The stone corridors were dimly lit with elegant torches. There were lilac rugs on the floor, and the occasional flower basket attatched to the ceiling. Me, Chess and Queenie began creeping through the corridor. After a few minutes shadows loomed around the bend. We shrank away and kept low. I held my breath, and strained my ears to listen in on the conversation.
"But what does she want with them?"
"That clairvoyant know-it-all told her about them. She says they're a bit different. Not from this world."
"How can they not be from here?"
"Apparently they're human. That looney is helping them. And they want to find the white hag."
"They'll never find her."
"I know that! Come on, it's our turn to check on that lunatic." When their shadows began to fade, I whispered to the others.
"I think we've found our route." We decided to follow these figures at a discreet distance. We followed them through many winding corridors. Eventually they came to a huge green brass door. One of the men put a little key into the doorknob and turned it. Then they stepped inside.
"What do we do know?" Queenie whispered.
"Wait here," said Chess. "I have an idea." She grinned at us, and quickly faded away into nothing. Just as the door swung to close, something stuck in the way. Chess grinned to give us the all clear, and we ran over. She reappeared and it turned out her foot was stuck in the door.
"Watch this," she said. She grabbed our hands and grinned.
"Nothing happened" Queenie pointed out.
"Something has happened" Chess said. She picked up a flower and went and stood in front of a nearby mirror. She waved it around, and only the flower was visible. Queenie stepped in front of the mirror and she was invisible too. So was I.
"This is awesome," Queenie breathed. Chess nodded, and led us behind the green door.
We snuck into the room, but stopped suddenly as the guards walked past us. I held my breath. But they walked straight past us. I heard the door slam behind us, and the key twist in the lock. I shot Chess a look that said 'Great, what do we do now?" She shrugged. I took this oppurtunity to look around the room. The walls were a creamy colour, and the carpet was a rich green. Too bad you could barely see it. Every spare patch of space was littered with hundreds and hundreds of HATS. All kinds of hats. Beautiful, well-made hats. Hats so lovingly and carefully made. In the far end of the room was an antique looking sewing machine. In the centre of the room was an old chair. Tied to that chair was the Hatter.
"Tarrant! Is that you?" I asked. The Hatter jumped, startled by my voice. He turned round and grinned at me. I was obviously visible again.
"Megan, as I live and breathe. You brought Queenie and Chess I see." Chess and Queenie smiled. We walked over to him (well Queenie and I walked, Chess was very successful in tripping over a variety of hats). I knelt down beside him and began untying his hands. The stiff ropes were digging into his wrists.
"I take it this is your room," Queenie said. He smiled proudly.
"I was Mariana's personal Hatter. I made all these hats." He suddenly frowned. "Miriana had no dungeons, so they put me in here." I smiled at him.
"Problem is, we're stuck in here too. So now we're trapped." Queenie sighed. The Hatter grinned at her.
"Oh, believe me, there is more than one way out of here."
"What?" Chess cried. My eyes widened. He smiled at me I grinned back at him.
"I worked in this room for 14 years I know every nook and cranny." He stood up from his chair and walked over to the sewing machine. He pushed it to the side to reveal a trap door. He felt around his hat and pulled out a key. He unlocked it and the trapdoor swung open.
"Well come on!" he cried. "The tea will be getting cold!" I laughed and ran after him, swinging myself into the trapdoor. Chess and Queenie hopped in after me. We were now in a dark tunnel. I was just able to stand (crouching) in the corridor. It was pitch black in the tunnel. I couldn't see an inch in front of my nose. I jumped as something grabbed my hand. I squeaked and covered my mouth.
"It's okay Megan. Its just me." I smiled in the darkness at the Hatter. I grabbed Queenie's hand and Queenie grabbed Chess. Then the Hatter led us into the blackness.
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Ooh the suspense! I wonder what will happen! Where does the tunnel go? Will they get caught? Why do I have a spoon in my hand? Keep reading to find out! Please comment!
