Book 1: Double The Trouble

Chapter 25: What Happened?

Alana cried. "Magic, that is how she did it. I didn't even know when she switched us around. I know I was the one losing. But somewhere in our fight, she changed places with me and changed our appearance."

"Why did you remember now?" Ezra asked.

"She was close," she cries. "I remember who I was. I snapped out of my trance. I don't understand; why would she do this? I was willing to give my life for her! Why did you this, Alice?! It's not fair!"

Alana cried out. She doesn't understand why Alice would do this or that she was capable of this.

She held on to her, not wanting to let go. "Please come back."

"Alana," she looked at her father. "Let her go so that Christian can take to Sasha."

She shakes her head. "No, father. Please no."

"Father!" Her brother walked over. "Ah, Alice?"

"She's gone, son," their father said. "Now, take Alana, please."

"Yes," Zach pried her off Alice. "Come on; I know it's hard. But you need to let her go. You still have me, mother and father."

She allowed Zach to take her inside. She looked back as they carried Alice away.

"Mother, come," he took them upstairs.

After that, he left. "Sweetie," her mother sat next to her on the bed. "I am right here. You need to be strong. Alice saved you, just as you saved her so, many times. You can't lock yourself away, or her death would be meaningless."

"She died," Alana stared at the floor. "Alone, in that horrible place. I'd wonder if she was afraid."

"I am sure; she was brave," she said. "And she wasn't alone; she had Ali with her."

Alana cried and hugged her mother. "Now come on, I'll help you bathe."

She sat in the tub, staring at the wall and thinking of how she could've had saved Alice if only she had known that Alice was able to do that.

"Shh," her mother smoothes her hair down. "Your hair is longer; want me to cut it?"

"No," she said. "I want to grow it out."

"Okay," her mother helped her bathe and get dressed. She tucked her in and laid with her. "Get some sleep; I'll be here." She hum.

"Hey," her father walked in. He laid on her other side. "If you want, you can stay here for the rest of the school year." He kissed her hand.

She shook her head. "I'll go back; I want to start a garden club. Alice always used to talk about when we were little."

"Alright, but stay for a week or so," he said. "At least until I know you are alright, okay?"

"Yes," she hugged her mother.

Her father helped them both. She smiled, just like when they were little.

She and Alice would sneak into their parent's room and sleep in the middle.

She closed her eyes. All she has left are memories. And she will cherish them.

-

"Poor," Sasha sniffle and clean Alice's face. "Ariel, can you get me more clean water and clothes."

"Yes," Ariel grabbed the bowl and dumped the water, and filled it up again. "She was so young. She had a whole life ahead of her."

"Yeah," Sasha sighed. "Fate works in mysterious ways. She had such a bright future."