Page 44 of Hunters and Prey

"Maybe people will take me seriously," I replied.

"We're not going to fail again, Roxas."

I bit my lip, my eyes trailing back to meet his golden-brown ones. They were flickering with magic, which told me he was clearly reading my mind. This time I knew it wasn't his fault. Sometimes his magic just reacted, especially when one of us was worried about something or someone.

I personally hated it that Alec could read me like an open book. I'm sure the rest of them understood me. Even Aaron, who loved to piss me off.

"I may not remember everything, but I remember that night. The pain. The sadness of it all...and I remember our sacrifices. This may be difficult and not what we planned, but we won't let the evil win this time. We won't fail Alice."

He was right. Yet, I still had my doubts and worries. From the moment her eyes locked onto mine, my heart had skipped a beat. It was the same as all those centuries ago, those fierce eyes that went right through me, down to my soul.

Those jewels that understood the real me I hid away from the world.

"If only it was easy to shut off the love we once had for her," I mumbled, turning around and walking away, leaving Alec at the doorway.

"I can't fuck up again. I have to resist," I whispered, making my way to my bike. Aaron would be there by the time I started it up. Pausing for a moment, I looked up at the starry sky, my motive just as clear as the twinkling lights in the night blue sky.

"I'll protect her this time. We won't fail."

I'd just have to repeat that to myself.

~ALICE~

The smell of jasmine tickled my nose, making me grin in my half-asleep state. It was soothing, reminding me of the times I'd meditate in the great outdoors.

Meditating on the mountains, with sounds of the river and nearby waterfall. The cool breeze that would keep me calm as I focused on my magi...huh? Magic? I don't have magic...and when have I been on the mountain meditating?

Something licked my cheek, and I opened my eyes to see Daisy was in my face. Seeing I was awake, she began to lick and nudge my cheek with her nose, causing me to giggle.

"Daisy. No face licking." I continued to giggle before ruffling her soft fur.

"You're awake."

I turned my attention to myleft, noticing the blue-eyed male with glasses and blond hair from my dream. "You're real?" I commented, noticing he held an incense stick, which was where the jasmine aroma was coming from. "Jasmine."

He gave me a sweet smile, his blue eyes sparkling with calm. "Yes. My friends and I are real. As for the jasmine, it helps remove negative energy while opening a person's chakras. How are you feeling?"

"Uh...better? I think," I replied, slowly sitting up. Daisy moved to put her head on my lap, something she did when she was worried about me. "I'm okay, Daisy," I whispered, rubbing her head soothingly so she wouldn't concern herself.

"Is your headache gone?"

"Yes. I still feel really tired and my body's achy, but nothing crazy," I confessed. "Thank you...um...Romeo." I remembered, giving him a smile.

His eyes softened while his smile widened. "Your very welcome, Alice, and Rome is fine."

He placed the jasmine stick into a golden holder on my nightstand and sat down on the little stool I had for when Aaron used to come over.

My eyes stared at his outfit that was different from before; white and blue pajama pants with a white t-shirt cloaked Rome's body. His blonde hair was up in a ponytail, and even his glasses had changed to silver circular spectacles.

"Did you guys sleep over?" I asked.

"Yes. Roxas, Alec, and I are here. West and Aaron are out getting food for us. Your fridge is running low and I didn't want you waking up with no food in the house," he explained.

"Where's my mom?" I asked. "I know guys are strangers and all, but she wouldn't leave you guys to starve."

"We're not really sure," he admitted, looking worried. "Do you remember what happened?"

"That depends if my dream was real or not," I mumbled. "When I woke up the first time. That wasn't fake, was it?"

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