Alice

14. Secret Mission

14. Secret Mission

The next few days went by like a whirlwind. Once I realized that all of this might not last, I started to appreciate the little things, like the clear blue of the sky, the unusual types of birds, the way Jack absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, the funny faces the Queen made sometimes without knowing it...... I decided to savor every bit of it. It might all end, but at least I'd never forget these tiny details.

One day, the Queen said something that caught my attention.

"Alice, I have decided that you shall accompany me on a hunting trip."

"A hunting trip?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea. I was confused. What could she possibly be hunting?

"Yes. Hunting for people who need to be beheaded."

I choked on my tea.

"We shall leave in the morning. Early, but not too early. I need my beauty sleep," she informed me. She lifted her teacup to her lips and took a long sip. Then she looked back up at me. "Why are you still here? I dismissed you."

"Oh. Um.... Okay, Your Majesty. Thank you for the tea." I got up and curtsied. Then I rushed out of the tea garden and back into the castle.

"A hunting trip?! For people?!" exclaimed Brokk.

"That disgusting, murderous-" Jack started, his hands balling into fists.

"Sh, Jack," I soothed.

"She can't kill more innocent people!" he protested.

"She won't. I have a plan." I said.

"I love your plans," Brokk said. I smiled and thanked him.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

"We're going to take back the ruby. Tonight."

All was quiet. It was the dead of night. The three of us padded as quietly as possible down the hallway.

"Brokk, where did you say the Queen keeps this thing?" I whispered.

"In a box next to her bed," he whispered back.

"Next. To. Her. Bed?!" I hissed.

"Um, yes? Did I forget to mention that?" He had a sheepish look on his face.

Great. How are we going to be quiet enough while we are trying to steal something from the Queen that is right next to her?! I thought. We might as well try taking it off her neck!

Even in the darkness, Jack could tell how tense I was. He reached down and took my hand.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "Everything is going to be fine."

"I'm not worried," I lied.

We snuck up to the Queen's door. We had been preparing for this for weeks, so we knew the exact time of night that no guards would be around. I took a bobby pin out of my hair and handed it to Jack, who set to work picking the lock.

"Okay, Brokk," I began. "Remember, you are the look out. That means that if those fantastic bunny-ears pick up the faintest sound, you thump your foot three times. Got it?" I asked him.

"Got it. But Alice?"

"Yes?"

He drew himself up. "I am not a bunny. I am a rabbit."

I smiled. "Of course you are, Mr. Rabbit."

Just then, I heard the deadbolt of the lock click out of place. Jack turned the doorknob, and the door opened easily. "We're in," he whispered.