[CENTER][COLOR=GRAY][SUB][sub][h3][I]We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.[/I][/h3][/sub][/SUB][/COLOR]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/vtNDce0.jpg?1[/img][/CENTER]
[COLOR=black][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Unknown[/I] - [I]Gotham City[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]Welcome to the Masquerade #1.08:[/b] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]We’re All Mad Here[/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][/color][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][color=black][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]None[/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4904146][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]And Twice As Twisted[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color]
[SUP][b][i][color=#44688C]1977[/color][/i][/b][/SUP]
[INDENT][COLOR=#808080][I]A rush of cold air snapped the young boy awake. 

Sitting up sharply, the boy took several deep breaths as he tried to still his pounding heart. Quickly rubbing his tired eyes, the boy scanned the dimly illuminated room. Looking out over the toy-strewn floor, his eyes were drawn towards the light of the moon as it shone through the nearby open window.  

A sudden tapping on the window caused the boy to jump, ducking back beneath the covers before allowing himself to peek out briefly. Against the thin pane, the wind had blown against the nearby maple causing its bare branches to relentless rap against the glass. Outside, the wind continued to howl as the tree slammed against the window once again.

Slowly standing up from his bed, the small boy walked cautiously across the room. His large front teeth were biting down on his bottom lip, producing a small bead of red from between the cracked skin. Standing on his tiptoes, the boy reached towards the window, slipping on the wet surface as the rain continued to come through the open portal. Stumbling backwards, the boy was helpless to slow the falling pane. He could only watch helplessly as the window closed with a loud bang.  

The minute the window slammed shut, the boy could have sworn his heart had stopped.

Paralyzed by fear, the boy shook like a leaf while listening for the sounds of anyone awoken by the loud disturbance. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the boy began to tiptoe back towards his bed. Taking several steps forward, he froze immediately as the bedroom door unexpectedly creaked open.

The light of the hallway illuminated the silhouette of a young girl. Breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of his sister, the boy watched her take a step forward. Awkwardly rubbing a closed hand across her drooping eyes, the taller girl stifled a yawn before addressing her younger brother.

[color=white]“Jervis, what are you doing u-”[/color] She suddenly paused, her eyes opening wide as she stumbled backwards. [color=white]“Behind y-”[/color] 

But her warning came too late as a large hand wrapped itself around Jervis’ face.[/I][/COLOR][/INDENT]
[SUP][b][i][color=#FF3B2D]2019[/color][/i][/b][/SUP]
[INDENT][COLOR=#808080]Something had been forced onto her head.

Chelsea could feel it pushing down on either side of her skull, tucked behind her ears as it sat on top of her hair. She knew the headband wasn’t hers. Her pixie cut didn’t require her to wear one, especially not one so juvenile. The minute it had gone on her head, Chelsea felt as though she had left her body. There was nothing she could do to stop the man, and even now, she could feel his hands upon her.

She wanted to scream, she wanted to fight, but she couldn’t. 

No matter how hard Chelsea fought, it was as though she was no longer in control of her own body. Her legs didn’t run when she told them too, her hands refused to lash out and instead of yelling at the top of her lungs, she could feel her mouth merely smiling at the man in front of her. 

Firmly grasped in his gloved hand was a large pair of scissors that the almost comically small man deftly maneuvered around Chelsea’s body as he cut away the last of her clothes. As her garments fell away, the scared young woman could feel the stale room was cold, her body shivering in response. Nonetheless, it remained still, perfectly poised in front of her assaulter while he examined every inch of his victim like a prized hog. She kept telling her body to run, to move, to slap the man, but it instead she stood there smiling. Smiling like a sycophant who was pleased as punch that her kidnapper had taken such a profound interest in her nude form.  

A measuring tape was placed tightly against her body, the oddly dressed man cupping, pushing and squeezing every part of her as though she were merely just flesh to him. The intrusive process felt as though it lasted forever and then suddenly he walked away. Unable to turn her head to watch where he went, Chelsea was alerted to his return by an off-tune whistle. Waltzing into her field of vision, Chelsea watched the man hobbling towards her with an outfit tightly clutched between his bony fingers.

Dressing Chelsea, she was forced to endure the procedure as he personally placed each garment upon her. Never before had Chelsea felt so entirely dehumanized than at this particular moment. The man before her didn’t see Chelsea as anything more than a toy, a life-sized doll purely for his amusement. 

Finally, the man took a step back, reaching upwards towards Chelsea as he extended a hand towards her.

[color=#38761d]“Alice,”[/color] He practically purred, [color=#38761d]“Won’t you be a dear and join me for here for a nice spot of tea?”[/color] He asked, tipping the ostentatious top hat upon his head towards her. No sooner had the man touched its brim, then did Chelsea find words coming out of her mouth.

[color=white]“Oh Hatter,”[/color] She replied, inwardly recoiling at the sing-song tone of her voice. [color=white]“That’s music to my ear, so please don’t fear, at the table is where I’ll be.”[/color] Her body suddenly lurched forward unnaturally as Chelsea felt her body begin to walk, maneuvering itself towards the small table in the center of the barren room. Taking a seat at one end of the table, the ‘Hatter’ smiled behind his large buck teeth before taking the position at the opposite end.

Suddenly his smiled disappeared as he looked across the table at Chelsea. Shaking his head, he began to mutter angrily, his tone rapidly increasing in volume.

[color=#38761d]“No, no [b]no[/b],”[/color] He cried. [color=#38761d]“This is all wrong, all very [b]wrong[/b].”[/color] His tantrum continued as he pounded his hands against the table. 

[color=#38761d]“I measure twice, nay perhaps even thrice but Alice is still too tall.”[/color] He stood up from the table, walking in circles as ‘Alice’ continued to sit, blankly smiling in the Hatter’s general direction. 

[color=#38761d]“I have to fix her, Alice must be right.”[/color] He stated, walking towards Chelsea, a smile beginning to spread beneath his furrowed brows. [color=#38761d]“The legs too long, the dress too tight.”[/color] 

Shooing Chelsea away from the table, the Hatter pulled her towards an old medical gurney. Blood stains covered the surface as Chelsea fought in vain not to climb onto the trolley, but her body didn’t listen as she simply smiled at the Hatter before laying down atop the stretcher.

[color=#38761d]“This will hurt just a bit, please lie still, don’t throw a fit.”[/color] [/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][COLOR=BLACK][sub][COLOR=#2c2c2c]Placeholder[/color][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Next Issue:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4909859][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Through the Looking Glass[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color][/INDENT]