The Night We Met || Tarrant Hightopp x Reader||

[3] Such Maddening Misery

"Such a disgrace."

"No wonder she can't find a husband."

"I'd be ashamed if she were part of my family."

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Y/n woke up with a gasp. As she sat up, her breath slowed. "Now I'm the dreamer..." She whispered. Alice was still asleep, her body cuddled up close to her aunt.

Y/n rubbed her eyes, some makeup that she had worn at the party smudged, but she didn't care. Nothing else mattered at this point other than Alice and... maybe Hatter.

A loud sniff against the hat made the woman shoot up. Alice awoke to the noise as the hat was tipped over. The sun blinded them as it had been dark. It was cloudy, but it still shined in the sky.

Y/n glared at the familiar dog. "You turncoat! You were supposed to lead them away! The Hatter trusted you!" She yelled while standing up. The dog stood while staring them down.

"They have my wife and pups." He spoke sadly, his ear drooping as he spoke of them.

Y/n felt a twinge in her heart. He was telling the truth, she knew because of the sad look in his eyes. "What's your name?" She asked.

"Bayard." He replied. Y/n stepped forward and reached up with a hand. Bayard leaned forward as she pressed it against his cold and wet nose.

Alice stood up and stared Bayard down. "Sit." She commanded. All he did was cock his head. "Sit!" Alice spoke more in a commanding tone.

Amused, Bayard followed her orders as he plopped down. "Would your name be 'Alice' by any chance?" He asked, his attention on the blonde girl.

"Yes, but I'm not that one." She replied while crossing her arms.

"The Hatter would not have given himself up for just any Alice, or ladies in this case." Bayard panted a bit, his head now resting on the ground. "I have been told of the one who shall fight the Knave. Is that you?" He based, directing his question at Y/n

She moved her hand to rest on his head. "Yes, it seems to be." She then bit her lip. "Bayard, where have they taken him?" She asked, rubbing his fur.

"To the Red Queen's castle at Salazun Grum." His voice was sad as he spoke. He felt bad for what he had done.

Y/n continued to pet his fur as she stared back at the hat. Everyone had the same look in their eyes. There was so much pain in them all. She sighed. "We're going to rescue him." She started

"That is not foretold."

"I don't care. He wouldn't be there if it weren't for me!" Y/n argued while taking her hand off. "He has risked his life so that this prophecy would go through. I am not letting him get killed over this."

Bayard let out a small whine. "The Frabjous Day is almost upon us. You must prepare for the Jabberwocky and the Knave."

Alice clenched her fits tightly. "I have had quite enough!" She yelled. Y/n flinched back in shock from the outburst. "Since the moment I fell down that rabbit hole, I've been told what I must do and who I must be. I've been shrunk, stretched, and stuffed into a teapot."