Alice was lying on her bed in deep sleep, when suddenly she heard a loud scream. Her eyes flew open. She got up and looked around worriedly. The moonlight cast shadows across her room. Through it, she could see Knave and Charlie, both asleep on the ground. It was evident that they had not heard anything.
Dismissing it as her imagination, Alice began to lie back, when she finally saw it. A dark shadow was looming in front of her, approaching her very slowly. She tried to call out, but it was as if her lips were sealed shut. Her legs and arms had also seemed to freeze.
With dread, Alice realized that she was frozen in place. She closed her eyes in fear, sweat beading her forehead. When she opened her eyes again, the shadow was no longer in front of her.
The fear in her heart seized a little, but it lasted only a second. Alice felt something cold next to her. Heart pounding, she glanced to her side, and to her horror, saw that the shadow was standing right next to her.
It was hard to see much of the shadow, but when a shadowy hand reached out to grab the locket on her neck, Alice thought she glanced at a woman's hand. Though she could not be quite sure, given her tremendous fear.
Alice tried to kick and thrash in protest, but her whole body felt heavy, making it impossible for her to move. She tried screaming. This time her lips opened, however no sound came out. It was as if she had lost her voice.
Alice felt the shadowy hand tug at her locket, but the accessory remained stuck in place. The shadow's hand suddenly felt hot. Alice sensed the shadow was now angry. It gave one last tug but the locket was stuck to Alice, just like her skin.
The shadow released the locket and grabbed Alice's neck, choking her until she could no longer breathe.
Alice gave a silent cry, and suddenly the whole room was filled with a golden glow. The glow seemed to emanate from the locket.
With a hiss, the shadow lurched its hand back. Alice drew in quick breaths. The glow of the locket intensified, forcing her to close her eyes. As she does, she feels as if she is pulled down into darkness.
"Alice, wake up!" Shouted a desperate voice. Someone was holding her by the shoulders, shaking her.
With a start, Alice opened her eyes. The first thing she realized, was that Knave was the one holding her, and Charlie was the one who had shouted. They both were looking at her anxiously.
Despite the situation, Alice could not help but see the differences and similarities between the two ghosts. They were both handsome, well-built, muscled, and young. Yet, where Knave looked fully human, Charlie was just a mist which resembled a person he once used to be.
Alice slowly got up, Knave helping her as she did. "What happened?" He demanded.
"Yeah, you were thrashing in your sleep!" Added Charlie, sounding worried.
"Was I?" Alice asked, feeling confused. She knew she had a nightmare, that much she was sure of, but she hardly remembered what it had been.
'Something involving a shadow?' She thought in confusion.
Alice shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Her locket felt heavy and warm against her neck. "I just had a bad dream!" She said.
Charlie nodded, looking relieved. Knave opened his mouth to ask something, when suddenly Maria and Mike appeared.
Forgetting everything, Alice jumped out of bed. They both looked a little less angry, but they were still clearly not going to talk to her anytime soon. Ignoring her completely, they made their way towards Charlie, and the three of them fell into deep conversation.
Alice stood glumly, watching them from a distance. Her ghost squad had never been so angry with her.
Knave slowly approached her. "Like I said, you need to give them time." He said.
Alice nodded. She glanced at the clock. It was ten in the morning. Which meant her mother had already left for the shop. She gave a sigh, and realized with a jolt, that it was her birthday morning. She rushed to the side of her bed, and searched for the note she usually found every birthday. At least one thing could be normal.
Her ghost squad had left talking, and were now looking at her worriedly. Alice moved her pillows and blanket. There was nothing.
"What are you looking for?" Asked Knave, coming to stand behind her.
"Her mother's note." Replied Maria, in a gentle voice. Knave looked confused but did not say anything.
Alice bent, and began to search under her bed. She found nothing. She rose and looked at her friends. "Did you guys see it?" She asked hopefully, though she already knew the answer. If they had seen the letter, it would've been in her hands now.
They all exchanged a concerned look. "Perhaps she forgot?" Asked Charlie, trying to sound helpful.
Mike glared at him. "Charlie, that is not at all helping!"
Charlie shrugged. "Got anything better to say?"
Feeling miserable, Alice sat on her bed. "I ruined everything!" She cried out. She dug her face into her hands, to hide her tears.
"Alice?" Mike called out. Alice looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks.
The twins and Maria were hovering a few feet in front of her. Knave was sitting next to Alice, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"I know the reason you hid such a big thing from us is because you had the best interest for us at heart, but we just wished you would've trusted us!" Said Mike.
Alice got up. "Oh Mike, I trust you all with my life! It is just that I...., I did not want to burden you with something I was not sure of myself." She looked at her friends. "Do you think you can ever forgive me?" She asked, carefully.
Maria drifted a little closer. "Darling, of course we can!" She said. Charlie and Mike shot her a confused look, but then nodded in agreement.
Alice wiped her tears. "I badly wish we could've had a group hug!" She said, her voice brittle.
Knave got up and came to stand beside her. "You could hug me!" He suggested. "Though I must warn you, you might fall in love with me afterwards." He added, sounding pleased with himself.
Maria was looking at him with her nose scrunched, as if she were looking at an annoying bug. Charlie and Mike, both wore a murderous expression, reminding Alice that they were twins no matter how different they were from each other.
"What?" Knave demanded, looking at all of them. "I thought we were cool with each other!" He mused.
Mike eyed him. "I do not recall saying anything like that!" Knave was about to answer, but Mike raised his palm, stopping him. "However, we have decided you can stay with us, until we figure out what to do with you." He finished.
Knave matched his stare. His blue eyes serious. "You do not need to worry about me!" He turned to Alice. "Look, I appreciate all that you did for me, but I cannot expect you to care for me your whole life! Since I am...,"
Alice cut him off, "I was not planning to take care of you my whole life. I was just...," She broke off, looking at his narrowed eyes.
Knave cleared his throat. Ignoring her completely, he continued, "Since I am now free from that damn woods, I have decided to go somewhere far away from it!"
Alice was shocked. A thousand questions were swarming her head. "Where will you go?" She asked.
"I suppose that should not be our problem." Replied Mike calmly.
"Exactly! If the annoying prince- namesake-ghost dude wants to leave, then let him!" Said Charlie.
Knave seemed to be an expert in ignoring people. His eyes never left Alice's as he said, "Even though my parents can no longer see me, that does not mean I cannot try." He shrugged. "Besides, the curse might've even worn out by now!"
Alice nodded. He did have point. She noticed that Mike and Charlie's faces had softened a little. Maria was looking around the room anxiously. Her friend seemed to be behaving weirdly ever since her birthday week. She could not wonder why. However, that was a worry for another day.
Alice took a deep breath. "Think you could join us for breakfast before you leave?" She asked, looking at Knave hopefully.
Knave smiled. "Of course! I wasn't planning on missing my first meal outside of the woods!"