Lost In Alice

CHAPTER 2: Sandwiches

Allen, Brian and Madame Heart sat together in her office. It was a large office, and had a little tea area to the left of the room. At the right was all business. A large dark oak desk sat with a high-backed chair behind it. It seemed a little intimidating. Gleaming on the desk was a golden nameplate with Madame Heart's name carved into it. But behind the desk they could see a small, curious looking safe. Despite neither of the men speaking they had the same thought. What was inside?
Somehow the smell of the black tea made Allen feel calm, despite the woman across from him watching him like a hawk. Feeling Brian shift next to him, he realized just how long they had been sitting in silence.
"So...." He started.
"There are some rules to follow here," Madame Heart interrupted, "Rule one: Lights out at 10pm. Rule two: Keep things professional." She glared at Allen as she said this, "And the Third and most important rule: No one goes to the fourth floor. Understood?"
Allen and Brian nodded in unison.
"Good. As you both know, you have work to do here. Dr. O'Hare, your doctor's office is located on the third floor. You'll also have an operation room located on the same floor."
There was a pause as everyone took a sip of their tea. Afterwards Madame Heart daintily took one of the finger sandwiches. Allen wasn't feeling too hungry so he simply took another sip of tea.
"Since you, Dr. Hatter, hate the 'common practices' used to care for and cure the patients here will have your own office, but it will be on the second floor." She examined her sandwich haughtily, right before popping it into her mouth.
He really hated the way she was acting. Did she really believe she was better then them?
"Madame, I don't hate the common practices as long as they are used correctly and with the care of the patient in mind. I simply believe that there is a sane reason why these patients think and act the way they do, and if we find it out we can---,"
Suddenly Madame Heart's eyes grew wide and her face turned a pale-ish green. Snatching a napkin, she covered her mouth. Both of them could tell she was spitting out her food. Looking to Brian, Allen could see him pause before putting his first sandwich into his mouth. As Brian pulled apart the pieces of bread, they could see a large black bug wiggling around. A black cockroach.

A few hours later and Allen could still feel the ringing in his ears from Madame Heart's screams. Was she still searching for the one who had pulled that prank? Allen thought of the beautiful blonde girl. "Don't eat the sandwiches." she had said. Did she put those cockroaches in the sandwiches? And why didn't she want him to eat them too?
"I heard we had a new doctor," said a voice from behind him. Turning Allen could see a young boy. Maybe 15 years of age. Lean and agile looking.
He had wild dark red hair that stuck up all over his head. As he smiled widely at Allen, Allen could see the boy had filed all of his teeth into sharp points. A mouth full of fangs? But then that were his claw-like fingernails. If this kid got violent.. He could do some serious damage.
"New people don't last long here," the boy continued in what could almost be mistaken as a purr, "Especially not those who have an interest in helping."
"Why do you say that?" Allen returned.
"Because Madame Heart is only here to help one person. Herself. And anyone who threatens her or her reign gets gone," the boy replied with a twisted grin.
Her reign? Allen thought, Does she believe she owns everyone here?
The kid's snicker brought him back to the real world.
"So did you eat the sandwiches?" he chuckled. The look in his eyes said everything. He had done it, and had either involved Alice or had told her.
"No." Allen's voice was sharper then he had meant for it to be.
"Too bad." The boy the glared harshly at him. "Stay away from Alice. No one around her makes it. Everyone dies. That's why we can't be friends... And neither should you."
"Why do you say that? She seems like the nicest person here," Allen sighed, exasperated with the conversation.
"Because she's a witch and that White Rabbit is her helper from Hell."

"Today's been a day hasn't it," Brian sighed as he laid on his bed, staring at the boring ceiling. Allen nodded in agreement.
Lights out had been called over an hour ago, but the two of them were just too excited to sleep.
"The rules are weird," Allen muttered as he pulled his shirt off. The night was too hot for it.
"I wonder what's on the fourth floor," Brian continued, taking no notice of Allen's comment. "I think we should check it out."
A look of mischievousness glittered in his eyes.
"What and get thrown out the same day we got here?" Allen chuckled, "Thanks but no thanks."
"Fine.. Maybe tomorrow then so its not our first day," Brian joked.
"Maybe." Allen flopped down onto his bed.
Their room was small; fitting only two beds and two dressers. A bright light glowed above them from a single hanging bulb and a small window with bars was open on the wall behind their beds. That was it. Blank and with nothing or no sense of character.
Sighing Brian got up and pulled the lights chain. Darkness covered the room. Allen could hear the squeaking of the old bed as Brian got into his.
"Do you think there's treasure up there?" Brian asked.
"What?"
"On the fourth floor. Maybe the Madame hoards all her treasures up there."
Allen laughed. "Maybe."
"Or dead bodies," Brian joked.
"Not funny."
"With her temper I wouldn't be surprised.... Anyway... Good night Allen. Try not to have any more nightmares. I'm tired of being woken up."
"Good night."
Then he fell silent, thoughts filling his mind. When it was dark and quiet he felt alone to his thoughts, even those that were the most private. It didn't matter that he had a roommate or that it was time to sleep. For some reason he felt the few moments before sleep were his most precious ones.
Who was this Alice girl and why had people claimed her to be a witch? What really was on the fourth floor? What was the deal with the boy from earlier? Why had he sharpened his teeth?
However his thoughts for the night mostly dwelled on Alice. Her smile, her eyes... And her legs. He could feel his face grow hot from the thought.
Its not healthy to think this way, he thought, she's here for a reason. She's not in her right mind. And there's no way I'd take advantage of someone who needs help. I wonder why the boy said she was a witch. Is it because she has an imaginary rabbit? Who is apparently her helper from Hell. Who knows, but I'll find out soon enough...
All he wanted was to help her. With thoughts of Alice filling his head, Allen began to fall to sleep.

Sorry its kinda short. But please feel free to leave your comments or criticisms/suggestions. How do you feel about all the characters? Whose your favorite and why?