I peered around at my new surroundings and I gasped. Giant Circus tents stood before me, I had never seen something so fantastic. The striped colors ranged from red to purple, swirling in a majestic rainbow. In addition to this, performers crowded outside the tents, juggling, dancing, eating fire, and even balancing knives. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Yet, this is the evil causing all the darkness?
Crowds of people hurried towards the entrance of the tent. I noticed how they all had the same darkness clouding their face, just like the people I met earlier. Something here was indeed causing it and even so, people still wanted to participate.
I caught a glimpse of Malcolm and the others ahead of me. Even though I knew they would be mad at me for coming, I knew it wouldn’t be smart to separate from them. I just hoped they would forgive me.
As I hurried towards them, I notice that they had stopped in front of a man and as soon I was close enough, I felt something strange, something dark, something almost like…
Fear.
Could he be Morpheus? I shuddered at the thought, but there was this lingering feeling in the air, the same one I got before an exam or before a performance. It was definitely the escalating feeling of fear.
The man was average height, with a two-tailed suit and changing color bow tie. White gloves covered his hands and he held a black cane in his right hand. He also had on a black top hat covered in rainbow flowers that covered part of his brown hair. He looked like a ring master and that’s when I knew, he had to be Morpheus.
“Well, well, it looks like you have a tagalong.” Morpheus grinned as he saw me. Malcolm and the others turned around to find me standing behind them. I froze, wanting to run away. I should have stayed in the kingdom. This was a big mistake. I wasn’t ready for this, it was a really stupid idea.
“How did you get here?” Malcolm looked more afraid than I had ever seen anyone be. He looked as if all hope had been lost, as if I had done the worst thing imaginable
The words escaped my mouth and I couldn’t answer him. I didn’t know what to say, I realized I had just made the worse decision that could cost everyone everything. “I…”
“I told her we were going,” Chase explained to him.
Malcolm scowled at him. “How dare you go against my orders.” He looked as if he was going to hit him, but held it back. I was glad, though, I didn’t want to see another fist fight break out.
Morpheus laughed. “Seems you have a bit of a problem on your hands, Mad Hatter.”
“My name is Malcolm,” his voice was dark, sending shivers down my spine.
“But you were far more interesting as the Mad Hatter. Oh well, if you don’t want to take a trip into the past.” He tapped his cane on the ground. “Maybe Alice would like to know.”
Melvin and Davis stood in front of me.
“Oh, what do we have here? Two boys who think they can take on the God of Nightmares? How amusing.”
“You aren’t taking her, Morpheus,” Malcolm said.
He grinned widely, as if this was a game. “Oh, but I am! Haven’t you learned anything? I always get what I want.”
Malcolm pulled out his sword. It was a rapier, not a katana like I trained with. I felt against my side. My katana was awaiting my command. Was this the time to use it? Was I ready?
Malcolm pointed his sword at Morpheus. “You aren’t taking her. Not this time.”
“Oh ho! Brave little protector you are! Interesting given what you did to the last Alice.”
Malcolm shook his head. “Your words won’t distract me like they do others. Stop wasting your time.”
He laughed as he pulled a sword out of his cane. It was also a rapier, dull on the sides and only pointed at the end. “Fine, I will just kill you now and be done with this game!”
Morpheus leapt forward and the clash of their rapiers rasped as they hit each other. Again and again Morpheus struck at Malcolm and again and again Malcolm defended himself. Morpheus may have been fast in my eyes, but Malcolm was a lot faster. The sound was loud as they thrashed back and forth. Morpheus tried to lunge at Malcolm, but it was no use. Malcolm was indeed skilled in fighting with a rapier.
Melvin, Davis and Chase stayed by me, making sure I was protected in case Morpheus tried anything dirty. I wondered if I should pull out my katana and help, but I felt as if I would be of no help. They were on a whole different level of expertise than me. The others looked as if they wanted to help as well, but they stayed at my side, knowing Malcolm would be mad if they did otherwise.
A crowd started to gather around, watching as the two swordsmen battled it out. Neither of them were holding anything back and any second, one of them could strike a killing blow. It was like Princess Bride, with Wesley and Inigo fighting on top of the cliff. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Then something happened. Malcolm lost his footing and Morpheus thrusted his sword right into his shoulder. Malcolm fell back onto the ground, grabbing his wounded shoulder. Morpheus quickly stepped on his hand and kicked the sword away.
“Good bye, dear Hatter. You will be missed.” Morpheus pulled back his sword to give the killing thrust.
My heart was
