I'm sure we're a few minute shy of midnight, but we're certainly shooting the breeze, not in too much of a rush. 

    I've mostly been the one doing all the talking, gushing on about things that occurred to me as a child whenever I attended the dances. I'm surprised he's still in good spirits seeing how just one minor thing can collapse any good feelings he might have at the moment.

   "Let me just warn you. Never drink the punch no matter how fruity it taste." I chuckle lightly.

   "Hm."

   Our pace slows down the moment we step foot on the driveway, staring down at the lone trailer with the single light flooding through the window.

   "Preparing myself mentality for a full-scale tongue-lashing." I exhale, smoothing my hair back then glance at Xalale, a slight smile on my face.

   "I'll go in, get the ear full, then get you when they head to bed. Cool?"

   "I suppose."

    We continue together down the driveway until he moves closer to the forest, hopefully out of sight, while I trudge up the porch steps, the groaning of the planks announcing my presence.

   "Maybe they'll be lenient for the first time." I think optimistically.

   My first steps into the house are like those of a burglar or a stereotypical teen trying to sneak in when the rest of the house is asleep. Unfortunately, both my parents are still awake, waiting up for me in the family room, positioned facing the entranceway. My mom is the one to call my name, stopping me in place. Already, I know the game is over- I've lost.

   "Yes?"

   They both give me a look that reads loud and clear: "You know what.".

   Finally, I give in with a defeated sigh.

   "I know I'm late-"

   "An hour and fourteen minutes late to be exact." My dad interjects.

   "Yes, yes, I know. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have stayed out so late, but the band was really good and I was having so much, plus the snacks were delicious. I know none of that excuses me, but just remember when you were teenagers you broke some of the rules as well."

   They exchange one of those looks that only married couples can give to each other. My mom then clears her throat, the expression on her face not giving me confidence.

   "Well, it's nice to see that you know you're in the wrong and we appreciate your apology, but that doesn't change the fact that we told you 11 and you come home past midnight."

   "I know, but I-"

   She silences me with a look then continues on.

   "We put a lot of trust in you, Mallory, and for good reason. I know tonight was one of the first times we gave you a curfew, but we still expect our rules to be followed."

    Hanging my head, I wait for the sentence. Even if the sentence was harsh- like no laptop for a month- there's not a single thing I would do differently about tonight.

   "Just don't do it again, understood?"

   Lifting my head slightly, a skeptical expression and tone comes over me.

   "That's it?"

   Looking up at the two of them, they both share a small smile of secrecy.

   "You're right. You're not the only one who had stayed out longer than stated," My mom admits. "That doesn't excuse it, of course, but we know how the first time can be. Just don't push it, alright?"

   I go over to embrace both of them in a tight, family hug.

  "Thank you. I promise it won't happen again. Trust me."

  "We do." She smiles up at me.

  "We always have." My dad adds.

   I want to hug them again for that, but they're already getting up, looking ready for bed. I still have to prepare for bed. It's going to be sad washing all this stuff off and going back to my regular self, but at least I experienced it for a bit.

   "Turn off the lights when you're finished." They tell me as they disappear into the hall then into their room.

   Being wise, I decide to wait a few minutes before heading outside to bring Xalale in. My spirits not being crushed by my parents thankfully means there's still a smile on my face as I approach the woods, calling out to Xalale.

  He comes out of the woods, his mood not as uplifted as it was before. He seemed back to how he usually was, in constant concentration and ponderance.

   "Can you believe I only got a slap on the wrist?" I beam. "Not even that. Just a verbal, friendly warning."

   His mind has wandered beyond this moment so he doesn't respond fully to me, his attention caught in the distance somewhere.

   "Uh, something wrong?"

   "No." From his voice to his body signals to my knowledge of how he works, I know that's a lie, but I don't want to press him tonight.

    "Oh and we were doing so well."

   Maybe he was just tired out by the day's activities, it was a long day with many unexpected turns.

   "Let's head back to the house then."

   I'm walking towards the house when he calls out to me.

   "Mallory."

   Turning around to look at him in question, I wait patiently.

   His eyes don't fully meet mine, but it's as though he finally forces them to.

   "Can we talk?"

   "Of course."

    I want him to be open with me, so I try to be as inviting as possible (though the last time he wanted to talk to me there were some serious issues to be sorted out), so I'm reasonably a tad bit reserved.

   Expecting him to tell me right there and then, I'm confused when he leads me back to the trailer but stands along the side. Wherever he felt comfortable, I suppose.

   We stand there for what feels like an hour with him saying nothing nor meeting my gaze; he doesn't even attempt anything. Waiting for him, I try not to let my patience wan, and I have to say, old me would've snapped a while ago, but I've gained some patience since then. No prodding, no pushing, just waiting in patient silence for him to start.

  "Do you remember the night I asked you what was the thing you desired most in life?" He begins.

  "Yes."

  He stops. It's like he suddenly forgot where he was going with that point and goes mute back into thinking again.

    "Maybe I should push just a little..." No, I'm waiting this out.

   As what feels like another hour passes, my mind wanders to thinking itself until lingering on a certain word he said: remember.

    "Remember, remember...remember!"

   "I have incredible news to tell you!" I exclaim, my face lighting up like a Christmas tree. "I forgot to tell you, but I remember- Oh, I'm sorry, continue."

   He looks at me now, shaking his head. "No, go on."

   "You sure?" I ask out of consideration, though I'm dying to give him the good news.

   He listens intently for what I have to say.

   "I have a way to get you home, back to Edalirwen. Well actually Sephora does- which she's here now. Not here here, but somewhere close. She's probably worried because I kinda forgot so I told you a bit late, but now you know. You can finally get back to Edalirwen."

   To be honest, I'm eager to reveal the news- which I know will make his night- but also to see his reaction to this.

   "What do you mean?"

    "Okay, confusion is expected. Let's clear it up."

  "A potion to get you back to Edalirwen. Our prayers have been answered. This is amazing news, is it not?"

    So the sound of crickets chirping and me smiling like a moron while waiting for his reaction which at the moment is that of a slight frown, is not the scene I was expecting. Nor what he says next with apparent hesitation.

   "I'm not sure that's what I want."

    "Reiterate it, he needs it clarified."

   Keeping my cheery, joyous tone, I repeat, "You can go back to Edalirwen. Tonight even."

   Still no evident happiness or positive reaction to this at all, just staring at me with a slight frown like I'm the one who's dropped my marbles.

   "Mallory..." He seems pained in telling me whatever he's about to say. "I don't want to go back."

   I blink.

   "Um, yes, yes you do."

   "No, I don't."

    "Who the hell is this imposter and what did they do to Xalale?"

    I nod slowly, giving him a look of bewilderment. "Yes. Yes, you do..."

   He sighs, taking a hold of my hands, his piercing gaze finally meeting mine. His voice is calm and lowered.

   "I don't care about it anymore. I don't care about any of it anymore."

   "Wha- what are-"

   "Let me talk." His voice is firm yet gentle. "I don't care about the title. My mother can have it if she wants it so badly. I don't care anymore. I don't care because of you."

    "Because of me?"

  His smile is starting to return again and I can hear a hint of- could it be- excitement in his voice as he continues.

   "I know you view this town as a curse, but I haven't seen it as such. I wanted so desperately to return home, but I realize now that it would seem unfamiliar to me without you."

    He pauses, glances up at the sky then his eyes, more serious as I'd ever seen them, bore into mine.

   "I have been terrified to say these words to you but they're inescapable at this point. I would go where you go, Mallory, because you bring comfort and a calming presence with you. You listen, you help others, you help me constantly without any reward. I would follow you because I love you. My direction is wherever you are."

   There's a pause, a very brief one before he continues.

   "I know my evils, my sins are vast, but you made me realize everything I've been doing isn't the way it's supposed to be done. I feared many things, my darkness being the main one, but you never gave up even when I wanted you to. You put yourself at a disadvantage to assist others. I don't know exactly how to go about forgiveness from those I've wronged greatly, but I know I won't have to do it alone. I've never been more terrified than to admit this to you, but I know without a doubt that I love you."

   He's saying words but all I can hear is the "I love you" part, I can't get past those words.

   He's done talking and his eyes watch me, waiting for me to respond. Then, he comes closer and I'm confused for a moment until his lips are only inches from mine. That's when I end this.

   "Wait, I- I'm confused?"

   He reaches for me, but I pull back, my mind in a frenzy heap right now.

   "Mallory, forgive me for the suddenness of it, but I love you. I can find no other way of putting it."

   I've been thrown some serious plot twisters, but this ranks number one. I'm so lost. I didn't even see this coming. My mind cannot process this. The sincerity, the earnest look on his face tells me that what he's saying to me is the truth. He's honest to God in love with me.

   Finally, words come to the surface, rather a word.

   "No." I guess my body's natural defense against this is a nervous laugh.

   His smile falters, but the look remains in his eyes.

   "It's true, I promise you, Mallory. I love you and that is the truth."

   "No, you don't. You think you do." I giggle uneasily, a forced smile on my face.

   "Don't tell me what I know to be true a lie. It is and will always be true."

   The world is starting to spin under my feet and my throat is tightening up; I can't get a single breath in. My body's in full swing panic mood.

   "Xalale...wha- what about Edalirwen and- and the people and-"

   He takes hold of me, pulling me close again, "It doesn't matter. I go wherever you go."

   I blink. There is absolutely nothing I can say. This gives him another opportunity for him to lean in close again, his face only a breath away.

   This time, I push him back with a little more force, my voice losing the shaky, fluttery tone and a stern one replacing it.

   "No." The commanding way I say it startles even me.

    His smile has faded a bit, but he seems unsure of how I meant that.

   "What are you-"

   "No. Stop it. This was never the plan, we do not change the plan."

   He sighs, "I never intended to change it, but the feeling kept swelling up regardless how what I did to-"

   "Xalale," I put back on a small, crooked smile. "I'm glad you feel more comfortable around me, I do too. I think we've finally established a nice friendship, I really mean that."

   "But what you're trying to do is go from level 0- where we started- skipping over level 20- the true friendship stage- and landing in level 110."

   "Mallory, my love for you is anything beyond friendship. The way you look at me, talk with me, I know we've progressed much farther than friendship."

   "Me?" I say, tilting my head, baffled by the word choice. How did I initiate this?

    "Yes. I know there are issues to deal with, but whatever may come, I wanted you to know this and now you do."

    Every word he says, I block out. I think about everything that's happened, that might happen, my mind cannot take this. This is not how it was supposed to go, this isn't right. His evils, just thinking about them, remembering them. How can he interact with Clifford when he murdered children before- at least the one I've seen. I can't forget who he is. I can't forget Elle's shakes, the fear in people's eyes, the terror he can unleash.

   "Please Mallory, I just need to know that your love for me is-"

   "There is no love because I don't love you!"

    I snapped. He wasn't getting it, he keeps on with this persistent idea that he loves me, he's not listening to himself. My harsh tone doesn't leave as I continue.

   "Xalale, we had a plan and we stick to it. This is immature and not well thought out, I mean, you can't love me. The Fates or whatever are a lie, we are not soul mates. Your kingdom needs you, you need to go back, and not with me. We part ways tonight. You go to Edalirwen and I stay here on Earth and get on with my dreams. Aelita needs to be stopped. Don't you care about any of this?"

   I could have put it in a nicer fashion, but he wasn't listening, he was hearing only what he wanted to hear.

   His smile is long gone, the energy that was there devoid. I watch as his expression changes rapidly, from lost to pained to hurt to an expression I've never seen him have: humiliation. But what startles me is when he tries to recover, to have that mask of unreadability, he falters and ultimately fails to recover.

   My voice immediately shifts to a gentler, lighter tone.

   "I'm sorry, Xalale," I look down at my feet then back up at him. "I'm sorry it had to be like this, but...I don't love you. You have to go home tonight."

    He can't even look at me.

   "God, I hate being the villain here," I'm not trying to be, but the truth needs to be told and the plan put back on track.

   "I'm going to find Sephora, just wait here."

   I quietly slip away, leaving that sober scene behind. I didn't mean to destroy his spirits, but how else could I have put it? Where did this profession of love even come from?

   My mind is trouble as I disappear into the woods in search of Sephora and Elle, who I hope are in earshot. I'm scanning the woods, calling out for them when I hear a rustling of leaves underfoot and whirl around to face whatever seems to be heading my way.

   "Mallory?" Elle approaches me, relief in her eyes. "What took you so long? We were beginning to worry."

   I put on a smile. "Sorry for the holdup, issues to address."

   "Mallory," Sephora joins us from the shadows, the potion in hand. "Are all your affairs in order?"

   "Yes, they are now."

   "Excellent. Now, where might the king be?"

   "I'll get him soon, but...I'm not going with you back to Edalirwen."

   Neither of them looked surprised, on the contrary, they give an understanding smile. Elle takes my hands, holding them in her warm ones.

   "We assumed as much. You have done so much for us, why should we ask any more of you?"

   "Once we've sent the king back, most of our problems should resolve themselves," Sephora says. "Your services have been a blessing to us, but as Elle said, we can't with good conscious ask you to sacrifice more than you already have. Earth is your home, Edalirwen is ours. We need to protect each our own."

    "She's right. Each to their own."

    Elle's always the first to go in for a group hug and I follow after, pulling a hesitate but appreciative Sephora into the mix. I'm glad I have these two to reassure me and have my back. Tonight will end this chapter of my chaotic life that was unleashed by the Pandora box in my backyard.

   "Tell Coxen I will miss him greatly," I whisper to Elle.

     She pulls back from our embrace, her eyes moist as they usually were at these types of farewells. "I will. I will say the same for Olivos as well."

   Oh, right, Olivos. I nod, smiling brightly back at her, starting to become a bit emotional. Elle and Coxen had already reserved a special spot in my life, taking the honor of being the first real, permanent friends that have stuck around. They will be missed, but maybe others like Libby, Fall, and Ruthford can take over that position. Nonetheless, my life has been enhanced by knowing them.

   "I'm going to get Xalale," I say, getting down to business.

   "We will be waiting here," Sephora calls out to me as I retreat back to where I left him.

    I hurry, a tinge of excitement and relief returning to me, I can't even figure out why I'm more excited than Xalale.

    As I approach the spot where I left him, though, my smile slowly begins to fade when I don't see him. Coming to a stop, I scan the area, the entire open meadow, puzzled.

   "Xalale? Xalale?"

   I told him to stay put yet he leaves. Sighing in exasperation, I walk around, careful to mind my volume seeing how my parents are asleep inside. Nowhere can he be found, though, and my annoyance is starting to morph into something of dread. Worry pricks at my nerves as my search continues to end up fruitless.

    My next best bet would be to check inside. My words might have upset him to where that's where he would have gone to. Carefully, I sneak back into my house, not turning on the lights as I peer into every dark, moonlit room, whispering his name. By this point, I'm pleading for him to come out. This needs closure and hiding from it isn't going to solve our problems.

   Stepping out of the kitchen, my heart stops as I noticed something I missed the first time. Down the hall, the door to my room is slightly ajar- not how I remember leaving it. My heart jumps in nervous excitement that that might be where he is. Hurrying down to my room, I pause for a moment at the door, finding it in myself to face him again after what just occurred. Fortunately, or unfortunately for me at this moment, when I open the door coming into my room, it's empty- not a soul there.

   "Where on earth could he-"

   My breath hitches.

   While there's no one in my room, there's evidence that someone has already been in here. The pillow on my bed has been disturbed. My knees feel weaker than water and I'm unsure of how I manage to make it slowly over to where it lies, my hand shaky as though palsy tremors grip me. I think I already knew what I was going to find, or the lack therefore, but my hand reached to move the pillow anyway and see for myself.

   With one fell swoop, I snatch the pillow off the bed, my body frozen in horror at the ruffled bedsheets underneath.

   "God no," I breathe, my mind becoming shut down in panic.

   Then the surge, rebirth, of panic follows.

   "Shit!" I fling the pillow aside, scrambling, frantically searching the sheets, cursing myself for leaving it unguarded. It's a hopeless search which I quickly give up, collapsing to the floor on my knees.

   "I told you. You idiot, you trusted him. You practically gave the enemy the advantage. I warned you."

   Gripping the sheets until my knuckles ached, my body burned with humiliation. I trusted him. I gave them the win. I doomed everyone with my sheer stupidity and naivety. I should've listened to that wise voice the whole time, from the start.

   Getting to my feet, I hurry out of the house, not caring how much noise I made at that point, bursting into the night, sweat forming. I needed to stop this, I needed help.

    Racing into the woods to alert Sephora and Elle, my heart is thundering so loud I can't even hear the screaming thoughts in my head. How could things go south so quickly?

   I'm running the fastest my body allows, though I'm frozen in place the moment I hear a familiar, eerily calm voice call my name.

   "Mallory, dear."

   I don't even want to confront her, so I stand in place like a child who believes if they don't turn around the threat isn't there, but she's there alright.

   "I find it amusing how coincidental our meetings have become. I never expected to see you again, but here we are."

   Finally, I force myself to turn around, dread overcoming me at the sight. She still looks as elegantly regal as the day I first met her- and left her. Such a confident, at ease mannerism to her, it made me squirmish to be in her presence; her traitorous son right by her side, not even meeting my glare. Nonetheless, Aelita wanted all eyes on her icy gray ones.

   Holding up the stone, my stomach drops more, a coy, victorious smile on her face as she examines it.

   "Of course a thanks is due to you. I never would have located it if you hadn't led me to it. You kept it in such prime condition all these years, too."

    My throat is dry and no amount of swallowing can help. I take a shaky step back, keeping my eyes on her.

   "Aelita, if you take that there's going to be trouble ahead." My weak, small voice warns.

   "No. There will be trouble for you. You've chosen your side, dear, and now you have to accept the consequences."

   I've never felt more helpless in my life. She won, all because of him, all because I was a fool to trust him. Thinking about him causes my blood to boil and my attention turns to him, a bitter expression twisted on my face.

   "You are such a lying hypocrite!" I yell, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You're doing the very thing you despise: betraying. You can't even look me in the eyes because you know you're wrong, you know you're a coward."

   His fists are clenched and his jaw set, but he refuses to even look my way. My anger grows as does my volume.

   "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. All you'll ever be is a selfish tyrant of a bastard! A damn bast-"

   My words are cut short by a sharp sting across my cheek. My hand flies to the thin, cold cut where the jagged object grazed my cheek. Blood slowly oozes from it. I don't have to guess who threw it as the stormy look gathering in her eyes tells me who did it.

   "I would choose my words very carefully," The sharpness in her voice sending chills down my spine. "And who I'm saying them to."

   The anger has fled and fear replaced it. I take another cautious step back.

   Aelita pulls out a vial similar to the one she had the first time she sent us here. My pulse is racing and my mind telling me to do something, but I remain grounded firm. A worrisome voice behind me causes my attention to be diverted behind me. Out of the shadows, Elle and Sephora come, approaching my side. Elle trembles in fear at the mere sight of the queen, while Sephora pales, her grip tightening. I see Elle carries the potion in her trembling hand; Aelita must see that too. Faster than I can comprehend it, a jagged icy trail leads to Elle's hand, knocking it from her weak grasp and sending it shattering in tiny ice shards on the ground. A startled squeak escapes her as she reels back from the icy trail.

   "Oh Mallory," She flashes me a shallow, hard smile. "Such a level-headed young woman unprepared and unknowable about the ways of life. As always, it's been a pleasure on my part seeing you again. This, I promise you, will be our final farewell."

   Pouring the potion on the ground, a dark vortex appears, engulfing the two in a quick flash before disappearing into nothing but the empty space before us.

   We stand there, nothing to prevent any of it from unfolding. It was over, I lost. Everything was about to be turned into chaos and there is nothing I can do about it.

   In that moment, I had never felt more useless or alone in my entire existence.

[End of Book 2]