A Song Named Alice

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Alice snatches the letter from Loki's hands and ponders over it on the bed. She reads through it multiple times before throwing herself further in the bed, curling in the sheets. Loki sits down next to her. "Alice, this is my bed you know." 

"Be quiet." She grumbles while thinking about the letter. "Besides, what does it matter if this is your bed, you're not using it right now. I don't want to tire myself by sitting up." 

You and your excuses, Loki muses. I'm not so forward that I'd lie down next to you, but it is days like this I'm reminded of the woman I once loved. She was as blunt as you, Alice. If I wasn't using it, then it might as well have been hers for the taking. I wish she was still here, but even I know that she won't come back, the doctors said so, despite what my friends say. I don't need their false confidence anymore, I can live through the fact that she's gone. 

Loki brushes his fingers through Alice's hair. "What are you doing, Edwin?" Alice says as she pushes his hand away. "That's not going to help me think." 

He blushes and he picks up the white envelope. "Sorry Alice, I didn't mean to mistake you for her." Pulling the second letter out, be begins to read it to Alice. "Ah Loki, there's a few last things I forgot to mention. First, I want to tell you where you'll put the pocket watch. You will place it at the base of the tree outside your window sometime this week. Do not make us wait." Loki stares at the letter and mouths the last few sentences over again to make sure he read it correctly. 

Both Alice and Loki's trail outside the window and down the bark of the tree. Gradually, he blinks his attention back to the letter. "I take it that you've checked the tree. The second point I want to make, is about your friend, Alice. However, before I do, I want to ask you: Do you know about Wonderland? If you don't, then ask Alice, she knows all about it. Or you can ask your other buddy, the one with the dark sunglasses and shameful scar. Raven's his name, right? 

"However, Asgard doesn't call him Raven. To us, he's Thor. It's the same for you and Alice: Loki and Midgard Serpent. Though, you probably know her best by another name-Lacie. It's been a long time since you've called her that, hasn't it been? Two years, if I am correct. Speaking of which, you've changed her name quite cleverly; I've always loved an anagram. 

"Now, for the main point that I've been meaning to tell you. There's something I must warn you about-Alice's mission given by Wonderland. She has been given orders to retrieve your pocket watch and hand it over to her superior. I warn you for your own good: Don't fall for any tricks she might throw at you to get your pocket watch. I know I don't seem very trustworthy, I've even threatened you in my previous letter, but I advise you to heed my warning. The Queen of Hearts, the leader of Wonderland, will stoop to dirty tricks to get what she wants. Wonderland is a very dangerous place, and their plans are always rotten. I don't want you be another victim of them. Well, until I see you, this is goodbye Loki." 

Loki stares blankly at the long letter, as does Alice. But a knock on the door takes them out of their trance-like state. He hides both envelopes in his pocket, half-hesitating to open the door, in fear that Asgard is on the other side. 

Before Loki says anything, the man on the other side makes his complaint. "Hey! I was beginning to think that no one was home." He strides in and leans against the wall near the door. 

Loki breathes out a relief. "What brings you here so early in the morning Raven?" 

Swirling around a nearby chair, Raven sits himself down and leaning back, raising the front two legs off the ground. "I had a feeling like you might need my help soon, but never mind about me," Raven points to Loki's pocket with the envelopes. "Seems like you've got something interesting. Hand it over, I want a look."