush in, vexed with spears in their hands. Tweed attempts to join, until the queen’s hand on his bare chest makes me growl. “Do not hurt Malice! She is our top priority!” Cards storm the stairs, yet Cash makes no attempt to move.
