Page 16 of Hatter

I clung to him, my fingers digging into the leather of his cut, anchoring myself to the here and now. To Hatter. My body shook as I cried once more. I’d thought I had no more tears to shed.

“Got you,” he murmured, and it sounded more like a vow. A claim. He was solid, unyielding, but his touch was soft as if he knew just how much pressure would break me. He didn’t ask for more of my story, didn’t push, just like he said he wouldn’t. He just held me.

He didn’t seem to care about my tears soaking into his shirt. For the first time since falling into Eddie’s trap, I not only had hope, but I wasn’t alone. I could tell that while the hell I’d lived through was different from his, he’d walked a dark path too. One that left both physical and hidden scars.

“Thank you,” I choked out, the words barely a whisper. They weren’t enough, they never would be, to tell him what this -- what he meant to me.

“Nothing to thank me for.” His hand stroked my back, a rhythm that was soothing and grounding. “This is what we do. We survive. We fight back. You may not have been to war like the rest of us, but it doesn’t mean you didn’t have battles to fight and monsters to face.”

I held on tighter, not wanting to let him go. Even though Hatter had expressed an interest in me, and not in a platonic sort of way, I had to admit I also saw him differently. Absolem had set me at ease, and almost felt like an older brother. Cheshire intrigued me with his snarky tone and wide smile. March had an intensity I found a bit overwhelming. And when I watched Rabbit pace or twitch, I wanted to soothe him. It really was like I’d found a family.

“Nobody will hurt you again,” he murmured, his voice so low it rumbled through him and into me. “Not while I’m breathing.”

I could almost believe him. In this tucked-away corner of the Underland clubhouse, with its smell of oil and leather, it felt like truth. His words stitched up the torn edges inside me, piece by ragged piece.

“Jo.” His voice was a command demanding my attention. “Look at me.”

I straightened up, just a bit, untangling from his embrace. Our eyes locked, and there was a storm in his gaze, dark and fierce.

“Thank you…” My voice trembled. “For listening. For… for being here. And most of all for saving me. You could have ignored me, kept going, and never looked back.”

“Jo, you’re part of Underland now. We’re your shield. Your spear. You aren’t alone anymore.”

I watched the change in him, like shadows lifting when the sun struggles through heavy clouds. His eyes softened, and there was a warmth there, meant just for me. Or it felt that way.

“Jo.” Hatter’s voice was almost gentle as he said my name, a stark contrast to the harshness of our world. “Whatever crap life throws at us, we’ll handle it. Together.”

“Handle it?” I scoffed. “You make it sound so easy. It’s Eddie Lewis we’re talking about, Hatter. His dad has this town locked down. They have friends in all the high places.”

“Never said it’d be easy. But it’s nothing we can’t face side by side.”

“Side by side,” I echoed, and the idea seemed foreign to me, and yet… I liked the sound of it.

“Thank you,” I whispered, the words almost lost in the space between us.

“None of that now,” he replied, his voice low and steady. “I don’t want to hear that phrase from you again, not about this.”

“Okay,” I said.

We stood in silence, letting the moment stretch out. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. Our start.

Chapter Six

Hatter

I kept my hand on Jo’s lower back, both guiding and protecting her. She’d unofficially met the entire club. Only the officers had a proper introduction. I knew it was time to fix that. Since I had no doubts as to Carpenter’s loyalty, or Tweedle’s, I thought it would be best to start with them. Since they were playing cards together, I guided Jo over there.

“Tweedle. Carpenter.” They both looked up. “This is Jo. I’ve told her she’s part of our family now, so please treat her accordingly. Jo, if you can’t find me and need something, you can always come to either of them. They’re good men.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” she said.

“Want to join our game?” Tweedle asked, indicating the cards. “We can start over to include the both of you.”

“Not right now, but thanks.” I tugged Jo away. “Need to take her around to everyone.”

“Welcome to Underland,” Carpenter said before gazing back down at the cards in his hand.

I led her over to Knave and Mock. Until I had proof that said otherwise, I’d have to trust them with Jo. I’d keep watch, and make sure she didn’t get hurt from the bullshit going on right now.

---