Heart of Wonderland

Chapter 7

June 1st, 11:54 p.m.

Blacksmith: "No refunds."

Haven: "Fine by me."

I threw the rest of the money that I owed on the counter. With a half grin on my face, I slid the crossbow over my shoulder and I secured the sword to my belt. Next stop was to break into the theater and rescue the White Rabbit. Having spent some time in my youth at the theater, I knew the ins and outs of that establishment. I probably even knew one or two secret ways into the theater that not even the false King and Queen knew about. As a matter of a fact, there are passages galore under Wonderland, and they are just as beautifully crazy and illogical as Wonderland is.

Blacksmith: "May I ask, Miss, what you are going to do with your purchased items?"

Haven: "If you honestly care, I will tell you."

Blacksmith: "I really don't."

Haven: "I didn't think so."

Blacksmith: "Just be careful. You are a pretty girl, and I'd hate to see you get hurt."

Haven: "Thank you. Actually, I have a question for you, before I leave."

Blacksmith: "Go for it, cupcake."

            I rolled my eyes.

Haven: "Did you decide to open up your blacksmith shop next to the tavern, or did the tavern open up next to you?"

Blacksmith: "Ha-ha! You caught onto that. I opened up next to the tavern and, let me tell you, business booms on holidays and late at night on weekends. For the past week, with the big shindig at the castle, I decided to keep this place open 24/7. It's paid off handsomely."

Haven: "I can only imagine. Have a good day, sir."

By accident, I almost walked into a guy who was coming into the Blacksmith's shop as I was leaving. As I looked up at the guy to apologize, for a second, much like the tavern wench, he was nothing but a floating ball of dark energy. This time, instead of blinking or trying to shake off the weirdness, I continued to stare at the energy ball until the energy became a man once more.

Guy: "You okay, Miss?"

I once again stared at the man and suddenly, I saw his heart beating in his chest. It was black, dark, and dead looking.

Guy: "Miss?"

I shook my head to snap out of whatever fog I was in.

Haven: "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry."

I decided to make haste out of the Blacksmith's shop, before anything else weird happened. When I got outside, I stood for a moment. I was trying to debate what the next course of action should be. I knew I had to rescue the White Rabbit in the theater, but up to that point, I hadn't decided exactly how I was going to do that.

Channing: "Haven, what are you doing?"

Haven: "Fuck... me."

Channing: "That can be arranged."

I turned around to see Channing with two half- naked women draped over him.

Haven: "Sorry, but we're friends, remember? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend too."

Channing: "With a crossbow and a sword?"

Haven: "Yep. Trust me, the less you know, the better. As a matter of a fact, you never saw me. None of you did."

Feeling that this conversation was over, I began walking towards the theater; apparently, however, Channing felt that we needed to talk more. He grabbed my arm, halting me from moving any further than I was. There were a few diminutive seconds that had me debating why in fairies' name Channing would grab someone armed and dangerous. I could have easily killed him with my crossbow, if I wanted.