AN to Sky: No worries! You didn't seem pushy at all. I appreciate that you are paying attention and picking up the small details. I had already planned on Matt's past for that chapter before your review, so don't feel like you were pressuring me. Please keep reviewing and letting me know what you want to see more of so I know what to include in main events of chapters. Much appreciation for your praise! Thank you for the review.
Keep On Dreaming!-JustAnotherFanGirl2004
"What?" Cassidy raised an eyebrow. The side of her face purple and swollen from the fight last night. "You're telling me that all of this happened because Donna's possessed? Are you sure she didn't just move on from us?" Ryder used to think the way Cassidy did. Donna just up and abandoned them. But then he thought about how Donna would never hurt people like she did last night, even if she was mad at them.
"I think the real question is," Hyde straightened up and exchanged looks with Brandon,"Is Ryder also infected with this?" Ryder snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the red curly haired twin. He had a smug grin on his face Ryder could already tell that this was going to be a lame joke to break tension.
"Is he also going to be obsessed with me?" Brandon winked at Ryder and slicked back his straight red hair. He held out his unbroken hand and Hyde gave it a slap as the both laughed. Ryder raised an eyebrow before shaking his head. He knew they always joked with each other, but now wasn't the time.
"No," he interrupted,"This isn't a time to be joking. Donna's missing. My mom's on the way. We just wanted to let you guys know what's going on." He and Derek stood in front of Matt's board. Catherine, Cassidy, Hyde, and Brandon mostly sat quietly, until now.
"So why did you wait so long?" Cassidy asked, seeming annoyed. "We were Donna's close friends and you should have let us know sooner." Ryder was surprised to hear this since she changed her opinion of the situation in only seconds.
"We didn't know what was going on," Derek folded his arms,"It was between Donna, Matt, and Ally mostly. Brandon had a tiny part in it I guess." Ryder shifted his eyes to Brandon, whose smirk was wiped off his face.
"What did I do?" Brandon shrugged.
"Well you did lead her on a little," Hyde looked down. "You told me you walked her to her dorm and talked to her a couple times after."
"I wasn't like, into her that way though," Brandon admitted,"She's really cool and all, but I was just hoping to get a little closer to Ally." Ryder could see Derek stiffen a little. "But I think I should take my girl interests away from the group. We're all a little too close for my comfort."
"Says you," Catherine gave her brother a little push with a grin. It was the first thing she had said since they got into he room. Her eyes connected with Ryder's for a moment before darting away.
"Well we've all changed since we got here," Hyde interrupted. There was a silence in the group. " I mean face it. We all have. I actually discovered my interests in risks. Like the bookball team. Like mom."
"I'm really not into sports," Brandon shook his head,"I'm better with the books. I'm like dad."
"I was really shy, like dad." Catherine admitted,"I still am, but I'm trying to get out there more. Like mom. " Ryder grinned a little.
"I'm just like my mom," Cassidy nodded,"Even though I try not to be. But I guess its who I am."
"Everyone thinks I'm like my dad," Derek said suddenly,"But bookball isn't that important to me. I wish he knew that. I really enjoy school, and hiding in the crowd. My mom is that way, she blends, but she's still a fearless leader." Ryder was a little shocked by Derek. He had never said anything like this before, but he still was in the spotlight.
This made Ryder think. Was he more like his mother or father? "I don't know who I'm like," Ryder admitted. Everyone looked at him. "All I know is that even though we've changed, we are Donna's friends and family. We need to help her." Everyone nodded their heads. Ryder looked at Derek before giving him a nod. He felt a little closer to all of his friends now. And he knew that was important to him, no matter what happened.
Ally and Matt stared at each other. It felt like everything was still. Nothing moved, except Ally's continuous thoughts. She didn't know what to say. His past was filled with hurt. She felt bad for him. He once had everything, but now he lost everything. Would he be mad that she saw everything? What would he say, why isn't anything happening?
Matt suddenly turned away from Ally. He took a deep breath. "Now you know." Matt admitted. Ally felt unfrozen from the ground. She took a step closer to him.
"It all makes sense now," Ally said quietly,"Why your connection with Donna is so strong. You wanted to protect Eliza too. You had said it so briefly, I didn't get it as much before."
"That's why I should have stayed with Donna," Matt looked down,"My mind went straight back to Eliza. How she had refused any advice from me. That memory was played so much in my head, I thought Donna was the same way. But she didn't, she wanted me to stay. By leaving, I thought she couldn't hurt me like Eliza, but I was wrong. This is the worst pain I have ever felt."
Ally couldn't believe how he was opening up to her. Before, she didn't consider Matt to be a close friend, but now she had never felt closer to him. Their friendship had developed so quickly, she felt the trust Matt had for her. "She's not gone Matt." Ally told him. She could feel the emotions build up inside her as she prepared to speak. "You couldn't save Eliza, but you can save Donna. I've never seen anyone have the same connection as you two have. You love her, and she would love you if you told her. You told me it was too late but its not. You've got to stop putting yourself down, otherwise Donna will be gone. Forever." Ally let tears flow from her eyes.
Ally rubbed her eyes, but the tears kept coming. These past hours have taken its emotional toll on the girl. Her emotions were always locked up and put away. She missed Donna. She wanted her back, safe, and acting like herself again. She didn't want the drama with boyfriends, friends, or anything. She just want her best friend back. A warm arm wrapped around Ally. She sobbed into Matt's coat for a little bit. She trusted him enough.
After a few moments Ally wiped her eyes and looked at Matt after he let go of her. His expression was emotionless. When he connected eyes with hers he gave a little grin. "You know you've gotten on my good side, perky girl." Ally laughed a little and wiped the rest of the tears out of her eyes. "Come on, we don't need anymore tears. Let's figure out this bracelet thing."
"Did you see anything from me?" Ally asked. She wondered what would even compare to Matt's memories in her own brain.
"No," Matt shook his head. Ally was relived. "You said this bracelet just appeared in your room one night?"
"Yeah," Ally nodded,"It was after the same night that I had that dream about Donna and the book. But with the glass shards, you saw more then I did. Which is weird."
"If Donna really was the one who put the spell on the bracelets," Matt raised an eyebrow for a moment,"Then she must've left them for us to find. She's trying to escape. Maybe she only wanted me to see her because I was the only one who knew the whole story."
"There's only one way to test that," Ally turned to the grave,"We both touch it at the same time." Matt nodded. They both placed their hands on the words. Ally's vision suddenly flashed.
Ryder's head pounded as the headmistress announced his presence was needed. They were here. A chill ran up his spine as he stood up from the seat of Matt's desk chair. Derek was leaning against the door, arms crossed, but look concerned as Ryder stood perfectly still. A warm hand was placed on his shoulder. Catherine's breath tickled his ear as she whispered. "Its okay, we're all with you."
"We'll all go," Hyde stood up. Everyone stood up. "I'm sure our parents are here too anyway." Everyone nodded and headed out of Matt's dorm room Ryder took one last look at the board of pictures and followed.
There was a lot of chatter coming from the castleteria. They all stopped to look down at it for a moment. Wonderland kids looked a little less terrified then last night, but he was sure they were all wondering when they were going to be able to go home. Ryder wished he could go home. Or at least have Donna back. he tried to not care about her disowning everyone, but it was hard. Through all the remarks they pass on each other, he did care about his twin.
They got to Apple's office. Ryder took a deep breath before knocking. The door swung open. Apple opened it, but all Ryder could see was his mother. Her violet eyes filled with relief. Ryder ran into his mother's arms. He let out a shaky breath as tears began to form. His mother held him close, letting out a sniffle or two. "I'm sorry mom."
Raven let go of her son and looked at him. "Sorry for what?" She didn't know, he shouldn't have to tell her. Ryder looked around to see the other parents. Cassidy's mom, the triplet's parents, Derek's, Matt's mom, Ally's dad, and his own dad.
"Lily," Derek sighed a little before wrapping his own arms around his sister. He then looked up at his parents. "Why did you bring her here? This could be dangerous."
"We weren't going to leave her at home," Daring shook his head,"Besides what's so dangerous?"
"Where's Ally?" Apple asked as she closed the door. Ryder looked to see Maddie was about to open her mouth, but a knock on the door silenced her. Ryder's heart beat very quickly. Humphrey ran to the door a opened it. Out of breath stood Matt and Ally.
"We heard the announcement," Ally said between breaths,"I thought we agreed to meet up then telling." She took a step, but stumbled over her ankle. Without a moment passing, Derek was by her side and helped her up she grinned at him as he steadied her. After a little look he let go of her arm.
"Telling what?" Humphrey asked his daughter as she and Matt squished into the office.
"Where's Donna?" Dexter asked. Ryder looked at his dad with fear in his eyes. His gaze then turned to Matt. The mint green haired boy stood next to his mother. Matt's blue eyes looked into Ryder's. He received the message clear.
"We don't know," Matt said in a calm voice. Ryder could feel the confusion rise in the room.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Raven's voice was more in a defensive tone. Ryder was afraid of this. His mother might over react to the news.
"Ally," Apple intervened,"I thought you told me everything was alright between you two again."
"Well," Ally looked at the floor nervously."I lied."
"I still don't understand," Raven said,"Where is Donna?"
"In a bad place," Catherine said quietly. These were the words that drained any color left from Raven's face.
"I think you better sit down," Matt told her. Raven didn't even glance Matt's way, she just stood there shocked. Ryder could only imagine what was running through her head at that moment. His dad lead her to Apple's chair. She looked at everyone, expecting an explanation. Ryder looked at Matt again. The boy shook his head. but Ryder knew it had to come from Matt, He was the one that knew best.
Matt shook on the inside. He didn't want to tell Donna's parents what he had pushed her too. But he knew all of the facts. He had to do it since he had left her that day, it was the right thing to do. His vision now focused and his breathing slowed. He had to tell her calmly. He knew he didn't have to tell her everything, just the basics.
"Earlier last month," Matt bit his lip,"Donna was walking through the halls one night when she started to hear voices. She then saw visions white roses, thorns, broken glass, playing cards, and a glass orb. She said she then woke up in her dorm room the next day. That's when it all started. She started getting mad at the others for asking where she had been. It was only me who she shared it with. I was very curious about what she saw, so I took her to your mother's grave. When she touch the stone she said she saw the memory of you burring her. After, she was traumatized."
"Why didn't she tell me?" Raven asked. She looked at him expectantly. It was hard for Matt to talk in font of many people, especially under the circumstances. It was better when it was just him, Ally, and Derek.
"She didn't want you to take her out of school," Matt tried not to look her in the eye. It seemed as if her were looking into Donna's eyes. "Being mad at everyone, she stumbled her way into the old dormitories. She found your mother's mirror and saw many memories from Apple's point of view. It was at the dance did it get out of hand. She was the one who set the wall of fire out of anger against Ally. She ran off that night. We couldn't find her. That's when she met Laura. Her and her gang aren't the greatest of folk...I know. Donna had left everyone behind and became a new person. I tried to convince her to tell you but she wouldn't. That's the last time I saw her for real."
"You all knew about this?" Raven's eye's were teary. Matt's heart sank. His mind flashed back to that final moment with Donna. She grabbing his wrist. He turned to look at her teary eyes. For moment, he felt weak and leaned in a little. How he had wanted to kiss her, but his anger over Molly made him straighten and turn away from her.
"Yes," Ally said from behind Matt,"But we didn't know that she was possibly possessed. She started to act different and we responded the wrong way. We're all very sorry but Donna is not doing these things on purpose. I have had a dream about the story book of legends and Donna. I think some sort of magic from the book possessed her and made her turn evil. I tackled her last night and stopped the fire and lightning, but she disappeared from under me. I only found out everything last night. It was Matt and Derek who really researched this whole affair for weeks." Matt's body teased. Ally stopped suddenly. She had said too much.
"How could you," Raven's voice turned angry as she rose from her chair. She looked at Derek. Matt had forgotten that everyone else was there. They were so quiet.
"Raven," Dexter put a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off.
"No," Raven refused,"I was afraid this was going to happen. Derek you're her cousin, you should have let me know. Ryder! You knew too and all you did was lie to me. You told me she was good, happy. Why would you hide this from me."
"I know," Matt turned to see Ryder's eyes filled with tear. "I was just mad that she wasn't talking to me. She treated us all terribly. I knew if I had told you what was going on you would become protective of her. I know she wouldn't have wanted that. I'm sorry. All I want now is to have my sister back. Don't be mad, just help us. Help Donna. " He wiped a tear from under his eye. He fixed his glasses and looked at his parents. Matt looked back to see Raven's face had softened. Dexter looked at his son with a sad expression. Matt only just realized how much Ryder looked like his father, and Donna like her mother, just different hair colors. The couple of walked to their son. Ryder looked up at his parents before they wrapped thei arms around one another.
Matt watched as Apple moved to hug on Raven. Humphrey to her. Cassidy and Cassidy to him. Hyde to Cassidy, Brandon to Hyde, Catherine to Ryder, their parents to Dexter. Soon Derek and is family, plus Ally, joined. Matt looked at his own mother as they joined into the hug. It was what they all needed now. Matt could only imagine what was to come. How moments like these wouldn't happen again until Donna was found.