A Song Named Alice

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Raven steps in front of Loki and Alice, his left arm extending to block them from getting involved in the impending clash. He readies himself for the Mad Hatter and the twins to make their move, knowing better to not make the first strike himself. As his fighting stance, he smirks while holding his hands in his pockets. 

The Mad Hatter taps the twins' shoulders again. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum run for Loki with knives in their hands. However, at a few steps away from Raven, they halt, simultaneously looking at the ground, and blanch. Tweedle Dee freezes his eyes at his feet while Tweedle Dum peers his eyes up to Raven. 

Short knives protrude from the ground at Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum's feet, inches from their toes. Raven's hands stick out from his pockets, at his hips. Loki and Alice take a step back, their faces nearly blanched as well. Loki watches the twins' fingers begin to tremble until they turn to the Mad Hatter. 

"Edwin," Raven shouts, "The Hatter won't hesitate to get his hands dirty. I want you to take Alice and run." His voice changes to a whisper. Alice and Loki perk their ears to hear him. "Find our other two buddies, and have them help you to get somewhere safe. Don't give them your watch either, you'll find out why soon enough." Raven's voice turn back to a yell. "I'll take care of these three and catch up with you later. Now go!" 

Loki grabs Alice's hand, yanking her back. She begins to stir her legs to run, but Loki stutters to get moving to the point that his fingers almost slip off her hand. Before Raven's out of earshot, Loki calls, "You better be fine when we see you again!" 

"Will do," Raven chimes under his breath. "So there's no need to worry." He cracks his fingers and the smirk falls from his face. "But first, I need to take out the trash." 

The twins' cute façade changes to a frown. They squint their eyes while they run at Raven. Tweedle Dum makes the first strike. He throws his leg at Raven's. Nearly at the same time, Tweedle Dee throws his at Raven's other. Gliding back, Raven pushes the twins away. They miss his hand and use theirs to pull Raven forward. He loses his footing and Tweedle Dee elbows Raven in the middle of his back while Tweedle Dum punches Raven in his side. 

Falling to the ground, Raven clutches his side. His legs stumble as he rises, but the twins attack again. This time, Raven pushes Tweedle Dee away while he grabs Tweedle Dum by the collar of his shirt. Tweedle Dum struggles to get loose, but it is to no avail. As Tweedle Dee tries to snatch his brother free, Raven throws Tweedle Dum at him. They both fall onto the ground in a painful crash. 

Raven cracks his knuckles again. "Looks like I underestimated you two." He entices. "You're better than I thought. However, there's no way that you'll beat me." He faces to the Mad Hatter, his eyes filled with disgust. "And you! Why do you let them fight like this, they're ten years old. They're kids." He casts his head away, unable to stand looking at him. "Besides, it would be much more interesting to have you fight me." 

The Mad Hatter shakes his head. "I don't doubt you can say that." He stiffly points at Raven while thrashing his tongue. "But you wouldn't understand! I would take them out of Wonderland if I could, but I can't. No one can. And you're a fool to think you can even take on Wonderland! So mark my words, for interfering with my plan, for getting Dee and Dum involved, and for threatening Wonderland, you will pay. Your worst nightmare will soon find you, and you'll fight him alone, just like last time!" 

"Shut up!" Raven stomps his foot on the ground. He picks up the twins and throws them back down. 

They sloppily stand back up. Their lips tremble as they bleed, but they also notice that Raven's arms are shaking too. Tweedle Dee nods to his brother, whispering, "We can use this to our advantage." Tweedle Dum nods back.