Alice

19. Tarts

19. Tarts

I was dragged through the castle and into a room that I'd never seen before. It was a court room, with a high judge's podium, a witness stand, a jury box, the prosecutor's seats, and the defendant's section, which I could barely see because it was partially hidden by the prosecutor's area. However, I could tell that there were four seats in it, two of which were empty. Everything was a deep colored wood, and there were no windows. The air was cold and still.

I didn't stop fighting. I kicked and struggled. I screamed, "Let go of me! LET GO OF ME!" the entire time. Only when I saw everyone staring at me did I quiet down.

I refused to bow my head, to look timid and scared, embarrassed and subdued. No, I kept my head held high. I scanned the room. Many creatures that I had met in Wonderland had been summoned to jury duty. The Cheshire Cat, the March Hare, Martha, and the Doormouse all were there, and so were tons of servants and heralds.

The Queen of Hearts sat alone in the prosecutor's box. She flashed me a menacing smile, which I returned with a glare.

I balled my hands into fists and punched the Seven of Diamonds, who was holding my right arm. Bewildered, his grip on me loosened. The Ten of Clubs was also shocked, and for a moment, I was barely being held. I started to slip free of their grasps, when I felt the sharp point of a spear pressed against the small of my back. The Eight of Spades had been paying attention.

"No more fighting," he growled.

I stood still while handcuffs were locked onto my wrists. The guards were about to grab me again, when I said under my breath, "I can walk."

I marched forward, no longer struggling. My head was still high, and I met the gaze of every jury member as I passed them.

When I came to where the Queen sat, I glowered at her. Even after I'd passed her, I kept giving her the Evil Eye. I was herded into the suspect's box and forced to sit down in one of the empty seats. I only looked away from the Queen when the trumpets sounded.

"All rise for His Honor, Judge Shawee!" announced a herald. We all stood.

A small, timid-looking man took a seat behind the podium. He was old, with spectacles set on the bridge of his nose. He wore a black judge's robe and a white powder wig that was way too big for him. He had to keep pushing it up out of his face. He would've been quite comical if my predicament hadn't been so serious.

"Be seated," he squeaked, in a small voice. Why should he be scared? I thought. He's not the one being accused of being a thief! I could see that he kept eyeing the Queen nervously, and I knew: he was afraid of her, so he was going to do anything to make sure that she got exactly what she wanted.

"Court is now in session," he said, banging the gavel twice.

"Um, excuse me?" I asked, raising my hand. "I was brought here without knowing the charges against me."

He peered at me through his glasses. "Alice from the world Above, you have been charged with being an accomplice in a theft."

"An accomplice? To whom?" I questioned.

"The Jack of Hearts."

I almost fell out of my chair. I suddenly realized that I hadn't even noticed who was sitting in the other three seats. The one to my right, the one that should've been filled by my lawyer, was empty.

I turned to my left. I kept my eyes on the floor, not really wanting to know if he was there. I didn't think that I'd be able to handle it. But I forced myself to look, so slowly, ever so slowly, I raised my gaze.