TWISTY NOTE: The music actually goes well with this chapter's setting, enjoy!
"Aleeeeece! Aleeeeeece! Did you see that?! Did you?! That thing. It was here! It dares go up against me? HA! I, Madeline Hatter, am unbreakable!"
"For the last time, you name is Rosaline Hatter!" screeched Mrs. Hatter. Aleece Winsintire was enjoying a bountiful tea party, hosted by her closest friend Rosaline Hatter. Although she was named Rosaline, Aleece went with calling Rosaline "Madeline".
"NO! You foolish old hag! I like Madeline better! In fact, don't ever call me by 'Rosaline' again. I don't want any relations to that disgusting name!" Madeline said, her voice sounded like she was speaking poison at the words.
"Oh? What's so good about that name anyway? I gave you a beautiful name at birth, you blasted child!" Mrs. Hatter snapped back. She forcefully slammed the bread basket she was carrying on the small tea table in the garden, making everything rattle. Even the flowers in the vase in the center seemed curl back with the shaking table.
"Anything and everything is better! Right, Aleece?" Madeline scoffed, turning to Aleece. Aleece nodded in agreement. Just follow along Aleece, she'll snap back one day...hopefully. Aleece thought. Then Mrs. Hatter spoke abruptly.
"Oh, no, no, no! Don't bring Aleece into this!"
"Eh? She's fine with it, right?" Madeline spoke with innocence, turning to her mother, then back to Aleece. Aleece picked up on something. She didn't know why or how. It truly wasn't related to the situation, but she did. Mrs. Hatter knew Madeline was mad, but her approach was not to go along with it. Try to show her actuality. Maybe she was going about this the wrong way.
Something snapped in Aleece's head, she had the feeling something was behind her, as she looked unto the forest, only a few minor feet from her. This random thought just popped into her head. She got the vibe that the 'something' was here. Shakily, she turned her head. Madeline was right! That thing really was here! A black haze of nothingness stood in her view. She felt her bones shaking underneath her skin. It was lurking around the right side of the house. She could feel it coming closer. She didn't like it.
"M-Madeline...look, there." Aleece whispered, terrified, as she pointed to the thing.
"Eh? What do you see?" Madeline turned her sights to the right of the house.
"Y-you don't see it?" Aleece stuttered, confused. "There's a black haze, right around the corner of the house, a-and it's coming closer!" Aleece practically jumped up into the air as it slowly came closer, and closer, and closer. Completely over taken by fright, Aleece ran into the woods beside her, following the small path in it leading to her house. A path she knew well, but knowing this she feared the haze may know too.
After what felt like hours of running, Aleece made it to her home but dared not look back. She burst through the front door, bolting up old, creaky, steps to her room. Aleece slammed the door behind her and swiftly threw her blankets over her head shivering in fear. She never wanted to move from her spot again.
About three hours later, waking up from a long sleep, Aleece forgot about the haze and the whole happening from before. She traversed down the old stairs and into the kitchen. The large island in the middle was decorated in the colors pink, and yellow. Streamers were hung everywhere. Large, cardboard letters spelt out "Welcome Home, Baby Girl!".
Aleece stood dumbfounded at the scene. Baby Girl? she thought, I'm getting a sister? Completely shocked and confused, Aleece decided to wait for this supposed "Baby Girl".
I wonder what she'll be like, Aleece pondered, what color will her eyes be? Why did no one tell me? When was the baby shower? Was I not invited? Many questions circulated through the air, some (or most) which made her jealous and envious of the new baby. Some also made her feel hurt that no one bothered to talk to her about it. Her parent never once brought it up. Actually, I haven't even seen my parents lately, especially mother. Maybe she was at the doctor's often because of the baby...? Aleece's thoughts trailed off as the rumbling of a car could be heard in the drive way. The familiar unlocking of the door, followed by giggles and sighs of happiness. In through the door came Aleece's mother, father, and older brother by 10 years.
"Okay, we arrived here at exactly 7:03, the doctor said we should be home by 7:00, so he LIED!" her brother exclaimed, looking frustrated at the small antique pocket watch in his hand. His blond hair slicked back and his green eyes flaring with anger. His jeans were worn at the knees, meaning he was kneeling at the doctors, most likely by the bed. He had a habit of kneeling down, Aleece thought it was weird. His shirt was crisp, meaning he must've changed somewhere. Aleece thought that was weird too.
"Oh, come now! No need to be so obsessive over time!" stated Aleece's giddy mother, slowly fumbling into the house after him. Her brunette hair in a messy pony tail, with small strands of it hanging loose. She wore and old, dulled, white shirt and light-grey sweatpants with hot pink worn flip-flops.
"Mary is right, we are fine, we don't exactly have a schedule for this evening!" Aleece's father appeared through the door after everyone else. His blond hair was damp from sweat and was disoriented, sticking out in random places. his dress shirt's sleeves were rolled up past his elbows and his dress pants weren't much different that her brother's jeans, worn at the knees. He also carried a baby carrier in his left. None of the family smelt good either.
"Welcome home mother!" Aleece spoke cheerily. No one had addressed her yet so she decided to speak first.
She got no response.
"M-mother?" Aleece inquired softly. She got off the small stool she was sitting on in the kitchen and took a few steps closer to her family. They were all fussing over the baby it seemed. Aleece went up to her her mother and pulled on her shirt, she received no reaction.
"Aww! Look at her adorable chubby face!" her mother squealed. Aleece tried to peer into the baby carrier, but ultimately failed. Why was no one noticing her? Did they not see her? What exactly was going on?
"Mommy? Please, answer me!" It was like this for awhile, everyone seemed to just see past Aleece and she felt abandoned and betrayed. Yet, that damned cat Aleece hated, followed just her, like it saw her and was taunting, and judging her silently. She always hated that cat, it always seemed to smile menacingly in a way Aleece could not describe. The cat was always there at the most convenient time. It would be on the counter
The small door beneath the stairs.
"Eh? Hello?" A whisper of a voice echoed in Aleece's head. A small door beneath the stairs, huh? Aleece thought a bit more, she could go look to see what was there, right? Her family wouldn't notice her absence if they hardly noticed her presence. So, with a feeling of depression sinking in, Aleece went to the stairs' door.
What she would find would change everything.
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