Read Online Alice by Christina Henry - Free Book Online

Alex,” she said, and followed him into the night, closing the door behind her.
    “Stay close to me,” Hatcher said.
    “How far is it, to Rose Way?” Alice asked.
    “A day’s walk, likely two,” Hatcher said. “We’re going into the heart of the Old City, and we can’t walk there in a straight line.”
    Alice had already noted the meandering crooked paths that stood in for streets, and the maze of alleys that connected them. She mentioned this to Hatcher and he gave a little laugh. “It’s not the streets that are the problem, love. It’s who owns them.” “You mean—like bands of ruffians?” Alice asked.
    This was not a world she was familiar with, even before the hospital, although she recalled her father complaining of gangs of thieves roving the edges of the Old City. They would dart into the New City, past the patrols, rob the rich folk, and slip back into the Old City before an alarm could be raised.
    But that was long ago, Alice thought. Ten years ago. The world had changed even if Alice herself had stood still.
    Thinking of this, she said, “Will things be as you remember them? It’s been a long time.”
    Hatcher shrugged, the motion barely visible under the cloak. “I don’t remember, not really. But Bess told me a bit of what to expect, and it seemed to remind me.”
    He fell silent then, and Alice knew him well enough to know he was brooding on something. He was unpredictable in this mood, so she let him be. The night was cold, and were it not for the cloak, Alice would be shivering. Even with the cold, the air felt close and still, like everything in the City was hushed and waiting.
    Alice thought she knew that that was about. The Jabberwocky had struck, and no one knew when he would strike again. Even if nobody except her and Hatcher and Bess knew what the Jabberwocky was, even if nobody knew he was a monster from nightmares, he had obviously done something terrible. It wasn’t difficult to draw that conclusion, based on the things Bess said and on the state of Hatcher when it was happening. Still, most folk in the Old City would know something was out there, something unusual, something horrifying.
    Even with that the streets were hardly empty. There was plenty of business of a furtive nature being conducted, and more than one gaze followed Alice and Hatcher, assessing.
    The first time they passed a couple of tough-looking characters, Alice tucked her head and hurried past them, afraid that if they saw her face they might take her for a girl, and then what happened before would happen again. The bruises on her body seemed to throb in fear, anticipating more pain to come. But nothing happened, except that once they were out of sight Hatcher grabbed her elbow and made her look at him.
    “Don’t scurry like a mouse,” Hatcher said, his voice harsh. “You’ll draw them to you quick as flame if you do.”
    “I thought—” Alice said.
    “I know what you thought, and you could hardly be blamed for thinking it. But if you go on like that you’ll attract every trader we pass. And while I can defend you—and I will—I’d rather save my energy for what lies ahead.”
    Alice nodded, feeling chastened. “I need to defend myself.”
    “Start by holding your head high,” Hatcher said. “You’re only a mouse if you let them make you one.”
    After that Alice tried to copy the way Hatcher walked—his long legs taking long strides, his upper body still, coiled and ready to spring. His head hardly moved, but his eyes were always on the lookout, taking in everything. If any threat lurked in the shadows and fog, Hatcher would see it.
    They walked for a few hours. Alice knew they moved deeper into the City because the scent of the river had become very faint, though its reek was so strong it had not disappeared entirely.
    Sometimes they moved through the alleys, and sometimes they walked in the thoroughfares. Hatcher seemed to know where to go, for he moved with a purpose, never hesitating or