Beware the Little White Rabbit

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, or events is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher and authors acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks and locations mentioned in this book. Trademarks and locations are not sponsored or endorsed by trademark owners.

  Beware the Little White Rabbit COPYRIGHT© 2015 by Shannon Delany and Judith Graves

  “Alice, Through the Wormhole” © 2015 by Charlotte Bennardo “They Call Me Alice” © 2015 by C. Lee McKenzie “Alice, Last of the Beating Hearts” © 2015 by David Turnbull “The Watchmaker’s Ball” © 2015 by Christine Norris “Rabbit Fever” © 2015 by Jackie Horsfall “Mustang Alice” © 2015 by Medeia Sharif “White Is a Human Construct” © 2015 by Laura Lascarso “Alice and Her Shadow” © 2015 by Tom Luke “Alice in Wilderland” © 2015 by Jessica Bayliss “The Aviary” © 2015 by Crystal Schubert “Broken Tethers” © 2015 by Holly Odell “Undercover Alice” © 2015 by Jennifer Moore “Follow the Steam Rabbit” © 2015 by Liam Hogan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Leap Books, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art & Typography by Quixcy Designs

  Cover Art: Gaetano Pezzillo

  Cover Model: Miranda Hedman

  Interior Art by Shannon Delany

  Interior Layout by www.NovelNinjutsu.com

  Leap Books, LLC

  P.O. Box 63

  Otego, NY

  13825

  www.leapbks.net

  Introduction

  Alice, Through The Wormhole by Charlotte Bennardo

  They Call Me Alice by C. Lee McKenzie

  Alice, Last of the Beating Hearts by David Turnbull

  The Watchmaker’s Ball by Christine Norris

  Rabbit Fever by Jackie Horsfall

  Mustang Alice by Medeia Sharif

  White Is a Human Construct by Laura Lascarso

  Alice and Her Shadow by Tom Luke

  Alice in Wilderland by Jessica Bayliss

  The Aviary by Crystal Schubert

  Broken Tethers by Holly Odell

  Undercover Alice by Jennifer Moore

  Follow the Steam Rabbit by Liam Hogan

  More from Leap Books

  At Leap Books, we know a little about taking leaps of faith and falling down rabbit holes to see where they lead us. That’s pretty much how we ended up taking on this small, but mighty, publishing house.

  We can’t thank Laurie J. Edwards, Leap’s founder, enough for leaving us with this gem of an idea: Why not publish an Alice-in-Wonderland inspired anthology in 2015 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the original publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under his pseudonym Lewis Carroll, a few short years before its publication in 1865, the book quickly became a commercial success, challenging its author to keep penning stories with such popular appeal.

  Over the years, Alice and Wonderland has become deeply connected to the experiences and psyches of readers, moviegoers, and art and music lovers alike—the world and inhabitants of Wonderland have seeped into the common lexicon. This year, the celebrations are worldwide and span the entire year. There will be tea parties, film releases, more related books, cosplay balls, croquet matches, and much, much more.

  And what a glorious adventure it’s been for us at Leap! Our call for submissions was met with great enthusiasm, and we’ve retained the very best stories for your curious minds to devour. From heart-wrenching tales of the plague, stories of joyriders, explorers, romantics, and adventurers, to Alices just struggling to survive—this collection has something for everyone.

  Alice is an icon of curiosity, zest for life, and a willingness to do more and be more, so we strove to do her justice. Cover artist Gaetano Pezzillo created a striking ode to Alice, which, combined with the typography of designer Ashley Poston, gives Beware the Little White Rabbit eye-appeal aplenty. The talents of Shannon Delany were also put to use creating dazzling silhouette pieces for the interior title page of each Alice tale contained within this anthology.

  We couldn’t have gotten through the submissions without the keen eyes of our Editorial Intern, Heather Elia, and Copy Editor, Kelly Hashway. Judith Graves’s keen vision and nonstop enthusiasm kept everyone on track and inspired, and she was quick to jump in and do whatever needed doing. In every way, this truly has been a team effort, and we’re thrilled the hour is finally at hand.

  Don’t be late... It’s time to follow the white rabbit...

  For those who dream of adventures

  beyond our earth; for my dad.

  It was seedy, even for a bar; dim enough to hide the dirt, smoky enough to blur faces, and loud enough not to overhear the illicit trading. Drinks were overpriced and watered down, but for making deals that were best kept secret, this place was golden.

  The scariest aspect was the clientele. Murderers, slave traffickers, drug dealers, and mercenaries – all in a mix of the worse scum. Keeping one hand on her blaster was a justifiable precaution. It also let anyone who looked her way know she wouldn’t go without a fight.

  An Oryctolagian, a species resembling a white rabbit once popular on the now-dead Earth but here as big as a human, hopped past, his gravity boots clunking heavily on the stone floor. She had no use for the creatures. Sneaks, thieves, and liars, they fit in with these bottom-feeders. The only good Oryctolagian was a stuffed one – on the dinner table.

  Alice rolled the grimy glass between her hands. No way would she drink it. Everyone knew that consuming anything in this place carried a certain risk. One never knew what might happen. Bartenders could be bought off to slip something in that would knock you out, alter your appearance – or kill you. But to not buy anything would insult both the bartender and the mysterious owner who’d appear by hologram to remind you that you hadn’t purchased a beverage or worse, a dish, from this fine establishment. It was safer – and cheaper – to order the swill. As always, before she left, she’d “accidentally” spill it onto the table sticky with previously slopped libations and leave a generous tip to cover the housekeeping expense.

  She looked at her chronometer again.

  Her dealer was late.

  Usually he was prompt, even getting there earlier than she on occasion. They both seemed to prefer being the first to arrive and snag the best seat: not far from the exit and with their back to the wall. She’d already been waiting ten minutes and was beginning to sweat under the breather and hood she wore. One did not advertise the fact one was a female Earthling, blonde, blue-eyed, and alone. That was shouting for trouble.

  A blue skinned, white-haired Lexan walked over and sat at the table. His dark cerulean eyes, with no pupils, gave her a cursory once-over.

  “Sorry, not looking for company,” said Alice. Her voice, electronically disguised, sounded piercing enough that several patrons looked over in annoyance.

  “I’m not offering you company. Pak sent me.”

  Yeah, so not falling for that.

  “I’ve always dealt with Pak personally.”

  He sat down, tucking his six and a half foot frame, small by Lexan standards, into the chair, and pushed a small packet toward her.

  Surprised, Alice palmed it, swiping it into her lap. With a surreptitious glance to check that she hadn’t been observed and that no one was paying them any attention, she opened it. She stuck her pinky into the mix, th
en sniffed the fingertip.

  Pure. Aromatic.

  The best Remarkann tea in the galaxy. Just what she’d ordered. For some species, like Cuyhangas, a cross between something reptilian and humanoid, it was highly addictive. Others, like most Icythoids, or fish hybrids, found it euphoric right before death. Humans, exempt from ill effects, relished the taste reminiscent of smooth chocolate, spicy wine, and a hit of cannabis combined. It awarded calmness and pure bliss.

  “And you are?” she asked.

  He didn’t answer right away, but she knew those large ears of his heard her question.

  “Myca. Payment, please.” He put a sealed canister on the table.

  “Where’s Pak?” This messenger must be his middleman. While Pak always concealed his identity, there was no mistaking this blue errand boy for a human. At least Lexans, while not poster boys for law and order, were one of the less dangerous alien species. Humans were outnumbered and under armed, spread out in thinly populated areas over several galaxies. Alice spent most of her time traveling about in her ship, not trusting her safety in a building. Her ship had better security, and a big gun. Plus, she could jet into space in seconds.

  “Detained on business. I don’t know when he’ll be available again, so make this last.”

  She pocketed the canister with one hand and pushed over the platinum coin with the other, real easy. Pak didn’t accept credits. Their deal concluded, she rose and quickly left, checking on the sly to see if Myca or anyone else followed. The way clear, outside the fiery orange skies and charred black bedrock – the only things this planet boasted besides being in neutral space – filled the landscape. She slipped through the milling crowd of varied species.

  Until the white rabbit slammed into her, hard, knocking her back.

  “Watch it! Stupid rabbit,” she growled.

  “Sorry! I’m late!” he mumbled, checking his chronometer. He scampered off.

  Suddenly suspicious, she checked her inside pocket and noticed her canister of rare tea was missing.

  “Son of a…” She gave chase, but he was faster, those strong hind legs taking two leaps for every one of her strides. She managed to keep in him sight, but he gradually pulled ahead. He hopped into a battered cruiser. Knowing she couldn’t catch him on foot, she reached into a side pocket, pulled out a tracker, and threw it at the cruiser’s hull just as it began to lift off. The tracker stuck and a tiny light started flashing, letting her know it was working. By the time she’d jumped into her ship and taken off to follow, the rabbit was a good distance ahead, but she could catch that damn, thieving – and soon to be dead – rabbit.

  Until he slipped through the wormhole.

  She cursed him roundly as she ripped off the cumbersome breather and hood. That white abomination didn’t want to pay the high price for the good stuff and thought he could simply take hers? Now it was really going to cost him – an arm and a foot when she caught up with him.

  She could easily turn around, write the experience off as a lesson learned – always secure everything on her person, rather than risk pirates or hostile aliens in this strange stretch of space. But she couldn’t let it go. Not just for the precious tea, but for the fact that she refused to be bested by a damn rabbit.

  She closed in. He had to have realized it, because he began weaving erratically in that antiquated pile of junk. She snorted. Like that feeble attempt could slow or stop her. She laughed at the absurdity.

  The thought crossed her mind to simply blast the ship into space debris. The canister should survive the explosion intact if she targeted the side of the ship, not the engines. But since she didn’t know this individual, killing him was taking a chance that he was unarmed, and she refused to consider killing a life-form who wasn’t armed. Plus, if the rabbit was connected to any of the cartels or guilds, or someone as powerful, it could result in a bounty on her head, dead or alive.

  No, best to play it safe and chase him down to take back what was hers. Of course, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t get his fuzzy ass kicked. At least there was that for fun. Fur was gonna fly.

  She slipped through the wormhole, the guidance system momentarily losing track of the rabbit’s ship as space folded and cut the distance between galaxies. Once she shot out through the other side, the beeping resumed on her console as the tracker and system linked again.

  Alice laughed. “Got you now. Think I’m getting a new fur coat for my birthday this year,” she mumbled. No one took advantage of Alice. It was hard enough being a roaming Earthling, harder still being alone with no one to watch her back. Many times she’d had to send the message “don’t F with me.” Most times it worked; others, it had been close. She had the scars to prove it.

  Being that her ship was faster, she caught up to the white rabbit when suddenly his ship slipped into hyperdrive and disappeared among the distant stars.

  “Oh, want to play catch, do you?” Following the trail of disturbed space, she set a course. Because her ship was specially outfitted with the latest tech, she was right behind his older craft as he descended toward the planet below. If he could survive there, it was an Earth-like planet. She wouldn’t need a breathing apparatus, environmental suit, or gravity shoes. Nothing would slow her down. She loaded her pockets with a tranq gun, water, and a meal pack. There was no telling how long she’d have to track that walking coat.

  With her com link she ordered the ship to go into sleep mode and lock down. If she needed, she could start it on the run with a verbal command and blast off within seconds.

  She hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but getting her tea back from that thieving rabbit was worth it.

  Although the atmosphere was breathable, everything around her had a reddish hue. Possibly an abundance of oxidizing iron, but if that were true, it should be on the brownish side, like dried human blood. The vibrant red tones of plants, grass, and even tree leaves looked akin to fresh blood. She shivered. She’d seen enough blood in her short seventeen years, all different colors; some she’d drawn, or lost, herself.

  The white rabbit’s ship landed just ahead. He jumped out the hatch and scurried away, heading for the forest. Even though he ran faster, she tracked his heat trail with the targeting sensor on her blaster. He seemed to be the only large living thing she picked up. If he tried to disappear, she could always stun him enough to slow him down. That white fluffy tail made a perfect target.

  Feeling a little guilty for thinking about shooting him there when he couldn’t defend himself, she ran faster. There were basic ground rules one followed: she did not shoot unarmed life-forms in the back – unless her life depended on it.

  Through trees and low growth, and over rocks and streams of red water, she chased him. She thought that she’d stayed out of his sight, but he ran like the very devil of Heilyun, a creature that lived on a planet of molten lava, volcanic eruptions, and noxious gases. She paced herself, running steadily but swiftly enough to keep him in sight. Up ahead, she saw a hedge, and he ducked through a small doorway. It was a strange place for both hedge and door, so deep in the forest. The wall of red foliage was too high to see over and too long to see around. And although the doorway wasn’t large, the rabbit easily squeezed through.

  Right behind him Alice came. And ran straight into a robotic sentry. His lance, with a glistening cruel edge, halted just a hair’s breadth from her throat – too close for her to even gulp without fear of nicking her skin. Breathing slow and easy, her eyes slid away from the blade to its face. Like everything else, he was suited in red, even his metal shell was scarlet toned.

  “Halt!” Luckily for her he had a universal translator. This was not a time for a misunderstanding. “You may not proceed further.”

  “That rabbit, the white one who just ran in here, stole something from me. I need to get it back. Then I’ll leave. I’m not looking for trouble.”

  The sentry lowered the lance away from her throat, but not completely out of striking distance. “You must obey the laws or suffer the penalti
es.”

  Alice sighed. “Fine. Whatever. What do I need to do?”

  “Royal decree says that all who enter the kingdom must be presentable.” He stepped aside, the lance still within handy striking distance, and two pages, also in red, rolled forward on silent wheels and gears. They aimed a spray gun at her.

  “Wait – ”

  They pulled the trigger, and Alice was no longer in her blue flight suit – it was red. As was her skin, her shoes, and – leaning so her braid fell forward – her hair.

  There wasn’t a spot on her that wasn’t red. She wondered if the whites of her eyes were red too, and more importantly, if it was permanent. If she were running from the authorities, that might come in handy, but she wasn’t and this was going to be a problem. Contacts like Pak knew what she looked like. She was going to spend a lot of time explaining she really was Alice and not some resident of the planet Taurus.

  “Now you are presentable and may enter the kingdom,” said the sentry, ushering her forward.

  “Fab.” She scowled. She wasn’t thrilled about the skin, but the hair color was cool. With a quick glance at her hands, she looked enough like a Tauran that she could get through the Parsellian Gate without question and get back to her home galaxy a heck of a lot sooner. The gatekeepers weren’t fond of Earthlings. That was some benefit anyway.

  Now to catch the rabbit.

  She took off at a run, marveling the sentry hadn’t taken her blaster or tranq gun or anything from her pockets. Bonus for her. Not so much for that rabbit.

  He must have been here before because he was no longer white but a fiery red and she hadn’t been far behind him. Getting sprayed hadn’t taken him much time. He was a quick little fella. She dug down deep to pour on the speed. He sprinted around a corner. Huffing, she rounded the corner and stopped short. There was a long table set with at least forty places.

  Someone was expecting a lot of guests.