WE'RE BACK! Listen, guys, this chapter took us an eternity to finish and it is bởi far our longest so far, so I am BEGGING YOU, please comment. And not just a bình luận like "wow this was nice bye" because we worked so hard on this, it's so long and omfg, I just wrote like 6 ship scenes and I am dead :P So please bình luận something semi-long to make us smile! Thank you!
Cast (in no order):
Aline Morrison/Ariana Pendragon: Dianna Agron
Rachel Leslie/Jaime Locksley: Lily James
Celine Portman/Princess Aurora: Natalie Portman
Richard Stark/Prince Robb: Richard Madden
Rana Mitchell/Jasmine: Shay Mitchell
Theo Eaton/Tobias: Theo James
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly Dobrev/Elsa: Nina Dobrev
Paul Salvatore/Prince Stefan: Paul Wesley
Ian Salvatore: Ian Somerhalder l
Atie Reed: Crystal Reed
Fatemeh Tonkin/Persephone: Phoebe Tonkin
Colin Jones/Killian Jones: Colin O'Donoghue
Nicolas Grace/Peter Pan: Topher Grace
Jess/Wendy Darling: Zooey Deschanel
Ines Clarke/Ariel: Emilia Clarke
Klaus/Joseph: Joseph morgan
Sam Odair/Finnick: Sam Claflin
Maria Michele/Cinderella: AnnaSophia Robb
Nadia Watson: Emma Watson
Stiles Stilinski: Dylan O'Brien
Amber Brie/Alice: Alison Brie
Albie Collins/Anna: Lily Collins
James Ford/Sawyer: Josh Holloway
Prince Darren: Darren Criss
Chapter 11: Down the rabbit hole
Sam hadn't realized that when he took the job as Richard's assistent, he'd have to do everything for him. Sure, Richard was a born leader and he seemed to keep his cool in a crisis, but when it came to less severe, merely practical things, he didn't seem to care. One of them being the annual winter carnival. Every year, just before it'd start to snow, the town would set up booths, games, hot thực phẩm and hot drinks, and even a carousel and a ferris wheel for those who'd like to try them. Of course Sam had mentioned this to Richard when he'd taken the job, and for two giây Richard had seemed rather interested. Then the chó sói, sói thing happened and it was completely dismissed. But Sam was still determined to make it happen.
"Where did bạn find a ferris wheel, anyhow?" Richard asked as he got into the office that morning, drinking coffee.
"I rented it from the school."
"And why would the school have a ferris wheel?" Richard raised his eyebrows as he sat down.
"I don't know. Does it matter?" Sam groaned.
"You do know we need protection around the premises. Some sort of a fence. Just in case the chó sói, sói shows up", Richard said. "You'll find one?"
"I don't know where to find one", Sam pointed out.
"You found a ferris wheel, Sam, you'll find a fence", Richard chuckled. "So when is it?"
"Tonight", Sam said. "Don't bạn read any of the emails I send you?"
Richard's mouth fell open. "Tonight? Oh, well... I'm going to have to miss it."
"Why?" Sam figured he didn't have to ask, but he foolishly did anyway.
"I'm going out with Rachel", Richard đã đưa ý kiến after a moment of silence. "And I don't think she wants to go to the carnival."
Sam breathed deeply. "Alright. But when that goes badly, I get to say I told bạn so. Now I'm gonna go see if someone has a fence for us."
He walked out of the city hall and almost ran into Fatemeh as soon as he walked out of the building.
"Whoa", he stepped back. "What are bạn doing here?"
"I was actually looking for you", Fatemeh đã đưa ý kiến with a small smile. "I just wanted to know if bạn caught the wolf?"
"No", Sam sighed. "But I'd appreciate it if bạn didn't spread it around. I don't want people thinking there's a chó sói, sói roaming the streets."
"There is", Fatemeh chuckled a little.
"Yes, but...", Sam groaned. "Never mind."
"Are bạn okay?" Fatemeh followed Sam as he began to walk towards the streets. "You seem stressed."
"It's the stupid winter carnival."
"We're still having that?" Fatemeh asked in surprise.
"You didn't see the ferris wheel being dragged to the center of the town? Yeah, we're still having that. And now I need to find some sort of a fence to go around the place in case the chó sói, sói is lurking around."
"I can help bạn with that", Fatemeh said. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help him.
"What?" Sam stopped in his tracks.
"I think I can find someone who has what you're looking for. I'll meet bạn bởi the carnival in two hours?"
"Thank you!" Sam laughed. "Thank you. Really."
Fatemeh was a little taken back bởi the smile Sam was giving her, but she brushed it off with a shrug of her shoulders, and then she was gone.
Now, where to find a damn fence, she had no idea.
Nic was trying to make Jess breakfast, and quite frankly, was failing at it. He had burned the eggs and didn't even want to give the thịt ba rọi, thịt xông khói a go. He had resorted to cereal, and was just about to put some in a bowl and go wake her up when there was a knock on the door. Nic groaned and headed for the door, opening it. He went pale when he saw his two Những người bạn glaring at him.
"What the hell did bạn do?" Atie asked.
"I-"
"We heard that bạn lấy trộm, đánh cắp a mental patient", Rana đã đưa ý kiến as she pushed inside the house. "Is that true?"
"I didn't steal anyone, she wanted to go with me", Nic snapped, closing the door after them. "Can we talk about this later?"
"She is a mental patient! bạn don't know what she wants. bạn could get arrested for this", Atie đã đưa ý kiến angrily. "Why would you-"
Atie stopped mid-speech when they heard footsteps, and soon Jess had entered the room, looking at them in confusion. She was wearing one of Nic's shirts and a pair of pants, since she couldn't exactly walk around in the hospital clothes.
"I heard noises", she said. "Is everything alright?"
Rana smiled, but it was a dry smile with no hint of amusement. "So it is true. Nic, can bạn tell us what's going on?"
"Can we talk about this later?" Nic begged again.
"No. No, we can't. We're going to talk about this now", Atie said. "Who is she? And why is she here?!"
"Fine. bạn want the truth?" Nic snapped. "I'm tired of lying to everyone. Here's the truth! Jess is from another world. Her name is Wendy, and I knew her a long time ago. I'm also from another world, an Chuyện thần tiên ở New York forest, to be exact. My name is Peter. Not Nic."
Atie and Rana stared at him for a long time before Atie spoke up: "What the hell have bạn been smoking?"
"Why doesn't anyone remember?" Nic shouted in frustration. "What does it take for bạn to remember?! I'm tired of doing this alone! I thought that a true love's Kiss would work, I thought Celine would remember... but nothing. Nothing."
"Nic...", Rana đã đưa ý kiến carefully. "Are bạn ok? Maybe bạn should lie down."
"Why can't bạn remember who bạn really are?" Nic asked Rana in frustration. "Why can't bạn remember what happened to you? The palace, the evil spirit, your parents, the cave! Tobias! Why can't bạn at least remember him?"
And for a moment Nic thought he'd gotten to Rana. She was just staring at him in shock until she shook her head, as if coming back from a trance. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Nic groaned, turning to look at Atie. "And you. bạn have to remember, Atie, please. Remember the-"
"Stop it", Rana snapped. "Stop. I don't know what's up with you, but this is not okay! bạn can't just break the law and then as an explanation shout some fairytale at us! We are your friends! We deserve the truth!"
Nic sighed, burying his head in his hands. He screw up. He Mất tích his temper, he messed it up.
"By the way, your girlfriend left", with that Rana pulled Atie out of the house with her, slamming the door closed behind them.
Nic turned around and indeed, Jess was gone.
Rana walked all the way to the sheriff's office. She hated that she was doing this, but she couldn't just let the girl wander around aimlessly.
"Hey", she walked over to Rachel's desk. She seemed pretty preoccupied, staring at the computer screen.
"What?" Rachel looked up. "Do I know you?"
"Isn't that your job, to know everyone? As the sheriff?"
Rachel just glared at her, waiting. She was so stressed about going out with Richard that night that she had no room for any kind of snarky comments.
"Um, so, that mental patient is missing, right?" Rana asked.
"Yeah. Jessica Day. Why? Have bạn heard something?" Rachel asked.
"I saw her."
"Where?"
"I can't say?"
"What?" Rachel raised her eyebrows.
"Look, she looked to be heading towards the woods again. And that isn't very safe, considering the chó sói, sói and all", Rana said.
"If you're somehow involved in this, I have to arrest you", Rachel đã đưa ý kiến sharply.
"I'm not. And I suggest bạn go and find her before something bad happens."
Rachel glared at her in suspicion for a moment before nodding. "Which part of town did bạn see her in, at least?"
"West, near the mayor's office."
Rachel stood up. "I'll go."
"No, I'll go", Aline walked into the room. "I have some free time now, I was going to go have lunch with Colin, and he knows the area well."
Rachel groaned. "I don't know, it's my job."
"Delegate sometimes, Rach. There's a thought", Aline chuckled. "Besides, bạn have other stuff on your mind. I'll walk bạn out", she đã đưa ý kiến to Rana.
Rachel turned to look at Rana. "Thank you. For the information."
"No problem", Rana nodded, hoping that when Aline would find the girl, she would not also find Nic. She followed Aline out of the building.
Aline met up with Colin bởi the forest.
"You know, if you're going to help me with all of these things, bạn might as well get paid for it", Aline smirked. "You should talk to Rach, get a job."
"That's just your way of being closer to me without appearing too needy. Cunning. I like it", Colin smirked. "Truth is, it wouldn't be so bad. How's the pay?"
"Not that much, but I think it's gonna rise now that Richard is mayor."
Colin chuckled. "He is so whipped."
"Stop, don't say that. I know Rach seems... well..."
"Cold, detached, anti-social... a robot?
"A bit distant!" Aline snapped. "Can bạn shut up? bạn do remember she's one of my best friends?"
Colin raised his hands in defeat. "Sorry. So, yes, she does seem a bit distant."
"And clueless. She has no idea that Richard is interested in her."
"Wow", Colin smiled. "Yeah, I guess that can happen to. And then there are some girls who are very aware of how much a guy likes them, but still prefers to torture them him instead of doing something about it."
Aline smiled. "And then there are guys who are interested in girls but never do anything about it, no matter how much they talk about it."
Colin smirked. "Do bạn want to go to the carnival with me tonight?"
"Yeah, sure", Aline smiled.
They walked for a while in silence.
Nic had been looking for ages, but he couldn't find Jess anymore. He was worried about her, he was worried about what Rana and Atie might do, and to hàng đầu, đầu trang it all, he was worried about what was happening to him. He remembered the person he used to be, how he had been and what that had done to him and the people he cared about, and going back to that terrified him. After an giờ of looking he ended up back at the apartment. Best case scenario, Jess would already be back. But as he closed the door, the person standing in the hallway was not Jess, but Holly.
"What are bạn doing here?" Nic asked angrily. "How did bạn even get in? No, bạn know what, I don't want to know. Go. This has been a shitty day."
"I know bạn remember", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said, smiling a little. "I know bạn remember the real world. And I need your help."
Nic glared at her for a long time before speaking: "Why should I help you? You're part of why this happened."
"Because like it hoặc not, bạn can't hoặc won't do this alone", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly stood up from the chair and walked over to him. "And I know thêm about the curse than bạn do. I'd be of help and bạn know it."
Nic groaned. "What do bạn want?"
"I want bạn to make Tyler remember", there was such desperation in Holly's voice that for a moment Nic felt sorry for her.
"I think that's your job."
"The true tình yêu thing doesn't work and bạn know that. Nothing happened when finally got Celine back with her one true love. Darren remembers, that hasn't affected Maria at all. Rachel and Richard are absolutely clueless of what they were, and Aline-"
"I get it. I'm failing. But at least I'm trying", Nic snapped. "But I can't make Tyler remember."
"I wrote him a letter, but I didn't give it to him", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. "But it's possible that the coma alone has được trao him back his memories. Sort of like with Darren."
"Darren never Mất tích his memories", Nic said. "It's not the same."
"You sound like you're giving up", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly pointed out.
"I am not giving up", Nic snapped, moving past her towards the kitchen. "I'm just tired of failing."
"Maybe bạn won't fail this time", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. "All I ask is that you... try to trigger his memory. Talk to him about me. Something. Anything."
"What about Anna?" Nic turned to look at her. "Don't bạn care about her?"
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly froze. "She doesn't want to see me. I know it without even having to ask. Not after what I did."
"But bạn do know that Percy is alive, don't you? Why should she hate you?"
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly shrugged. "None of your business."
"You know what? Fine. I'll help", Nic said. "But bạn have to do the same."
"I will."
"And just remember, bạn hurt a lot of people in the past life. And if one of them would like to, say, take revenge, I'm not going to stand in their way."
"I did nothing. It was all the Queen", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly snapped. "I am tired of getting blamed for her mistakes."
"Then start paying for your own!" Nic shouted. "Make peace with your sister, help me make everyone remember, and help me bring Irene to justice."
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly nodded. "I'll do what I can. I'll talk to Fatemeh, too."
"But be discreet about it. My cover has already been...well... compromised."
Before cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly could say anything else, the door to the apartment burst open. Aline and Colin walked inside, followed bởi Rachel.
"Step aside, Holly", Rachel đã đưa ý kiến before walking over to Nic with handcuffs. "Nicolas Grace, bạn are under arrest for kidnapping."
"Kidnapping?" Nic scoffed. "What the hell?" then he realized. "Jess. Did bạn find her?"
"Yeah, we did", Aline said. "She's outside in the car. She didn't say anything. We followed her here."
"It wasn't kidnapping, it wasn't against her will", Nic snapped.
"She's a mental patient, Nic", Rachel sighed as she snapped the handcuffs on him. "Do bạn want me to read bạn your rights?"
"No, I think I know them", Nic groaned, turning to look at Holly, who spoke:
"He needs a lawyer."
"I'm pretty sure this won't go to court", Aline pointed out. "Let's just go."
"Don't say anything until I get there", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said.
"What, you're a lawyer?" Colin raised his eyebrows.
"I am now."
Maria and Darren were in Celine's quán ăn eating a late lunch. It had been a while since the two had met up, and it had taken a lot for Darren to stay away that long. But Nic had asked him to. And he would have continued to do so, had Maria not called him herself.
"So how are you?" Maria smiled. "You look good."
"I'm fine. It's still a bit difficult to... to recover, but I'm trying", Darren smiled back. "You look great."
"Thank you", Maria took a bit of her sandwich. "Are bạn going to the carnival tonight?"
"Yeah, why not? It could be fun....", Darren hesitated before asking. It could be a bad idea. But he couldn't resist. "Would bạn like to go with me?"
Maria smirked. She still hadn't fully figured him out, but he was interesting and nice and cute. So why should she say no? "I'd tình yêu to."
"Great", Darren smiled. Just then the door to the quán ăn opened and Atie ran over to them. "Maria! It's Nic. He's at the sheriff's station."
"What, why?" Maria asked in concern as she got up from her seat.
"Just come", Atie rushed. Maria turned to look at Darren, who just smiled.
"Go."
"I'm sorry", Maria rushed to say. "We'll have a date, though, I promise. I'll call you!" she ran off, leaving Darren behind utterly disappointed.
"What's going to happen to me?" Nic asked. He was in a cell right tiếp theo to Rachel's office, sitting on the floor.
"I don't know yet. I have to talk to Jess first."
"Where is she?"
Rachel ignored the question, just looked up from her papers. "Why would bạn do this? I don't get it. bạn don't even know her."
"I do know her. I tình yêu her", Nic đã đưa ý kiến roughly. "If bạn remembered, you'd understand what that feels like."
"I know what tình yêu is", Rachel rolled her eyes. "And I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to remember."
"No, bạn don't know what it is. No one here does. If bạn did, none of this would be happening!" Nic snapped.
"So bạn think everyone here is incapable of love, except you? That's the story bạn want to go with?"
"Sure, mock me", Nic shrugged. "What does it matter?"
"I am not mocking you! I'm trying to find a reason not to keep bạn locked up for the rest of your life!" Rachel snapped.
"Rachel, Richard called", Aline đã đưa ý kiến as she walked into the room.
"Why?" Rachel asked nervously.
"You told me to call him."
"No, yeah, I mean, yeah, but did he... cancel? Our plans?"
"No", Aline smiled a little before turning back to look at Nic. "He says to keep bạn locked up here overnight. Tomorrow we'll figure out what to do. I offered to stay here and watch him."
"No, Aline, I can do that-"
"No, bạn can't. You've got plans", Aline insisted. "It's totally fine, don't worry about it. Colin is gonna come and keep me company."
Rachel smiled a little at this. "Okay, well..."
"Could bạn two focus on me for a moment?" Nic asked. "Where is Jess?"
"She's downstairs."
"Why haven't bạn taken her back to the hospital?" Nic asked.
"Because I'm going to talk to her first", Aline đã đưa ý kiến simply. "You have people waiting outside to see you. Maria and Holly. Should I let them?"
"Yes", Nic nodded.
"I'm gonna get going, I have to... bạn know, get ready", Rachel stood up from her seat. "Try not to kidnap anyone else while I'm gone", she đã đưa ý kiến to Nic before walking off.
"She's delightful", Nic đã đưa ý kiến dryly.
"You may not like her, but she owes bạn thêm than bạn know", Aline pointed out.
"How so?"
"Well, bạn were the one to push Richard towards her direction", Aline smiled. "Lord knows if she's ever going to open her eyes to the reality of the situation, but she is happier than ever before."
Nic nodded. "Yeah, I knew that would happen."
"How?" Aline raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, because I have seen the very thing before with my own eyes", Nic smiled lazily before closing his eyes in exhaustion, offering no explanations.
Alice had never met anyone quite like him. When she'd met Peter, he had been exciting, funny and smart, and he'd taken her to a whole new world. But that was a long time ago. Over the years he had turned into something quite different. Something darker, something stranger. His smiles didn't come as often as they had before, and when they did, there was something wrong about it. But still Alice stayed as his friend. What else could she do? She had Mất tích her entire family, and was stuck in Wonderland.
She was sitting in a chair in Peter's garden. Alice remembered the first time she had seen the house he stayed in. It had been warm and homey and inviting. But ever since Peter had changed, he had let it turn into something else entirely. The cỏ was up to Alice's knees now. The windows and mirrors were full of dirt and dust, and the inside of the house was always dark. There were no candles hoặc lamps anywhere.
"Peter?" Alice asked as he poured her tea. He had a tired look in his eyes, the way he sometimes looked when he seemed to be a hundred miles away.
"Yes?" he tore his eyes from the distance and turned to look at his friend. Were they still friends?
"I'm worried about you", Alice đã đưa ý kiến carefully. "You... bạn haven't been the same for a while."
Peter let out a đắng, cay đắng laugh. "How have I changed?"
"In every way!" Alice snapped. "You don't smile, bạn don't laugh, you-"
"I just laughed now. Drink your tea", Peter đã đưa ý kiến dryly.
"Just tell me what happened to you! What happened and made you-"
"I don't want to talk about this", Peter snapped, standing up from the table. "You drink your tea. I'm not thirsty anymore." He headed back inside the house.
Alice sighed, throwing the tách trà, teacup on the ground. This was useless. She had to get out before she'd turn into him as well. As much as she loved Peter, she would do anything to prevent that.
Colin and Aline were sitting in Rachel's office. They didn't want to be outside as Nic talked to his visitors.
"So what do bạn think it's up with that?" Aline asked.
"I don't know. Some sort of mental breakdown?"
Aline snorted. "Could be. We can catch the carnival in a bit, let's just wait until the others leave."
Colin smiled. "I'm good here until that happens", he reached into his bag and got out a bottle of wine.
"You plan on getting me drunk?" Aline chuckled.
Colin shrugged. "Might as well try", he handed her the bottle. "Sorry about no glasses."
Aline smiled and took a sip. "It's fine. So, when we get to the carnival, will bạn buy me cotton candy?"
"Most certainly", Colin smirked, and they just sat there for a while, looking at each other. And Aline found herself thinking about how glad she was that he was there with her.
Rachel groaned, this was ridiculous. Straightening her dress, she got up once again and check herself on the mirror. She was wearing a white dress, a striped áo nịt, áo nịt ngực, cardigan and her boots. She had put on a little thêm make up than usual but nothing too flashy. Normally she didn't care much about her clothes but she was now a bit insecure about it. Did she look okay? Maybe a bit overdressed? Maybe she was trying too hard? Before she could decide whether to change to something thêm comfortable, she heard a loud knock on the door making her freeze on the spot.
Taking a few deep breaths, Rachel reached for the door and opened it. Richard was on the other side, looking rather dashing in a tux. And she was worried about being dressed too formal.
"Hi."
"Hi. bạn look... wonderful." Richard said, a bit of awe in his eyes. He cleared his throat nervously and handed her a box "Here, chocolate. bạn đã đưa ý kiến you're not the hoa type..."
"You remembered that... Thanks" she đã đưa ý kiến while taking the box. "Should we go?"
"I'm ready if bạn are." Richard said, flashing her a wide smile.
"Where are we going?" Rachel asked, smiling back at him.
"It's a surprise." Richard answered and as Rachel closed the door, she realized how happy she was to spend the evening with him.
She was supposed to meet Rana bởi the Mad hatter’s Spinning Teacups but she couldn't see her. As she waited, she found herself worrying once again about Nic. He had behaved oddly for the past few weeks and now he had kidnapped a mental patient. And if she was being honest, all the things he đã đưa ý kiến at his apartment scared her. Was he going mad? But it wasn't the only weird thing that had happened recently. The ex-mayor trying to kill Rachel and Richard? chó sói, sói attacks? What was going on? Sighing, she darted her eyes to look at her watch but instead laid her eyes on a brown teddy bear.
"Seriously?"
"What? Don't tell me bạn don't like stuffed animals." Ian said, pretending to be shocked.
Atie rolled her eyes "What are bạn doing here anyway? bạn at a carnival, it doesn't really add up."
"And here I thought that, for once, bạn would be nice to me."
"Why? Because bạn bought me something?"
"Actually I won it for bạn at the balloon and dart booth if bạn must know. Impressed?" Ian said, wiggling his eyebrows
"Not really" She tried to sound distant, but the smile she couldn't hold back showed her amusement.
"There. I knew bạn liked me"
Atie rolled her eyes once again "You're so irritating. Guys like bạn always think they can get any girl, isn't it?"
"Come on, bạn know damn well that there's no guy like me here. I am quite inimitable bạn know" he added with a wink.
This time, Atie didn't even try to hide her laughter.
"Now seriously though, what did I ever do to bạn to make bạn dislike me that much?"
Atie sighed "It's not bạn particularly, but I know your type. bạn flirt and seduce but once you're done playing, bạn will toss me aside without a một giây thought."
"You really think that of me?" For a second, Atie thought she saw sadness in his eyes but it was so fleeting, that she wasn't sure.
"I don't know." Atie answered honestly. "You know what? Prove me you're not that guy and perhaps I'll consider being nicer."
Ian smiled and extended his hand "You've got yourself a deal miss Reed"
"Good" Atie said, smiling back "And I'm keeping the teddy bear" she added, snatching the stuffed animal out of Ian's hands and trying to ignore his smirk.
When Alice woke up, the first thing she saw were trees. Tall, green trees. Just like the ones she used to see as a child. Getting up, she realized she was no longer in Wonderland. Back there, she had seen trees in every color, except green. Which had been really curious at first for her but she had become accustomed to it. Walking through the forest now, she realized how much she has missed this: normal colors, normal trees, normal world.
Suddenly, a Mũi tên xanh brushed against her arm and ended its course on the cây behind her. She let out a small cry and looked around in alert. Her breath had become erratic due to fear but she still manage to speak up
"Is there someone here? hiển thị yourself."
She heard some rustling in the bushes, and saw a man wearing a greenish cape coming out from behind the trees.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" đã đưa ý kiến the man while aiming at her with his bow.
"My name is Alice. Who are you?"
"Alice? I don't know anyone of that name who works for the Sheriff of Nottingham. How did bạn end up here anyway?"
"I- I got lost." She clearly could speak of Wonderland yet, she knew better.
The man lowered his weapon and came closer. "Pretty girls like bạn just don't get lost. What are really doing here?"
Alice could see he was suspicious of her, but she had no idea who he was and who was that Sheriff he was talking about. "Look, I don't know what's going on here, but I'm gonna go."
"No, you're not." he said, while posting himself in front of her, clearly not letting her go.
"What? Why?"
"Because if what bạn say it's true, you're not an toàn, két an toàn with the Sheriff's men wandering around here." the man đã đưa ý kiến with a smirk, while looking at her intensely.
Alice didn't understand what he meant. She usually forgot that she wasn't a little girl anymore. Growing up in Wonderland and with only Peter for company, she was oblivious to romance hoặc charm.
"Was the Mũi tên xanh for one of them?" The man nodded, Alice sighed. "Alright, if there's danger here, I will come with you, but bạn still have to tell me your name."
"Sawyer. My name is Sawyer." He said, bowing his head a little.
"Nice to meet bạn Sawyer." Alice đã đưa ý kiến with a smile.
"Okay, bạn can open your eyes."
"Thank God" Rachel muttered but she was also amused bởi the whole thing. Richard had insisted that she would close her eyes the moment she got in his car as to not spoil the surprise. She didn't like surprises but she knew Richard really wanted to make something special, so she had played along. Still, she was relieved when she could reopen her eyes. Only to notice that they were facing the Town Hall.
"We're at the Town Hall." Rachel stated, trying to hide her disappointment.
"Yes." Richard đã đưa ý kiến excitedly. "Come on." He added, taking her hand and leading her inside.
When they finally stopped walking, they had arrived in front of the door which lead to the roof.
"If you're suggesting to jump, I think I'll pass." Rachel joked, expecting Richard to say something.
"No." Richard said, letting out a small laugh "This is it. My surprise."
"The roof? I don't get it."
"Open the door and you'll see."
Rachel did as he đã đưa ý kiến and stepped on the roof. She wasn’t expecting anything at this point and certainly not what was waiting for her. Richard had set up a bàn near the edge of the roof, and had arranged various candles and hoa all around, as if to create a sort of little garden. From what they were standing, they were looking down at the whole carnival. This couldn't be thêm perfect. Without actually realizing she was moving, she found herself being led to her chair at the table.
"So. I asked Aline what your yêu thích thực phẩm was and she đã đưa ý kiến pizza. I didn't actually thought that it would get cold after picking bạn up and all." Richard said, making a face. "We could go somewhere else hoặc order something else if bạn like."
"Cold pizza, bánh pizza sounds great." Rachel đã đưa ý kiến , while reaching for the box. "We're not going anywhere. It looks amazing from up here."
"I didn't know if bạn would want to go to the carnival, so I thought that would be a good idea."
"It is." Rachel đã đưa ý kiến before taking a bite of her pizza, bánh pizza "Where did bạn get this? It tastes really good."
"I actually made it."
Rachel's eyes widen a little "You made a pizza, bánh pizza for me?"
Richard nodded and blushed a bit. "I really wanted things to be perfect." and it was.
"Where are bạn taking me?" Alice asked as she and Sawyer were walking through the woods.
"To my people. We'll take care of you", Sawyer said, looking around, making sure there'd be no Sheriff's men around.
"Who are your people?" Alice asked in hesitation.
"Some call us thieves. Not me, though. thêm like...", he made a face trying to come up with a better word. "Well, we're not going to hurt you."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because whatever the place bạn ran from is, it must be a hell of a lot worse than this place", Sawyer đã đưa ý kiến seriously. "Otherwise bạn wouldn't have ran."
Alice đã đưa ý kiến nothing, merely nodded. "You're right." They walked in silence for a while, until Alice allowed herself to turn and properly look at the man. She had completely stopped herself from feeling remotely anything back in Wonderland, but now... all sort of feelings were rushing to the surface, and she found herself smiling as she stared at the handsome stranger.
"Like what bạn see?" Sawyer smirked when he saw her stare.
"I don't dislike what I see", was Alice's reply before she turned her eyes to the ground, and they walked like that for a while, smiling.
"Are bạn ever going to be full?" Ian asked with a smile as Atie finished her third cotton candy.
"Hey, excuse me, bạn were the one who asked if I wanted another."
"I was being polite!"
"Fine", Atie snapped. "Fine. Let me just go around the corner and throw up, and you'll have your money's worth back."
Ian smirked. "I wasn't being serious."
"Neither was I", Atie đã đưa ý kiến as she smiled back at him. "Okay, you're not so bad."
"No?" Ian asked. "I'm happy bạn think so."
"But sometimes bạn do seem a bit too cocky. I don't like that", Atie shook her head. "We'll have to work on that."
"We?" Ian asked.
"Yes, we. If bạn want", Atie đã đưa ý kiến after a moment of silence.
"I do", Ian nodded. "Can I have your number?"
"It's a small town. You'll find me", Atie smiled as she handed the half-eaten cotton kẹo back to him. "I'll see bạn later."
"So you're just gonna go, mystery girl?"
"Yes, I am just going to go and leave bạn speechless", Atie smirked before walking off, indeed, leaving Ian speechless.
Rana had not expected her night to end like this, but after Atie ditched her for Ian, she figured that spending the time at the carnival with Theo wasn't such a bad idea.
"I didn't know they served alcohol at a carnival", Theo said. He and Rana were sitting against the tường of one of the booths set up. They had been drinking lemonade, but it turned out to be a bit stronger than that.
"Well, I'm not complaining", Rana giggled. "Are you?"
"Most certainly not. This is the most fun I've had in months", Theo smirked. "And it's all because of you."
"Are bạn making a pass at me? Excuse me, sir, but bạn barely know me", Rana leaned backwards a little, but it was all a joke. She was too drunk to function properly anyway, as was Theo.
"It's your own fault. bạn were the one who bought us this lemonade", Theo said.
"With your money. So now bạn must pay up for this horrible experience", with that Rana leaned forwards and kissed him. They froze for a moment. This was stupid, they hardly knew each other and they were going to regret this in the morning, but at that moment they didn't care, they just kept kissing, and it felt really good. Somehow it felt right. Like it was meant to be. However, they both shoved these thoughts away as they resumed kissing.
"You made the carnival happen", Fatemeh đã đưa ý kiến with a smile as she walked over to Sam. He was drinking hot Sô cô la and watching the ferris wheel.
"Hey! Yes! Thank bạn for the fence. I don't know how bạn did it, it was already up when I got here. I would have thanked bạn but I don't have your number", Sam đã đưa ý kiến with a small smile.
"Is that bạn asking for my number?" Fatemeh asked in amusement.
"I don't know. Only if bạn want to give it."
Fatemeh shrugged. "How about bạn give me your number instead?"
Sam smirked. He liked her. "Alright", he took out a pen from his pocket and took Fatemeh's hand in his, gently nghề viết văn out the digits on her palm.
"What if I wash my hands tonight?" Fatemeh offered.
"Then please call me before bạn do", Sam said. "I mean it. Use that."
"I will", Fatemeh was feeling a bit overwhelmed. No guy had paid such attention to her in a long time. "I promise I will."
"Good", Sam said, watching as the girl walked off. He decided he had never met anyone quite like her.
Maria and Nic were still at the police station. Maria was staring at Nic in confusion, but he didn't feel like talking.
"I just want to know... why did bạn do all this? Why? What was so important? Why aren't bạn LOOKING at me?"
Nic turned to look at his best friend, who did nothing but glare back, eagerly waiting for him to say something.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because bạn won't believe me! No one will!" Nic shouted.
The cell echoed for a moment before Maria reached forwards and grabbed Nic's hand in hers. "I am your best friend. I am going to believe you. Just tell me. Tell me everything, from the start. Please."
Nic stared at her for a long time before taking a breath and nodding. "I don't really know where to begin."
"The beginning usually sounds good", Maria smiled a little. Nic smiled back, and so he began. And whether Maria believed him hoặc not did not really matter. What mattered was that he could finally speak about all of it openly, without anyone judging him.
Amber and Albie were sitting at the carnival, watching as some of the people danced on the small dance floor put up at the center of the place.
"Why don't bạn go dance with Logan?" Amber asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh, I don't know... we barely know each other. I just think he's cute", Albie shrugged.
Amber smiled. "That's the way it usually starts."
Albie chuckled. "Speaking of which...", just then they saw James walking over to them with a hesitant look on his face. He stopped in front of Amber, nodded at Bee, and then turned to look at the girl he'd actually come to talk to. "Hey."
"Hey", Amber said. "How are the kids?"
"They're fine", James nodded. "They're doing good. I... I'm not actually here because of that."
"Then why?" Amber raised her eyebrows.
"To ask bạn to dance", James offered his hand in hesitation, not really expecting Amber to take it, apparently.
"Seriously?"
"Well... people are dancing, and it's... bạn don't want to."
"I do want to", Amber stood up and grabbed his hand in hers. "I do", she turned around to wave bye to Albie before following James to the dance floor.
"I just didn't take bạn for a dancer", Amber đã đưa ý kiến as he took her in his arms and they began the slow dance.
"Neither did I. But you've done a lot for me, and the kids. And I figured a girl like you... liked to dance", he smiled softly.
"A girl like me?"
"Someone sophisticated and... beautiful", James looked away a little as he spoke, so Amber đã đưa ý kiến nothing. She just smiled and allowed herself to just have fun with him. "Thank you", she finally whispered. And they danced for quite a while.
Paul felt like the happiest man alive. Looking at Celine closing the diner, he couldn't believe that he had lived without her so far. How he had managed it was beyond him, he couldn't imagine living otherwise now.
"-the maze seems fun. So is the sâu bướm really. What do bạn want to do? Paul?" Celine turned around when she realized her boyfriend wasn't listening to her
"What?"
"I was asking bạn what bạn wanted to do at the carnival. Were bạn not listening to me?"
"Sorry." Paul đã đưa ý kiến while scratching his neck "I was looking at bạn actually."
"Okay. That's not at all creepy." Celine đã đưa ý kiến with a light laugh and snuggling into Paul's arms "As I was saying, there's a few things I want to do at the carnival: The Queen of Heart's maze, visit the Chuyện thần tiên ở New York Garden and the một lối chơi quần, croquet playground. The sâu bướm is a classic so that too. What do bạn think?"
"What's the Caterpillar?" Paul đã đưa ý kiến confused. He didn't know what half of these names represented.
"The ferris wheel. They renamed it so it would fit the Alice in Wonderland theme."
"Ferris wheel it is then. But since when the carnival has a theme?"
"Nic suggested it and I think it's a good idea."
"Can I Kiss bạn at the hàng đầu, đầu trang of the ferris wheel?"
"You may." Celine đã đưa ý kiến with a soft giggle "and bạn can even start now if bạn like."
"Gladly." Paul đã đưa ý kiến while leaning so he could Kiss her. They kept on walking towards the carnival, kissing and holding hands.
Nadia was sitting tiếp theo to Stiles on one of the benches. She had come to the carnival with friends, but when she'd seen him, she'd decided to go say hi to him. After all, they hadn't interacted much since their date.
"So.... are bạn having fun?" Nadia asked after a moment of silence.
"I am, yeah", Stiles said, looking at her. "Now, anyway."
"Right."
"Look, I'm sorry about not calling you", Stiles đã đưa ý kiến quickly. He seemed like he'd had to say this for a while. "I wanted to. Believe me, I did. But I was nervous because I wasn't exactly sure how seriously bạn take me, and-"
"Stiles", Nadia interrupted him.
"Yeah?" he raised his eyebrows, looking at Nadia hopefully.
"It was just one date. I wasn't expecting a tình yêu letter right after. But a call hoặc a visit to the thư viện would have been nice. However, that is in the past", Nadia đã đưa ý kiến as she stood up. She reached out her hand to grab his. "For now, would bạn like to dance?"
Stiles listened to the âm nhạc from the speakers, and it seemed to be a song from the Beauty and the Beast. "Really, to this? A bit cheesy, don't bạn think?"
"No, I think it's just right", Nadia đã đưa ý kiến as she dragged Stiles to the dance floor, and to her surprise, he wrapped his arms around her and smiled brightly, spinning her around. And for a moment Nadia felt like they had done this before. But that was impossible. Right?
"Seriously, what's the most reckless thing you've done?"
"I think going after a chó sói, sói without ever firing a gun in my life is pretty wild."
Rachel laughed a bit and nodded. "I have to say, it suited you. If bạn weren't the mayor, I would definitely give bạn a job at the Sheriff station."
"I'm not sure it is for me. Not that mayor is my thing either."
"What are bạn talking about? You're doing great."
"Not for the small stuff apparently, Sam is pretty vượt qua, cross with me about that."
"I didn't know. Well, this chó sói, sói wandering around isn't making it easy for you."
"Still, he's right too."
"Maybe, but you're still the best thing that happened to this town."
Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted as fireworks were fired. Rachel turned her head to look at them and smile. She had always liked fireworks.
"It's beautiful."
"Yes it is." Richard đã đưa ý kiến not taking his eyes off of her for a second.
Rachel turned her head back to him and smiled.
"You know, I'm really glad we did this." she said, gesturing at the table.
"Me too." he đã đưa ý kiến locking eyes with her. The moment couldn't be thêm perfect. The lights, the fireworks, Rachel smiling at him. As he lean over the table, he put his hand on her cheek, bringing her face towards his and kissed her. The Kiss was tender at first but quickly grew passionate and seemed to last a lifetime. When they finally parted, they were both out of breath. Rachel had not expected this and she didn't know what to do now. She liked him. How could she have let herself like him like that? Standing up from her chair, she stepped back from the table, making Richard stand up as well.
"Rach, is everything okay? Was the Kiss not good?"
She wanted to tell him it was perfect, that she liked him so much but she couldn't let herself do that. What if she loses him? What if he decides he doesn't like her anymore? She couldn't take a chance.
"No. It was... amazing. But I have to go. I'm sorry." and at that she ran as fast as she could, leaving Richard confused and calling out her name.
As she ran down the stairs and out to the streets again, Rachel felt her head get dizzy. Okay, what was going on now? She had to lean against a tường to catch her breath. And then suddenly a name came to her head, and it was all she could think about. The name was Robb.
Aline and Colin were walking through the carnival, not really doing much.
"Do bạn think it was ok to leave Nic alone in there?" Aline asked as they walked.
"Oh, I don't see what the guy could do", Colin said. "He doesn't exactly seem like the criminal master mind."
"Maybe not", Aline said. "But he's not a bad guy either. I don't understand what happened."
"I know", Colin nodded. "We'll figure it out."
Aline smiled at him softly.
"What?"
"I just... I like having bạn around."
"You do?" Colin raised his eyebrows. "Those are words I'd never have expected to come out of your mouth."
"Oh, stop", Aline chuckled. "I may be a bit distant, but I'm not that bad."
"No, you're right, you're not", Colin smiled. "You're not bad at all", and to her surprise Aline felt Colin bọc an arm around her. It felt comfortable and safe, especially with the cold weather. She knew it could well be just a friendly gesture, but she knew in her tim, trái tim that it wasn't. And she didn't mind. She leaned into his touch as they stopped to watch the dancing couples. And in that moment, Aline felt thêm alive than ever before.
Inés had gotten the shift at the hospital just on the night of the carnival, which did not please her, but she knew she would be too distracted to have fun anyway. She thought about Joseph, the guy she'd met, and she thought about the chó sói, sói attacks. She wondered if this town was an toàn, két an toàn anymore. Just as she was deep in her thoughts, she saw Joseph walk down the hall towards the exit. However, when he saw her, he stopped and walked over to her with a smile on his face.
"Inés. I didn't expect to see bạn here tonight."
"I got the night shift", Inés đã đưa ý kiến in hesitation. "Where were you?"
"Just paying a visit to a friend."
"But it's past visiting hours."
"Then don't tell anyone", Joseph smirked before stepping back a little. "I hope to see bạn around soon", with that he walked off. Inés stared at him in shock for a moment, but then she got back to her thoughts.
"Nic!" cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly ran into the police station and froze as she saw Maria there. She was flipping through the fairytale book. They both looked up at the sight of the girl.
"What's going on?" Nic asked in concern.
"He's gone", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. She gave Maria a glance, but then decided not to care whether she heard hoặc not. "Derek. He got out."
Nic stood up in his cell. "How?"
"I don't know", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said, out of breath. "I just went to see him and he was gone. No one knows where. He wasn't discharged", her tim, trái tim was beating with such concern for him. Where was he? Was he alright? Did he remember her? Was he looking for her?"
"You know what this means", Nic said.
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly nodded, but Maria looked at them both in concern. "What?"
"It means that soon enough we'll have thêm than one chó sói, sói bothering us at night", Nic sighed, closing his eyes in exhaustion.
Cast (in no order):
Aline Morrison/Ariana Pendragon: Dianna Agron
Rachel Leslie/Jaime Locksley: Lily James
Celine Portman/Princess Aurora: Natalie Portman
Richard Stark/Prince Robb: Richard Madden
Rana Mitchell/Jasmine: Shay Mitchell
Theo Eaton/Tobias: Theo James
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly Dobrev/Elsa: Nina Dobrev
Paul Salvatore/Prince Stefan: Paul Wesley
Ian Salvatore: Ian Somerhalder l
Atie Reed: Crystal Reed
Fatemeh Tonkin/Persephone: Phoebe Tonkin
Colin Jones/Killian Jones: Colin O'Donoghue
Nicolas Grace/Peter Pan: Topher Grace
Jess/Wendy Darling: Zooey Deschanel
Ines Clarke/Ariel: Emilia Clarke
Klaus/Joseph: Joseph morgan
Sam Odair/Finnick: Sam Claflin
Maria Michele/Cinderella: AnnaSophia Robb
Nadia Watson: Emma Watson
Stiles Stilinski: Dylan O'Brien
Amber Brie/Alice: Alison Brie
Albie Collins/Anna: Lily Collins
James Ford/Sawyer: Josh Holloway
Prince Darren: Darren Criss
Chapter 11: Down the rabbit hole
Sam hadn't realized that when he took the job as Richard's assistent, he'd have to do everything for him. Sure, Richard was a born leader and he seemed to keep his cool in a crisis, but when it came to less severe, merely practical things, he didn't seem to care. One of them being the annual winter carnival. Every year, just before it'd start to snow, the town would set up booths, games, hot thực phẩm and hot drinks, and even a carousel and a ferris wheel for those who'd like to try them. Of course Sam had mentioned this to Richard when he'd taken the job, and for two giây Richard had seemed rather interested. Then the chó sói, sói thing happened and it was completely dismissed. But Sam was still determined to make it happen.
"Where did bạn find a ferris wheel, anyhow?" Richard asked as he got into the office that morning, drinking coffee.
"I rented it from the school."
"And why would the school have a ferris wheel?" Richard raised his eyebrows as he sat down.
"I don't know. Does it matter?" Sam groaned.
"You do know we need protection around the premises. Some sort of a fence. Just in case the chó sói, sói shows up", Richard said. "You'll find one?"
"I don't know where to find one", Sam pointed out.
"You found a ferris wheel, Sam, you'll find a fence", Richard chuckled. "So when is it?"
"Tonight", Sam said. "Don't bạn read any of the emails I send you?"
Richard's mouth fell open. "Tonight? Oh, well... I'm going to have to miss it."
"Why?" Sam figured he didn't have to ask, but he foolishly did anyway.
"I'm going out with Rachel", Richard đã đưa ý kiến after a moment of silence. "And I don't think she wants to go to the carnival."
Sam breathed deeply. "Alright. But when that goes badly, I get to say I told bạn so. Now I'm gonna go see if someone has a fence for us."
He walked out of the city hall and almost ran into Fatemeh as soon as he walked out of the building.
"Whoa", he stepped back. "What are bạn doing here?"
"I was actually looking for you", Fatemeh đã đưa ý kiến with a small smile. "I just wanted to know if bạn caught the wolf?"
"No", Sam sighed. "But I'd appreciate it if bạn didn't spread it around. I don't want people thinking there's a chó sói, sói roaming the streets."
"There is", Fatemeh chuckled a little.
"Yes, but...", Sam groaned. "Never mind."
"Are bạn okay?" Fatemeh followed Sam as he began to walk towards the streets. "You seem stressed."
"It's the stupid winter carnival."
"We're still having that?" Fatemeh asked in surprise.
"You didn't see the ferris wheel being dragged to the center of the town? Yeah, we're still having that. And now I need to find some sort of a fence to go around the place in case the chó sói, sói is lurking around."
"I can help bạn with that", Fatemeh said. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help him.
"What?" Sam stopped in his tracks.
"I think I can find someone who has what you're looking for. I'll meet bạn bởi the carnival in two hours?"
"Thank you!" Sam laughed. "Thank you. Really."
Fatemeh was a little taken back bởi the smile Sam was giving her, but she brushed it off with a shrug of her shoulders, and then she was gone.
Now, where to find a damn fence, she had no idea.
Nic was trying to make Jess breakfast, and quite frankly, was failing at it. He had burned the eggs and didn't even want to give the thịt ba rọi, thịt xông khói a go. He had resorted to cereal, and was just about to put some in a bowl and go wake her up when there was a knock on the door. Nic groaned and headed for the door, opening it. He went pale when he saw his two Những người bạn glaring at him.
"What the hell did bạn do?" Atie asked.
"I-"
"We heard that bạn lấy trộm, đánh cắp a mental patient", Rana đã đưa ý kiến as she pushed inside the house. "Is that true?"
"I didn't steal anyone, she wanted to go with me", Nic snapped, closing the door after them. "Can we talk about this later?"
"She is a mental patient! bạn don't know what she wants. bạn could get arrested for this", Atie đã đưa ý kiến angrily. "Why would you-"
Atie stopped mid-speech when they heard footsteps, and soon Jess had entered the room, looking at them in confusion. She was wearing one of Nic's shirts and a pair of pants, since she couldn't exactly walk around in the hospital clothes.
"I heard noises", she said. "Is everything alright?"
Rana smiled, but it was a dry smile with no hint of amusement. "So it is true. Nic, can bạn tell us what's going on?"
"Can we talk about this later?" Nic begged again.
"No. No, we can't. We're going to talk about this now", Atie said. "Who is she? And why is she here?!"
"Fine. bạn want the truth?" Nic snapped. "I'm tired of lying to everyone. Here's the truth! Jess is from another world. Her name is Wendy, and I knew her a long time ago. I'm also from another world, an Chuyện thần tiên ở New York forest, to be exact. My name is Peter. Not Nic."
Atie and Rana stared at him for a long time before Atie spoke up: "What the hell have bạn been smoking?"
"Why doesn't anyone remember?" Nic shouted in frustration. "What does it take for bạn to remember?! I'm tired of doing this alone! I thought that a true love's Kiss would work, I thought Celine would remember... but nothing. Nothing."
"Nic...", Rana đã đưa ý kiến carefully. "Are bạn ok? Maybe bạn should lie down."
"Why can't bạn remember who bạn really are?" Nic asked Rana in frustration. "Why can't bạn remember what happened to you? The palace, the evil spirit, your parents, the cave! Tobias! Why can't bạn at least remember him?"
And for a moment Nic thought he'd gotten to Rana. She was just staring at him in shock until she shook her head, as if coming back from a trance. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Nic groaned, turning to look at Atie. "And you. bạn have to remember, Atie, please. Remember the-"
"Stop it", Rana snapped. "Stop. I don't know what's up with you, but this is not okay! bạn can't just break the law and then as an explanation shout some fairytale at us! We are your friends! We deserve the truth!"
Nic sighed, burying his head in his hands. He screw up. He Mất tích his temper, he messed it up.
"By the way, your girlfriend left", with that Rana pulled Atie out of the house with her, slamming the door closed behind them.
Nic turned around and indeed, Jess was gone.
Rana walked all the way to the sheriff's office. She hated that she was doing this, but she couldn't just let the girl wander around aimlessly.
"Hey", she walked over to Rachel's desk. She seemed pretty preoccupied, staring at the computer screen.
"What?" Rachel looked up. "Do I know you?"
"Isn't that your job, to know everyone? As the sheriff?"
Rachel just glared at her, waiting. She was so stressed about going out with Richard that night that she had no room for any kind of snarky comments.
"Um, so, that mental patient is missing, right?" Rana asked.
"Yeah. Jessica Day. Why? Have bạn heard something?" Rachel asked.
"I saw her."
"Where?"
"I can't say?"
"What?" Rachel raised her eyebrows.
"Look, she looked to be heading towards the woods again. And that isn't very safe, considering the chó sói, sói and all", Rana said.
"If you're somehow involved in this, I have to arrest you", Rachel đã đưa ý kiến sharply.
"I'm not. And I suggest bạn go and find her before something bad happens."
Rachel glared at her in suspicion for a moment before nodding. "Which part of town did bạn see her in, at least?"
"West, near the mayor's office."
Rachel stood up. "I'll go."
"No, I'll go", Aline walked into the room. "I have some free time now, I was going to go have lunch with Colin, and he knows the area well."
Rachel groaned. "I don't know, it's my job."
"Delegate sometimes, Rach. There's a thought", Aline chuckled. "Besides, bạn have other stuff on your mind. I'll walk bạn out", she đã đưa ý kiến to Rana.
Rachel turned to look at Rana. "Thank you. For the information."
"No problem", Rana nodded, hoping that when Aline would find the girl, she would not also find Nic. She followed Aline out of the building.
Aline met up with Colin bởi the forest.
"You know, if you're going to help me with all of these things, bạn might as well get paid for it", Aline smirked. "You should talk to Rach, get a job."
"That's just your way of being closer to me without appearing too needy. Cunning. I like it", Colin smirked. "Truth is, it wouldn't be so bad. How's the pay?"
"Not that much, but I think it's gonna rise now that Richard is mayor."
Colin chuckled. "He is so whipped."
"Stop, don't say that. I know Rach seems... well..."
"Cold, detached, anti-social... a robot?
"A bit distant!" Aline snapped. "Can bạn shut up? bạn do remember she's one of my best friends?"
Colin raised his hands in defeat. "Sorry. So, yes, she does seem a bit distant."
"And clueless. She has no idea that Richard is interested in her."
"Wow", Colin smiled. "Yeah, I guess that can happen to. And then there are some girls who are very aware of how much a guy likes them, but still prefers to torture them him instead of doing something about it."
Aline smiled. "And then there are guys who are interested in girls but never do anything about it, no matter how much they talk about it."
Colin smirked. "Do bạn want to go to the carnival with me tonight?"
"Yeah, sure", Aline smiled.
They walked for a while in silence.
Nic had been looking for ages, but he couldn't find Jess anymore. He was worried about her, he was worried about what Rana and Atie might do, and to hàng đầu, đầu trang it all, he was worried about what was happening to him. He remembered the person he used to be, how he had been and what that had done to him and the people he cared about, and going back to that terrified him. After an giờ of looking he ended up back at the apartment. Best case scenario, Jess would already be back. But as he closed the door, the person standing in the hallway was not Jess, but Holly.
"What are bạn doing here?" Nic asked angrily. "How did bạn even get in? No, bạn know what, I don't want to know. Go. This has been a shitty day."
"I know bạn remember", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said, smiling a little. "I know bạn remember the real world. And I need your help."
Nic glared at her for a long time before speaking: "Why should I help you? You're part of why this happened."
"Because like it hoặc not, bạn can't hoặc won't do this alone", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly stood up from the chair and walked over to him. "And I know thêm about the curse than bạn do. I'd be of help and bạn know it."
Nic groaned. "What do bạn want?"
"I want bạn to make Tyler remember", there was such desperation in Holly's voice that for a moment Nic felt sorry for her.
"I think that's your job."
"The true tình yêu thing doesn't work and bạn know that. Nothing happened when finally got Celine back with her one true love. Darren remembers, that hasn't affected Maria at all. Rachel and Richard are absolutely clueless of what they were, and Aline-"
"I get it. I'm failing. But at least I'm trying", Nic snapped. "But I can't make Tyler remember."
"I wrote him a letter, but I didn't give it to him", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. "But it's possible that the coma alone has được trao him back his memories. Sort of like with Darren."
"Darren never Mất tích his memories", Nic said. "It's not the same."
"You sound like you're giving up", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly pointed out.
"I am not giving up", Nic snapped, moving past her towards the kitchen. "I'm just tired of failing."
"Maybe bạn won't fail this time", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. "All I ask is that you... try to trigger his memory. Talk to him about me. Something. Anything."
"What about Anna?" Nic turned to look at her. "Don't bạn care about her?"
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly froze. "She doesn't want to see me. I know it without even having to ask. Not after what I did."
"But bạn do know that Percy is alive, don't you? Why should she hate you?"
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly shrugged. "None of your business."
"You know what? Fine. I'll help", Nic said. "But bạn have to do the same."
"I will."
"And just remember, bạn hurt a lot of people in the past life. And if one of them would like to, say, take revenge, I'm not going to stand in their way."
"I did nothing. It was all the Queen", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly snapped. "I am tired of getting blamed for her mistakes."
"Then start paying for your own!" Nic shouted. "Make peace with your sister, help me make everyone remember, and help me bring Irene to justice."
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly nodded. "I'll do what I can. I'll talk to Fatemeh, too."
"But be discreet about it. My cover has already been...well... compromised."
Before cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly could say anything else, the door to the apartment burst open. Aline and Colin walked inside, followed bởi Rachel.
"Step aside, Holly", Rachel đã đưa ý kiến before walking over to Nic with handcuffs. "Nicolas Grace, bạn are under arrest for kidnapping."
"Kidnapping?" Nic scoffed. "What the hell?" then he realized. "Jess. Did bạn find her?"
"Yeah, we did", Aline said. "She's outside in the car. She didn't say anything. We followed her here."
"It wasn't kidnapping, it wasn't against her will", Nic snapped.
"She's a mental patient, Nic", Rachel sighed as she snapped the handcuffs on him. "Do bạn want me to read bạn your rights?"
"No, I think I know them", Nic groaned, turning to look at Holly, who spoke:
"He needs a lawyer."
"I'm pretty sure this won't go to court", Aline pointed out. "Let's just go."
"Don't say anything until I get there", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said.
"What, you're a lawyer?" Colin raised his eyebrows.
"I am now."
Maria and Darren were in Celine's quán ăn eating a late lunch. It had been a while since the two had met up, and it had taken a lot for Darren to stay away that long. But Nic had asked him to. And he would have continued to do so, had Maria not called him herself.
"So how are you?" Maria smiled. "You look good."
"I'm fine. It's still a bit difficult to... to recover, but I'm trying", Darren smiled back. "You look great."
"Thank you", Maria took a bit of her sandwich. "Are bạn going to the carnival tonight?"
"Yeah, why not? It could be fun....", Darren hesitated before asking. It could be a bad idea. But he couldn't resist. "Would bạn like to go with me?"
Maria smirked. She still hadn't fully figured him out, but he was interesting and nice and cute. So why should she say no? "I'd tình yêu to."
"Great", Darren smiled. Just then the door to the quán ăn opened and Atie ran over to them. "Maria! It's Nic. He's at the sheriff's station."
"What, why?" Maria asked in concern as she got up from her seat.
"Just come", Atie rushed. Maria turned to look at Darren, who just smiled.
"Go."
"I'm sorry", Maria rushed to say. "We'll have a date, though, I promise. I'll call you!" she ran off, leaving Darren behind utterly disappointed.
"What's going to happen to me?" Nic asked. He was in a cell right tiếp theo to Rachel's office, sitting on the floor.
"I don't know yet. I have to talk to Jess first."
"Where is she?"
Rachel ignored the question, just looked up from her papers. "Why would bạn do this? I don't get it. bạn don't even know her."
"I do know her. I tình yêu her", Nic đã đưa ý kiến roughly. "If bạn remembered, you'd understand what that feels like."
"I know what tình yêu is", Rachel rolled her eyes. "And I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to remember."
"No, bạn don't know what it is. No one here does. If bạn did, none of this would be happening!" Nic snapped.
"So bạn think everyone here is incapable of love, except you? That's the story bạn want to go with?"
"Sure, mock me", Nic shrugged. "What does it matter?"
"I am not mocking you! I'm trying to find a reason not to keep bạn locked up for the rest of your life!" Rachel snapped.
"Rachel, Richard called", Aline đã đưa ý kiến as she walked into the room.
"Why?" Rachel asked nervously.
"You told me to call him."
"No, yeah, I mean, yeah, but did he... cancel? Our plans?"
"No", Aline smiled a little before turning back to look at Nic. "He says to keep bạn locked up here overnight. Tomorrow we'll figure out what to do. I offered to stay here and watch him."
"No, Aline, I can do that-"
"No, bạn can't. You've got plans", Aline insisted. "It's totally fine, don't worry about it. Colin is gonna come and keep me company."
Rachel smiled a little at this. "Okay, well..."
"Could bạn two focus on me for a moment?" Nic asked. "Where is Jess?"
"She's downstairs."
"Why haven't bạn taken her back to the hospital?" Nic asked.
"Because I'm going to talk to her first", Aline đã đưa ý kiến simply. "You have people waiting outside to see you. Maria and Holly. Should I let them?"
"Yes", Nic nodded.
"I'm gonna get going, I have to... bạn know, get ready", Rachel stood up from her seat. "Try not to kidnap anyone else while I'm gone", she đã đưa ý kiến to Nic before walking off.
"She's delightful", Nic đã đưa ý kiến dryly.
"You may not like her, but she owes bạn thêm than bạn know", Aline pointed out.
"How so?"
"Well, bạn were the one to push Richard towards her direction", Aline smiled. "Lord knows if she's ever going to open her eyes to the reality of the situation, but she is happier than ever before."
Nic nodded. "Yeah, I knew that would happen."
"How?" Aline raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, because I have seen the very thing before with my own eyes", Nic smiled lazily before closing his eyes in exhaustion, offering no explanations.
Alice had never met anyone quite like him. When she'd met Peter, he had been exciting, funny and smart, and he'd taken her to a whole new world. But that was a long time ago. Over the years he had turned into something quite different. Something darker, something stranger. His smiles didn't come as often as they had before, and when they did, there was something wrong about it. But still Alice stayed as his friend. What else could she do? She had Mất tích her entire family, and was stuck in Wonderland.
She was sitting in a chair in Peter's garden. Alice remembered the first time she had seen the house he stayed in. It had been warm and homey and inviting. But ever since Peter had changed, he had let it turn into something else entirely. The cỏ was up to Alice's knees now. The windows and mirrors were full of dirt and dust, and the inside of the house was always dark. There were no candles hoặc lamps anywhere.
"Peter?" Alice asked as he poured her tea. He had a tired look in his eyes, the way he sometimes looked when he seemed to be a hundred miles away.
"Yes?" he tore his eyes from the distance and turned to look at his friend. Were they still friends?
"I'm worried about you", Alice đã đưa ý kiến carefully. "You... bạn haven't been the same for a while."
Peter let out a đắng, cay đắng laugh. "How have I changed?"
"In every way!" Alice snapped. "You don't smile, bạn don't laugh, you-"
"I just laughed now. Drink your tea", Peter đã đưa ý kiến dryly.
"Just tell me what happened to you! What happened and made you-"
"I don't want to talk about this", Peter snapped, standing up from the table. "You drink your tea. I'm not thirsty anymore." He headed back inside the house.
Alice sighed, throwing the tách trà, teacup on the ground. This was useless. She had to get out before she'd turn into him as well. As much as she loved Peter, she would do anything to prevent that.
Colin and Aline were sitting in Rachel's office. They didn't want to be outside as Nic talked to his visitors.
"So what do bạn think it's up with that?" Aline asked.
"I don't know. Some sort of mental breakdown?"
Aline snorted. "Could be. We can catch the carnival in a bit, let's just wait until the others leave."
Colin smiled. "I'm good here until that happens", he reached into his bag and got out a bottle of wine.
"You plan on getting me drunk?" Aline chuckled.
Colin shrugged. "Might as well try", he handed her the bottle. "Sorry about no glasses."
Aline smiled and took a sip. "It's fine. So, when we get to the carnival, will bạn buy me cotton candy?"
"Most certainly", Colin smirked, and they just sat there for a while, looking at each other. And Aline found herself thinking about how glad she was that he was there with her.
Rachel groaned, this was ridiculous. Straightening her dress, she got up once again and check herself on the mirror. She was wearing a white dress, a striped áo nịt, áo nịt ngực, cardigan and her boots. She had put on a little thêm make up than usual but nothing too flashy. Normally she didn't care much about her clothes but she was now a bit insecure about it. Did she look okay? Maybe a bit overdressed? Maybe she was trying too hard? Before she could decide whether to change to something thêm comfortable, she heard a loud knock on the door making her freeze on the spot.
Taking a few deep breaths, Rachel reached for the door and opened it. Richard was on the other side, looking rather dashing in a tux. And she was worried about being dressed too formal.
"Hi."
"Hi. bạn look... wonderful." Richard said, a bit of awe in his eyes. He cleared his throat nervously and handed her a box "Here, chocolate. bạn đã đưa ý kiến you're not the hoa type..."
"You remembered that... Thanks" she đã đưa ý kiến while taking the box. "Should we go?"
"I'm ready if bạn are." Richard said, flashing her a wide smile.
"Where are we going?" Rachel asked, smiling back at him.
"It's a surprise." Richard answered and as Rachel closed the door, she realized how happy she was to spend the evening with him.
She was supposed to meet Rana bởi the Mad hatter’s Spinning Teacups but she couldn't see her. As she waited, she found herself worrying once again about Nic. He had behaved oddly for the past few weeks and now he had kidnapped a mental patient. And if she was being honest, all the things he đã đưa ý kiến at his apartment scared her. Was he going mad? But it wasn't the only weird thing that had happened recently. The ex-mayor trying to kill Rachel and Richard? chó sói, sói attacks? What was going on? Sighing, she darted her eyes to look at her watch but instead laid her eyes on a brown teddy bear.
"Seriously?"
"What? Don't tell me bạn don't like stuffed animals." Ian said, pretending to be shocked.
Atie rolled her eyes "What are bạn doing here anyway? bạn at a carnival, it doesn't really add up."
"And here I thought that, for once, bạn would be nice to me."
"Why? Because bạn bought me something?"
"Actually I won it for bạn at the balloon and dart booth if bạn must know. Impressed?" Ian said, wiggling his eyebrows
"Not really" She tried to sound distant, but the smile she couldn't hold back showed her amusement.
"There. I knew bạn liked me"
Atie rolled her eyes once again "You're so irritating. Guys like bạn always think they can get any girl, isn't it?"
"Come on, bạn know damn well that there's no guy like me here. I am quite inimitable bạn know" he added with a wink.
This time, Atie didn't even try to hide her laughter.
"Now seriously though, what did I ever do to bạn to make bạn dislike me that much?"
Atie sighed "It's not bạn particularly, but I know your type. bạn flirt and seduce but once you're done playing, bạn will toss me aside without a một giây thought."
"You really think that of me?" For a second, Atie thought she saw sadness in his eyes but it was so fleeting, that she wasn't sure.
"I don't know." Atie answered honestly. "You know what? Prove me you're not that guy and perhaps I'll consider being nicer."
Ian smiled and extended his hand "You've got yourself a deal miss Reed"
"Good" Atie said, smiling back "And I'm keeping the teddy bear" she added, snatching the stuffed animal out of Ian's hands and trying to ignore his smirk.
When Alice woke up, the first thing she saw were trees. Tall, green trees. Just like the ones she used to see as a child. Getting up, she realized she was no longer in Wonderland. Back there, she had seen trees in every color, except green. Which had been really curious at first for her but she had become accustomed to it. Walking through the forest now, she realized how much she has missed this: normal colors, normal trees, normal world.
Suddenly, a Mũi tên xanh brushed against her arm and ended its course on the cây behind her. She let out a small cry and looked around in alert. Her breath had become erratic due to fear but she still manage to speak up
"Is there someone here? hiển thị yourself."
She heard some rustling in the bushes, and saw a man wearing a greenish cape coming out from behind the trees.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" đã đưa ý kiến the man while aiming at her with his bow.
"My name is Alice. Who are you?"
"Alice? I don't know anyone of that name who works for the Sheriff of Nottingham. How did bạn end up here anyway?"
"I- I got lost." She clearly could speak of Wonderland yet, she knew better.
The man lowered his weapon and came closer. "Pretty girls like bạn just don't get lost. What are really doing here?"
Alice could see he was suspicious of her, but she had no idea who he was and who was that Sheriff he was talking about. "Look, I don't know what's going on here, but I'm gonna go."
"No, you're not." he said, while posting himself in front of her, clearly not letting her go.
"What? Why?"
"Because if what bạn say it's true, you're not an toàn, két an toàn with the Sheriff's men wandering around here." the man đã đưa ý kiến with a smirk, while looking at her intensely.
Alice didn't understand what he meant. She usually forgot that she wasn't a little girl anymore. Growing up in Wonderland and with only Peter for company, she was oblivious to romance hoặc charm.
"Was the Mũi tên xanh for one of them?" The man nodded, Alice sighed. "Alright, if there's danger here, I will come with you, but bạn still have to tell me your name."
"Sawyer. My name is Sawyer." He said, bowing his head a little.
"Nice to meet bạn Sawyer." Alice đã đưa ý kiến with a smile.
"Okay, bạn can open your eyes."
"Thank God" Rachel muttered but she was also amused bởi the whole thing. Richard had insisted that she would close her eyes the moment she got in his car as to not spoil the surprise. She didn't like surprises but she knew Richard really wanted to make something special, so she had played along. Still, she was relieved when she could reopen her eyes. Only to notice that they were facing the Town Hall.
"We're at the Town Hall." Rachel stated, trying to hide her disappointment.
"Yes." Richard đã đưa ý kiến excitedly. "Come on." He added, taking her hand and leading her inside.
When they finally stopped walking, they had arrived in front of the door which lead to the roof.
"If you're suggesting to jump, I think I'll pass." Rachel joked, expecting Richard to say something.
"No." Richard said, letting out a small laugh "This is it. My surprise."
"The roof? I don't get it."
"Open the door and you'll see."
Rachel did as he đã đưa ý kiến and stepped on the roof. She wasn’t expecting anything at this point and certainly not what was waiting for her. Richard had set up a bàn near the edge of the roof, and had arranged various candles and hoa all around, as if to create a sort of little garden. From what they were standing, they were looking down at the whole carnival. This couldn't be thêm perfect. Without actually realizing she was moving, she found herself being led to her chair at the table.
"So. I asked Aline what your yêu thích thực phẩm was and she đã đưa ý kiến pizza. I didn't actually thought that it would get cold after picking bạn up and all." Richard said, making a face. "We could go somewhere else hoặc order something else if bạn like."
"Cold pizza, bánh pizza sounds great." Rachel đã đưa ý kiến , while reaching for the box. "We're not going anywhere. It looks amazing from up here."
"I didn't know if bạn would want to go to the carnival, so I thought that would be a good idea."
"It is." Rachel đã đưa ý kiến before taking a bite of her pizza, bánh pizza "Where did bạn get this? It tastes really good."
"I actually made it."
Rachel's eyes widen a little "You made a pizza, bánh pizza for me?"
Richard nodded and blushed a bit. "I really wanted things to be perfect." and it was.
"Where are bạn taking me?" Alice asked as she and Sawyer were walking through the woods.
"To my people. We'll take care of you", Sawyer said, looking around, making sure there'd be no Sheriff's men around.
"Who are your people?" Alice asked in hesitation.
"Some call us thieves. Not me, though. thêm like...", he made a face trying to come up with a better word. "Well, we're not going to hurt you."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because whatever the place bạn ran from is, it must be a hell of a lot worse than this place", Sawyer đã đưa ý kiến seriously. "Otherwise bạn wouldn't have ran."
Alice đã đưa ý kiến nothing, merely nodded. "You're right." They walked in silence for a while, until Alice allowed herself to turn and properly look at the man. She had completely stopped herself from feeling remotely anything back in Wonderland, but now... all sort of feelings were rushing to the surface, and she found herself smiling as she stared at the handsome stranger.
"Like what bạn see?" Sawyer smirked when he saw her stare.
"I don't dislike what I see", was Alice's reply before she turned her eyes to the ground, and they walked like that for a while, smiling.
"Are bạn ever going to be full?" Ian asked with a smile as Atie finished her third cotton candy.
"Hey, excuse me, bạn were the one who asked if I wanted another."
"I was being polite!"
"Fine", Atie snapped. "Fine. Let me just go around the corner and throw up, and you'll have your money's worth back."
Ian smirked. "I wasn't being serious."
"Neither was I", Atie đã đưa ý kiến as she smiled back at him. "Okay, you're not so bad."
"No?" Ian asked. "I'm happy bạn think so."
"But sometimes bạn do seem a bit too cocky. I don't like that", Atie shook her head. "We'll have to work on that."
"We?" Ian asked.
"Yes, we. If bạn want", Atie đã đưa ý kiến after a moment of silence.
"I do", Ian nodded. "Can I have your number?"
"It's a small town. You'll find me", Atie smiled as she handed the half-eaten cotton kẹo back to him. "I'll see bạn later."
"So you're just gonna go, mystery girl?"
"Yes, I am just going to go and leave bạn speechless", Atie smirked before walking off, indeed, leaving Ian speechless.
Rana had not expected her night to end like this, but after Atie ditched her for Ian, she figured that spending the time at the carnival with Theo wasn't such a bad idea.
"I didn't know they served alcohol at a carnival", Theo said. He and Rana were sitting against the tường of one of the booths set up. They had been drinking lemonade, but it turned out to be a bit stronger than that.
"Well, I'm not complaining", Rana giggled. "Are you?"
"Most certainly not. This is the most fun I've had in months", Theo smirked. "And it's all because of you."
"Are bạn making a pass at me? Excuse me, sir, but bạn barely know me", Rana leaned backwards a little, but it was all a joke. She was too drunk to function properly anyway, as was Theo.
"It's your own fault. bạn were the one who bought us this lemonade", Theo said.
"With your money. So now bạn must pay up for this horrible experience", with that Rana leaned forwards and kissed him. They froze for a moment. This was stupid, they hardly knew each other and they were going to regret this in the morning, but at that moment they didn't care, they just kept kissing, and it felt really good. Somehow it felt right. Like it was meant to be. However, they both shoved these thoughts away as they resumed kissing.
"You made the carnival happen", Fatemeh đã đưa ý kiến with a smile as she walked over to Sam. He was drinking hot Sô cô la and watching the ferris wheel.
"Hey! Yes! Thank bạn for the fence. I don't know how bạn did it, it was already up when I got here. I would have thanked bạn but I don't have your number", Sam đã đưa ý kiến with a small smile.
"Is that bạn asking for my number?" Fatemeh asked in amusement.
"I don't know. Only if bạn want to give it."
Fatemeh shrugged. "How about bạn give me your number instead?"
Sam smirked. He liked her. "Alright", he took out a pen from his pocket and took Fatemeh's hand in his, gently nghề viết văn out the digits on her palm.
"What if I wash my hands tonight?" Fatemeh offered.
"Then please call me before bạn do", Sam said. "I mean it. Use that."
"I will", Fatemeh was feeling a bit overwhelmed. No guy had paid such attention to her in a long time. "I promise I will."
"Good", Sam said, watching as the girl walked off. He decided he had never met anyone quite like her.
Maria and Nic were still at the police station. Maria was staring at Nic in confusion, but he didn't feel like talking.
"I just want to know... why did bạn do all this? Why? What was so important? Why aren't bạn LOOKING at me?"
Nic turned to look at his best friend, who did nothing but glare back, eagerly waiting for him to say something.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because bạn won't believe me! No one will!" Nic shouted.
The cell echoed for a moment before Maria reached forwards and grabbed Nic's hand in hers. "I am your best friend. I am going to believe you. Just tell me. Tell me everything, from the start. Please."
Nic stared at her for a long time before taking a breath and nodding. "I don't really know where to begin."
"The beginning usually sounds good", Maria smiled a little. Nic smiled back, and so he began. And whether Maria believed him hoặc not did not really matter. What mattered was that he could finally speak about all of it openly, without anyone judging him.
Amber and Albie were sitting at the carnival, watching as some of the people danced on the small dance floor put up at the center of the place.
"Why don't bạn go dance with Logan?" Amber asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh, I don't know... we barely know each other. I just think he's cute", Albie shrugged.
Amber smiled. "That's the way it usually starts."
Albie chuckled. "Speaking of which...", just then they saw James walking over to them with a hesitant look on his face. He stopped in front of Amber, nodded at Bee, and then turned to look at the girl he'd actually come to talk to. "Hey."
"Hey", Amber said. "How are the kids?"
"They're fine", James nodded. "They're doing good. I... I'm not actually here because of that."
"Then why?" Amber raised her eyebrows.
"To ask bạn to dance", James offered his hand in hesitation, not really expecting Amber to take it, apparently.
"Seriously?"
"Well... people are dancing, and it's... bạn don't want to."
"I do want to", Amber stood up and grabbed his hand in hers. "I do", she turned around to wave bye to Albie before following James to the dance floor.
"I just didn't take bạn for a dancer", Amber đã đưa ý kiến as he took her in his arms and they began the slow dance.
"Neither did I. But you've done a lot for me, and the kids. And I figured a girl like you... liked to dance", he smiled softly.
"A girl like me?"
"Someone sophisticated and... beautiful", James looked away a little as he spoke, so Amber đã đưa ý kiến nothing. She just smiled and allowed herself to just have fun with him. "Thank you", she finally whispered. And they danced for quite a while.
Paul felt like the happiest man alive. Looking at Celine closing the diner, he couldn't believe that he had lived without her so far. How he had managed it was beyond him, he couldn't imagine living otherwise now.
"-the maze seems fun. So is the sâu bướm really. What do bạn want to do? Paul?" Celine turned around when she realized her boyfriend wasn't listening to her
"What?"
"I was asking bạn what bạn wanted to do at the carnival. Were bạn not listening to me?"
"Sorry." Paul đã đưa ý kiến while scratching his neck "I was looking at bạn actually."
"Okay. That's not at all creepy." Celine đã đưa ý kiến with a light laugh and snuggling into Paul's arms "As I was saying, there's a few things I want to do at the carnival: The Queen of Heart's maze, visit the Chuyện thần tiên ở New York Garden and the một lối chơi quần, croquet playground. The sâu bướm is a classic so that too. What do bạn think?"
"What's the Caterpillar?" Paul đã đưa ý kiến confused. He didn't know what half of these names represented.
"The ferris wheel. They renamed it so it would fit the Alice in Wonderland theme."
"Ferris wheel it is then. But since when the carnival has a theme?"
"Nic suggested it and I think it's a good idea."
"Can I Kiss bạn at the hàng đầu, đầu trang of the ferris wheel?"
"You may." Celine đã đưa ý kiến with a soft giggle "and bạn can even start now if bạn like."
"Gladly." Paul đã đưa ý kiến while leaning so he could Kiss her. They kept on walking towards the carnival, kissing and holding hands.
Nadia was sitting tiếp theo to Stiles on one of the benches. She had come to the carnival with friends, but when she'd seen him, she'd decided to go say hi to him. After all, they hadn't interacted much since their date.
"So.... are bạn having fun?" Nadia asked after a moment of silence.
"I am, yeah", Stiles said, looking at her. "Now, anyway."
"Right."
"Look, I'm sorry about not calling you", Stiles đã đưa ý kiến quickly. He seemed like he'd had to say this for a while. "I wanted to. Believe me, I did. But I was nervous because I wasn't exactly sure how seriously bạn take me, and-"
"Stiles", Nadia interrupted him.
"Yeah?" he raised his eyebrows, looking at Nadia hopefully.
"It was just one date. I wasn't expecting a tình yêu letter right after. But a call hoặc a visit to the thư viện would have been nice. However, that is in the past", Nadia đã đưa ý kiến as she stood up. She reached out her hand to grab his. "For now, would bạn like to dance?"
Stiles listened to the âm nhạc from the speakers, and it seemed to be a song from the Beauty and the Beast. "Really, to this? A bit cheesy, don't bạn think?"
"No, I think it's just right", Nadia đã đưa ý kiến as she dragged Stiles to the dance floor, and to her surprise, he wrapped his arms around her and smiled brightly, spinning her around. And for a moment Nadia felt like they had done this before. But that was impossible. Right?
"Seriously, what's the most reckless thing you've done?"
"I think going after a chó sói, sói without ever firing a gun in my life is pretty wild."
Rachel laughed a bit and nodded. "I have to say, it suited you. If bạn weren't the mayor, I would definitely give bạn a job at the Sheriff station."
"I'm not sure it is for me. Not that mayor is my thing either."
"What are bạn talking about? You're doing great."
"Not for the small stuff apparently, Sam is pretty vượt qua, cross with me about that."
"I didn't know. Well, this chó sói, sói wandering around isn't making it easy for you."
"Still, he's right too."
"Maybe, but you're still the best thing that happened to this town."
Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted as fireworks were fired. Rachel turned her head to look at them and smile. She had always liked fireworks.
"It's beautiful."
"Yes it is." Richard đã đưa ý kiến not taking his eyes off of her for a second.
Rachel turned her head back to him and smiled.
"You know, I'm really glad we did this." she said, gesturing at the table.
"Me too." he đã đưa ý kiến locking eyes with her. The moment couldn't be thêm perfect. The lights, the fireworks, Rachel smiling at him. As he lean over the table, he put his hand on her cheek, bringing her face towards his and kissed her. The Kiss was tender at first but quickly grew passionate and seemed to last a lifetime. When they finally parted, they were both out of breath. Rachel had not expected this and she didn't know what to do now. She liked him. How could she have let herself like him like that? Standing up from her chair, she stepped back from the table, making Richard stand up as well.
"Rach, is everything okay? Was the Kiss not good?"
She wanted to tell him it was perfect, that she liked him so much but she couldn't let herself do that. What if she loses him? What if he decides he doesn't like her anymore? She couldn't take a chance.
"No. It was... amazing. But I have to go. I'm sorry." and at that she ran as fast as she could, leaving Richard confused and calling out her name.
As she ran down the stairs and out to the streets again, Rachel felt her head get dizzy. Okay, what was going on now? She had to lean against a tường to catch her breath. And then suddenly a name came to her head, and it was all she could think about. The name was Robb.
Aline and Colin were walking through the carnival, not really doing much.
"Do bạn think it was ok to leave Nic alone in there?" Aline asked as they walked.
"Oh, I don't see what the guy could do", Colin said. "He doesn't exactly seem like the criminal master mind."
"Maybe not", Aline said. "But he's not a bad guy either. I don't understand what happened."
"I know", Colin nodded. "We'll figure it out."
Aline smiled at him softly.
"What?"
"I just... I like having bạn around."
"You do?" Colin raised his eyebrows. "Those are words I'd never have expected to come out of your mouth."
"Oh, stop", Aline chuckled. "I may be a bit distant, but I'm not that bad."
"No, you're right, you're not", Colin smiled. "You're not bad at all", and to her surprise Aline felt Colin bọc an arm around her. It felt comfortable and safe, especially with the cold weather. She knew it could well be just a friendly gesture, but she knew in her tim, trái tim that it wasn't. And she didn't mind. She leaned into his touch as they stopped to watch the dancing couples. And in that moment, Aline felt thêm alive than ever before.
Inés had gotten the shift at the hospital just on the night of the carnival, which did not please her, but she knew she would be too distracted to have fun anyway. She thought about Joseph, the guy she'd met, and she thought about the chó sói, sói attacks. She wondered if this town was an toàn, két an toàn anymore. Just as she was deep in her thoughts, she saw Joseph walk down the hall towards the exit. However, when he saw her, he stopped and walked over to her with a smile on his face.
"Inés. I didn't expect to see bạn here tonight."
"I got the night shift", Inés đã đưa ý kiến in hesitation. "Where were you?"
"Just paying a visit to a friend."
"But it's past visiting hours."
"Then don't tell anyone", Joseph smirked before stepping back a little. "I hope to see bạn around soon", with that he walked off. Inés stared at him in shock for a moment, but then she got back to her thoughts.
"Nic!" cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly ran into the police station and froze as she saw Maria there. She was flipping through the fairytale book. They both looked up at the sight of the girl.
"What's going on?" Nic asked in concern.
"He's gone", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said. She gave Maria a glance, but then decided not to care whether she heard hoặc not. "Derek. He got out."
Nic stood up in his cell. "How?"
"I don't know", cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly said, out of breath. "I just went to see him and he was gone. No one knows where. He wasn't discharged", her tim, trái tim was beating with such concern for him. Where was he? Was he alright? Did he remember her? Was he looking for her?"
"You know what this means", Nic said.
cây ô rô, hoa huệ, holly nodded, but Maria looked at them both in concern. "What?"
"It means that soon enough we'll have thêm than one chó sói, sói bothering us at night", Nic sighed, closing his eyes in exhaustion.