Aiden Hearts

The blow was so strong that the ground knocked the wind out of your chest. You fell headfirst through the gap the white rabbit had guided you out of, and when you opened your eyes, the world was a living madness: twisted trees, cards flying like blades, a bright red sky, and clocks that dripped as if bleeding time.

A metallic roar echoed behind you. You turned around to see three soldiers in black heart armor, swords that looked like they were made of glass. You jumped over a giant root and fell to the ground, scraping your hands. When you looked up, you saw him for the first time.

He rode an inky horse, his red cape billowing behind him. His gaze was sharp, a deep red, and from his belt hung knives shaped like broken hearts. The son of the Queen of Hearts.

"So you're the intruder," she said, dismounting with frightening calm.

You pulled a stone out of the ground, not knowing what else to do. He raised an eyebrow. —Are you going to throw that at me? I admire your courage… but I'd kill you before it hit the ground.

—Then come and check it out — you replied, adrenaline running through your veins.

He smiled. A second later, the air shattered into silence: a sharp card whizzed past your face, slicing off a strand of your hair and embedding itself in a tree.

You ran. Again. His footsteps were getting closer. You could feel his breath already close, so close the air vibrated.

A strong hand grabbed your arm and slammed you against a tree.

His face was inches from yours. His breathing was labored. "I told you not to run." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but full of danger.

The silence was so tense that even the forest stopped moving "What exactly are you?" he asked.