Whiffling Through The Whimsy Wood, To War-torn Wonderland We Go (AlphaWolfQuin & DA)

One, two...one, two and through and through,
The bars were cold and taut.
And rested she, imagining tea,
She wept for a land she sought.

Alice mumbled the little rhyme over and over as she bumped her head idly against the bars of her cell. Shivering, cold air swirling about her slight body, she let her blue eyes drift up toward the small slit in the wall that mocked and teased and promised fresh air. But there was none of that in Looking Glass Prison. The name of the place alone was a joke and she couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the irony. Stilling herself, she twisted her head, stringy blonde strands falling in front of her porcelain pale face, she caught sight of the guards standing watch—proud and tall. What did they have to be proud of, she wondered? They were nothing but the warden's minions, mere lapdogs doing his bidding while he sat somewhere quiet and comfortable snacking on something delicious. Another shiver ran through her, her arms moving about her middle. Standing upright, she took a step back and tilted her head carefully studying the two men beyond the bars keeping her confined.

"What you looking at, bitch?" one of them growled, but Alice refused to wince. She'd seen far meaner, nastier things than this brute.

Unable to help herself, Alice just smiled and turned away. The guard merely grumbled incoherently, but his obscene insults were clear enough to Alice's ears. It had been ten years since she'd fallen down that strange and dark sewer that had somehow appeared in the yard. How the thing had gotten there, she'd never quite figured out. But, she'd be damned...she knew the thing had been real! Ever since her return, no one would believe her stories. But her time away had left her forever altered. Night after night, she'd been plagued with haunting dreams and during wakeful hours she could hear all their voices calling her back. It made her head hurt...her heart hurt!

How she longed to return to that strange and curious place. That...Wonderland.

Several times Alice had tried to find a way back, but it was of no use. The strange sewer that had brought her to the land of wonder had vanished and, with it, all the wonderful people and creatures she'd met. She longed for adventure, for freedom, to be in a world where she could be accepted as herself and not hide away in some locked room. A strange bitterness clung to her heart as she suddenly thought on her parents, their decision to have her locked away after she'd tried to go public about the sewer tunnels leading to Wonderland.

But they did! They did! She knew that they did!

Oh frabjous day, it brought dismay!
She sobbed into the night.
It came to pass, shackled fast,
She'd never see the light.

But there was no way to prove what couldn't be seen. Many nights she'd wept, calling out to the Hatter and the one who'd playfully called himself the Cheshire Cat. Where were they now? How she missed them, longed for them. Just once, she'd like to hear their voices, see their faces. She often dreamed that they'd come to her, their hands reaching out to touch, to feel. But every time her eyes opened...nothing. Her heart twisted and the room felt colder still. Moving to the far wall, Alice leaned against the hard concrete and slid down until she was finally sitting on the cold, hard floor. Tears began to sting her eyes. Tears she'd hoped would never fall again over her lost Wonderland. Unable to hold them back, she buried her head against her knees and shook with silent sobs. As she cried, she could hear the guards laughing at her despair.

~~~

Bella Whitmore tapped a slender finger against her chin, her face contorted in thought. The mirror had shown her something strange, something curious, something...

"Mick...Rabbit," Bella giggled at the endearment. "You have work to do." She turned on her heels, her gauzy white gown swishing about her delicate form as she all but floated across the room. Her arms were gracefully held out to her sides as though she were dancing, ready to twirl and she halted the moment she reached her mirror. Her brow furrowed and she pointed to the shiny, shimmering object. "Look there," she almost whispered, her full lips turned up into a smile.

Of course, Bella knew full well that neither man could see what she saw. That was part of the gift—a blessing and a curse. Ah, the gift of visions and foresight.

Bella laughed, her blonde tresses falling prettily over her bare shoulders. "You see nothing, don't you?" Again, she laughed and then began to hum. Moving away from the mirror, she crossed the room and sat down upon a throne chiseled out of white marble. "I didn't even like mirrors when I was a Pawn," she continued. "But over time, I learned that they can be quite helpful." Her smile broadened, but her eyes remained sad, serious. "You two need to fetch us someone who's been gone for far longer than she should've been. Though it's been only months for us, years have gone by for her."

A knowing expression crossed Bella's face and she wondered if any lurkers might be eavesdropping. The castle of White was a large place, full of secret rooms and hidden corners. She knew most of them, but her Knight knew them all.

"You must retrieve our darling Alice Liddell," Bella prattled on. "Though you'll hardly find her to be a ten year old child any longer." She giggled, a hand moving to her mouth to quiet her laughter. "Go, find her. Bring her back to me. We're in desperate need."

~~~

The tunnels were dark. They were always dark and so very damp! Lizzie Heartland stepped in a puddle of water that made a splash and rendered her feet utterly soaked. "Damn it!" she whined, her voice frantic. She glanced over her shoulder and peered into the darkness. The banging sounds that had been following her had stopped. She hoped that was a good sign. Or maybe her mind was playing tricks?

It was always playing tricks!

Not wanting to waste any more time, Lizzie grabbed hold of her tattered skirtsskirts—dark hair mussed and billowing behind her—and forged on ahead. She had a destination in mind—somewhere safe...Clover.

Caleb watched as Bella tapped her finger against her chin then glanced over at the two men the Queen addressed. Well the taller older looking of the two could be considered a man. The other however was a sniveling little boy who never grew up in the Knight's opinion. He watched the two as she approached them and shook his head softly at the blank expressions that crossed their faces as the Queen pointed at the mirror.

"Why....no I don't see nothing at all mi'lady" ,Rabbit said in response to her question before he began sniffing the air around them. So many different scents and smells lingering and piquing his curiosity. Almost enough to make him want to dart off and figure out what each and every one of them came from.

The sound of Caleb clearing his throat obnoxiously to get Rabbit to focus on Bella was what snapped the young shifter from his slight daze. Rabbit jumped slightly before stomping his foot gently on the ground and scratching his left ear with his right hand as he quickly turned his attention back to Bella as she spoke of not liking mirrors when she was younger. He then nodded and smiled brightly as the Queen spoke of finding them useful now before a curious expression crossed his face when she mentioned he and Mick needing to fetch someone.

"Alice, eh! Say no more mi'lady. We're on it!" ,Rabbit exclaimed in an overly excited tone in response to Bella's explanation before going to rush for the exit.

"Whoa dare sprog, 'owl yer 'orses" ,Mick stated as he shot an arm out and grabbed a hold of Rabbit by the waist before pulling him back over.

"I'm afraid I don't have any horses to hold and if I did I don't think I'd be able to hold many. I mea-...." ,Rabbit began to ramble in response before Mick covered his mouth while using his free hand to place a finger on his own lips and make a 'Shhh' sound while Caleb again shook his head and sighed while Rabbit nodded and the two turned their attention back to The White Queen.

"Is dare any clue ter miss Liddell's whereabouts mi'lady. Or are we 'eadin' wi' pure luk on dis wan?" ,the fae asked before a slight smirk came across his lips and Rabbit nodded his head, "Oh, good question! I'm sure you'll be alright with either one though so let's go old friend!" ,Rabbit practically sang out before again going to leave and again being stopped by Mick who grabbed a hold of the back of the young man's shirt and tugged him back over.

"Wud yer calm yerself fella? A gran' soldier alwus gathers informashun before 'eadin' oyt on a mission" ,Mick stated before again returning his attention to the Queen as Rabbit opened his mouth to respond. However once Rabbit caught sight of the glare that Caleb was giving him all that managed to come from the shifters lips was a small squeak as his body flinched a bit and he again scratched his ear.

---------------

He slipped into the shadows of the darkened tunnel as he sprinted gracefully across the ground. His old life and duties behind him as he pushed on further and further away from his home or what he was suppose to consider home. As he moved along in the shadows his attention was drawn to a splash followed by cursing. Jackson's eyes fell on the woman who was a good distance ahead of him as she glanced over her shoulder then began moving towards her as she pushed on.

The young vampire picked up his pace gradually until he was running, his movements quick enough to where his footsteps wouldn't be heard as he blew past her like a gust of wind then stopped once he was fully past her and turned to face her. "Well hello there" ,he stated with a smile before looking around the dark tunnel. "Where ya heading?"

Their jeering made her insides twist, her heart shatter into tiny pieces scattered all over the cold, cement floor. If only she could pick them up and somehow make her heart whole once more. Surely it was just like the puzzles from her days as a little girl! She recalled the ancient relics her parents had stored away in secret crates they'd told her to stay away from. But curiosity always killed the cat! Unable to help herself, she'd always peek inside the metal bins and pull out the old artifacts, staring at the wooden pieces in wonder as she let her tiny hands move over them and put them together until clear pictures formed and swept her away. Breath quickening, Alice reached out, her hands moving to scoop up the small shards littering the floor. The tiny fragments pierced her flesh, causing her palms to bleed, dots of crimson lining her palms as she tried—in vain—to gather up the pieces of her heart that were strewn about the cold and dingy room.

But it was no use, the slivers were just too small and they hurt her hand as they cut and tore, ripping at her soft flesh the harder she tried to gather everything up. Frustrated, Alice sat back and let the tears fall, silent sobs wracking her body as the splinters dug deeper into her skin.

How she longed for this nightmare to end, for night to become day...callooh callay...but the sky was just as black as ever as Alice peered up toward the slit that teased her mercilessly along the top of the far wall. The starlight was blotted out from the inky black as the neon lights blared and blazed, life teeming outside and how she wished to be a part of it! She yearned for freedom, for adventure.

"Oh Hatter..." Alice whimpered, her blue eyes fixed on her bloody hands.

The guard nudged his comrade and chuckled. The girl was daft, delusional. She'd gone mad. His friend leaned closer toward the bars and grinned, his eyebrows waggling, a promise for later, but Alice was too wrapped up in despair to notice or care.

"Cheshire..." Alice choked, tears falling down pale cheeks. How she missed her beloved friends. How she missed her Wonderland.

~~~

Bella giggled as she looked into the small mirror resting on her lap. The shiny glass appeared to be empty, her own lovely refection beaming back beautifully—the envy of many. The beauty of White, the most graceful pawn in all of Chess. It was no wonder she sat upon the throne, a marvelous wonder to behold. As her glittering eyes stared into the looking glass, it wasn't her own face that she saw. Yes, there was a pretty face, her blonde hair hanging in damp strands across her blotchy cheeks and blue eyes red and swollen from crying. It was their Alice, their little dear, a child no more but a woman, a lady and in a room so cold and sinister it made her blood run cold. The White Queen frowned, her one hand gently caressing the mirror as if she were petting a sweet little child or beloved pet. Alice was certainly beloved and the hope of everyone left in the realm. They needed to find her and the sooner, the better.

"Dear Mick," Bella cooed, her eyes resting on the old fae. "Rabbit," she giggled softly. "Why, she's in Looking Glass Prison—a dark and nasty place. Hardly the sort of place our little darling belongs. So," her eyes shifted toward Caleb, her knight and most trusted. "Retrieve her and bring her back to me. I know you both won't let me down." She nodded toward her knight, her eyes locking with his.

Bella could feel it in her heart, her bones, her soul, that Caleb didn't trust her choice of rescuers. It was true that Mick and Rabbit had their reputations and notoriety, but she had her reasons and they were her own. She knew Caleb would ensure the two followed through on their assignment. It was her wish and that was enough. It always had been. It always would be.

Sighing softly, Bella gestured the two scoundrels take their leave and search for Looking Glass Prison. They had a grown woman to find. Setting down the mirror, she turned toward Caleb and smiled. "Before you follow, send word to Hatter and Cheshire. They will want to be here when she arrives." Her heart fluttered as she turned her gaze away. This was a great risk and she loathed placing those she loved in harm's way. But the situation was dire and the fate of the realm growing bleaker every moment that seemed to pass.

Things had gotten out of hand. The war needed to end swiftly...somehow.

~~~

Cold and shivering, Lizzie did her best traversing through the dark maze of tunnels. She had a plan—a rough one, and how she hoped she could make it! Hearts was no longer safe, no longer her own. Even that bitch, Courtney—her jester and confidante—had turned on her the moment...oh, what was her name? Lizzie's thoughts were scattered as she recalled the look at that girl's face when she'd stormed into her throne room, that angry smirk gracing those red lips, while dark eyes glared back at her with a cold bitterness she hardly understood. Katherine Redfield. She still only vaguely remembered when the lowly Red pawn had entered her castle and began blathering on about ending the games. It was a ludicrous idea! Utter nonsense! It would only bring chaos and ruin to the realm!

Never had Lizzie thought that dismissing the pawn would lead to chaos anyway. Life was filled with ironic twists. The Red woman had managed to take down Chess and now she had plans to destroy her home, her cherished lands. It made her heart ache to know that she sat upon her throne with that ghastly beast by her side. Just what had she done? What had she done?

Her fingers were growing numb as she clutched her skirts, her knees trembling, threatening to give out. But she couldn't stop. They'd be looking for her, hunting her down to ensure the throne was theirs. Just how many of her people would that Red woman...that, Red Queen lure to her aid? It was disastrous!

Suddenly, Lizzie came to a halt. Her arms wrapped about her slight body as she shivered violently, a strange sensation that she was being watched, followed washing over her completely. The back of her neck prickled and the urge to scream began to grow. There was nowhere to run now that she was deep within the tunnels. It was onward to Clover or, face the wrath of the Red Queen's new beast. The latter made her cringe, the fear so strong she could feel the bile rising up in her throat. Digging deep and mustering up her courage, she had to press on. It was her only hope. Perhaps in Clover, she'd find a sympathizer, someone willing to escort her to White. Surely, the White Queen would take pity on the Queen of Hearts. The White woman was known for her fairness, her sense of duty to protect those in need. She wouldn't turn her away.

Would she?

Just as Lizzie was about to run, a shadow brushed past her ear causing her to start. "I..." she whispered, her heart hammering hard. Something was there. Watching. Waiting? Oh, she needed to get away, to get to safety! The Red Queen had spies everywhere! "Who's there!" she snapped, but she didn't have time to say more. Just then, a beautiful face, pale and flawless was staring directly into her own, his eyes studying her quizzically. Vampire. Could her night get any worse? "What business is it of yours?" she asked, trying to sound regal. She might have been run out of Hearts, but she was still 'queen'! And this rogue was still one of her subjects whether he liked it or not!

Wasn't he? Oh, she was having the most dreadful night!

"And don't you know how to address your queen?" Lizzie added, holding her head up high. It was difficult showing her courage when her Royal Cards were nowhere in sight, unable to assist and protect. And why wasn't this one with the rest of them? It was peculiar to say the least! And it made her fear run deeper still. "Why aren't you at your station? All Cards should be at the castle, I..." She bit down on her lower lip, hands trembling, knuckles turning white. "Wh-who do you serve?"

As Bella began to respond to Mick and glanced over at Caleb, the knight nodded towards his queen. He sure as hell wasn't keen on the two men being sent out for the mission at hand but, he also knew that she wouldn't send just anyone to retrieve Alice from the nasty place she was in. So, despite his distaste for the men, he trusted them to carry out their task, he trusted his queen's judgement. After the woman gestured for Rabbit and Mick to head out and informed Caleb to get word to Hatter and Cheshire, the knight bowed his head slightly while standing up straight. "Yes mi'lady, right away" ,Caleb said in response before he headed out to do as his queen requested.

He was loyal to the woman until the end and he would lay down his life for her. The man truly hated to leave her side even if for only a moment with how things were currently but he also wanted to make sure her every request was carried out and sometimes that meant he worked twice as hard but felt all of it was worth it. Caleb was a born and raised royal guard, the safety and well being of the queen were his main priorities and he enjoyed being in her company. So, his job was enjoyable even if the workload was quite large as of lately due to the current situation that was going on throughout the land. The large man marched down the hallways with perfect timing. Left, right, left. His clean white armor practically glowing as his platinum hair rested on his shoulders in messy curls, free from the helmet they were usually confined under. His spear and shield clutched in his hands and his sword in it's sheath on his left side.

"Hurry it up you two....time's ticking" ,Caleb stated as he passed Rabbit and Mick who were conversing back and forth as they neared the exit. After addressing the two, he headed towards the stables to retrieve his horse so he could travel quickly and notify Cheshire and Hatter as soon as he possibly could. Once he entered the stables, a smile came across his face as he walked towards a magnificent white horse donning a silver saddle and white leather reigns. Like Caleb, the horse was something of pure perfection, a sight that could leave people awestruck by it's beauty. "Let's go girl, we've got work to do" ,Caleb stated softly as he patted the horse on the side before setting his spear into the holster on the horse's saddle. Once his spear was set into it's holster, the knight mounted his horse then signaled for the gates to be opened as he slid his helmet onto his head.

Two taps to the horse's sides with his heels send the beast darting towards the opening gates, causing the men who were opening them to pick up their pace damn near stumbling over themselves as they rushed to get the gates open before Caleb's horse slammed face first into them. Just in the nick of time the men got the gates open as Caleb laughed while passing them, "Stay alert, Stay alive my friends....HYAHHH!" ,the knight shouted as he began to disappear from sight, heading off towards Clover where he was sure to find the Cheshire Cat lurking about.

-------------

"It's right this way old friend" ,Rabbit stated as he walked alongside Mick who was puffing on a cigar. "Oi nu wee guy, lead de way" ,the fae said in response as the two continued to walk. Their destination the rabbit hole which would lead them to the human world, a place Mick hadn't ventured into for quite a while and for good reason.

It was a dark, rainy night when Mick had stumbled out of that run down old pub drunk as a skunk with fresh cuts and bruises on him from the bar brawl he had just been in. He was alone but by the clothing he wore it wasn't hard to tell he was affiliated with some sort of organized crime syndicate. The fae's scent was one of booze and cigar smoke mixed with worn down leather and denim along with an earthy smell that sent Rabbit's senses haywire, leading the small white animal right to Mick's feet where he sniffed wildly at the leather boots the man wore. Mick being under the influence and having a slight soft spot for animals, especially the smaller fluffy ones, of course reached down in an attempt to pet the soft white fur of the small creature who had seemed to take an interest in his footwear.

Of course the oddness of a rabbit being outside of a dingy old pub in the city didn't cross the fae's mind and before he knew it, he was following the small, fluffy, white blur as it led him further and further away from the pub and closer and closer to the entrance to a world that would change his life forever. All it took was for Mick's inevitable need to relieve his full bladder for the fae, with a little assistance from his new found furry friend, to stagger and stumble until he finally fell down the Rabbit Hole, pants undone and a complete drunken mess of a man. When Mick awoke the next day, he was face to face with a young blonde haired, blue eyed man donning a bowtie and suspenders with various tattoos and piercings on his body. Of course Mick's first instinct was that he had been kidnapped. With who he was affiliated with before coming to Wonderland a kidnapping wasn't too out of the ordinary. So, the fae grabbed a hold of the young man by the shirt and flipped him onto his back before pinning him down and interrogating him for information.

Once the fae caught sight of the land surrounding him however, he released the young blonde while taking in his surroundings and after quite a lengthy conversation and a lot of explaining and adventuring around the land, Mick and Rabbit became friends. The two having quite more in common than most could imagine. Of course when people seen them together, the two seemed to be far from best mates with how they acted with each other but even so both men knew where they stood with each other and there was a mutual respect between the two. Rabbit had saved Mick's life technically, that and he introduced him to a place where he fit in far more than he ever would among the human world, so for that Mick was grateful and in turn he helped Rabbit whenever he needed it.

"Alright here it is....you ready old friend?" ,Rabbit asked as he looked to Mick with bright blue eyes and eagerness in his expression. A clear sign that he wanted to save Alice from the horrible prison she was in as quickly as possible. Mick nodded before motioning for Rabbit to enter into the human world first as they stood near the Rabbit hole looking into it. "Shift first me fella, you're quicker on yer feet in yer other form. Don't worry, yer already nu Oi can keep up" ,Mick stated before reaching a hand out and messing up Rabbit's hair. Although it would seem as if the action was just a friendly and playful gesture, there was far more meaning and power behind the simple messing up of Rabbit's hair. The fae purposefully touched the young man to give him good luck before they headed out into the fray and make sure he was protected during their mission.

Rabbit nodded and smiled after Mick spoke and messed up his hair, "Thanks old friend....now" ,Rabbit began in response before the sound of bones snapping and cracking into place echoed around him before the young blonde haired blue eyed man was replaced by the small, fluffy, bright white rabbit Mick had encountered many years before. The animal motioned his head towards the tunnel in a 'Let's go' type of motion before darting down the rabbit hole causing Mick to hurry after his furry little friend with haste as they ventured towards the human world to save Alice from the hell she had been put in.

----------------

When Lizzie responded to him asking what business it was of his in response to his question, Jackson was about to respond when she continued making the young vampire's eyes widen a bit as she asked her next few questions. Once the woman finished speaking, Jackson stood up straight and looked Lizzie directly in the eyes as he spoke. "You are not my ruler" ,he began in a firm tone while planting his left foot into the ground firmly. "I-I....I serve no one....not anymore anyway....I refuse to be a part of the destruction of my home...so therefore I would.....I would rather die a rogue then live a life spent on my knees" ,Jackson continued in the same firm but honest tone he had began responding with.

The young vampire wasn't alone with his retreat from Spades and he had at least one other ally in the area he was sure of. So the normal fear he would have of running into a queen while he himself was on the run wasn't as dominant as it would normally be. He and a few of the other members in his unit had planned the escape from their land as soon as they caught wind of the trouble brewing. It was a hard, very dangerous thing they had planned to do but if they succeeded in their escape they would be far more free then they ever were in their home land. Of course they were marked men now....they knew far too much about what went on in Spades, the....things they did to gain an upper hand and Jackson as well as the men he fled with were a danger to Spades if the information they had was leaked to the wrong person or people. Thus why Jackson didn't mention where he came from just that he was a rogue.

He took a moment to look the woman over and fully take in her appearance, trying to figure out just who she was. After a few moments, his eyes widened again and he pointed at her while gasping. "I know who you are" ,he whispered before he looked around the area to make sure no one was listening. "What the hell is going on around here?" ,he asked in a slightly concerned tone. Sure he knew of the chaos within Spades and some of what was going on in the other lands but Jackson still wasn't fully in the know of exactly what kind of dangers they were facing. Oh he knew that Wonderland had fallen under dark times and he knew that no matter what things were in complete disarray but just how badly, even he and the others on the run didn't know that and information could prove quite helpful. If the woman before him was willing to give any that was.

There was a slight tug at Bella's heart as she watched Caleb take his leave, his shadow so much larger than those of both Mick and Rabbit. He was a large man, a strong man. He'd see to it that everything was done and soon both Hatter and Cheshire would find their way to White and be waiting for their dear Alice's arrival. She just hoped the two would remain calm and civil once the child—no, woman—returned. Alice had clawed her way into the hearts of both men even as a wee thing, but now...a part of her worried as to what would happen when the three were reunited once more...grown and ripe with emotion. Alice had been through so much back in the human world. She'd need her dearest friends by her side. But they'd need to work together if they were to complete the task she knew laid before them.

But she had other matters to think on as her heart shattered a little at the sounds of Caleb's footfalls growing lighter and lighter.

"Ah, Kitty," Bella whispered, her fingers gently caressing the mirror in her lap. "These games you play." Her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears. Suddenly, she felt a small sting on her finger and looked down at it. A small dot of crimson wept at its tip. She sighed as she brought her finger to her mouth and sucked the little drop of blood away. She knew what was coming. Shivering, she reached for a lacy shawl that hung over the arm of her throne. As the flimsy material draped over her shoulders and she pulled it tight, she felt the sting again and saw the broach jabbing the flesh of her finger. This time, the blood didn't come. She smiled weakly at the backward events of time. "Hurry, Caleb. Hurry."

~~~

"She's cracked, this one," the one guard hissed before spitting through the bars. The wad of phlegm landed close to where Alice was curled up. She raised her head just enough to see the two men leering her way. A shiver ran down along her spine. How she longed for freedom.

Outside, the lights were flashing, a promise of freedom and fun. Though what kind of fun could truly be had out there? Alice was never one for parties or clubs. The music pounded while bodies writhed and crushed up against one another, swaying to a pulse that made her long for air. She'd choke on the heat and sweat, while everyone else was transfixed, in some hypnotic trance that frightened her. Dizzy, senses muddled, she'd often run away screaming, her sobs filling her ears as the onlookers stared with cold and cruel eyes. She was an anomaly. A freak.

She never fit in.

Hot tears stung Alice's eyes, as the neon lights grew brighter. The guards' laughter grew more confident and so did their words. "I bet your cunt is dirty, bitch," one of them goaded. The other just whistled suggestively. "Guess it's good I've got protection handy." He smirked at her as he stood and began fumbling with his pants.

Alice's mind ran wild. They couldn't be serious! Could they? Feeling frantic, she decided that they were. The one's hands were just starting to loosen his belt, while his cohort shuffled through his keys so he could unlock Alice's cell door. But there was nothing she could do. It was her against them, the wall behind her hard and cold and barring any sort of exit. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed what appeared to be the hole for a rat.

Strange that she hadn't noticed it before. Tilting her head slightly to the left, blonde locks sticking to the sides of her face, she let her eyes rest upon the little hole in the corner. Somehow it seemed to grow. Did the guards see, could they tell? It didn't seem like they were paying attention to anything but their own desires and power.

Bullies!

Squinting, Alice peered at the strange hole and gasped. She was certain she saw one very familiar White Rabbit.

~~~

Never had Lizzie come across such insolence! Such...no. No! This wasn't who she was...this was the madness, the paranoia! Ugh, if only she could summon Caterpillar. Perhaps once in Clover someone would help her find that wretched snake! A shiver ran down along her spine causing her body to shudder. She looked at the vampire before her, his eyes flashing in the darkness of the dank tunnel. He served no one, he said.

But could he help her? Would he?

Lizzie winced when recognition finally crossed the vampire's flawless face. If he truly served no one, she could at least trust that he wouldn't take her back to Hearts, back into the clutches of Kitty and her new pet. Just what had that pawn unleashed? These were powers far greater than she could hope to understand or control. It would only lead to destruction and the end of all of Wonderland.

"There's no time," Lizzie rasped. At that, she heard a splash not far off. Something was lurking and she didn't want to linger long enough to find out. "We need to get to Clover. We'll be safe there. For now." Of course, she new the safety wouldn't last. She needed to get to White. But being in the company of a rogue card...there was a factor of unpredictability that frightened her.

Lizzie clutched her skirts, her body shivering and wet. She hoped with all her might that this vampire wouldn't suddenly decide to feed or change his mind and find himself suddenly in alliance with...

No! No, no, no...! This was the madness, the paranoia. Shaking her head, wild tendrils framed her face, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. It was foolish to travel alone, in protected. She had to take her chances. She was a Heartland! She was Queen!

"This is a matter of life and death, card!" Lizzie hissed. "Come take me to Clover before we're both killed!" Her insides twisted with fear as the words poured out of her mouth. More than anything, she longed to collapse and cry.

Caleb's horse sped through the land on the way to Clover their first destination and the place he was hoping to find Cheshire. Once Caleb reached the land of Clover, he slowed down his horse's speed to a steady gallop as he kept his eyes open for the man he was looking for. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty....come on out Samuel!" ,Caleb shouted as rode around. After a short while, a tall, slim, dark haired man slipped out from the shadows with an all too familiar smirk spread across his face. "Yes Sir White? You have something for me? Or are you just here for a little chat?....." ,Samuel asked before jumping up and grabbing the branch of a nearby tree and gripping it as he pulled himself up onto it and took a seat.

"Funny....I haven't seen you leave the land of white....nor your queen's side in say.....quite a few years...." ,the dark haired, blue eyed man continued as he began to swing his feet back and forth. "Tell me good knight....what brings you here" ,Cheshire again asked before the same signature smirk came across his face as blue eyes met blue and the two men fell silent for a moment before Caleb finally spoke. "The queen has sent me to inform you that Alice Liddel will be returning to Wonderland....she's just sent for her retrieval and I am to let you and Hatter know of such retrieval so that you may be there to welcome her home" ,the white knight said in response. His words making Samuel perk up a bit before hopping from the tree branch and landing directly beside Caleb's horse.

After landing he returned his attention to Caleb while brushing himself off, "Well why didn't you say so in the first place? Come on let's get on with it, time's wasting, we need to find Hatter" ,Samuel stated causing Caleb to shake his head a bit. "We don't have to find anyone.....YOU will head to White and wait while I go and seek out the Hatter, now.....on with ya" ,Caleb replied in a stern tone that only made Samuel laugh and shake his head in return. "Forgive me but even a knight such as yourself would be foolish to venture into the land of Hearts by his lonesome....it's dangerous" ,Sam said in response, practically singing out the last part before again smirking. The man's words and the way he practically sang them out only annoyed Caleb but before the man could protest, he felt Samuel's body slip onto the horse behind him before he was pat on the back a bit roughly.

"Okay I'm ready when you are, let's go" ,Samuel stated as he grinned at Caleb once the man looked back to shoot him a glare. "Ya better hold on because if you fall off....I'm not stopping to let you back on" ,Caleb growled out through gritted teeth before nudging his horse in the sides with his heels gently, instantly sending the horse into a run and nearly throwing Cheshire off of the back almost instantly. Fortunately for Cheshire, his quick reflexes saved him a hard landing and being left behind as he flung his arms around Caleb's waist and held on tightly. "Uh....yeah....this is a little awkward if I must say" ,Samuel stated before laughing softly, knowing he was making Caleb squirm with his closeness.

After Samuel spoke, Caleb again grit his teeth and scrunched up his nose as his horse rode them through the land at a high speed. "Oh I know you just had to vocalize my discomfort Sam, it's what you do best.....make people uncomfortable.....why couldn't you just go to White and leave this to me like you were supposed too?" ,Caleb replied making Cheshire again laugh before responding. "I already told you....it's dangerous" ,he replied in a simple tone as they made their way through the land.
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He could see her. Sitting there in the cell he and Mick were heading straight towards. She looked so sad and hurt and the sight made Rabbit's heart sink. Sure the man wasn't the greatest character in the world but he did care deeply for those he considered friends and seeing any of them in such conditions hurt him more than anyone could understand. As they drew closer and closer to Alice and heard the guards speaking to her Rabbit picked up his pace while Mick growled out of disgust. "Oi'm gonna enjoy killin' dohs two" ,the old fae said mainly to himself as he too picked up his pace along with his furry little friend.

As they got closer to Alice's cell, Mick pulled a garrote wire from the inside pocket of his jacket as Rabbit slipped through the hole inside Alice's cell and instantly went to her side and began sniffing at her hands before snuggling against them while Mick slipped into the shadows of the cell and out of sight from the guards who were now looking to Rabbit with confused expressions written across their faces. The distraction was enough to give Mick and opening to grab one of the guards and throw the garrote wire around his neck through the bars separating them. Once the wire was thrown through the bars and around the guard's neck, Mick caught the other end of it and pulled tightly, the wire digging into the one guards neck and drawing a bit of blood as Mick looked to the other with rage in his eyes.

"Ye signed yer death certificate as soon as de tart av 'armin' dat lassy even crossed yer ignorant mind....goodbye" ,Mick growled out in a dark tone before pressing one of his feet to the bars of the cell and pulling the wire he had around the guard's throat with all his strength. The sound of flesh tearing and bones popping could be heard as blood sprayed across the other guard's uniform as Mick damn near decapitated the man's partner. Once the fae felt the dead weight of the newly deceased guard in the palms of his hands, Mick released the wire and allowed the man's lifeless body to drop to the floor while quickly snatching the keys to the cell off of his belt.

Once Mick had acquired the keys, the fae turned to look at Alice and Rabbit for a moment only to offer a smile to the young woman in hopes that it may make her feel even a little bit better. "We've cum ter bust yer oyt av 'ere an' take yer 'um...." ,he told the young woman causing Rabbit to nod his furry little head before he again nuzzled into Alice. It was so good to see her again even if the situation she was in wasn't great at all. He wanted to free her, just as he had wanted to so many years ago when he first led her down his famous Rabbit Hole and brought her into Wonderland. This world wasn't made for people like them, the hatred and closed mindedness making it a damn near impossible place for those who sought out much more than the 'normal'.

After Mick spoke to Alice he instantly turned his attention to the other guard and looked the man dead in the eyes as the fae stepped into the bars of the cell and reached his hand outside of them to unlock the door. The fact that there was a whole mess of keys on the ring didn't matter although the guard wouldn't know the reason as he frantically went through his own set of keys to try and find the one that would unlock the exit so that he could get away from the large angry looking biker that clearly had the intention to kill him over the young woman that was in the cell. "Ah wud yer luk at dat? First try....aren't Oi a lucky wan?" ,Mick then asked in a slightly arrogant tone as the sound of the lock to the cell door clicked and the fae smirked darkly at the other guard who was now crying and begging for his life while continuing to fumble with his keys.

Mick flung the door to the cell open once it was unlocked before he lunged towards the other guard who instantly dropped to his knees and went to crawl underneath one of the desks. A foolish move made with a fear filled mind only made Mick chuckle as he threw his head back before he took one hand and flipped the desk the guard was under. "Ye can't run from me fella....stop cryin' an' die wi' sum dignity yer filthy pig! What's de matter? not so big an' brutal whaen yer target isn't a cute wee blonde aye?" ,Mick growled out as he grabbed a hold of the guard's shirt and easily pulled the smaller man to his feet and dragged him into the cell. Once he had the crying, shaking mess of a man in the cell he forced him to his knees in front of Alice and Rabbit then leaned down to speak to the man as he kept a firm grip on his shirt.

"Nigh....apologize. Apologize before Oi put ye oyt av yer feckin misery" ,Mick growled out in a low but very demanding tone as he forced the guard to look at the young, innocent woman he and his buddy were about to attack.

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When Lizzie responded to his question saying that there was no time, Jackson raised an eyebrow before he too could hear the splash off in the distance. He then nodded in response after the woman said they needed to get to Clover. After she spoke Jackson stood quietly for a moment to listen to the sounds around them, another splash could be heard as Jackson picked up a scent that didn't belong to either of them nor to any of the men Jackson was with. Then when Lizzie said that it was a matter of life and death and to take her to clover before they were both killed, Jackson nodded again before motioning towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Come on....we'll protect you....." ,Jackson began before bowing his head slightly. "Mi'lady" ,he then added on in a respectful tone. He was hoping his actions would show the woman before him that he indeed meant no harm and he as well as his comrades were looking for the same thing she was.....a safe haven. "I have friends....men from my unit....we mean no harm, we just want to get somewhere safe as well.....we'll protect you for you are in just as much danger as us if not more so" ,Jackson then stated before he motioned with his hand towards someone who was hidden within the shadows. After only a few seconds, two very large men emerged from the darkness and came to Jackson's side.

"This is Auron and Reaper, they escaped Spades with me a while back....they look pretty brutal and that's cuz.....well they are....but.....that makes them some really good allies...." ,Jackson began before another splash could be heard along with heavy footsteps drawing closer. "Alright like you said ma'am there's no time....let's get the hell out of here....whatever's coming behind us.....it's not friendly" ,he continued before motioning for Lizzie to walk behind him and in front of his two comrades as they started towards the exit of the tunnel.