The Hatter

He was born alone. His father was dead, his mother died giving him birth. He was born alone under a heavy rain, one night, and there was nobody to hear him cry in the cold weather. Nobody? No. A 6 years old boy was not far, and had watched him struggle to live up to now. After a while, he had decided it would be better to help him, and he had approached him.

Nobody remembers how the boy had fed the baby. The only thing they remember is that the boy had named the baby Ryeowook, and had decided to protect him forever.

It happened on a stormy night, five years after they had met. The older boy was struggling to build a temporary shelter so they wouldn’t catch cold, when suddenly he noticed the little one wasn’t by his side anymore. Worried to death, he started searching and searching, until he heard a scream. Hurrying, he ran madly through the forest and finally found men trying to kidnap Ryeowook. That night, a mad smile appeared on his lips for the first time. His eyes went dark, and he came out of the forest laughing crazily, showing all of his teeth in a delirious grin. Like a crazed beast, he jumped on the first man.

Ten minutes later, everything was finished. There was blood everywhere, soon washed away by the heavy rain that had finally started. The older boy was standing under the rain, silent, immobile. Ryeowook was staring at him in fear, until he remembered everything he had done for him. So he walked to him and hugged him, not caring about his clothes stained with blood and mud.

“Thank you for saving me.”

Tears were flowing down the older boy’s cheeks. One for every life he had just taken. His voice resounded, low but full of strength.

“I’ll always be with you. I’ll always protect you. Even if it costs my life or the life of other people. Forever.”

Years passed. The older boy became the Mad Hatter, told the previous King about the duties power gives, saw the previous King get killed by the Knave. Nobody except him and Ryeowook knew the real reason for his nickname. And they both chose not to reveal it to anyone.

“Ryeowookie.”

The young one turned and saw the Mad Hatter staring at him from his chair at the end of the table, smiling mysteriously.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for caring so much for me.”

“But… hey, you did more for me than what I do for you. Of course I would take care of you.”

The Mad Hatter had smiled, got up, and walked to him slowly. He had hugged him tightly before approaching his lips from Ryeowook’s. He had been about to touch them when he had suddenly moved back, frowning.

“The King. We have to go! Quick!”

They had run through the forest, to the tree where they could hide. They had stayed there silently, trying not to make any sound so that the King wouldn’t find them. Until the Mad Hatter had heard a faint sound, and went outside to see what it was. When he came back, he had a cute, red kitten in his arms.

“He was complaining, all alone. I decided to bring him home. He’s Zhou Mi.”

And that’s how the Mad Hatter had started bringing home the friends, the family.

Until that day.

“Ryeowookie. Ryeowookie, I can’t stand this world anymore.”

Ryeowook had approached him to hug him with tenderness.

“What are you saying…?”

“I say. I can’t stand this world anymore. It’s making me go crazy! Look, all of them. Most of them were born alone because they were different, or born into a crazy family. The only one born in a warm family lost it because of the King! And look at us, always running away! We should be able to enjoy tea without having to run away every single ing time!”

It was the first time Ryeowook had heard the Mad Hatter curse, and he frowned.

“Then… what do you want to do about it?”

“Leave. Escape this world to live in peace, far from that stupid King.”

“Would… would you bring me with you?”

The Mad Hatter had smiled sadly. Only then did Ryeowook notice that he didn’t have his legendary hat, his walking stick and his tailcoat. He stepped back in fear and sadness.

“Don’t… don’t tell me you… you…”

The Mad Hatter had smiled sadly.

“I’m sorry, Ryeowookie. I’m. So. Very. Sorry.”

“No! You told me… you told me you would always be with me!”

“I’m sorry.”

“NO! SHUT UP! YOU TOLD ME!”

He had started crying.

“You told me you would always be with me…”

He had left, running, crying. And he had never seen the Mad Hatter again.