A week had passed, and Lucas's time ran out. He never did anything to complete his task, so Alice devoured his soul.

And Alice went back to that cursed place. But she was summoned again in less than a minute.

"Alice, please. I want to get out of here. Find me a human," Absolem the caterpillar said before Alice disappeared.

When Alice returned to Wonderland, she found herself in the presence of a familiar man. He was dressed in a dark green tuxedo and wore a felt top hat with a pink silk scarf wrapped around it.

He appeared to be in his twenties, but Alice knew he was over 200 years old.

Her summoner was none other than the Mad Hatter himself--the very person she was looking for.

"The Mad Hatter," Alice said, her appearance was that of a dark shape.

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The Mad Hatter staggered back, a look of disbelief on his face. "Alice . . . is it really you?"

"Oh, my . . . Why didn't you appear terrified? But, yes, it's me. The best friend you turned into a demon."

The Mad Hatter lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I was still a kid back then, and I had no idea what I was doing. Please forgive me."

Flames of anger shot through Alice, but she kept it under control. "So what's your wish, my summoner? Be quick. Make a contract with me."

"I . . . I just wanna be with you again. I shouldn't have done what I did, but . . . I truly am sorry, Alice. Please be by my side again."

Alice scrutinized him. "Are you sure that's your wish?"

The Mad Hatter averted his eyes. "Yes. My wish is to be with you."

But Alice knew better. She wasn't a fool and she knew Mad Hatter better than he knew himself. He was a clever and cunning man who was always determined to achieve his goal. She did, after all, learn from him.

"Okay, Mad Hatter. Make a contract with me now."

When the contract was completed, the shadow that had been covering Alice dissipated, revealing her true appearance in front of the Mad Hatter.

She took a step toward him, grinning, and caressed his cheeks.

"For my wish, I want you to change me back into a human, Alastor."

Alastor the Mad Hatter's face turned pale as he stared wide-eyed at her.

Of course, her wish was impossible.

In the end, Alice devoured his soul.

FIN