I wondered what he could have meant by that. Malcolm seemed so nice, but everyone I talked to had known him in the past and say he had lived in darkness. What could that have entailed? I wanted to ask more questions about Malcolm, to get to the answers of what people had been hinting at, but by the sound of it, Kenny wasn’t going to give away any secrets.
“So how did you get thrown in this cell?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s simple. I got caught doing stuff I wasn’t supposed to. I spied on the White Rabbit and let Malcolm know what he was up to. I also did some research in trying to find you. Bill caught me. Good ol’ Bill, he’s always so persistent. Usually I like that about him, it’s sexy. But this is completely different, now he isn’t his usual beautiful self. Have you seen his face? No, because it’s shadowed in darkness. It’s a shame, really, he has such a lovely face.”
I wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that, so I decided to focus on the beginning of his rambling. “So you are the one who found me?”
He grinned. “Yup, did all the research myself. I know your school, where you live, all those paintings you have.”
“Umm… That is not something I wanted to know.”
His eyes widened. “Sorry, that made me sound like I was a pervert. I’m not a pervert, I was just stalking you.”
I shook my head. “That’s… Never mind.”
“I only did it so we could find the right Alice to help us save this Kingdom. No other reason, believe me, I would never think of doing anything else.”
“Well you must have made a mistake, I’m not the Alice you are looking for.”
He made an amused face. “Psh! I am never wrong. You are the Alice, I should know since I’ve met the old Alice. You are her and always will be her.”
I hated it when people kept saying I was the same Alice as before. She was legendary, much stronger than me as I understood, and then here I was trying to live up to her legacy. “But I am a weakling, I am not strong. There is no way I could battle like her, or bring down any kingdoms whatsoever.”
“You would be surprised what you are capable of, just look inside yourself and you will find out.”
I shook my head. “I already failed at that, I faced Morpheus and I lost.”
“You survived though.”
Barely, I thought. The only reason I survived was because the others pulled me out of there, willing to sacrifice everything. I would be gone if it weren’t for them. “Because of Malcolm. I didn’t want to wake up, I didn’t want to leave the place he left me in.”
“Well,” his eyes became dark. “Then I guess Morpheus has won and Wonderland is no more. Dreams that everyone has in the real world will cease to exist.”
He made it sound like it was my decision, that only I could bring peace in Wonderland. That if I gave up, then everything would fail. “You can’t place all that on my shoulders.”
“Oh, but I can, because you are Alice and Alice shall save Wonderland like she always does.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t like you.”
He simply laughed. “That’s what the old Alice used to say.”
I had a feeling that it was what a lot of people said to him. Although, even though he was a bit obnoxious, he was a pretty nice guy. I felt as if I could open up to him, which was strange for only knowing him for a few moments now. I have never felt like that before about anyone, at least not so fast.
A crash sounded from the other side of the door. Both Kenny and I jumped up to our feet, not sure what was happening. Smoke came pouring from underneath the door and I started coughing. The door swung open to reveal Malcolm. I stared at him, surprised that he had broken in so soon. I guess it was better than waiting for them to increase security.
“Well, why are you staring at me? Let’s go!”
CHAPTER 21
“Malcolm, my ol’ buddy, my pal!” Kenny ran up to him and hugged him like a bear. Malcolm didn’t return the hug but just stood there annoyed. “You came to rescue me at last.”
“I came for Alice and you know that, and we are in a hurry so either stay here or join us in our escape.” Malcolm grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, Alice. We only have so much time.”
Malcolm pulled me into the hallway and handed me a katana. “Here. Figured you lost your other one.”
I took it and strapped it to my side. “Thanks.” Although I didn’t know how much help I could really do with it, as Bill had easily defeated me when I went up against him. Then again, he was one of the best soldiers in the Kingdom, so I couldn’t really compare myself to him.
“Ooo, I do love a good escape.” Kenny ran in front of us, backwards so he could face Malcolm and I. “What do we do next?”
“We escape,” Malcolm answered as a matter of fact.
“Brilliant! Hey, did you get me a sword?”
“No, quite honestly I forgot you were even in here.”
Kenny pouted. “Awe, how can you say that after all the things we’ve been through together?”
“Easily, I just simply put any thought of you in the back of my mind and let it disappear.”
“Because your feelings for me are too great so you had to let yourself forget. I understand now.” Kenny smiled as if he
