Page 29 of Madness Becomes Her

A new hat on her head is small and wrapped in tulle. It looks comical, and I fight a smirk as I take it in.

“You’ve been gone too long, and now I find you with my ward. What vile things have you filled her head with, New Eleanor?!”

“Mother,” Ariadne starts, and I flinch at the term. “She was only lost in the halls. I pulled her in for some company. You know this palace is too grand for a mere mortal to wander alone.”

This appeases something in the queen, and her face changes, looking less red by the second. “Your time is up. The Hatter is finished, and you must leave with him. At once.”

At this, Ariadne stands. “Do I not get time with my brother today?”

The queen narrows her eyes on Ariadne, and my stomach cinches at the idea that I’m the one who caused this upset in my haste to help rescue her.

“No. You do not. He’ll be back next week for his regular services. You can see him then.”

“Yes, Mum.” Ariadne curtseys, grabbing her book, re-shelving it, and leaving the room.

I follow the Knave of Hearts into the hall and to the front doors, where Lewis and Finlo anxiously await my return.

“One Eleanor is as bad as the next. Mind your head better when you’re here next,” the Knave tells me, snarling his lip up at me. There’s a deep scar cutting across them, and I can’t help but stare at it.

Finlo grabs my arm and tugs me out the doors, leading me halfway down the stairs before pulling me into him in a tight hug I never seen coming. “I thought you were lost.”

My arms lift and wrap around him, and Lewis turns away, whistling uncomfortably as the hug continues. “I’m right here, Fin.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

THAT’S THE TROUBLE WITH ME

All around me is chaos.

Lewis screams, forging toward a four-legged beast with sharp teeth and a blade in his paws.

Screams rend the air, and everywhere I look is mutiny.

Tears spill down my cheeks. I spot Finlo barreling toward me.

“Eleanor! Get down! Cover your head!”

Spinning, I lock my eyes on an enormous monster dipping from the skies toward me.

A scream gurgles out of me as I drop into a tight ball on the ground.

Finlo lands over me as the Red Queen’s laugh follows the ascent of the monster back into the air. “We have to get you home. Wonderland is no longer safe,” he tells me, helping me to my feet.

“No shit!” I scream.

Finlo looks over his shoulder, tugging me toward the woods around the palace’s exterior. “Language!”

“That’s the least of our worries right now, Fin!” I duck as a rock tossed overhead explodes.

“Sorry!” Lewis shouts, rushing by on all fours, something I’ve rarely witnessed him do.

“Finlo! I can’t leave you!” I scream as he tugs me behind him toward where I know a portal into my world lies beyond the trees.

“You must! You can’t lose your head here in Wonderland. Whatever will the mice think of me if I allow it?”

“Hatter!”I scream, sitting up in bed covered in sweat. Sobs choke in my throat as I turn to look at him, locking eyes with him as sadness dwells in his own.

He’s on his elbow, his muscles taut as I continue to cry. The memories feel so heavy sometimes, especially that one like it was trying to hold me hostage inside of it.