A Song Named Alice

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Loki, Alice and Raven continue to travel down the straight pathway. Raven's pace is steady, but quick in order to hasten to their destination. At one point Loki calls out to Raven. "Hey, where are we going?" He says. "More importantly, how are you involved in all of this? I mean, is the Mad Hatter, an old sparring buddy, really the only person?" 

Raven hesitates at first, but gives in as soon as he notices Loki's expression. "This passage leads to a place near the center of town, it's not much farther, and once we get there we'll hit a massive crowd that we can blend in with. Neither Wonderland, nor Asgard can attack us then without attracting attention. If discovered, the police will undoubtedly take action against them and their groups will be terminated. Not one of the organizations can afford to make that mistake in this mission." 

As Loki waits for his other answer, but when he doesn't get one, his thoughts start to go wild. Did I hit a nerve with Wonderland and Asgard? No, that's not quite it. It's something else, I just know it! First, it has to be very personal. Second, I bet it has to do with Wonderland more than Asgard, I get the feeling it is. He was calm when he read the letter, but more on edge when he faced the Mad Hatter and those two boys. Yet, I still can't place who it could be. Do I even know the name? He'll tell me, I know Raven will, so let's ask these slowly, one at a time. 

"Okay, so how did you know about them beforehand, before I did?" Loki asks. 

Facing Loki, Raven blocks the path. "I know about Asgard for a couple of reasons: the Mad Hatter and I go way back, mostly when we spar for fun. I also know about it from Erik and Meg. They also told me a little about Wonderland and said that all of it is in case you should get involved with their problems later on. I don't know how he could predict such a thing but my guess is on the fate Skuld; Erik told me that I was to be informed by direct order of Odin." 

Loki interrupts, "Odin? As in the leader of Asgard, that Odin?" 

"Kind of, but not quite. Moving on," Raven quickly says so that Loki could not question about it further. "I was told about all this and about something that happened after the first incident two years ago. I'm told I have to rid the memory of anyone who knows about what happened back then, except for myself, Meg and Erik, and of course, you two. Your secret is safe with me, Edwin." 

"My secret?" Loki blabs in complete confusion. 

"I've said too much." He glances away. "Ignore the last part, it is of no concern to you." Raven starts to speed ahead, leaving Alice in his dust. 

Loki presses on as he runs with Raven's pace. "It is of my concern if it is a secret of mine. I should be allowed to know about it. The owner of a secret is supposed to know the secret before anyone else." 

Raven runs faster and Loki is forced to do the same. Alice calls out to both of them in a desperately. "Wait! Don't leave me behind!" 

Loki falters when he trips on the uneven ground and gives in. "Fine. Don't tell me, but so you know, I will find out one way or another." 

"I know." Raven curses under his breath. "It will happen one day whether you like it or not." 

Stopping Raven again, Loki holds his arms out to prevent him from dodging the question. "If you won't tell me that, then at least finish answering my previous question. You never told me how you knew about Wonderland, other than Meg and Erik. There must be others who you knew it from. Was it Alice?" 

Raven glares. "It took me a while to find out about Wonderland, but I never wanted to know about them, it just happened one day." He sighs. "That day I met the Knave of Hearts, years ago-I'll never forget it. Sure, he was awfully silent, but his stare was cold and sinister. He had the look of a killer. I should have taken the hint as soon as I saw him."