An Inkwell's Stain //BATDR Fanfiction\\ [Female Reader]

Chapter Fifty-Seven [A Thrilling Shock]

Your body felt stiff as you fidgeted awake. Where am I? The air around you was stuffy, making it hard to breathe. There was a flickering light beyond your eyes, and you could only just make it out through your closed eyes.

'Ah, awake at last...' A strangely distorted voice called from a bit in front of you. You opened your eyes slowly and gazed ahead, finding Alice Angel staring back at you form across a dinner table. There were fancy candles lighting the food slayed onto the table, with many Lost Ones with bags over their heads to accompany you. You tried to move your arms, only to find that you were strapped to a chair, forced to dine with a demonic angel.

'I was almost afraid you would miss my party...' Alice said with a twangy whine in her overlapping voice, making you wince. Your head started to spin as she spoke, it was almost as though two people were speaking at the same time. 'What... Wh...' you cringed and lowered your head, a ringing in your ears. 'Did I hit you too hard? Sorry...~' Lifting your head, you saw Alice smirking at you as she leaned in a relaxed position in her own comfy chair.

'What's... what's going on?' You say quietly, looking to all of the poor Lost Ones who were joining you in this party. 'Oh, seems you're just a little overwhelmed...' Alice cooed and played with her hair, her smile not faltering. 'It's alright honey, I understand... it's not everyday you get to bask...' She placed her hand over her heart and closed her eyes in pleasure.  'In the glory of an angel!~' She cried, a higher-pitch to her voice.

'You don't look like an angel to me.' You say simply, trying hard to ignore the pang on your head. Alice grimaced before hopping out of her chair. 'Hold that slimy tongue of yours, demon follower. I'm here to wash away those sins of yours... angels are always right.' She walked slowly over to where you were, somewhat threateningly. 'Alice Angel is what you will call me, that's who I am. That is who I am.' Did she sound unsure in that last line?

'...Sent from Above... impending perfection.' She stopped halfway and flicked her hair off her shoulder and it sloppily fell behind her back. Even though she was threatening you, you felt a little bad for her. Henry had told you that she had been manipulated and beaten down by Joey's words, and it seems she still clinging onto them. You shook your head, focussing. 'What do you want?' You say coldly, staring into her eyes of ice. You didn't want her to know you were afraid of what she could do.

At your words she cackled and guffawed, finding your predicament hilarious. 'Ah, right to the chase, are we? I like that about you...' She started to walk again, going past the limp bodies of the Lost Ones as she trailed her ink hand along the chair's backs. 'The truth is, honey... you're one of a kind!' She reached you and laid her hand on yours affectionately, making you drive your head further back into the chair in fear.

'One of a kind?' you ask, squinting with suspicion at her icy gaze. She giggled and nodded. 'One of a kind... no one down here has what you have, and... to put it bluntly...' She dug her long pedicured fingernails into your skin and pain shot up your arm as you clenched your teeth and hissed through them. 'I want your face removed... your skin peeled away like paper, and your inside torn out and tossed onto my table!' She got her face close to yours and sweat roled down your back. She was a mad-woman.

'You're insane!' you spat, and Alice snickered at that. 'I'm only this way because of what you follow, sweetie... your human-like parts would be perfect for my delicious harvest...' Your face went pale as you noticed her tongue lick her lips at the thought. She calmed down and let go of your hand, smiling sweetly at you. It made your skin crawl. 'And with your generous sacrifice...' She walked behind your chair and came around the over side, making you turn your head to look at her.

'I'll... finally be beautiful. I understand now...' She grabbed your chin gently and studied your face. 'I was going about this all wrong. I killed the perfect ones to make up for my imperfections... but what I needed was purity, not perfection. And who better to give me purity than a child? Your generosity won't go unrewarded, honey...~' She let go of your chin and jumped off the stage of your chair.

'So you'll kill me for your own selfish gain?' She stopped smiling and glared at you. 'I just want what was promised to me. Surely you can understand that... how were you led here? Candy?' She giggled and taunted you, to which you looked down. 'I just... wanted to have fun...' She stared at you for a moment before her grin widened. 'Fun you say? Well that I can certainly do... Mother taught me to not play with my food, but I'm sure she's make an objection for this...~' 

She walked over to the closest Lost One and rested her hand on the chair's back. 'How about a game? Let's all play a game of riddles! Oooh, riddles?' Her voice went high again and overly sweet and cheery. 'Oh I love riddles, what a splendid idea!' Was she pretending to be two different entities, or was she? You couldn't tell. 'No.' you say nonchalantly, making Alice stop and snarl at you. 'Hm... alright, honey. Here's the deal.' She walked up to you again and laid her hand on your shoulder. You tried to shake it off, but it wouldn't budge.

'Behind you is the door to freedom, but it will only open if you solve my little puzzle... and return to your special chair.' She walked back over to her chair and then gestured to a lever beside her. 'Then I'll throw this... heavenly switch here...' She glided her hand along it lovingly, making you feel sick. 'If you get the puzzle right,' she sat down back in her chair. 'You walk away! Get it wrong...' she giggled hysterically and held her hands together tightly in joy. 'You'll fry!'