Alice In The Mad World Of Wonderland #Wattsy2016

Puppet show!

"Are you sure the faceless won't try to harm us?"
"With me around, you don't even need to worry my Alice! And we won't be in this town for very long." He assured me.  We had just left the house and started our journey to the Hearts castle, when I realized that we were traveling by foot.
"Wait. Don't you have a car? Or a carriage?"
"No. Those aren't needed in wonderland. Besides, if you get tired I can carry you!" He suggested, picking me up and dropping me back down.
"Whaaah! Hey! Don't ever do that again! Stupid dog!"
"See! I told you she'd like it Rina!"
"I did not like that!" I yelled. Hopefully my trip to the castle won't take long!
"It's the Hatter!" A faceless whispered.
"Who's he with?"
"We should be quiet."
"Let's keep our distance or they'll both kill us." Soon, everyone started muttering. I was so annoyed by there gossiping, that for once I did not care whether Hatter killed them or not. But I really wanted to tell them off.
"Just ignore them Alice! Otherwise Rina will have to put on a puppet show!" He told me in a creepily happy voice. Patting the head of his puppet doll.
"The Hatters warning us, let's leave."
"Shhh... Don't say anymore or he'll kill us!" All of the sudden everyone hushed and quickly walked away.
"Hey Alice, can you ask me a bunch of questions please?" He asked me in a rushed tone. I looked at his face. His eyebrows were deepened and his eyes had that insane look again. His smile looked forced. His whole weird expression read that he was trying to hold something back. Maybe this was my chance to get some answers, and he was kinda a worrying me. So I asked away.
"Ok. Well first, what did you mean by 'puppet show'? Second, why do you talk to Rina like she's real? And third, when's the next time I'll see Cat? Oh and there's-" I quickly rushed to my questions before I could forget them.
"One at a time Alice. And only three."
"Why three?"
"That's your first question. Well because I-"
"W-wait! Don't answer that one! What did you mean by 'puppet show'?" I replaced the question as quickly as I could before he said anything else.
"Oh? Puppet show means that me and Rina would set up a show for people to die for. Though the king calls it a "game of chess."
"Game of chess? Do you make puppet shows for a living?"
"Do you really want those to be your last two questions?"
"Wait! No no no no no! Um.. So why do you talk to Rina like she's real?"
"Huh?! Because she's my friend! She lives you know! Rina can only talk to you if you've signed a contract with her. By the way she said Hi."
"How can she say hi with her mouth sowed partially open? And what contra-"
"Haha! You're so curious Alice! Last question?"
"Oh, sorry." I really need to stop asking so many questions. "When's the next time I'll see Cat?"
"Cat? Sorry but I don't know. He just pops up whenever he feels like it. If you want to ask him a question that badly, you should do something interesting to lure him out of his hiding place. He might be watching us at this very moment."
"If he is why don't I just call for him?" If he is around here, then I'm not afraid to call out his name. I needed to know what he meant.
"Hahahaha! My silly Alice! You make me feel better within an instant!" He laughed. Smiling at me cheerfully.
"Huh?"
"Hey look Alice a candy shop!" He pointed at a sign that said, Sweet Treats. "Oooooh lets go there!" He chimed, grabbing my wrist and dragging me into the shop. He looks so happy. It's makes him look kinda cute. I guess I could get some. We walked in to the shop and searched the room for tasty candies and sweets. I searched for something that caught my eye, while Hatter walked around looking for his favorite.
"Ah! Here it is!" He exclaimed. I turned around to see what he was holding and was very surprised to what I saw.
"What is that?" I freaked. It was some type of yellow weird candy. So weird I couldn't explain what it looked like.
"Tea Pops!" He cheered. Throwing the pack into the air, spinning, and catching it.
"T-tea pops?" I choked. Staring at him in disbelief as he grabbed as much packs of Tea Pops as he could.
"Yup! They even have Balloon Licks!" He chirped handing one to me. "Here try one!"
"Uh-Um..."
"C'mon, there the best!" He tried again. This time putting it in my hand.
"How do I even eat it?" I questioned. Staring it down.
"You attach the string to your wrist, and lick it as many times as you can until it pops, this one is strawberry." I glanced at it. I wonder what other crazy foods they have in Wonderland. And this feels like plastic!
"It's not going to bite I promise, watch." He took the balloon from my hand, licked it and handed it back to me."See, now you try!" I looked down at the balloon. H-he wants me to lick this?! B-but he just did, and that would be an indirect!-"You're right Rina! She is stubborn!" He complained, patting Rina's head.
"S-shut up, stupid dog!" I snatched the balloon from him and licked it. It tasted of sweet strawberries that melted in my mouth. Though, after it melted, I felt a popping sensation in my mouth, like Poprocks. I felt as if I was floating on air.
It was delicious!
"If you like it that badly Alice I'll buy you some!" He chuckled. Apparently my expression was a face of non-resistent puppydog eyes that locked onto him, not letting him glance away until he said yes. Once I realized that, I quickly composed myself.
"Y-you don't have to."
"You don't have any money. Besides, I'd love to buy it for you my Alice." He insisted, with a sincere look on his face.