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It was done. She’d done it. Well, they’d done it…together. Never thought she’d have the chance to do something together with someone. But they’d done it. This would fix everything.
Well, maybe not everything. After all, Maddox had warned her. But this was worth it, even if...
Blue was beaming and nearly bouncing with glee. Understandable. She’d be safe. Her mom was safe. Good. Red won.
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“We can go home, Red! Your mom’s going to be Bridget and it’s all going to be great!” Chloe just couldn’t stand still. Red was just getting back with the pocket watch. They’d done it! They’d defeated evil and defended the innocent! (Red wasn’t evil. It took Chloe a bit to realize it, but all of her actions had been aimed at saving people. She can’t believe it took her so long to trust Red.)
“Hey, boo. I just …thanks. I never had someone like you at my back before.” Red was trying to look cool and unbothered, but Chloe had learned to read her while they’d been stuck in the past. The Wonderland princess was nearly as excited as she was, though there was an odd worried undercurrent. Whatever was worrying her, they’d handle it together once they were back home. “I couldn’t have done it without you! We make a wonderful team!” Red rolled her eyes while chuckling.
“I can still introduce you to the Jabberwocky, ya know.”
The two started walking back to where they’d originally arrived in this time, while planning out approaches to taking on the Jabberwocky with only a sword and a spear. It was definitely a plausible plan, but Red seemed distracted. She was wistfully looking around and looking sadder than Chloe expected, while letting Chloe do most of the talking.
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They arrive at the courtyard Blue had accidentally triggered the pocket watch. It was time to go back, hopefully anyway. “Red, before we head back…Thank you for going back. Thank you for trying to save my mom. Thank you for being your own person.” Blue looked so earnest. She was really a good egg. Red was glad that she didn’t know the risk.
“It was worth it, Chloe. No matter what, if my mom has changed and is not all OFF WITH THEIR HEAD, it was worth it. Let’s go.”
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Two pairs of hands held a pocket watch together. Blue curls and red waves blew in the exploding whirlwind. The world spun and then settled.
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Chloe looked up. They’d done it! They were home! She could see her mom talking to Red’s mom, things had definitely changed! She turned to wildly grin at Red, and froze.
Red was translucent. Why was Red translucent!? Chloe glanced quickly down at herself, but she was as solid as she’d always been. She dropped her hold on the pocket watch to grab Red’s hands, but she passed right through. NO! She could feel her memories shattering…
Red looked sad, but not surprised. She was staring at her hands as the pocket watch dropped to the ground. She looked Chloe in the eyes as she faded out. “Maddox was right. I’d hoped… but looks like I’m not that lucky...”
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Chloe was staring out in space when she snapped back to herself. Why was she breathing so hard? She was just at Aurodon Prep for orientation day, why is she feeling like she just lost everything? She’d been excited and happy just a minute ago.
“Hon! Over here!” That’s her mom, better catch up. As Chloe turned trying to get her breathing under control, she tripped. There was a large round pocket watch sitting on the ground near her feet. It felt so familiar. Chloe picked it up and just stared at it. She was sure she was missing something.
“Chloe, are you okay?” Mom was feeling her forehead. “I’m okay, mom, just nearly tripped on something.”
“Well, we better get moving. Your cousin is getting impatient. You’d think he was starting this year, not you.” As they start walking, Chloe starts peering around to find her baby cousin’s distinctive pink hair. She might be five years older, but Cerise is determined to check out Aurodon Prep for when he enrolls. He has grand plans.
“Ella, over here!” Chloe looks over and spots her aunt Bridget. The Queen of Wonderland was smiling brightly at the cerulean pair. “Cerise is quizzing Uma all about the changes she’s making to the curriculum, he’ll catch up with us later. Everything okay, Chloe? You look a little frazzled.”
Chloe was off balance. There was something missing. Something important. But everyone was here. The feeling was fading as she chatted with her family, but a flash of scarlet ribbons caught her eye.
What was missing?