No Longer Heartless

Chapter 14: I'm Coming With You

"When did Hatta say the hats would be ready?" Cath sighed. "It's been almost a week since we retrieved the elixir."

"He should be done soon," Jest nodded. "And I'm still upset over the fact that Elsie just left us."

"She went back to her home. You can't blame her for wanting to go back home," Cath reasoned.

"But it's been awhile since I've been in the land of the White Queen. What if we get lost? I certainly can't guide us."

"She wasn't the one who knew the way," Cath chuckled. "Raven did."

"Oh. I didn't know that...Well, that certainly makes much more sense," Jest nodded. "I'm just wondering how Elsie made it back to the treacle well without getting caught."

"She's always been a little mysterious," Cath shrugged. While her exterior was calm, she was extremely anxious on the inside. She just wanted to get though the White Queen's land safely without getting caught.

Suddenly, the front door to the cottage slammed open. "I'm back!" Hatta yelled triumphantly as if he had just won some great battle. "And I come bearing hats."

"So, you're actually useful, then?" Cath thought to herself, but she didn't dare voice this to Hatta, for fear of invoking the temper of the mad hat maker.

"Oh, good," Jest sighed in relief. "Now we can leave this place."

"Hatta," Cath said slowly, "why are there three hats? We only need two."

Please no.

Please-

"I'm coming with you back to Hearts," Hatta nodded.

Crap.

Well, that's just dandy.

"Oh," Cath smiled, faking enthusiasm, "that's wonderful."

"Dishonesty is not a flattering color on you, Cath," Hatta smirked.

"Really? I thought it suited me just fine, but thanks for your opinion," Catherine said sarcastically.

"Cath," Jest said softly, "leave it."

The Queen of Hearts took a deep breath. "I'm sure you will be a valuable asset to our group and a wonderful guide."

"Well, obviously," Hatta scoffed.

Cath grabbed Jest's hand and clutched onto it tightly so as to keep herself from insulting the hat maker.

"Try on your hats," Hatta urged, handing one hat to Jest and the other to Cath excitedly.

Cath gave the hatter a look of suspicion, but both she and Jest complied.

"I can still see you," Jest frowned once they both donned their hats.

"I see you too," Cath nodded. "Hatta, why aren't they working?"

"You have little faith in me, love," the hat maker smirked. "Go stand in front of the mirror."

Jest and Cath looked at each other with confusion, but complied and stood in front of the mirror. The latter stared in wonder. "W-what?" She stammered.

"Are you in front of the mirror?"

"Yes," Catherine nodded, looking into the perfect reflection of the room around her. The only things missing were her and Jest. "Hatta, we're-"

"Invisible?" Hatta smirked. "I know. I can't see either of you at the moment."

"But...but I can see Jest," Cath stammered. "How come I can see him but not our reflections?"

"Because," Hatta explained, "you both are under the effect of the invisibility elixir, you can see each other. However, you're invisible to anyone not under the effect. No one has been able to figure out why."

"To Hearts, then?" Jest nodded.

"To Hearts," Catherine nodded.