~~~~~~~~~Lara's POV~~~~~~~~~

I froze as the new voice spoke, but there was no one around me. At least, no one I could see just yet, but there was definitely someone there.

There was a pinkish glow not too far from me, and as I kept my eyes focused on it, I felt a sudden shiver behind me.

"Boo!"

"EEP!" I quickly jumped off my couch, a dagger now in my hand as I prepared for any attack.

But instead, there was just.. a girl. A young girl, probably around her twenties, laughing as if she just witnessed the funniest thing ever. Her skin was a dark brown, hair a bright sky blue that reached just below her shoulders, and eyes a light brown with a beauty mark on her cheek.

She wore a long sleeve crop top that revealed her shoulders, which was a cotton candy pink, normal jean shorts, black combat boots, and fishnet leggings.

"Sorry, sorry! I tend to do that a lot!" She offered her hand out. "Hiya!"

Even with her kind expression, I could tell there was something seriously off about this girl, not to mention she was randomly in my home. "W- who are you?!? Why are you in my house?!?"

"Oh, right! Basic manners are a thing!" She cleared her throat, offering her kindest smile. "My name is Courtney! Courtney Harts, nice to meet ya!"

"C-can't say the same for you.. How'd you-?"

"Get in here? It's just a part of my power!" She extended her hands as a pink electric shock sprung around her fingers, her smile only growing to the point where it was disturbing.

Almost likes a porcelain doll you'd see in a horror movie..

"So.. you have magic, too..?"

"Of course, I was born in Gravity Falls, too! Energy is my element, though I guess you can also call it electricity."

I've heard of that elementary before, it's pretty rare. Though nowhere as rare as dark magic or light magic, it was still not common to see someone with such powers, mostly since it wasn't naturally given.

The energy element is mostly used as attack magic, but it has the advantage of teleporting wherever there's a source of electricity. And nowadays, it's everywhere.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down a little so I could think better. "And why are you here?"

"I just wanted to ask.." Her eyes lit up as she looked back up at me, the same smile still plastered on her face. "You're a Riverton, right?"

The name sent shivers down my spine. I've wanted to change my last name for years now, but even so, it wouldn't change the fact that I am still his blood.

"... yeah, I'm a Riverton, why do you ask..?"

She let out a giggle, innocent and sweet, as she sat on my table. "Let's just say I know your father in certain ways, very amazing man if you ask me~.."

I shuddered, feeling seriously disturbed. "Get to the point."

"Well, you see, I've noticed that he's been.. changing. Slowly but surely, he wasn't as exciting as he was in our first meeting years ago."

My eyes widened a little. She didn't have to say anything else, I knew what she meant somehow. He was.. trying to be better..?

I didn't want to believe it, something still told me he was just as horrible as he was before. But maybe, just maybe.. there really was a little string of hope.

Shaking my head a bit, I looked back at Courtney. "So? What does that have to do with me?"

"I want to bring him back here."

Feeling a cold rush go through my veins, I didn't notice my tone. "What?!?"

However, she simply giggled once more. "See, you have the same powers as he does, so I could really use your help preparing this little town so he'd have a reason to come back."

"Like hell would I even think about helping you bring him! The last thing I want is to see that man again!"

"Is that really how you feel?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but to my surprised, no words came out. Just silence. Feeling my hands tremble a little, I gripped the dagger tighter, standing my ground.

"I'm not going to help you."

She stared at me for a while, frozen in place, her smile gone. Her expression was something of curiously, and her eyes scanned every inch of my face, making me swallow back a gulp.

In the end, she smiled again. "If you say so, Lara."

Growing paler at the mention of my name, she jumped off the table. "But if you ever change your mind, just call for me, and I'll know."

"I'm not going to-"

"It was nice meeting you, Riverton!" After the last word, pink energy crackled around her, and she was gone in the blink of an eye.

Help her bring him back?

As if!

I don't want to see him again, ever in my life!

... right..?

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

❤️❤️❤️