Alice: "I have to stay happy. I promised."
Interrogator: "Alice...listen...holding it back won't change anything. It'll just make the pain feel worse than it already is."
Alice: "But he'll see me as weak!"
Interrogator: "Alice, he's gone."
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Alice sighed as she swung gently back and forth on Tori's porch swing. Tristan came and sat beside her. "Hi Tristan." Alice meowed. "Hey," said Tristan. "You look a little upset. Are you okay?" Tristan asked, seeming concerned.
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Alice looked at Tristan with a confused face. "H-how did you know?" Alice asked, stammering. "Well you just haven't been your self recently," Tristan replied, "What's going on?" Alice sighed. "The master keeps saying I'm useless. He says I can't do anything. I'm... Just a failure." "No you're not," said Tristan, trying to comfort Alice, "I mean, you've never failed in cheering us up."
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"Heh. I guess that's all I'm good at huh?" Alice asked with a scoff. Tristan sighed, thinking of Alice's other talents. "Well, you're really good at taunting people." Alice gave a small smile. "True..." Alice murmured. Tristan then gave Alice a small stuffed animal.
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"I made this for you." he purred. Alice squealed happily. She hugged Tristan, leaning onto his chest and letting a few tears fall. "Promise me you'll always smile. Times like these, you need to smile for those who can't." said Tristan. Alice nodded. "I love you little sister," Tristan purred quietly.
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"Alice," Jessie called out, "come play tag with us!" Alice turned to look at Jessie. "Just a moment!" she called back. Alice gave Tristan one more hug and went to join her friends.
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"Is Annalise gonna play?" Alice asked.
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Luna shook her head. "She said tag is for children," she replied.
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"Ain't she a child herself?" she asked, seeming confused.
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"She's a teenager," Luna explained. "A young one," Alice added.
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Alice glanced up at the nearby tree where Annalise was sitting. She noticed the glare directed at her, Luna, and Jessie. It was clear that Annalise was unamused by Alice's comment. Alice turned away, chuckling sheepishly.
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"You think Tristan might wanna play?" Luna asked. "Come on, Luna. He's thirteen. He's too young to play," Jessie joked. Annalise scoffed and rolled her eyes. "TRISTAN, COME PLAY WITH US!" Alice called. "Okay!" Tristan said, running to join the group.
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Tristan looked up at where Annalise was sitting. "Are you gonna play with us Anna?" Tristan asked. "I don't participate in childish things," Annalise replied. "So I guess you just gon' be mom and watch us from the tree?" Jessie asked. Alice smiled, covering het mouth and trying to hold back her laughter.
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"Fine," Annalise grumbled. She jumped down from the tree, going to join the group. Jessie suddenly hit Annalise on the shoulder. "Tag!" She exclaimed and ran off.
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Annalise stood there, stunned. Tristan paused in his running to check on her. "Are you okay, Annalise?" he asked, being concerned.
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Annalise hesitated for a moment, processing the unexpected turn of events. "Uh, yeah," she replied. Then, with a shake of her head, Annalise's expression shifted. And without warning, she darted off after Tristan. Tristan let out a startled scream as he realized Annalise was now chasing him.
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Tristan dashed off, finding a place to hide. Tristan behind a few oak trees near Keighley's house. He snickered as Annalise ran past him. But something started to make Tristan feel uneasy. "Tag," a raspy voice whispered.
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Tristan jumped and turned around. His eyes widened as stared at the dagger in the person's hand.
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Luna, Jessie, Alice, and Annalise regroup. They were confused why they hadn't seen Tristan.
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"Hey has anyone seen Tristan?" Jessie asked.
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"No," Annalise replied.
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"Well let's pause the game and see if we can find him," said Luna.
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The girls split up and they search for Tristan. They asked the neighbors, they searched in different hiding spots. But Tristan couldn't be found anywhere. Annalise ventured into the oak forest behind Keighley's house. She scanned the surroundings for any sign of Tristan.
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Suddenly, something caught Annalise's eye-a downed dragon's wing sticking out from behind a cluster of bushes. Annalise cautiously walked over, in hopes that there was still time to help it. But when she reached the dragon, the sight was horrible. Tristan lay motionless on the ground, covered in stab wounds. The killer must've stabbed Tristan before he could use his wings to shield himself.
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Annalise stared for a moment, processing the sight she was seeing. She sighed, heading to Tori's house and giving the news.
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With a trembling hand, Alice tightly clutched the small stuffed animal Tristan had given her. She held back her tears, knowing that if the master saw her crying she'd be seen as a weak dragon. Alice flinched as Luna hugged her from the side. "It's gonna be okay, kiddo." Luna whispered softly, trying to comfort her. Alice leaned against Luna's chest.
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She sighed and gave a small smile. With Luna at her side, she knew everything would be okay. Annalise walked into the kitchen and approached Tori, she couldn't help but notice the mixture of fury and disbelief on Tori's face. Tori then noticed Annalise out of the corner of her eye and her expression quickly shifted, she looked at Annalise, greeting her with a warm smile. "Hello, dear. Do you need anything?" Tori asked in a soothing voice.
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Annalise hesitated. "No," Annalise replied nervously. "Are you sure?" Tori asked, "If you're hungry, I can make lunch." Annalise shifted uncomfortably under Tori's gaze. "Um, n-no. It's fine," she stammered.
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"Okay, dear. I'll be here if you need anything," Tori said, her voice calm and reassuring.
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Annalise went back to the living room. She looked around and everyone was smiling and joking around as if nothing happened. Annalise slid down the wall to the floor and curled into a ball. She should have stayed home. None of this would have happened if she stayed home.
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But she couldn't help but feel like she was needed. Annalise covered her ears, trying to drown out the unnecessary laughter.
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