𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. ⏱

14. The Machine II

Alice heard a voice approaching, while hiding behind the corner of the corridor. She was in Ascot's mansion while trying to find a way back to Wonderland. She saw a man with ginger hair and a mean look in his eyes.
-Hamish! - Alice has thought. But then she saw someone else there and almost gasped out loud.

-So you're saying that you are friends with Miss Kingsleigh… - The Lord Ascot said.
-Yes! And I need to find her immediately! The Time is so worried I fear his head is going to explode and it would be nasty! - The Mad Hatter said with no clue who he's talking to. - He was shaking me like I was a bag of moon-blooming fruits!
-And again… where do you need to get?
-To Underland of course! I need to hurry!
-Fascinating! - Hamish faked a smile and put his hand on Tarrant's shoulder - Now, would you excuse me, I need to call for someone and you are going to tell them everything again, okay? They need to hear this and I'm sure they are gonna help you with your…problem.
-Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you!
-My pleasure to help such...an endearing man like you! - He hid the disgust he felt. He has never seen such a bizarre human being like this fop in front of him - You and Alice belong together perfectly!
-Thank you!
-Anytime, my friend! - The Lord smiled again. - Please, wait here for me.

Alice waited till Hamish would walk away and then, when the Hatter got closer she pulled him by his coat. He gasped, surprised.
-Shhh! - She silenced him and began to whisper - Hatter! What are you doing here?
-Alice! I found you! Well…looks like it's you who found me first! - He whispered back.
-It was Hamish!
-Yes!
-That Lord who proposed to me! The one who put me in an institution! Why have you come here? He may order to take you away!
-Oh… I thought it was that man who sailed with you?
-No! That was James!
-That explains why he was so surprised when I asked him if he saw you! - He frowned, thinking deeply. - I'm sorry, I hope I haven't spilled too much tea!
-Oh, Hatter! - She hugged him. She was so happy to see him, but also worried that they're stuck here together. - You shouldn't have come here!
-Nonsense! You would do the same for me!

Alice smiled at his words. It was true and she was so happy to have a friendship like this one between them. But there was no time to talk. -We need to get out of here! Quickly! - She said and took a few steps along the corridor and Tarrant followed.
-No! Wait!... The mirror! We have to check it out first! Come this way! - Alice led him to the Lord's office, but she couldn't open the door. -They are locked! - She groaned, pulling at the doorknob.
-I have a solution! - The Mad Hatter pulled out the scissors he took from Alice's mother house. He manipulated them inside the keyhole to open the door. They hoped there was no one inside now and the door was locked from the outside. When they got in, what they found was a mirror shattered into million sharp pieces sparkling on the floor.
They gasped, surprised and disappointed.
At this very moment they heard steps coming from the corridor. Alice quickly locked the door and opened the window. - C'mon! - She got out through the window. Standing on the roof she gave Hatter her hand which he grabbed. It all felt like a dream to him. Now he knew why Alice was so uncertain if any of this in Underland were real. She was uncertain if the Mad Hatter was real.
Well...he felt unreal here. Like he was just a ghost.

They ran away right on time, before some men from the institution found them and tried to take them with them.
Speaking of time, he had his own problem now.

***

-I need you to fix the machine! - He picked him up from the ground by his clothes. Cornelius groaned in fear. They were both inside the dungeons cell. The Doctor had his legs chained to the ground by a long chain.
- You're gonna do it or I'll make you beg for mercy! - Time threatened, his eyes were wide open.
-Wha… What happened to it? Why do you need to fix it? - Cornelius grabbed Time's hands which were holding the collar of his shirt, choking him a bit.
-Stop acting like you don't know what is going on!
-I… I don't know, my Lord! Moreover Tarrant has my notebook! Whatever happened I can't fix it without it! I swear to God!
-If you're lying…! - Time threatened him again, losing his temper. The confused look on Cornelius' face was only making him more angry. He let him go suddenly and the Doctor fell violently on the ground, groaning.