Alice.

Chapter 1

Alice had come to Wonderland when she was just a girl. Many think that she went home soon after. But what they don't know is that when she came back, she never left...

She made many friends over the years. Some for life, others for death. but none more memorable than the three she had now.

There was the Mad Hatter. He was confusing and in some ways evil, but who wasn't? In other ways he was the best friend anyone could ever have. And he was to Alice. Many think he is a lot older than Alice. Which he likes. It means they never expect him to be the assassin at their weddings. Or the one who slips poison in their wine. But Alice knows. She would have to, she was his best friend, and he was hers. They had been inseparable since their first tea party. The Mad Hatter, is the one who supported all her plans no matter how crazy. Followed her no matter where she went. They faced all their fears together. Together they ruled Wonderland from the inside. Part of the reason their loyalty to each other was so strong was that they knew they could not survive without each other.

Then there was the White Rabbit. For years, Alice had been blaming him and his waistcoat for taking her to Wonderland in the first place. But now she understood him. She knew that when they first met the White Queen had threatened to kill his family if he did not lead her there. And that he had purposely ran at an alarmingly fast rate to make sure she couldn't follow. Alice now knew that afterwards the White Queen killed his family anyway. Which was very upsetting to him. Knowing that they had both lost things because of the White Queen made them loyal to each other. And now the White Rabbit was her greatest spy, being so small made it very easy for him to blend in at both the Red and White castles. Over time the White Rabbit had become indispensable, but Alice was sure that she couldn't completely trust him. So, she told him everything on a need to know basis. Especially anything to do with her personal travel routes. Luckily for her he didn't know about her army of bandersnatches. Well no one did, except Hatter , and he didn't even know the full extent. Only one person apart from Alice knew the full truth, and frankly Alice wanted that person dead.

Then there was the Cheshire Cat. A great companion in many ways. Probably the smartest person Alice knew. But she couldn't trust him with anything personal. He was great for making plans, and telling secrets. But you never be sure if he would keep yours.

Alice had been with these three for a long time. If it wasn't for them she might've never escaped the Red Queen's Palace. But thank wonder she did. Had she not she would be married to the Red Prince right now. Not that she minded the idea of getting married. She and the Hatter always joked that they would get married to make sure they couldn't be forced into marrying someone else. Since, marriages in Wonderland were bound by magic, and the only way out was death.

Both the Red and White Queen had set a reward for anyone from their court who could trick Alice into marrying them. It was a very simple spell all they had to do was get three drops of Alice's blood and the rest could be done separate. Meaning Alice wouldn't find out till a tattoo of her spouse's symbol appeared on her hand. Probably hundreds of men and women had tried to marry her but all had failed.

Alice knew that soon there would be a time where she could no longer hide, but that didn't mean that she wasn't going to everything in her power to do so.

She especially did not want to marry the Red Prince. The arrogant he had came off him like a signature scent. Alice couldn't even think of him without a scowl. Just then the Mad Hatter came into her bedroom "Thinking about your prince again" he mused idly flopping down on his unofficial bed. "First of all he's not my Prince" Alice threw a pillow at him "second of all how did you know I was thinking of him". Alice hadn't said his name since the incident.

She remembered it so clearly...

It was late at night, Alice was shaking on her balcony. "It's late you know." Alice turned and smiled to find her prince. "What you doing here?" she asked as he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, enveloping her in his warmth."I'm checking you're okay". She was about to ask him why, but he knew her so well he stopped her and turned her to face him. "Shush, my little playing card"He brought her face closer to his, and slowly kissed her gently on the corner of her mouth. 

It stil shocked her so much how much his kiss made her feel. She was a warrior melting at the feeling someone else's lips pressed against her skin. But she would have to get some time to get used to it soon. It was the early hours of her wedding day, she couldn't believe this was happening. Alice never believed in love but the fact that it was happening to her made all the difference. It was a magical thing really when you thought about it. Most of her life she had been forced to only think as far ahead as the next few days. But today, on this day, she would forever have one thing permanent.

And that's the moment it all came crashing down. Hundreds of the play card army came rushing towards Alice, surrounding her, spears at the ready. Alice still remembered the gleam of their white armour and the way the blood red inscriptions glistened in the moonlight. Nothing mae sense anymore, her prince had her dragged like a common slave to the dungeons. Where she was chained and treated mercilessly, scars appeared on her where she never thought she would see them.The only thing that was ever consistent was the absense of her prince. Alice could't decide if that was mercy for him or for her.

When she finally escaped she knew it was mercy for him, because she was ready to rip his beating heart from his chest, and she vowed to if she ever saw him again. 

Alice rolled away from the Mad Hatter and blew out the candle light, plunging the room into darkness. She drifted off into the darkness that was her mind, she hadn't had a single dream since escaping.

But by no means was her sleep peaceful.