Snippet #1784679

"Alys!" Madigan's hat flew back into his hand, and he rushed to her side as she collapsed, checking her heartbeat. He sighed in relief; it was weak, but she was still alive. Unconscious, but alive. On Madigan's head, his hat was slowly knitting itself back together.
It really wasn't necessary to check Alys's pulse. She was the keeper of the dream called Wonderland. If she died without another Alice to replace her, Madigan, and all of Wonderland would cease to exist.
"Oh Alys...." Madigan begged, "Please be all right, and please.... forgive me...."
Even though Madigan could think of no other way to stop Alice, it didn't make what he had done any easier. He was supposed to protect Alys. He had promised her, and yet just now, he had almost strangled her to death.
He couldn't even forgive himself.
Keeping a calm face, he lifted Alys up, and placed her gently by Nezumi and Hare. From Alice's last order, Cheshire, Nemuh, and nearly any other Wonderlanders that could hear her would try to kill Hatter now. Nezumi and Hare were the only people he could trust to keep Alys safe.
"Take care of her," He smiled sadly. As he stood up, he took off his, now-mended hat, and turned to face Cheshire and Nemuh. Silently, he vowed not to let any more harm come to Alys. Holding his hat out to his side, he watched Chess and Nemuh with a piercing glace, waiting for them to attack. He might be able to defeat them if he was lucky, but if not, he could at least buy some time for Alys's escape.
"Alys," He whispered, not knowing if she could hear, "Until the day this crimson heartbeat fails, and Imagination itself runs dry, I shall protect you. Remember, that no matter what happens, you can always find me on the other side of the Looking Glass."