Chapter 97 (1/2)

Chapter 97: Chapter 10. Epilogue-1

The day she handed Alice over to Duke, SoYoon felt a fever coming on as the sun started to go down. As usual, she ignored it.

The next day, she opened her eyes late in the afternoon. She realized her body felt heavier than normal. Her vision started to tunnel and she became dizzy. She closed her eyes again.

She heard the monotonous ring of her smartphone. She listened to it numbly as she pulled the blanket over her head.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed. Sensing someone's presence, SoYoon opened her eyes. Something hazy like a fog was heading towards her.

”I can't believe that...” SoYoon thought.

Something hard touched her forehead. The cool temperature felt good and she reached out to hug it.

”Sleep…! Fever... Medicine…”

It moved for a little bit before going still. SoYoon rubbed her cheeks against the cool surface. As she did, a tickling wind blew against her hair. A long and strong something embraced her body.

”Sleep well,” the smooth voice whispered. SoYoon let her whole body be embraced by the nice and cool place as she fell into a deep sleep.

***

After a long sleep, SoYoon woke up and drowsily blinked her eyes. The first of her senses to wake up was her smell. What she smelled was the delicious aroma of food.

”Are you awake?” Mad Hatter asked her brightly as he stepped out of the kitchen. In his hand, he was holding a small pot.

”Yochanan? Why…” She had intended to ask how he was here, but hearing her raspy voice, she closed her mouth. Mad Hatter put down the pot and placed his hand over her forehead.

”You're still a bit hot.”

SoYoon looked up at him blankly. She was still suffering from a high fever. Tears welled up in her eyes and her cheeks were red. Mad Hatter sighed.

”You have a cold. I know you haven't eaten, but have you at least taken some medicine?”

***

SoYoon didn't answer and reclined again. As she did, she heard Mad Hatter sigh loudly.

”You have the sense to know you are sick, don't you? Oh, you're here.”

SoYoon turned her head, sensing a presence there. March was standing stiffly in front of the door. He nervously looked around, then slowly handed Mad Hatter the small packet of medicine.

”Here.”

Mad Hatter handed March the payment for the medicine and put the packet in his pocket. March glanced over worriedly at SoYoon who obviously looked very sick. His silent worry made her smile. At that moment, Mad Hatter blocked her view of him.

”Your work here is finished. You may leave instead of bothering a sick person.” His tone was icy cold. March flinched and ran away with an awkward laugh.

SoYoon looked up at Mad Hatter. He answered her look with a trace of regret. ”You are a patient. You need to rest. I've made you something you can eat, so eat this first. Then you can take your medicine.”

Mad Hatter picked up the pot he had put down and brought it to the bed. He opened the lid to reveal some warm oatmeal. Steam rose from it and SoYoon was reminded of the porridge her mother had made for her. She picked up the spoon. Mad Hatter's cooking skills were getting progressively better. The oatmeal was quite delicious.

***

In a dark alleyway at Outhouse, a man wearing a hat over thick brown hair was walking carefully to avoid making noise. He stopped for a moment to check his surroundings, then moved toward the inside of the alleyway.

The man walked for a long time until he arrived at an old house. Without making a sound, he opened the door and stepped inside. He locked the door behind him and took off his hat. His glazed gray eyes showed through his stiff hair.

The man, Cheshire, took the bag of food he had gotten with difficulty and sat on the dusty bed. He put his hand inside the bag and pulled out a small piece of bread and put it in his mouth. He didn't mind that the crumbs were falling on his clothes and the bed.