The Secrets We Keep

Firmilar Faces

***Sam's POV***

"How did it all go?" I say as I walk in the library. Jason turns around and smirks at me.

"Piece of cake, she's getting better at being a thief. But I ran into an old friend of mine, he'll be dead by morning." Jason chuckles. I stand next to him and admire the Queen of Heart's staff on the shelf. "Gosh I never thought tricking Alice in to getting all of these things would be so easy."

"Yeah she took your bait so easily. How many more hings do we have left before we can... you know." I ask. He turns to face me and his eyes glow green. My breath hitches, no he said this wouldn't happen. I'm sure it was just a trick of the light.

"One more thing, my dear brother. And this one lies on your shoulders. You have to be the one to place the idea in her mind. Be creative! It's what you're good at." Jason snarls.

"What is it?" I'm almost scared to figure out what it is.

"Belle's rose."

"Are you crazy?! That thing has to be so guarded because of the power it holds. I know Alice is amazing but there is no chance she can swing this one."

"We need one sign of true love, plant the idea or I reveal your dirty little secret." I nod my head and Jason pats my back. "Now go deal with our little girl. I need to pay Charlie a visit and see where he is in our process." A puff of black smoke enters the room and I am alone.

How am I going to do this?

I walk down to Alice's room and gently knock on her door. There is not response, so I slowly creak the door open. Alice lies curled up in her bed. I walk over to her and admire the beauty before me. She rolls over and her eyes open. A large smile crosses her face.

"Sam!" She exclaims and throws her arms around me. I hug her back and then let go remembering my task.

"Go get ready I want to go on a walk with you." She nods and rushes off the her closet. I walk over to her window and peer out at the forest below. Our castle stands above all the trees and looks out onto the ocean. The waves lap at the rocky shore line that turns into a sandy beach.

"Ready?" Alice asks. I turn around and see her before me dressed in a simple summer dress. She looks absolutely beautiful. I hold out my arm for her and she grabs on. We walk down the hall in a pleasant silence.

The garden stretches before us. Alice spent two days using her magic to make it just right. It starts with one long dirt path with an assortment of flowers on each side. The about halfway down the path it branches in two. One path leads down to a small pond and a pavilion. The other path leads to a garden of lilies and roses her favorite.

I have used my magic to make the roses seem much more prominent. We take the path down to the pond and I have Alice sit down in the pavilion while I pick a rose. I brush her hair out of her face and put the rose behind her ear.  She smiles up at me and I sit down next to her.

"Is it just me or are the roses even more beautiful then normal?" She asks starting off at a vase of roses.

"I don't know you have a bit of a bias." I chuckle. Even though I am tricking Alice I still love hanging out with her. She just makes me happy.

"True." She laughs and stand up and walks the perimeter of the pavilion. "Ah gosh I love roses."

"If you love roses so much why don't you go after Belles rose?" My voice waivers a bit, and I bight my lip as Alice contemplates the idea.

"You know what Sam? That's a really good idea. I mean it's such a proud symbol of true love. And it would look perfect in my garden." I take a sigh of relief, another day without my secret being known.

Alice gets really excited and begins to ramble on about her idea of how to steal the rose.

"Hey Ali how about instead of spurting out ideas you go and write them down?" I laugh. She stops her ramble and stares at me wide eyed. Then she darts into the castle.

***Charlie's POV***

"Alright boys today we have a real test. I guess you could call it a final. This test will combine all the skills you have learned. Now show no mercy! You may begin!" Jason screams. I walk up to him and stand by his side. "Ah my dear boy, you may be second in command but you have to take this test." I nod and walk into the leafy jungle.

The war cries of the other boys ring through the trees. I proceed forward and see a girl. Her long brown hair covers half of her face. All I can see is one piercing blue eye. I'd know those eyes anywhere, my sister.

"Oh my gosh Charlie I've missed you so much!" She runs up to me and engulfs me in a hug. I don't hug back but remain stiff. She notices and pulls back.

"We don't have much time, we have to leave now." She grabs my hand and pulls me. I keep my feet planted in the soft dirt. "Charlie come on don't you want to come home?"

"No, why do you think I left. You treated me like crap. Why would I come back?"

"Charlie I know what I did to you was awful and I've thought a lot about that since you left. Please I'm so sorry for what I did."

"No. Never again will I believe your lies." I draw my knife back and plunge it into her shoulder. She screams out in pain. I feel no sorrow as her body falls limp. Then I am transported to Jason.

"Good boy you passed the test. Only three didn't, they have already been killed along with their person." Jason smiles. 

"Perfect they were weak we need strong!" I shout and pump my fist up in the air.

"Yes. Now my dear boy about our... Project?"

"Yes sir follow me." I lead Jason into the jungle. We take a few paths and then we venture into the unknown. I stop under a large tree.

"It's here?" Jason asks.

"Yes!" I smile proudly. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to find. Jason smirks and uses his magic to move away the dirt.

"Ah there he is, now the real fun can begin."

Hey guys! I am so sorry I keep promising quick updates but school has take over my life. We have 15 more days and then summer. Then I promise for real there will be faster update so just stick with me until then! Love you all and thank you for reading!!! ~Starflower12359