Chapter 36 - Alice in Trouble-7 (1/2)

Chapter 36: Chapter 4 Alice in Trouble-7

Jack's condition seemed like a stretch to SoYoon—which meant that his real stipulation was something else. In the worst-case scenario, he intended to use Alice to get to Heart. She ran toward Jack's hideout.

***

Alice enjoyed the days she got to stay at Heart's house the moment she was able to get rid of that annoying Alice Liddell: the free-flowing hot water, the closet full of beautiful clothes, the three delicious meals served each day. Although the memory of being captured by Cheshire was horrifying, the resulting consequence was immensely satisfying.

But there was something that bothered her.

If in the original story, Heart was at her whim's fancy; in this one, Heart was always busy. There wasn't even a full hour where Alice and Heart had been face to face. It was a good thing that he was polite and gave her whatever she wanted whenever they did pass each other, because otherwise, she would have stressed about it.

Another complaint—although she could look at it as a week's worth of fun—was that she was unable to meet anyone else. However, Heart did try to come between her and the White Rabbit, even if she didn't see him as a competitor. Heart was hooked. The most erotic love came from jealousy and obsession. Alice smiled.

”What's up? You look to be in a good mood.”

”I'm always here, so how could there be anything new to be in a good mood about?”

She was talking to a man named Peter, a guard Heart had put in charge of her. She had healed him about a month ago. That may have been the reason that when she replied sweetly, he acted as if he would give up his liver for her. Even now when she answered sharply, he looked at her sweetly as if she was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.

”Can't I leave for just a little bit? Just for a little while? I'll just stop by Central.”

”It's a bit dangerous outside right now. If you need something, I will gladly go buy it for you.”

”But it's so suffocating being stuck in here all day. What if I just wither away? Please, Peter? Just for a little while? Please? I'll be right back.”

If she was to remain at the house like this, she might never make contact with Twins or Mad Hatter.

Alice folded her hands over her chest and looked pleadingly. As she looked at him with those sad blue eyes, Peter blushed. Alice placed her hand on Peter's arm and whined.

”Please? Please? If you're so worried, you can come with me. Please?”

Peter finally surrendered to Alice. He reminded her to not leave his side for even a second and escorted her outside. And in those few minutes, she got kidnapped.

”Peter!”

Alice reached for her only lifeline, but he was already knocked out cold. The kidnapper kicked Peter awake.

”Al—Alice…”

The man laughed as Peter searched for Alice even while coughing up blood.

”Go tell Pawn, your pretty little girlfriend was taken by Jack. If you want to retrieve her, you must go to the middle of Central and kneel before me yelling, 'Jack, I will return Heart's throne to you.' Can you do that?”

It hadn't been that long since she had been kidnapped and rescued, so that this time she was already trembling in fear. Who was that? Who was Pawn? What was Jack? Heart needed to return what? Why is that man taking me! This never happened in the original story!

It did, in this scene.

Jack, Heart's stepbrother, kidnapped Alice, but Heart rescued her from his hideout before any harm came to her. Afterward, she...

There was one sentence. How am I supposed to remember this? Alice rubbed her tear-filled face. It's okay. Heart will come rescue me. I will not get hurt.

Alice's mental state was weak, and a voice whispered in her subconscious. Return it. Do you think this is the time for me to be dealing with you right now! Shut up! Alice reprimanded her viciously, but it was difficult to trap Alice Liddell back into the recesses of her mind.

”This is already my life! It's not meant for you to get in the way! Why do you think this is yours? How are you so cocky when you stole it from someone else? So you should—shut up, shut up, shut up!” Alice had been screaming when her head was turned around by a sharp sound.

”I told you to stay quiet.”

Alice held her burning cheek and raised her head. Jack was looking at her. He was similar in appearance to Heart, and the moment she saw his smile, she forgot about the pain in her cheek.

Only then did she realize the fight she had been having with Alice Liddell in her head had manifested itself out loud. She was still able to gag Alice Liddell like a fish in water.

”What is this? Are you insane? Pawn, you sure found someone that's like Mother.”

Jack pulled Alice up by her hair.

”Ah!”

She screamed underneath his hand. He observed Alice up close.

”How old are you?”