Down the rabbit hole

CHAPTER 6

Hatter. He was the Mad Hatter.

She froze in place and her smile disappeared almost instantly. She was scared. She wanted to get up and run but her legs didn't work and her breathing began to be irregular. She felt as if she was drowning in shock. The boy's eyes were bright and his dimples were also shining. He looked anything but crazy. He looked innocent, he was nice, he was smiley and all... Alice should have known better than to hide in a bush with a boy she had never met, and know she was in this situation. Alice had hoped she wouldn't have to be in this situation, the thought of becoming crazy since everyone here was, scared of her. Why was it him who had to be beside her? Why here? Why now?

'You look like you have seen a ghost.' Hatter laughed, and Alice did not respond. She had to go. She had to run. Alice couldn't stay here, what if she was also here? Would she inflict pain to her? She did not want to find out.

'Oh! Pardon me, Ijust forgot something and Imust leave right away. Good day.' She finally got up and turned to walk in the direction she came from. Until a hand grabbed her wrist lightley.

'You will miss Tea Time and that is Nono.' He pulled her towards him as they walked out of the bush. Alice's eyes went wide and she tried to pull her hand out of his grasp.

'I really must decline your offer. I can not have Tea.'

'Nonsense! Everyone can have Tea.'The Hatter didn't listen as he kept on walking towards the long table where the animals laughed and shouted, like mad people.

Alice wanted the ground to open up and swallow her right then and there.

'Hey guys!' He called and all the animals started to look at them.'I bought a new guest.' Alice stood still behind the Hatter.'Don't be shy, they don't bite. Unless you touch their cups of tea.' He whispered in her ear.'They are really possessive over their drink.'

Everyone then became silent. All their eyes were on the poor blond girl. Her heart was going to explode. Her hands were grabbing her dress with force, her nerves were everywhere. Her eyes scanned the place and she was surprised to see all kinds and sorts of animals. There was a pig with dark chocolate syrup on his back. There was a zebra with multicolored stripes, a snail with a hat and a suit... Many animals wore things, others where things. There was a pair of shoes that were on the table moving up and down tapping itself on the table, as if talking.

Alice contained her breath for a few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak.'Hi.' Those were the only words that left her mouth before she could say anything else.

'Hatter! Where were you?' One of the animals said.

'Does she know how to fill holes with toffee? I really need a new pair of socks.'

'Her hair is blinding.'

'Look at her dress, it's all mukey and dirty.'

'She reminds me off–'

'All right people. I need you to hold your beeks for a second.' And they did. Some of them held their mouths shut, literally, and all kinds of birds hid their mouths with their wings. Hatter made everyone quiet, and Alice realized that maybe he must be someone important. 'I need you all to make room for her.' And so they did. Some of the animals didn't move and the ones next to them climbed on top of the one next to them and stayed there. Others got on top of the table and were knocked off by their friends. Cups were spilled and biscuits were broken. Alice didn't know what to say, not that she wanted to.

The Hatter grabbed her hand and guided her towards a chair next to one that was even bigger; it was of a very bright red, the reddest of them all. The chairs were of all different colors and sizes. Evn brands. Some animals were sitting on stools, some of them were juggling in the background, some stood up on the chair because they couldn't reach for the food on the table... Alice's eyes were as wide as they could be. Her mouth was wide open in shock until The Hatter placed his hand on her chin and made her close it. 'We don't want any flying butter bread butterflies to think your mouth is a cozy house.' Alice looked at him and stared into his hazel eyes. 'Come and sit. Your Tea is ready.' Alice could jut follow him to her chair. The boy offered her sit next to him and smiled at her. Alice couldn't figure out what was going on but she tried to relax.