Alice

26. Angels

26. Angels

I looked up at the angel standing there. His jet black hair blew in the wind, his eyes were blue flames, his jaw was set angrily, and his lips were curled back, baring his clenched teeth. In one hand, he pointed a gleaming sword at the Queen, and his free hand was balled into a fist. Not only was he beautiful, but he was also my savior.

Jack had come to save me, I realized. I knew that I should've been angry, because I told him not to come after me. I should've felt afraid because now Jack was in danger, and the Queen could hurt him without any trouble. However, the only thing I felt was happiness. He was here! My Jack was with me. He could help me. He could give me strength. Plus, I could see him once more before I died.

"Jack!" I cried (or rather, croaked).

Jack looked at me, and I saw his face soften. He quickly blinked a tear away. I must look horrible, I thought.

Jack quickly resumed glaring at the Queen. "Let her go, Malcurie," he growled.

"No, I don't think I will," she shot back, a sugary indifference caking her tone.

"Let her go!" Jack ordered, his voice rising.

"Or what?" the Queen challenged. "You'll kill me?" She laughed.

"Let. Her. GO!" Jack yelled.

"No, no, no, NO!" the Queen said in a mocking, high-pitched voice. She pressed her knife harder against my neck, and I groaned involuntarily.

Jack advanced toward the Queen, brandishing his sword. The Queen, without even turning to look at him, said, "Not one more step, Jack." Just as Jack cautiously began to step forward, the Queen aimed a kick directly at my wounded leg. Pain surged through my leg and I cried out. Jack stopped dead.

"Do you really think that you can kill me, Jack?" she questioned him, still not looking at him. "Was that your plan? To just run up to me and run me through? You don't have the courage. You're weak, just like your sad, sorry mommy." With a scream of anger, Jack jabbed at the sneering Queen. She deflected the blow easily. She advanced toward him, slashing at him. He backed up, struggling to block her.

"Funny," said the Queen with a smile. "She couldn't defend herself either. All she could do was run." She advanced closer to Jack. He took a step backwards. But he stood stock still when she taunted him with, "I guess cowardice runs in the family!" Just then, Jack quickly advanced towards the Queen. Since she was already walking towards him, they were only a few feet apart.

In a flash, Jack raised his sword and aimed it directly at the Queen's heart. The sword was long, and the point wasn't more than an inch from her chest. She tried to back up, but Jack just moved the sword point closer to her.

The Queen was struggling to remain calm. "Jack, put down the sword," she said slowly.

Jack didn't move.

She took a deep breath. "Jack, either you put down the sword, or my guards kill sweet little Alice."

Upon these words, the guards suddenly surrounded me. Two of them plucked me off of the ground and held me upright. They forced me to stand on my bad leg, in which the fire grew when I put pressure on it. One of them held me by the neck and pressed a sword point to my temple. Jack looked at me, hesitating.

"Poor, helpless Alice!" crooned the Queen. "Do you really want your 'one true love' to die because of you?" Jack looked from me, to the Queen, back to me. "Put down the sword, Jack," she said again.

"Jack, don't!" I cried. "Don't listen to her!" The guard pressed the sword harder against my skin, and I felt a pain start to grow there. I winced, and Jack saw me. And I know that that is what made him bend down and set his sword at the Queen of Hearts' feet.