~~~~~~~~~Varian's POV~~~~~~~~~

I've never been one to wake up early, especially not in the weekends. But I'm also one that worries about too much too often.

It's a habit I have, or more of an anxiety thing.

So when there's something that is worth worrying about, I'll panic ten times more than I'm suppose to.

It was only around 7:30 in the morning when I first opened my eyes, and as always I was gonna go back to sleep after checking the time.

However, the messages on my phone changed my mood in the snap of a finger.

From: Mabel
"Varian, meet us at Alyse's house!!"
"It's an emergency!! Alyse is hurt!!"

I didn't think much of it at first since Mabel was one to overreact very often, but the second message sent a rush of adrenaline and panic through me, and I woke up almost instantly.

It didn't take me long to get dressed and run to her house. I had been there really often by now and could easily make my way, even if the forest still scared me sometimes.

I reached the house, knocking on the door and being greeted by Iv. "Hey V."

"H-hey, um-"

"They're in her bedroom."

"O-okay, thanks." With that, I rushed upstairs.

Alyse lied on the bed asleep, Snow and Mabel sitting beside her, both with worried expressions. They both looked at me as I walked in, Iv and Noah standing by the doorway.

I stood by the bed, looking down at my friend. She didn't seem injured, but definitely more pale than normal, which was worrying on its own.

"... what happened to her..?"

Mabel shrugged. "We don't know.."

"I woke up around four in the morning to get some water and saw than Alyse wasn't here.. I waited a bit, and looked around the house when she didn't walk back, but she wasn't here so I woke Iv and Noah up.." Snow explained.

"Noah was the one who found her in the forest.." Iv added, her expression trying to stay serious, but I could tell she was more worried than all of us.

Which was a lot to say because I was really worried..

"Sh-she's okay though, right..?"

"She is, she just needs some rest." Noah replied.

I let out a small sigh of relief, at least that was good news. The two of them left, leaving us in the quiet room.

"You think something dragged her out..?!" Mabel asked, making Snow and I exchanged a nervous glance.

I bit my lip. "God I hope not.."

Snow fiddled with one of her pigtails. "But what if she did leave the house willingly..? Why would she..?"

"Sleepwalking..?" Mabel replied with a shrug.

We all looked down at Alyse as we heard her let out a groan, seeing her eyes weakly open soon after. We all backed away a bit so she could have some air, letting her sit up as she gripped her head. "Wha.."

"Al, you're okay!"

"Shh, Mabel..!" Snow scolded her for being a bit loud, seeing how she had a hand over her eyes to cover the sun.

Alyse then looked at me, a bit confused. "V..?"

"Hey.." I have an awkward smile, I know she's wondering why I'm here. "How do you feel..?"

"... cold.. and my head hurts.."

"Do you remember what happened to you..?"

She nodded at Snowflake's question, and we all stayed silent as she explained.

"... I had woken up from a nightmare, and I wanted to check something out.. Then I heard something so I went to see and- ... everything around me was dead.."

"Dead..?"

Alyse nodded at Mabel. "It was all decayed and the ground was stone and.. then I saw Diana, and she spoke to me about how I should know what's going on.. I passed out soon after she disappeared, and I think I heard Noah call my name as I did.."

"He's the one that found you.." I answered.

She stayed quiet for a while before letting out a heavy sigh. "I don't know what happened.."

The room went silent for a few minutes, and we then heard soft tapping on her window. Mabel ran over, opening it as Leo- ... flew into the room?!

We all stared in shock as he landed on the ground, Dipper hopping off of his back. He had two large brown wings, which hid inside his jacket soon after.

Dipper let out a sigh. "Next time, we're running."

"It was the fastest way to get here."

"UM???" They both looked at us as Mabel spoke. "What the heck?!?"

"You have wings?!?" Alyse asked.

Dipper was just as shocked. "That's what I asked!!!"

Leo sighed in frustration. "Yes, I have wings, I'll explain later. But right now, there's something you all seriously need to see."

"Hate to disappoint.." We all looked at Snow. "But Alyse isn't in the best condition right now.."

"Yeah, isn't that why you're here? I texted you guys too!" Mabel said as she pulled out her phone.

"We were on our way here actually, but found something really weird." Dipper explained.

Alyse was the first to stand up, stumbling a bit. Before she could fall, I grabbed her by her shoulders, making sure she stayed up. "Whoa, careful.."

"S-Sorry.." She looked at Leo and Dipper. "Can you take us there?"

"Alyse, you're not suppose to be even standing right now..!" Snow argued.

She should know how stubborn Alyse is by now though.

"I'm fine, Snow. But whatever this is, I have a feeling it's something serious.."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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