Chapter 08 Memories: Brings Pain to Someone's Chest

The Lost One in Alice's Garden

ARC 2 Clover Forest

Chapter 08 Memories: Brings Pain to Someone's Chest

He doesn't know why he must suffer on their hands. He was born and abandoned by his parents, but... isn't the same with the other kids?

So why? Why he is the only one that needed to experienced washing dishes with bare hand while using cold water during winter; cleans the porcelain windows alone; mops the wooden floor till they can use it as mirror, which is impossible since it is so old and rusty; gets slap on the face even it is not his fault; ignored during meals, that he only can eat the left over, that most of the time there are none.

The last drop of his strength was finally vanish after he was drown in the cold lake next to their orphanage house.

Black hair and golden eyes, lanky and bony body.

His face is buried on his knees, faint sobs can be hear.

"Such poor soul." Alice, is what everyone claims she is, tries to reach him with her hand but was held when grab by something.

Her eyelids opens revealing pair of dull grey eyes, staring at her hand that up in the air, being held by another person's hand.

"Good! You're finally awake!" Her eyes travels to search for the owner of the voice, and it quickly found its preys.

Next to her is Hatter sitting and holding her hand, have smirk on his face, he looks relief. Behind him is Cheshire, standing with his wrist resting on his waist, have lopsided smile and look relief as well.

The maiden tries to sit up, and thanks to Hatter who helps her that she able to.

She sighs and looks around her.

"We're still in the forest and far from your destination, Little Kitten." Cheshire informs her, aware that she wanted to know their location right away.

"Hey, you okay now? That's a really bad experience there!" Hatter commented, reminding her of the fight against those Golems. "They are normally peaceful fellas, only bypassing and letting you feel a... little... earth shake. That's the first time I see them hurt someone."

"Hey Kitten! What did you done to receive such treatment from them?"

"Beats me... I have no slightest idea why they've tried to kill me."

"By choking you to death? They are really mad that they don't care of their comrades. You sure you didn't done anything?"

She shrug her shoulder, "Believe me or not, your own choice, don't fucking care."

"Wooh such vulgar language! Told yah! Don't lump with Hatter too much!"

"Huh?! How it is become my fault?!"

"Because you are the only one who talks without manners!"

Kitten—The Nameless sighs before she travels her sight to their surroundings, letting the older ones quarrelling like an old married couple.

After looking around, she glance down at her self, she's wet, proof that she's in the river a while ago, that it wasn't just a nightmare; and as she continue on gazing at her hands she finally noticed that it's trembling, her dull eyes widen, the girl without name is shaking terribly, she uses her other hand to hold down the other but it didn't do any good. She knows that it is not from coldness she felt, but from the experience she has against the Golems.

To be honest, she is still scare and feel like they are just around looking at her, seeking a chance to kill her. She started breathing heavily, although she tries to control it, the fear inside her is winning over.

Cheshire hums in curiosity after noticing the shorter girl's shoulder motioning up and down.

Hatter turns when he realise that Cheshire is checking something from behind him. His eyes widen, she's convulsing and seems like it won't stop any second now.

"Oi you—" before he could ask, the girl have collapse for the second time; and the last thing she hears are worried voices of the two.

'Why are they worrying over me? They can just ignore me. Why did they even save me? Why? I am simply nothing but a tool to destroy this world.

Just what I really am... I'm just a tool to their—'

Static noise plays, that soon went over, a little girl is on an office, sitting on the couch with her parents, across from them is another man wearing suit, and they seems discussing something but it is inaudible.

Base to the adults reactions though, one could tell that they seems celebrating something.

The girl without name woke up, and the very first thing she noticed is the starry night sky. Such beautiful sky, almost the same with what she remembers yet completely different from the strange place she currently in, feeling nostalgia by just staring at it.

She still doesn't know who she is, on what she is. Maybe, maybe, maybe she might be really named Alice, but there's side of her whom shouting that Alice is not hers' and definitely should not be accepted, no matter what are the circumstances.

But she's more puzzle about those dreams she have. It's definitely not hers' or at least maybe the second one might be hers', but the first one? Who is that kid? Such a poor one.

She hopes it is not someone that really exist, and if ever he is, she hopes someone has already save him.

'Ugh... why I feeling like this?' she rant internally.

Her head turns to side where the source of orange light is. Hatter is sitting in front of the flickering fire, while Cheshire is sitting on a thick branch at a tree behind the man, his right leg is swaying back and fort.

She's kind of surprise seeing the two aren't quarrelling or even making any noise, and what makes her even more curious is why these two are with her. Did they follow her? And if ever, why are they staying?

The shifting of her arm when she tries to sit up gains the two attentions. She sit up properly this time of her own, and sighs when she successfully able to do so.

"How are you feeling?" Hatter looks concerns, and even the cat man is good at hiding it, the nameless one can sees such expression of concern on his face.

But why?

The shorter girl nodded after heaving a breathe and sighs.

The two finally sighs in relief, which is something that really makes her wonder.

"Geez don't scare m—Hatter like that!"

"Huh?! What are you talking about?! Its YOU who were worried! You are panicking like the world is ending!"

"No I am not. Its YOU Little Fairy!!"

She sighs, again this two quarrelling again, it seems to be that they are just simply resting.

But why? Why she feels like smiling while watching them? They doesn't seems getting along but at the same time they look-like a couple.

She watches them, having no intention to stop them; honestly she's enjoying it.

'It's been a long time since—hmm?' she halted to her thoughts when suddenly realising what is she thinking. "Long time"? When is that time she's thinking about? She doesn't remember anything, she doesn't even know if she's really not from this world, nor where is her real home, or if there's home that she can look forward into.

Right now, all she really wish is everything would become clear once she able to gather these Alices.

*****

Under of the beautiful clear blue sky is a huge garden filled with pretty white roses that obviously tended carefully. The flowers presents their beauty to the world, a beauty that could melt someone's anger, fear and any of sort—that was supposedly the case.

The guards that are stationed at the entrance of the garden are sweating and succumbing to fear. Along with them are two maiden and an old man, and all are trembling, sweating, with their knees on the ground and their hands clasped in prayer, why? Their feelings don't match the place where they are; they should be filled with joy, contentment, and love.

The reason for these odd behaviours is standing at the centre of flower field, quietly gazing at the white rose while her slender fingers is brushing the edge as if mesmerizing it's every detail.

However, this doesn't seem a good sign for the gardeners.

"What is this?" her tone is elegant yet it brings poison to those whom near.

"We—we're sorry Your Highness!" The eldest gardener quickly take an action fearing the silent could make the royal person angrier than she already is, although it'll might be for nothing. "It turns out that we purchased the wrong colour!"

"Pl—please! Forgive us Your Majesty!" another one pleads, hoping their master would have change of heart, even for a second.

The three gardeners have their foreheads touches the ground, pleading for their lives.

Who wants to die just because they've raised wrong colour of roses?

Who will punish someone just because they've raised a wrong colour of flowers?

"My Queen!" from above a gust of wind hits the garden and its occupants lightly. The Queen didn't budge, nor the gardeners whose minding their own lives than the newcomer. His black combatant boots touches the ground gently and kneel next to the Queen.

The Queen has dark brown long hair tied in pair of doughnut style with tails on both rings, decorated with golden crown and other hair accessories. Don in Chinese style Red Empress robe with gold flame embroideries. What could catches everyone's eyes every time they are looking at her, is her pair of beautiful blue ocean eyes that can see through everything.

She turns to the man donned in knight blue armor with blank expression, then return to the rose in her hand.

"What is it?" The beautiful queen asks not turning away from the rose on her hand.

"I received a report about a new Alice." The blue-haired knight with unicorn horn in the middle of his forehead reported.

"Hmm… what a surprise; Little Dream still has power to call another one." Elegant smile appears on her face, not removing her gaze to where it's been focus on. "What about the golems?"

"They chased is what they believe to be Alice but…" he glance at the queen whom not giving her full attention to him, as he waiting for any kind of reaction. "A guy called Hatter and the broker Cheshire helped her."

"Oh is that so?" The knight nodded, deepening his head, "How nice of them…" she hums, "Hatter?" The Queen cocks an eyebrow in question "Who's that?"

"A hat maker… at least that's what I heard."

She hums again, "And Cheshire?"

"You knew her my Queen."

"Aah! That sneaky cat that tends to break in here! I see. I wonder if they are tired of their daily lives."

"Maybe they are."

"Where are they going now?"

"According to our informant, the Alice is still choosing between Bandersnatch's lair and the Duchess' Mansion."

"Awe! Didn't even consider mine!"

"They were strongly recommended by those two weirdoes."

She snickers, which tickles the knight's ears, "Calling them weirdo when you are weirdo yourself!"

He pouted "I'm not my Queen!" he whispered, barely audible to anyone near and it is a question if the queen ever hears him.

Her eyes narrows as her fisted hand covers the smile on her mouth.

"Lan Ying!" The Queen calls the attention of one of the gardeners, 'Lan Ying' immediately with fear lace on his voice answers. "I'll give you three days to fix this."

Everyone has wide eyes, for the first time their queen gave a chance to live.

Making sure the queen's decision won't change anymore, the gardeners quickly leave the place to see what they can do to please her; of course they left after giving their utmost sincerity and manners to her.

They are so happy, knowing their lives have been extended, but who knows for how long.

*****

The Queen is currently walking on the hallway of her palace with her knight tailing behind her, still has smile on her face that never fade since receiving the report about the new Alice.

"Your Highness, what shall your sentence to the new Alice?" the blue haired knight asked.

She hums while thinking what course of action must be taken.

"Visit Bandersnatch's lair." This confuses the knight, "Decide what to do next, my knight."

The Knight bows; it's up to him what must do. Devious smirk appears at his face. 'This will be fun~' he thought.

He stand straight showing nothing of that devious face he just made and walks out the garden and blue feathers has sprouted from his back.

Wings. Four blue wings grants themselves to the world, and carries its master towards the sky, leaving the completely unamused Queen who shrug, "Always a show off~" she mumbles.

"Now then. I hope my new playmate would make it out." The Queen sings quietly with those smiles that haven't fades.

Supposedly.

As she continues her journey down the hallway, slowly the smile turns into frown "Alice huh…" no one is around to see the frown that housing the beautiful face of the queen, "How hateful…"

"Your Highness." Soft voice stops the queen from her steps, she didn't turn or make a step any further, and she just waits for the maid to speak. "How this servant could serve Her Highness?"

Smile once again houses the gorgeous queen before she turns to the maid.

"Ahh~ Gabbi, I want you to prepare a gift for the Duchess." The queen narrows her eyes while thinking, "A bouquet of golden-rod with monkshead."

"Golden-rod with monkshead, Your Highness?"

The queen nodded "Yes, can you do it?"

"Yes Your Highness." 'Gabbi' who has grey dull eyes and black long hair tied in single bun and wearing white Chinese robe with red embroidery bows down to the shorter queen. "I'll do it right away."

"Thank you Gabbi!" The Queen smiles before turning her heels and left, "You're always reliable."