"I see the meaning of 'rest' for you is quite different!" Said Mike, standing with his arms crossed, looking at Alice, who was sitting on her bed, with all her three ghost friends glowering at her.
Even though Mike's voice had remained calm, Alice knew he was really angry and was somehow controlling his rage, which was only there because of his worry for her.
"Honestly, I am quite disappointed in you, Alice!" Said Charlie, with a serious face. Then, he smiled. "If you were planning to sneak out, you could have at least told me and I would've joined you. I do always love to sneak out, you know!" He finished.
"SHUT UP!" Mike and Maria shouted at the same time.
"Alice, do you want to explain why you decided to sneak out into the woods?" Asked Maria.
Her ghost squad hardly got angry with her. It was so rare, that Alice had forgotten the last time she had been in such a situation.
Alice took a deep breath. "I know you guys were worried, but I just wanted to have some fresh air alone. I had to lie because none of you were ready to leave me for even a minute. I am sorry!" She said, making a puppy face.
Mike immediately melted, and Maria gave a sigh. Charlie hit Mike lightly on the shoulder. "See, I told you your questions were making the poor girl sick!" He scolded.
Mike nodded. "I guess it was my fault. I am so sorry, Alice!"
Alice felt immense guilt. Mike had not done anything wrong and yet he was apologizing. "You do not need to apologize, Mike! I know you love me and just worry for me." She said.
Mike gave her a smile. Alice still did not know why she did not mention Knave. For reasons she was not sure of, she wanted him to be only her secret.
"I cannot believe you are going to be eighteen in just a few hours!" Announced Sophie happily, as she sipped water from her glass.
Alice smiled. "I cannot believe it either, mama."
They were in the kitchen having dinner, which was pasta Alice had made. Surprisingly, Sophie seemed to be in a really good mood. Alice could not help but wonder if it had something to do with the divorce papers, that her mother had signed earlier. Perhaps like Alice, her mother too felt relieved that it was all clear now. No more pretence.
"How quickly you have grown!" Mused Sophie.
Alice felt a little lonely. Usually, Maria always stayed with Alice until bedtime. This time however, her ghost squad had promised a surprise for her birthday, and Maria had also disappeared with the twins.
Sophie looked at her daughter and smiled. "Finally my dear, all our.....," Her mother broke off, as her eyes fell on Alice's locket. "Where did you get that?" She demanded.
Alice waved her hand. "Lisa gave it to me as an advance birthday gift!" She replied, trying to remain calm. Alice did not like lying to her mother. Though at times like these, she had to.
Lisa was a non-existent school friend Alice had created, to avoid alarming situations her ghost squad sometimes put her in.
Sophie nodded, though Alice saw the excitement and happiness which were present in her mother a few seconds ago, vanish.
'Has she grown suspicious?' Alice thought worriedly.
They ate the rest of their meal in silence, as they always did.
After cleaning up, Alice finally came to her bedroom. She looked at the watch that hung on her wall. It was exactly eleven. One hour left for her birthday. She changed into her pyjamas which were her usual, cream colour cotton sleep shirt and shorts. She climbed onto her bed, waiting for her friends.
As the time ticked forward, Alice felt her gold locket grow heavy. Perhaps, she was just too tired.
Alice laid down and stared up at the ceiling, thinking about Knave. How had he lived for so many years without anyone seeing him before? How must he be feeling whenever he remembered that his parents no longer knew about his existence? Alice badly wished she could help him, though she did not know what to do.
When the clock struck twelve, Charlie suddenly appeared, shouting, "HAPPY EIGHTEENTH, SISTER!"
Alice remained calm. She was accustomed to their sudden arrivals. "Thank you, Charlie!" She replied. Then looking around, she asked, "Where are Mike and Maria?"
Charlie pointed. Mike suddenly came into view holding flowers, and Maria was drifting a few feet behind him, carrying a dress. Alice quickly scrambled out of her bed and rushed towards them.
Mike handed over the flowers, wishing her. As Maria drifted closer, Alice realized she was holding a beautiful gown. It was almost like Cinderella's gown, Alice noticed. However, it was magenta instead of blue. Alice loved it.
"Oh Maria, it is beautiful!" Alice exclaimed, as Maria dropped the gown into her hands.
"And if we may add, we did pay for it!" Said Charlie, sounding pleased with himself.
"He is right! even though the money was from Sophie's purse, we paid for it." Mike pointed out.
"You just have to ruin everything, don't you?" Snapped Charlie. Mike shrugged.
Alice laughed. "It is alright, you two! Thank you for everything!"
Maria smiled. "Dear, why don't you go and try the gown?" She suggested.
Alice looked at her. "Now?" She asked, surprised.
Charlie turned towards her. "Of course, there is still a whole lot of stuff we have planned. Besides, it is better if you wear it now, since tomorrow you definitely cannot say that Lisa gave you that gown. No one does that anymore these days!" He said, sounding a little rueful.
A while later, Alice emerged from the bathroom, all dressed up. She had left her hair open and it fell onto her back, almost reaching her waist.
After that night of her sixteenth birthday, where she had spent almost two hours in the bathroom cleaning her hair, she had trimmed it short with assistance from her ghost squad. Though it had taken her almost a full day, thanks to the twins, who were arguing the whole time.
"Alice, you look stunning!" Said Charlie, looking at her wide-eyed. Maria smiled proudly. Mike was beaming.
Alice felt herself blush. "So, what is the plan?" She asked, looking at all of them.
"Play truth and dare, that is the plan?" Asked Alice disbelievingly. Her friends nodded.
They were all sprawled out on Alice's bed. With the gown, it was a little difficult for her to sit. She was desperate to change back into her pyjamas, though she did not want to upset her friends.
Alice let out a breath. "Okay, let us begin!" She said.
Charlie lifted a hand, as if he were answering a question. "I am going first!" He announced impatiently. When no one protested, he turned to look at Alice. "So Alice, I have always wanted to ask you, can you only see ghosts or do you have other talents?" Mike slapped his forehead in annoyance. "What?" Asked Charlie, facing his brother.
"Nothing, I guess this was totally expected from an idiot like you!" Snapped Mike.
Charlie crossed his arms. "Excuse me brother, you do not want to get me started!"
Mike joined his brother. He crossed his arms and glared at Charlie. "Oh really? What kind of a ridiculous question was that?"
Alice gave an exasperated sigh. The twins and their usual bickering were, at times, really vexing. Especially on her birthday.
Charlie matched his brother's stare. "My question made perfect sense! It is only that you are too dumb to see it!" Charlie turned to face Alice. Beside her, Maria seemed tensed. Perhaps dreading what Charlie was going to say? Alice however, saw no reason for her to worry. "I am only asking because you can see us when no one else can, am I right?" Charlie asked.
"That seems to be the case!" Alice replied.
"So if that is the case, then surely there are other things Alice can do!" Said Charlie. Then, he turned to Mike and said, "Do you remember watching that film in New York where..,"
Alice cut him off. "As a ghost?" She asked curiously.
Charlie nodded impatiently. "Of course, not like we had the world's fortune when we were alive." He continued, "Anyways, it was about a girl who could not only see ghosts, but could also help them do things they usually cannot!"
An idea began forming in Alice's mind, though it was still unclear. "Help them do things like what?" She asked, suddenly very interested.
Charlie blurted out excitedly, "Things like freeing their souls from a trapped place, helping them touch things, though I think someone needs to tell them that is just a myth. We can touch things just as humans can!" He almost sounded offended. A minute later, he shook his head and continued, "But other than that, the movie was deadly amazing!" Charlie finished, with a smirk. "See what I did there?" He asked, looking around at all of them expectantly.
Mike had his eyes closed, as if praying for patience. Maria laughed. "Surely such things are only possible in movies, Charlie! Not in real life, which is far more....," She broke off, as she looked at Alice. "Alice?" She called out in concern.,
Alice had ceased listening. Her mind was focusing on what Charlie had unknowingly said. 'Things like freeing their souls from a trapped place!'
Alice got up, her adrenaline rushing with excitement. The idea was finally clear in her mind.
Maria shot her a worried look. "Alice?" She said again. The twins were looking at her in concern.
"I have to go!" Alice announced.
"But we just started!" Protested Charlie. Then, he looked at Mike. "It is all because of you, MR MOMENT KILLER!"
Alice shook her head. "It is not anyone's fault! I just....," She broke off, eyeing her friends. "Do you all trust me?" She asked.
Mike nodded. "Of course we do! But it is too late Alice, and it is not safe for you...,"
"I will be fine!" Said Alice, with more certainty than she felt. "But please let me go! There is something I have to take care of alone." She said, with pleading eyes.
Maria nodded. "If you do not return within an hour, we are going to come after you!" Alice fought off the urge to hug Maria. How did she always understand her?
"Thank you!" Said Alice, before opening her bedroom window and climbing out. It had been quite hard with her dress, but she managed nonetheless. All the obstacles seemed less when she thought about what she was going to do.
Alice made her way towards the woods, looking for Knave.