Firebird's Apprentice Note: Sorry it's been so long! But I bare good news. Phoenix is faring well, and has requested I send a message on to all of you! So (this is from deciphering text messages so bare with me):

Selamat siang! P.R. here in the sweltering heat. Is it physically possible for a human being to literally melt? Haha, anyways, I apologize for the sparing posts, I promise to get better about all that. I hope this bit tides you over until I get my hands on a personal computer and finish this story! I am eager to delve into different stories all buzzing in my head so I can certainly envision how this one is going to end. Before I go, a piece of advice. Never chew gum in Indonesia! It is illegal! The price of dirtying these spotless streets is three to six lashes with a cane across one's back. Glad my superiors forewarned me!

'Til I see the good old USA,

P.R.

Hope you enjoy this chapter, F.A.

Chapter Twelve:

The next few weeks were a blur of schoolwork, working at Sophie's and housework. Juggling all that with taking Melanie up the mountain to visit Edward was a daunting task, but it was worth it when Melanie would take Jack with her to the garden, leaving Alice and Edward to themselves. Edward seemed comfortable, more comfortable around Alice than ever before, and even ventured to kiss her once, catching her off guard, hands poised at the piano's keys. She was surprised as his lips brushed her cheek, but she smiled and took his face in her hands, kissing his lips gingerly.

"I can't wait until summer," Alice mused one day while they all sat in the sanctuary of the garden's lush green lawn, "Then things might calm down a bit."

"Summer?" Edward tilted his head to the side a bit, looking much like little Jack when he begged for food at Alice's feet.

"That's when we get three whole months of no school." Melanie explained, running her child's fingers through Jacks thickening fur.

The day was hot enough to pass as summer, Alice thought, the bugs in the brush buzzing and the sun dancing off of Edward's hands, the air, hot and filled with the delicious scent of his blooming garden.

"And we'll have more time to spend here with you." Alice added, her fingertips tracing over his sun drenched fingers, watching them glow.

He seemed to brighten at this.

Alice smiled and lay back in the grass. Edward seemed curious enough that he lay beside her, watching her watch the clouds go by.

Later that day:

"You sure this is the place?"

"Where else moron?"

"But Bart that place is haunted."

"What? So the big bad castle gonna send you home to your mommy?"

"No, I just… I just hear things about that place."

"So? That stupid bitch disappears up there, and I'm gonna find out why."

"C'mon Bart, just let it go man-"

"Shut up! Just shut up! That girl is mine. Nobody says no to me! Nobody!"

"Geeze, lemme go man…. Gosh."

"Be here. Tonight. Bring the van."

"Whatever ma- sure, sure, no worries."

"Wipe that smile off your face! …and don't forget the booze."

Meanwhile:

"So, what are you and Edward?" Melanie asked that night as Alice combed her long dark hair.

"What do you mean?" Alice felt her face heat up, her hands suddenly taking on a mind of their own, trembling ever so slightly.

"You know," Melanie puckered her lips, fresh with watermelon lip gloss, "Wike dis."

"How do you-?" Alice began, setting the comb aside and beginning to French braid the girl's silken locks.

"I know these things." She shrugged nonchalantly, causing Alice to have to rebraid.

Alice rolled her eyes as the little girl pressed her for details that she would refuse to give. Meanwhile, downstairs two adults sipped fresh cups of coffee, one telling jokes with an Irish drawl, the other laughing as her brunette locks trembled, her hands dotted with streaks of acrylic paint. Music from Alice's stereo carried down the stairs and set the calm mood. Alice knew the tune by heart, as it was her own, and she closed her eyes and listened to her own fingers playing the recording. It was his song.

Later on:

"Thanks so much Michael." Sophie gave a quiet smile as she slid on her knit sweater at the door.

His gaze was smoldering as Alice escorted Melanie to her mom's car out front in the fading daylight. "Anytime."

Alice glanced back and watched as the heat passed between the two, a smile now grazing her own lips. They seemed to carry on their secret conversation with only their eyes, and Alice wondered if that was what it looked like with her and Edward. Melanie climbed into the seat with a lengthy sigh, half yawning, stretching her arms like a small animal.

"Get some good sleep tonight, kay?" Alice pleaded softly, helping buckle in the half sleeping child. "Bye Sophie."

"Bye Alice, see you tomorrow." Sophie smiled, shutting her door across the car.

Alice nodded and shut Melanie's door, watching with her uncle as the two drove off down the street as the sun passed into darkness behind the distant hills.

"C'mon, it's almost time for you to head to bed too." Michael nodded in mock solemnity.

"Yes sir." Alice gave a small mock salute.

"Are you mocking me?" He wriggled each eyebrow, an eerie trick of his.

"Are you in love with my boss?"

"Go to bed."

Sometime Around Midnight:

It was dark, there were flashes of light, but each was just enough to disorient, not nearly lingering enough to do much else. Alice was alone, wandering the steps of the mansion, pacing this way and that, rather aimlessly. The lights flickered and she stumbled, clutching thin air only to meet the cold floor.

That's when she heard it. It was a long, agonizing scream. Enough to send one's blood racing.

"Edward!" She screamed, her words muffled in her mouth like she was speaking through a mouthful of cotton. "Edward where are you? Where- Ah!"

Like a trap door, the floor beneath her gave out in two halves, sending her crashing towards the darkness enveloping her vision. There was no time to think, to move, to breathe-

"Ah!" She cried, sitting up in bed with a terrible jerking motion.

Jack lifted his sleepy head, gazed up at her with dull eyes before slumping back over with a little huff. Breathing hard, she felt her moist forehead with shaking hands. The moon shown bright and nearly full outside her window, veiled in a thin sheath of clouds, framed in half faded stars. Her heart beat raced, thrashing in her ears like the rush of the tide against a rocky shore. With sudden absolution, she threw her covers off and sprang from her bed.

"Something isn't right."

Author's Assistants' Note: Sorry for the cliffhanger, I don't think Phoenix meant for it this way, but this is where her texts cut off. I'm not too good at this author's note thingummy, not like Phoenix. So, review, I suppose. Thanks.

F.A.