There have been a great many tragedies in our histories. Deaths, mistakes, lost love.
But nothing - nothing - can ever compare to the tragedy of breaking China's necklace.
Or, at least, nothing can ever compare to the absolute stupidity of breaking China's necklace.
The room was completely silent. Dead silent, one could say. Dead. Just like how the fangirls would be in once China Sorrows was able to convert her rage into words. Alex began to twist her fingers together nervously, while Avis attempted to melt into the shadows.
"You broke my necklace," China said finally.
"Yep?!" Avis responded, clearly hysterical.
"You two successfully broke into a guarded building filled with dangerous enemies, stole a necklace, then escaped relatively unharmed; but then you broke my necklace."
"I'm afraid that's exactly what happened," Alex murmured.
"That's it!" China almost-screamed. "You're fired! I kept saying that this was a bad idea! Hiring children is, and always will be, a foolish endeavor! You can't take anything seriously!"
"She's right," Avis realized, looking at Alex, but Alex didn't hear her friend.
"No! It was one mistake! Please, don't make us leave. This is our dream world!" Alex pleaded. China merely shook her head.
"You're not safe here. You're not useful here. You say this is your dream world, but dreams are made to be woken up from, and someday this place could become a nightmare."
"But -" Alex tried, before being violently cut off by China. Avis was unresponsive.
"No. It's over. You'll pack up tonight, and we'll meet at Gordon's mansion to send you back tomorrow."
Alex had nothing left to say. She merely took Avis' arm, brushing past Skulduggery and Valkyrie who were waiting to talk to China about this whole disaster, and led her out of the room. Everything good always - always - ends.
The fangirls cleaned their apartment quickly and silently. Alex tried to think of something to say, something to cheer them up; but it was like her brain had entirely shut off. There was nothing to say or do that could make this situation better.
Just like Valkyrie, Skulduggery, and China, Avis and Alex barely slept that night.
The next day, the alternate dimension where Alex and Avis had spent so many wonderful weeks was quiet and cold. As the fangirls made their way to Gordon's mansion, whispers about how they were being fired followed them. It was like the entire town was talking about it. Everyone knew that the fangirls were leaving this dimension, and going back to their home - as if it could be called that.
Everyone was there - China, Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ebony, Bearah, Sarah, Clarabelle and her zombie friends. Dexter and Saracen were unfortunately busy with other plans. Avis and Alex shared sad hugs before approaching the original window they had first entered this wonderful new world through. The fangirls began to remember everything they had gone through, first meeting the people they always thought were fake, the magic, the weird neighbors, the ATFRUT organization… So much had happened. The fangirls could barely even remember how they had gotten here, this experience had been so overwhelming.
The window seemed so much smaller than the fangirls remembered.
"Thanks for all the help," Valkyrie reminisced. "You two are hilarious."
"And full of surprises," Skulduggery added, in that suave manner he always had. The rest of the group nodded in agreement.
"Goodbye, Alex and Avis," China finally spoke up. "I regret the circumstances under which you have to leave, but it's just not safe for you here anymore. All of this madness with ATFRUT calls for desperate measures."
"I understand," Alex said remorsefully. "Our time here was amazing, even though it has to end like this."
Everyone looked at Avis, expecting a response. She was silent, like she had been since China had banished them. And then, suddenly -
"No," she whispered. "How could you do this to us? We helped you! This is our dream! You're breaking our hearts!"
"Avis, stop!" Alex warned, trying to take her friend's hand. Avis swatted it away, gaining volume and passion.
"All we did was break a necklace! Don't send us back to a boring, horrible, unforgiving world! We can still help you!"
China and Skulduggery exchanged a look.
"I'm sorry."
"It's time for you to go."
"You'll regret this," Avis spat out, tears in her eyes, but she followed Alex out of the too small window. They glanced back at their friends and idols one last time.
Balancing precariously, the fangirls gripped each other's hands and closed their eyes.
They slipped off the ledge, and began falling - too fast, wind rushing - too quickly, hair whipping around, it seemed like the ground would never come.
Going home? Back to the mortal world? It seemed impossible…
They hit the ground, material enveloping them. Almost like tarp, or balloon material, or something.
The fangirls opened their eyes slowly.
The sky was chemical blue.
Just kidding. The sky wasn't blue. Well, actually it was, but the fangirls were looking at a large plastic sheet that was blue, not the sky.
"What the heck?" Alex said, staring at the plastic right in front of her face.
"Alex!" hissed Avis. "Roll over!"
The taller fangirl obeyed, and instantly gasped.
Two large figures in black masks were leaning over them threateningly.
Alex gasped again, and one of them grabbed her and placed a gloved hand over her mouth.
"Shut up!" The figure growled. Avis looked around, taking in their surroundings.
"You caught us with this trampoline thing," she realized. "We're still in the magical world!"
"Duh," the other figure said. "Your work here isn't over, contrary to what Miss Sorrows says. Isn't she insane for thinking she can kick you out of here? This is your home! Banishing you two from your own home is pure betrayal."
Avis, still fueled by her angry outburst, nodded furiously.
"Shouldn't we get back at her? It's only fair," the figure reasoned. "A little revenge never hurt anyone… yet."
Alex began struggling, but the masked person was holding her too tightly. She made eye contact with Avis, eyes wide - pleading.
But Avis looked away instantly, too emotional to reason.
"Sounds great! What do you two have in mind?" Avis asked the figures.
Alex tried to protest, but she couldn't get anything out.
"Water buckets on the doorways? Ketchup packets under the toilet seats? Air horns everywhere?"
"Maybe something a little bit more… lasting…"
"Haribo sugar free gummy bears?" Avis suggested. The masked figures looked at each other, nodding in agreement. The one not holding Alex nonchalantly moved their jacket to reveal the blade of a knife, then began to peel off the black mask. The fangirls eyes went wide in surprised and fearful recognition. The figure grinned.
"Ever stabbed anyone before?"