Lost In Wonderland

11. Mad Men

Ethan's pov 2 because he's a character dear to me.

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"Amelia?" I called out after I went chasing after her into the barren woods. I didn't mean to upset her at all. Everything I said is a bunch of regret. I didn't want to lose her, but that's exactly what I managed to do. At this rate, things would end up like they would have before the masquerade and I didn't need that right now.

I made this picnic not only for the sake of being with her, but so I could tell her that the Hare and I would be going on a very important assassination request and wouldn't be returning in a couple weeks. Exhaling, I turned around to the area where I'd just passed. Could she have made it home safely? She wasn't accustomed to this area. Of course not you dimwit.

Grief. Doubt. Regret. I'm constantly hurting her more and more. Is it because of who I am? Is it because I'm a lunatic? What about her makes her mine?

I pushed aside the dead limbs of the tree and the broken leaves underneath my foot indicated someone had recently passed by. The sky above was no longer visible as I raced deeper into the forest. The direction she went was completely wrong.

Suddenly, a gun went off and the birds scattered from the trees. Ugly, nasty black birds shot up into the air and cawed annoyingly. I darted as fast as I could, ignoring the exhaustion in my legs. They trembled underneath me, but it was my fault she left. I misunderstood her signals. At first, all she wanted to do was get home, but over time, Amelia warmed up to me. No, I warmed up to her. She became family.

My hat nearly fell off as I continued running off in the direction that the sound came from, but luckily my hats never, and I mean never, fall, except that one time. How filthy that would be. For crying out loud, the image scares me. It was tragic when it collapsed onto the chair, but it only fell because I chose Amelia over my hat.

Stopping to catch my breath, I leaned on a tree. Blood created a slight trail below. Sighing, I walked around to the other side, until I saw a horrific scene. A tall figure caught my eye first, before I noticed the bright red dress on the ground, pushed up against the tree like a cornered animal. I wanted to reach out, but the figure began to walk away.

Amelia... Where are you?

The figure on the ground didn't move, so I walked over in hopes that it wasn't her. It's not rare for murders to occur in the woods where no one can see, I would know.

Removing my hat, I bent over to the girl. Her bloodstained dress was hardly noticeable but familiar. Her light brunette hair faded with the hovering trees. I took her grass and blood stained hands into my own to check for a pulse. Slightly, but faint.

I moved aside strands of her hair to reveal naturally pink lips and a pale face. My hand created a fist in the grass before my brain could process what had happened. This girl was wearing the Top Hat necklace that I'd given Amelia.

Hurrying, I popped my hat back onto my head and picked up her body. No heat radiated from it, and she didn't even protest.

"I shouldn't have said those things to you." Was the only thing I managed to say as I dashed off towards the picnic site. My shoes were coated with moss and broke twigs with each step, but that didn't matter at all to me. For the first time in a while, I've had something precious.

The carriage sped off, but even then, the ride seemed to be going at snail-rate. Her eyes were closed, but I imagined her fully functional and happy. It was my fault that she was like this. I shouldn't have let her go. I continued to cradle her body in my arms to protect her from the bumpy road ahead.

Once the garden appeared into view, I placed my arms under her back to easily carry her.

"Welcome back .." Connie began as I pushed past her, leaping out of the carriage and through the doors. The Hare examined us, opening the door with welcome arms.