Alice into Darkness

A Letter from Landon

Alice was looking through her window all of the time as the elegant carriage traveled through a street after another, everything seemed bright and colorful thanks to that dazzling sun that shone at the highest of a clear sky and she continued to be surprised by the sleepy and yet charming beauty of Seaside Creek.

The town seemed rather small if compared to Sparks Hollow, which Alice could tell because of how sleepy and relaxed everyone looked. There were many shops that were just getting opened even though it was eleven already, there were very few horses walking in the streets, the sea continued to whisper in the distance and various groups of people chatted in their parks without a care in the world...

All of the houses, gardens and shops were quite simple in style and yet somehow attractive, and even though the scattered churches were nothing if compared to the stunning cathedrals of Sparks Hollow they managed to give the town a peaceful, charming and humble atmosphere that was all of its own.

Grace pointed at the most famous landmarks of Seaside Creek as they continued their journey, they passed beside a central square that was much smaller than Starlight, Alice learned the names of so many hotels and parks and soon they arrived at what seemed to be one of the most prestigious residential areas of the town...

The houses were just as large and cute as those at Silverthorn street, but the gardens here were even better and it was clear that the entire area had been built on what seemed to be the summit of a soft hill... every single house featured a crystalline pool between the stylish trees, and the vast and beautiful sea could be seen glowing like an endless mirror in the distance.

Alice was happy when the carriage came to a halt in front of what looked like the best house of the entire street, the rectangular pool was made of orange and silvery marble, even the somber Eileen displayed a clear excitement and the entire family was quick to leave the carriage and cheer together as they explored the gardens of their new home.

Albert unlocked the main door, Eileen was the first to dash into the house and they all followed her immediately already sure that they were going to fall in love with that place...

"This is great!" Grace gasped, swirling on the spot as she looked at everything around her- "Albert, it's so wonderful!"

Alice remained silent as she admired the stylish living room, the shiny wooden floor, those great shelves filled with countless books and the elegant couches in orange and green... the huge windows were covered with curtains of blue silk, the fireplace was made of the highest quality red bricks and the walls were decorated with various paintings and portraits.

The entire house smelled of jasmine, the kitchen and dining hall were equally great and Alice was the first to encounter a cardboard container that somebody had left at the staircase that led to the bedrooms above...

"What do you think is this?" Alice said at the staircase as she held the package in her hands, a soft smile came to form slowly in her face and then they all turned their heads to look at her- "Look, everyone! It's from Stephan and Amelia... To the Snowflake Family, it says... Let's open it together!"

Alice opened the package to find a piece of white paper folded inside, there was something else wrapped in violet silk and Albert was the one that read the letter out loud for everyone as soon as the family had gathered around him:

To the Snowflake Family:

We could live a thousand years, and still we would never be able to thank you enough for everything that you did for us. You were always there to help us through any trouble, not just as neighbors but as the truest of friends, and you were the very best people that we ever knew during our lives at Sparks Hollow.

Albert and Grace, we regard you as our brother and sister. Eileen, thank you so much for having been the best friend of our beloved daughter Catherine, who belongs in Heaven now. Logan, thanks for so many nice and thoughtful things that you did for us. Alice, you are indeed a blessing that came to brighten so many lives at the happy town that we called home.

Thanks all of you for your great support during the darkest time of our lives...

We are with Stanislas now, at Landon. This is a good place, and it seems like the pain is starting to pass. We are not sure of whether we are going to return to Sparks or not, but we know that we'll never see our house at Seaside Creek ever again. We choose to remember it as the great home that we enjoyed with our daughter, to keep all of those happy memories intact...

That house belongs to you now.

Please do not send anything to us in return, just take it. All of the clothing, all of the books, all of the portraits and everything else in that house now belongs to you. Albert and Grace, we are sure that the books shall be of your liking... There is a swords collection, they are all for you, Logan. Eileen, our Cathy would be happy to know that all of her belongings ended in your hands.

Alice, we send the best photograph that we had of Catherine to you. Just take it, so you can have a part of your little friend with you for the rest of your life. The picture was taken a few days before Hallewayn, and she was very happy with it. That night, the last thing that she said to us was that she loved you and that you were like a new big sister for her.

Thanks all of you! There is a wine cellar downstairs, filled to the brim with bottles from your own winery. The kitchen is well-supplied. The grass is always soft. Enjoy the pool, it's great except in Winter... and blessed be.

Your Friends Forever...

Stephan and Amelia

Albert's voice was nearly broken as he finally lowered the letter, and Alice was not surprised to see that those gentle blue eyes had gotten all teary after having read that message from their friends. Grace was actually crying, Logan remained like lost in a solemn silence and Eileen sobbed a little as she dabbed some tears from her eyes.

Alice was the only one that remained all excited and happy, and it was at that moment when she removed the violet silk in order to reveal one of the best photographs that she had ever seen...

Catherine looked perfect at the snowy garden of her house, she was wearing a violet cloak on top of her gray and blue dress and the smile that she displayed for the camera could not have been brighter. It was clear that during those moments the girl had no idea that she had just a few more days to live, and Alice imagined how happy and proud of their daughter Stephan and Amelia must have been that day.

Just by looking at her dazzling blue eyes you could feel that Catherine was full of life and dreams, everything was perfect for her and she had been completely unaware of the fact that soon she would encounter a most dramatic and terrible death...

"Thanks" Alice whispered, happy to be the new owner of that picture- "Thank you, Stephan and Amelia..."

A tearful Logan decided to dash out of the house in order to help their assistant with the luggage, Grace disappeared into the kitchen wishing to prepare a good meal for her family, Albert walked into the library looking for treasures and Eileen just vanished upstairs without speaking a single word to anyone.

Alice just stayed there sitting at the staircase, and she could not stop herself from staring at the photograph while she enjoyed every fascinating memory that she had of that cold and bloody night...