~~~~~~~~~Alyse's POV~~~~~~~~~

Minutes..

Hours..

Days..?

How long had it been since I passed out..?

It felt like an eternity..

I don't know..

My body ached, everywhere..

I want it to stop..

...

"Alyse..?"

"Alyse!"

A groan escaped my lips, my eyes finally opening. My head was pounding, trying to focus my vision so that everything wouldn't be so blurry.

There was a tap on my arm, looking over to see Varian sitting on the desk beside me.

Desk..

This was that dream again!

"W-What..?!" I looked around, starting to panic.

Varian looked at me in concerned. "Are you okay..? Did you not sleep last night..?"

"I-I.. um.."

Once again, the room grew freezing cold, forcing me to hug myself, and then the familiar shadow walked in the room.

No.. I can't see him again!

"I need to be excuse!!" I didn't wait for an answer, running out of the classroom at full speed.

However, my eyes widened as I entered the hall. Every locker, every object, every corner, it was covered in thorny vines, cracks all over the floor. I looked back at the classroom, everyone that was in there gone.

I tried pinching myself to wake up, but I only earned a new tiny bruise on my arm. Was this not a dream?!

A small grunt reached my ears, looking over to the end of the hallway. Most of me refused to go, but I didn't have a choice; my body had started moving without me telling it to.

The more I walked, the colder the air got, shivering as I bit my lip to continue my pace.

I grew pale as the strong smell of blood reached my nose, my eyes growing wide, but my body didn't stop. Something made a small sound as I kicked it by accident, making me look down to see.

"D-Dipper's hat.."

Dark thoughts began to cloud my vision as I picked up the white and blue cap, gripping it.

N-no.. he's okay, they're all okay..

I hadn't noticed the vines beginning to grow a bit, a string exhale being heard from nearby.

No, don't tell me..

I-it's not him.. It's not anyone!

My heart stopped as I turned the corner. Dipper, one of my best friends, lying on the ground, a pool of blood surrounding him. My hands immediately covered my nose and mouth due to the strong smell, but tears flooding my eyes.

Maybe.. maybe I can heal him..! H-he'll be okay!

I ran over, seeing the vines wrapped around his limbs to keep him in place, his skin sickly pale.

B-but it didn't end there..

Leo was not too far down the hall, in the same conditions as Dipper..

I wanted to throw up, I wanted to cry!

But I had to keep my head. I had to help them.

Unfortunately.. when I tried to form the healing orb, it quickly dissolved into nothing. I tried several times, but the same thing continued to happen.

I tried with Leo, and in the distance, I could see Mabel and Snow in the same conditions, feeling the tears falling down my face.

I want this to stop, make this all stop!!!

"Alyse!!!"

I turned back, seeing Varian running over to me with a panicked expression. A part of me was relieved to see him alive, but that didn't stop the cold feeling in my chest.

"V-Varian?! You're okay!!"

He took my hands in his. "Yeah, but we need to get out of here!!!"

"N-no!! I- I can't leave the others here like this!!"

"Al-!!" His eyes suddenly shot wide, growing glassy almost immediately. I noticed a red tint starting to cover his chest from the center, growing pale at the realization.

"N-no.." He fell forward into my arms, forcing me down as I kept him close to me, unable to hold in any of my tears.

"No, no!!! V!!! Varian, w-wake up!!! P-please wake up!!!"

The only thing heard were my loud sobs.

I didn't care about the blood staining my clothes.

I didn't care if whoever did this found me.

I didn't care if I was about to die..

"Well, isn't this unfortunate."

I looked up as tears made my vision hazy, seeing Ryan walking over with that stupid smirk on his face. "Seems little blossom has some problems going on."

"... w-why did you d-do this..."

"Hm?"

I didn't bother to hide the glare on my face, nor the anger in my tone of voice. "Why did you kill them?!?"

He stared at me for a while, and I grew even angrier when he began to laugh, as if someone had said the funniest joke in the world.

Looking down at me, he spoke through he laughter. "You think I'm responsible for this?!"

"Why else would you bring me here?!?"

Finally, he let out a sigh, growing a bit more serious. "Oh bloody hell, I needed that laugh." He kneeled down to my eye level, his smirk only growing. "I didn't do any of this, little blossom. As for as I know? I'm not the one with the whole plant powers."

"... w-what...?"

"And even if I did, I'm dead! I can't do anything without a physical vessel, I have your brother to thank for that."

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up. "Now, let's think for a moment, shall we? Who here would have such powers, hm? It's not your siblings, not your parents, the Ciphers are complete idiots so they wouldn't do such things."

His snake eyes finally met mine, his smirk only growing, and I knew what he meant..

"... n-no... no, I- I didn't- I didn't do this!"

"You keep thinking that, love."

I smacked his hand away. "I didn't hurt them, I could never hurt them!!!"

He only chuckled, amused at the whole scene. "If you say so. Now, the reason why I'm here in the first place is to let you in on a little secret I've been keeping."

Something flicked in his eyes, as he stared down at me, and it took every part of power I had not to flinch or move.

"I'll be back, little one.. And when I do..? Well.. let's just say, it won't be pretty.."

...

And just like that, I was back in my room..

Back on my bed..

I could feel the tears still streaming down my face, cold sweat covering my body, my heart pacing faster from the shock and panic that I still felt..

There was a small knock on my door. My eyes widened as I saw Sage standing my the doorway with a worried expression.

"... S-Sage...?"

She walked over, sitting on the edge of my bed. "Hey, Al.."

"W-Wha- h-how are..-?!"

"Aiden and I came here early, we wanted to surprise you, but.. a-are you okay..?"

I couldn't hold it..

Throwing my arms around her, I wrapped her in a tight hug, burying my face on her shoulder as sobs escaped my lips.

She was surprised at first, but didn't hesitate to hug me back. Stroking my hair to try to calm me down, she spoke in a soft voice. "Hey..! Hey.. It's okay.. it's alright.."

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

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