Ashes » Places

         

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"Hey, I'm gonna hold you to that, y'know." At Carter's remark, Alice did nothing but scoff and continue walking. On her way out of the door, she heard Louie request that she tell Keith to visit Louie as soon as possible. Ace didn't respond, she only nodded and walked out the door. A cold breeze washed over her, at least it would have if she weren't the Disciple of Fire. As she walked along the sidewalk and toward the forest she knew Keith loved, Alice let her thoughts wander. Wander away from the fighting, the stress, and the exhaustion... The mess that seemed to be getting worse and worse everyday. First they were dead. Then they were back. Then they were unreasonably powerful. Then... Many things happened. Many things that Ace did not want to recall.

Heaving a sigh, Alice tucked her hair behind her ears and continued walking. Her pace was slow and her steps hesitant. She was in anything but a hurry. In fact, she was being slow on purpose. No reason in hurrying to what may or may not be one of the worst conversations in her life, right? Perhaps she was being over-dramatic... Or thinking too much. Perhaps she shouldn't think about it at all. Yes, that seemed fitting... What was she supposed to say to him? She knew how to talk to the old Keith, but... not this one. Whatever happened in the past five years; it changed him. And not just Keith, but Carter, too. Sure, Carter's change wasn't as significant, but he's definitely changed... He's more aggressive, as is the darkness... In fact, it looked almost--- alive. And Keith, he... Well, he seemed like a madman. But when Carter had mentioned -Alice nearly blushed when she thought about this- Ace, he wasn't a madman anymore. He was just... sad. Lonely, even. And then he gave her that riddle... Oh, what was it again? Ignited by something... Oh, that's right.

"Ignited by light, she left behind. Something you'll find with nothing but fire." Alice recited the riddle under her breath and ran a hand through her hair. She walked for a while longer, slowly sorting through the riddle. In no time, she found herself in front of the forest. She sighed silently, and like magic, the fireflies began gathering. Eventually, they formed a path, and with great hesitance, Ace decided to follow it. She wondered if he was even here. If she should even bother going... But there was no going back now. Of course, she could just turn around and head back to Louie's. She could lie and say she didn't find him... Well, technically, she wouldn't be lying... "Keith," She found herself muttering.

Now it really was too late. Alice found herself looking at Keith, who had woven himself a bed out of branches and roots. She didn't say anything at first, for she didn't know what to say. After a few moments of careful consideration, she spoke. "What... What the hell was that?"