Lost In Alice

CHAPTER 1: A White Rabbit

The buggy hit a rock in the road, bouncing around the men inside its carriage. The taller of the two hit his head on the roof.
"Tsch," he sounded in pain.
"Are you still glad to be traveling by motorcar?" his friend taunted, "A train might have been a better idea."
"Yes but it was your idea and your ideas always backfire," the other countered, "Don't you remember that time you said we should go camping?"
"It was a lovely night."
"Except for the bears...." Both men laughed at the memory. What a night it had been!
Brian O'Hare smirked back at Allen Hatter. Allen rolled his eyes teasingly and looked back out the window. They had been friends since he could remember. Every part of life they had lived they had been together. Through Catholic school where they had met. Through the rugby games. Even through medical school. They had gone for different fields in the medical career but had always stayed close. They were even roommates.
Allen was tall. At least 3 inches taller then Brian and he was 6 foot even. Where Brian had golden curly tame hair, Allen had an unkempt mess of dark hair. Brian's eyes were green and Allen's were a dark brown. They were pitiful and lonely when he had first met Brian, but now they were full of life and excitement. He was living. Something that had been hard for him as a small child.
"There it is!" he exclaimed in excitement as their destination came into view.
A large Gothic building that almost looked like a castle stood tall. Four stories tall. Almost proud looking even. Twisted black iron gates surrounded the grounds, decorated with gruesome gargoyles. They almost looked like the were the guards ready to tear apart any escapee. Bars were on the first and second story windows but not on the third or fourth. What if someone fell?
Of the hundreds of trees that surrounded them not one was on the gated grounds. As Allen stepped out of the now parked car he could see in what disarray the asylum was really in. Overgrown grass had covered the cobblestone walkways. The grass was not only overgrown as well but full of weeds. The paint on what he could only guess was the tool shed had started to peel. Clearly it wasn't just the patients that needed help.

Luckily the inside looked better than the outside. Long hallways stretched for what seemed like eternity down to the left and right. The massive entry hall had a grand staircase spiraling upward.
"All the patients live down the left corridor," their guide said sounding drone. She was obviously bored. She continued, "All employees that live here have rooms down the right corridor."
"What's upstairs?" Brian asked.
"Come on, I'll show you," she replied, her voice keeping the same tone and excitement level.... Which was none.
Coming to the top of the stairs they could see a common room; patients were walking around, some huddled in corners talking to themselves, and others playing chess. One patient drew all of Allen's attention.
A couch was turned to the window and over the back he could see two long white legs swinging back and forth. He could hear some humming too.
A sharp pain shot through Allen's ribs. "Did you hear anything she said?" Brian asked.
"N-no."
"All of the offices are up here. And of course the common room as you can see. Next floor up are where the operation rooms are. Guess you'll be working on this floor?"
"Y-yeah," Allen muttered. Then he turned to the guide, "What's on the fourth floor?"
"That floor is restricted," she replied, her eyes growing wide.
A show of emotion, Allen thought, this is a first all day. What's so important on the fourth floor?
The sounds of the sweet haunting humming drafted back to his ears and penetrated his heart. Quickly he looked back to the couch where he had seen the legs.
Still there.
"Can we talk to them?" Allen asked the guide his eyes not leaving the swinging legs.
"Well... You do have some time before Madame Heart is ready to meet with you. I suppose it would be okay."
Brian and Allen looked at each other then back to her.
"The Madame will meet you here when she's done with her.. Er, appointment." With that the guide turned and walked away.
"Go on, I know you're curious," Brian teased, pushing Allen towards the humming. "Go meet the crazies."
Hesitantly Allen dragged his feet across the tiled floor. As he approached the couches his feet caught on the Indian rugs and he nearly tripped onto his face. Several patients watched him with either blank or confused faces. The humming had also stopped...
Suddenly the legs disappeared and a couple eyes appeared over the back of the couch, staring at him. They were the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.
Two big bright blue eyes shined, staring right at him; not blank or confused, but excited and playful. On her head he could see radiant blonde hair. Gracefully she slipped over the couch and stood staring up at him, not caring about her unladylike conduct. Her blonde hair waved down to her waist and she looked to be a young adult. Even though her stature was smaller , she was womanly. His heart skipped a beat. She was... Beautiful. It was the only and most perfect word for her.
"You're the new doctor," she said with a smile. "Can I be your patient?" she played with her fingers nervously before continuing, "I don't like the electro therapy..."
"I-I... Uh, um, y-yes," Allen stuttered. "I'll try to help as many of you as possible."
"Thank you Allen," she replied, a huge smile still dominating her face, but it quickly changed to a look of concern, "Or is it proper to call you Dr. Hatter?"
How does she know my name, he thought, feeling as if he had been treated with electro therapy, who told her?
As if sensing his shock she quickly tried explaining, "The White Rabbit told me. Your name I mean. He's my friend."
Of course... She's a patient. His heart dropped. She's seeing things that aren't there. She must have heard my name from one of the employees or the Madame.
Deciding to change the subject seemed like a good idea.
"What's your name," he asked her kindly.
"Alice."
"Its a pretty name."
She giggled.
Feeling eyes other than hers, Allen turned to see a woman watching him closely through squinted eyes and with pierced lips. She was a slightly larger woman with dark, blood red hair. It was worn in a high bun with a couple strands running free. Was it for fashion or due to stress? He couldn't guess which. She wore a dark blue dress with a high collar. Didn't she know it was 1940? Why did she look so depressing?
Brian was busy talking to her but her eyes were fixed on Allen.
Turning back to Alice, Allen could see she was focused on the newly entered woman as well.
"The White Rabbit says we should leave now. We don't want you to be late," Alice said softly, almost like she wasn't even addressing Allen.
"A-alright. Is there anything else the White Rabbit says?" Allen asked, trying to be kind.
"Yes," Alice got onto her toes, leaned into Allen, and whispered in his ear, "Don't eat the sandwiches."
"O-okay..."
Alice waved to him as she skipped off down the hallway. He had no idea where she was going, but he wanted to go with her. Instead he turned to the newcomer and his friend.
"I see you've been, what's the word? Mingling with our patients," the woman said honey poisoned voice with a dash with a of resentment.
"Something wrong with getting to know your patients?" Allen asked calmly, and almost challengingly.
"Not at all," she laughed. It sounded forced. "Lets go to my office where we'll discuss you duties and arrange your life here at Saint Heart's. I am Madame Heart."
As she turned her back and began to make her way to the third floor Brian made a face as if to say, Oh la di daa. Allen couldn't help but give a silent snicker. He hadn't known his new boss for long, but he already felt like he wouldn't like her.

Comments and insight are welcome :)