NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN

[008] down by the water

CHAPTER EIGHT : DOWN BY THE WATER
season 1 episode 3

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WINTER, 1986 ; age six
The crisp air had nipped at Alice's cheeks as she bounced off the steps of the family cabin, her breath curling in small clouds before her. Snow began to crunch underneath her boots as she made her way out to the snowy area. She held onto Patch close to her chest, comforting herself amongst the familiar scenery and weather.

The land before her was coated in a blanket of white-thick drifts of snow clinging into tree branches while a soft wind stirred the frozen landscape. The nearby lake, which was now frozen, glowed from the sun, looking like a diamond to the young girl.

Beside her was AJ, who trailed along. HIs small frame was wrapped in layers of coats, and mittens. He was weirdly quiet, but it was due to the fuss he had made with their mom when she was insisting that AJ be bundled up. Alice didn't mind it though; she'd rather be comfortable and enjoy the weather outside.

His eyes darted around the area with the same amount of fascination she had, although not as lively. Already, his nose was red from the cold, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. He wasn't going to let Alice outdo him, even in the simple fun of playing in the snow.

Alice's breath hitched when she stepped into a particularly deep drift, the cold snow brushing against her knees. She only giggled at the feeling; her eyes brightened with mischief as she called back to her twin. "C'mon AJ! It's perfect for a snowball fight!"

AJ scoffed, making a small frown. "You're just going to win." he muttered, though he had already begun to gather a fistful of snow.

In the moment, the wind had picked up, sending flakes spinning around them like tiny crystals in the winter sun. Alice leaned her head back slightly, letting strays of snowflakes land on her nose, eyelashes, and cheeks. She loved it here—the way the cold had stung her cheeks, the way the quiet of the nearby forest made it feel like they were the only ones in the world. It was a wonderland, as their mom put it. And Alice thrived in it.

What caught her out of the bliss was the sudden impact of a snowball that hit her side. It was a surprisingly good throw from AJ, but it didn't hurt or anything. Still, Alice touched her side and giggled at the feeling. She started to giggle more once she saw him make another snowball. She gave him a grin as she began to duck and scramble to make her own. She would hold onto Patch as best as she could, making sure she didn't set him down onto the snow for too long, not wanting to get him wet.

The quietness through the area was now more broken by the twins' laughter and playful yelps. Both lost in their wonderland together.

The snowball fight went on for some time, but soon it became not as playful.

Alice threw her next snowball, not thinking much of it and it would hit AJ's cheek. The impact caused the boy to yelp and drop the snowball he had in his hands. The cold and wetness hit his cheek in a combination he didn't like at all.

"Hey! No fair! That hurt!" AJ called out to her, his covered hand rubbing the side of his cheek.

Alice stopped and looked at him, seeing he was acting and knowing that this wasn't a joke. Surely, she didn't throw it that hard. At least that's what she thought, she knew sometimes she threw stuff with too much force, but this time wasn't it. That's what she knew.

"I'm sorry," Alice told him, looking concerned. "It was an accident! My hand slipped!"

AJ let out a huff as he glared over at her. "It wasn't an accident, and you know it! You always do this!"