Once Upon A Wondrous Love (A Once Upon A Time Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-One: The Doctor Is In

"Alice? Alice darling it's time to wake up." Alice's eyes opened as a sharp nail scraped against her cheek. Cruella righted herself, glass in one hand and the other recovering from the soft slap she had delivered to Alice's cheek.

"What now?" Alice moaned, her eyes forcing themselves closed as a bright light bore into her eyes.

"You have a visitor...someone you haven't seen in quite awhile." Alice could hardly pry open her eyes and waited until the light was pulled away and she could take in the room she had now been held captive in for three weeks. Footsteps echoed across the cavernous basement room as the tinkling of a pocket watch made her stomach turn. Cruella, standing at the head of the table Alice was strapped to, looked to her left.

A tall man in glasses with a long, bearded face strolled over. HIs suit was old but fine, his shirt was tightly pressed under his vest as he rounded the table and met Alice's eyes. When she saw him, instinct forced her to flinch away. The restraints kept her from getting far as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Alice, it's been so long," he cooed, running a finger through Alice's messy hair.

"Alice, where are your manners? You remember Dr. Bumby don't you?" Cruella asked coyly, finishing off her drink.

"They will find us," Alice cried to Cruella, ignoring Angus Bumby, a man from the nightmares she had swallowed and suppressed for so long.

"I've missed you and our sessions. Cruella has been so kind as to ask me for just one more." Bumby stated in a matter-of-fact tone as he went to a nearby table and began to root through a large leather bag.

"I want the job done quickly, Angus. Those nauseating heroes won't stay away for long...they're like fleas, every one of them." Cruella commanded, shivering at her simile.

"Don't worry. It will be quick as a hare." Bumby purred, not looking up from his bag. Cruella nodded, raised her eyebrows at a dejected Alice and climbed the stairs. Bumby then turned to back to Alice, an all too familiar instrument in his hand.

"Your sister seems rather eager, it is a shame we were never acquainted," he murmured, gesturing to the door where Elizabeth's fingers could be seen. Cruella must have cast an enchantment that blocked all sound and in the glow of the harsh lamp, Alice could just make out Elizabeth's sodden face.

Bumby pulled her chin to face him as he grabbed the lamp.

"We don't have much time, Alice." he said as another instrument to his left roared to life.

"You've used me and abused me, but you will not destroy me again," Alice said, her voice hoarse from dehydration.

"We shall see." 

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Hey guys! Quick authors note: We are slowly coming to the end of the story (I know it's crazy). Now while I did introduce a new character, don't worry. A second installment is in the works for this book that will dive even deeper into this world. Stay tuned for the last *five* chapters and thank you to everyone who commented and voted, you all are wonderful! Also, if you have no idea the relation of Bumby to Alice, check out Alice Madness Returns on Youtube....