Page 94 of Madness Becomes Her

Reminding myself of that fact makes me sad when I realize some of them might not survive today.

Sable finally culls her screeching after the third time I shout her name, rushing to my side in a leap.

“The Knave will ruin this bog,” she hisses, her eyes never leaving the great beast overhead.

Looking around, my eyes trace over all the creatures, all the ways we’re locked in, surrounded by trees and marshlands.

Going into the Cheshire Wood might give us an advantage if we didn’t get lost, but thinking of the magical place leveled by dragon fire doesn’t suit.

“We need somewhere to lead it,” I tell Sable.

The Chatterwocky’s shadow covers us again as it passes.

“Why is it taunting us?” I turn to Finlo. His green eyes are narrowed on the beast.

“Because he can’t wage war on the Bog when I have done nothing to warrant it.”

“So, we’re safe here?” I ask him.

“Until the Knave grows tired of trying to draw us out,” Sable says, her teeth baring toward the sky.

I, better than anyone, know we can’t remain in the Bog, hidden, forever.

This will come to a head, and Finlo was right. We need to control the narrative.

“We need to lead them somewhere and end this,” I say, palming the blade at my side.

“The Nameless Grove might work,” Lewis adds, checking his watch as if to ensure we’re on schedule. What schedule? That’s the question.

“The Nameless Grove?” I ask.

“It’s just beyond the wood behind the house, but it’s open and rocky. The terrain isn’t ideal,” Finlo says to Lewis.

My mind works over the problem, growing frustrated with the endless heat from the Chatterwocky’s fire spewing over treetops. “Well, we can’t remain here.”

“She’s right,” Lewis adds. “No one lives in the grove. Even if there’s lasting damage, it won’t matter.”

“Then, we leave now. Spread the word. The woods will give us coverage on our journey. The Chatterwocky will lose track of us before we get there, and when we get there, hopefully we’re ready.”

I wish they’d allow me to do this alone, but I know that’s foolish. No matter how dire it is for the good people of Wonderland to follow me into danger, it’s their right.

Wonderland is their home as much as it is mine, and they have the right to defend it.

Lewis heads through the throngs of creatures littering the Bog, muttering orders to them as I shift my attention to Finlo.

“Where’s the queen?”

“She rarely fights her own battles.”

“Of course.”

“Are you scared?” he asks me, rubbing my arms in comfort, though none comes from the touch.

There’s too much to worry about.

“I’m mad,” I admit. “I should be scared, but I’m not. I hate that her reign of terror has gone on this long. I hate it has to come to this, but I also hate that all of Wonderland has had to live this way for so long.”

“This isn’t your fight. You shouldn’t have to do this.” Finlo turns, taking his hat off in defeat as he watches his friends and neighbors line up to march on Nameless Grove.