Oh Alice!

Chapter 8

"So, let's get this straight. Leslie, who is actually from here and who also tried to poison Alice, is the queen. But her crazy sister, Alice's aunt, is the queen right now and wants her dead?" Luke looked around the full room. He was still trying to figure everything out. He thought Alice just had a very creative mind. He never thought this was real. "And her grandparents are alive, but they are prisoners?"

"Yeah, that's it." Ana was the first to answer. She was laying on the couch, looking through a book that had been on the coffee table. Morri was still in the kitchen making dinner, a beef stew. David was upstairs in Anderson's office, going over papers. Anderson had disappeared off to somewhere, no one was sure where exactly.

"This is all really weird and crazy." Luke ran his fingers through his hair as he walked out the front door to sit on the porch. He had a lot on his mind, but mostly Alice. The last couple days had brought out new fear in him but also a strength and coldness he never imagined from her. He was happy they finally confessed to one another but with everything that was happening, what would happen to them?

He wanted to talk to her, voice his concerns but wasn't sure how that conversation would go. He loved her, he knew he always would. But the more he thought about all of this and her, the more he became unsure. Maybe a walk would help him think. He stood and started walking off into the field, taking in the peacefulness of this strange world. He checked his watch, a gift from his grandfather years ago, it was only 7:30. It felt later to him. He reached the tree like and walked it still taking in all the sounds he was hearing. An uneasy feeling started to creep up his spine, like someone was watching him. He ignored it though, thinking it was just someone from the house watching.

~

"Alice?" Ana tapped on the bathroom door, cautiously entering. Alice was soaking in the large white claw foot bath tub in an over foamy bubble bath.

"Hey Ana. How are things going out there?" Alice had her eyes closed, head just barely above the bubbles.

"Well, Anderson went off somewhere, David is upstairs going over Anderson's papers, Morri is making stew and Luke is walking the field." She sat in the vanity chair, facing Alice. "You really just want to go home?"

"Ana, I've made my decision. We are going home. Dad can't be here alone, and Lord knows where my mother is. Ana you can come or stay. I doubt you wanna leave yet. But we are leaving at sunrise." She dipped her head under the water and popped back out, bubbles and water running down her face.

"You know your dad won't leave without your mother. And I'm not staying without you. Even if I want to. You are my priority." Alice stood in the tub as Ana handed her a towel. "Luke and I are the only ones leaving with you."

"I can't ask you to leave her. Again." Alice dried her body and wrapped a dry towel around her hair as she sat next to Ana.

"I know you can't. That's why you're not. She thinks we have a chance if we find the rebellion camp. Rumors are that she was a loyal follower of the Queen and something tragic happened, making her switch sides."

"The only way we can do that is if-"

"ALICE!" Anderson came bursting into her room, standing in the bathroom doorway, looking more panicked than usual. Alice froze, this can't be good. He stammered through a few words before Alice held her hand up to quiet him.

"Anderson, try again. Slowly." She stood, adjusting the towel.

"She's gone. She checked into the Inn, Terry saw her go into her room. But when I went to see her, the room was tossed and messy. They found her." He nearly shouted the words, but slowly.

"What do you mean? I thought that room was secure!" David snapped, suddenly standing behind Anderson, making both girls jump. "You were supposed to always have a guard at that room!"

"It's not my fault you hadn't been here in so damn long! I thought you guys were never coming back! Why waste the man power on an empty room?!" Morri shouted from the bedroom doorway, storming out. Ana shot him a glare, but he was more interested in yelling at Anderson for not following her in the first place.

"Regardless of who is at fault, Dad, we need to go find her." Alice sighed, walking to the bedroom in search of different clothes. Ana shoving both men out, still bickering as she slammed the door. "Do you need to follow her?"

"She grabbed her sword. She's just going to blow off some steam. What are we going to do now Alice?" Alice was getting dressed in fresh tight black pants, black tank top, and a thin white blouse similar to Ana's with a deep v neck. She was lacing up the new boots Morrisa had given her when she finally answered.

"I can't leave my mother here, trapped by who knows what. Even if she is a terrible mother." Alice sat on at the vanity and started brushing her hair. Ana took the brush and started brushing Alice's hair for her.

"I know you can't. Part of me wouldn't let you, but a bigger part swore to protect you." She put the brush down and began braiding Alice's hair. "As your protector, no leave her save yourself. As your best friend, go find her and kick ass. Including hers." Both girls laughed as Ana wrapped a plastic hair tie around the end of Alice's pony tail.

"Let's eat and figure out a plan. As a group." Alice grabbed her camo sweater as she followed Ana out of the room. There was already a plan, they just had to get Alice to think it was her idea for now, Ana thought as she smiled at Alice.

An hour later, after they ate and discussed openly about was best, Alice made the final decision to go rescue her mother. Ana had suggested checking a town that was about a 11-hour horse ride from Morris's house, which Morri and Anderson both agreed on. Alice saw no problem, so she agreed. They loaded supplies and themselves onto horses that Morrisa owned. Alice got a brown and cream paint, Ana said her name was Malia. Ana could tell everyone was nervous as they rode on, Morri leading the pack and herself at the end.

I just hope they are there already, Ana thought as she stared at the sky, wishing she was flying there.