SENSELESS

III - Chasms and Red

III – Chasms and Red

                                   ♥ Wild Card ♥

I could have fainted from repeated shocks, from repeated images of corpses that drowned themselves in their blood but I did not and I would not. Not at a time like this. And I promised myself moments ago that despite the bloody gash on my arm, I shall not lose unconsciousness.

Especially that I am with a Mad Hatter and a March Hare, running for our lives.

The palace walls. Being inside them...well, I never had been or I do not have any recollection that I had been in such a grand location and yet, I could never deny the course of nostalgia in my veins when we ran. I expected--no, knew--things that are to appear like portraits that hung on the walls and flower vases that held nothing but red roses and a curve to the right that will lead us to another hallway and a door with elaborate designs of black and red hearts that'll lead us to a room. Have I really not gone here?

No, I can't be. I would not forget a hare wearing clothes, holding guns like a human and a man with a top hat, wielding a sword-cane.

But I still could not pull out Hatter's words in my ears despite the coup de théâtre just awhile ago, could not shrug off the feeling of his hands on my cheek.

 "I will never harm you and I will also never allow anyone to harm you. I will commit myself to you. I will follow your wishes, your desires, your choices. Anything. I will offer my life to you...and I will serve you until yours or my eyes shall close for all eternity." 

Not to mention when I was locked in the steel arms of a soldier, my mouth covered, when Hatter was in the verge of panic and so was I, I was moved by the words he has spoken.

"I pledge to serve only one mistress. I live for only one mistress. Despite the very fact that I am in your Queen's territory, I shall never follow her orders, never offer my life to her.  Even if it brings me to the chains of Thanathos, I will not obey her. I serve only one mistress and that is Alice the Traverser. And I will until I will give off my last breath here, in this world. Until I see the last strand of sunlight. And my pledge shall be my creed."

Such words of devotion that I always wished to hear from the lips of any person though I knew I lost my memories. I remember sighing.

And the thought of this makes me pretty clumsy and uneasy. With a shocked noise, I realized I had tripped on my skirts--stupid--and shut my eyes, knowing that the hard, cold floor shall greet me. But a pair of gloved hands grabbed me by the waist, pulling me back in a manner of someone arranging a mannequin. I blinked and felt myself finally retained my balance and felt Hatter's chin rest above my head. I felt myself tense, streaks of red flushing across my cheek.

"Are you alright?" I heard him say.

I nodded, straightening my back and gathered up my skirts. But I hadn't moved an inch or so for Hatter scooped me up and carried me in his arms. Blinking and realizing what he has done, I found myself blushing.

"What the-- Hatter!? Re-release me! Or rather, set me down!"

He raised an eyebrow, grinning as his eyes glinted. "Why should I do so, my mistress?"

"B-because I could run with my own feet!"

"Well, she is absolutely demanding," muttered the hare, expertly shooting three soldiers before glancing back at Hatter. Smirking, he raises an eyebrow--what's with men with smirks and eyebrow raisings?--and said, "How in the world were you able to control yourself?"