Alright! I finally got into the writing mood to finish this chapter! Sorry for the long wait! But this is pretty long, so that should make up for it. Daphne's grown up and in her senior year of high school. I hope you enjoy high school Daphne and her friends, they're quite the group! So please enjoy this kinda long overdue chapter!

(9 years later)

I'm having the dream again.

It had started a couple months after I had heart surgery. It would always happen around two to three times throughout a year, every year since. I had told Dr. Kiwi about it the first time and every time since, but we couldn't figure out why I'd have it. There was no rhyme or reason to the timing of the dream or its meaning. I wasn't under any type of stress or excited over something; it just occurred at random.

After falling asleep, I'm in a white room, with nothing in it, except at the center is a card table, like they have in casinos, and the woman who acted as the dealer looked very... strange. She looked to be in her forties or fifties, with white hair and small, round,wire-rimmed glasses perched on her orange beak. Yeah, not a nose, a beak. Like a bird. And on top of her head, white feathers. I'm not gonna lie, it freaked me out the first time, to where I woke up immediately after taking in her features.

I went straight to my parent's room and woke my mother. She told me not to be afraid of the bird woman. She told me to see what she wanted. After she was sure I was okay, she took me back to my room and tucked me back into bed. Mom laid down beside me and held my hand til I drifted off.

I was right back in the room, and the woman looked at me questioningly. "Daphne? Why did you wake up?" She asked me.

"You scared me." I whimpered.

The woman gave me a kind look, like my mother gave me when wanting to comfort me. "I promise not to harm you. I just need you to choose a card." She tells me.

"Why?" I ask, coming closer to the table, and climbing into the seat so I could see the table top. Face up, next to each other, were the four aces of each suit.

"Don't you... Daphne... what happened to you? You don't look like yourself."

"What do you mean? Of course, I look like myself." I state not understanding what she could possibly mean.

"All I need you to do is choose one card." She says, her tone understanding, but her eyes still had a glint of worry.

"Any card?" I ask. "Why are only the aces out?" I ask.

"It's more about which suit you want: hearts, diamonds, spades, or clovers."

"...Clover?" I say taking the card.

"Are you sure?" The bird woman asks.

I nod my head. "Yes, I'm sure. Can I go now?" I ask.

"As you wish." She nods. "I'll see you again soon, Daphne. But next time, choose a different suit."

That was were the dream ended, usually. As she asked, I chose differently each time, but we never talked much in any other of the dream encounters. Though, the few times I chose to keep the same suit as the previous one, I noticed I'd have the dream again sooner than if I were to choose differently.

That's where the dream would usually end. Once I chose, I'd wake up, or go into another dream. But this time... This time was different.

"Pick a card." The woman asks.

"Clover." I say, knowing that Hearts was the last one I chose.

She smiled at me and bowed her head. As I stood from the stool, she looked up at me, looking right into my eyes. It felt like she was searching my soul for something. Then she looked back down at the four cards. I followed her gaze and saw that the cards were turning themselves over to have their backs face up. They were just like a normal deck, except there was a letter on the back of each one, spelling: D O D O. I looked back up at her.

"What's this supposed to mean? Why hasn't this happened before?"

She just looked at me silently.

"Say something!" I demand of her.

"Daphne. Does this word mean nothing to you?" She asks.

"It's an extinct bird. Why would this have some meaning to me?" I ask getting annoyed. She barely talked with me other than, "Pick a card." So why is she changing the dream routine? And now of all times?!

"Daphne. You need to remember. You need to go back." She says, sadness clearly evident in all her features. "They need you."

Before I could question her more, I'm awoken to the blaring sound of my alarm clock. I sit up, my body is covered in sweat, and glare at my clock. Uh! What was that about?!

"Daphne, time to get up!" Mom calls from downstairs.

"Remember, Daphne. Go back. They need you." The voice says in my head. I blink my eyes, then rub them. I pinch my arm to ensure I'm awake and hearing her voice. I'm really awake, and hearing her voice... Maybe I actually am crazy?

I get out of bed and go into my bathroom to take a quick shower. I go back into my room, brush my hair, blow it dry, then put it up in a ponytail. I grab my pocket watch and put it around my neck. For my ninth birthday, Mom and Dad gave it to me. They told me they added the lid to protect the clock's face, not wanting it to be broken. I loved it, and ever since have worn it around my neck on the sturdy, twisted gold chain. It's been my most precious treasure since I received it that day. I don't know why. My friends like to joke that their lockets, cars, phones, pets, or something else would be more important to them than a pocket watch, but I just ignore them.

Then I quickly get dressed, wearing some denim cut-off shorts and a baseball tee the team designed. It had three-quarter length sleeves that were navy while the body of the shirt was white with our school name and mascot written in gold, bold, cursive font: West High Eagles. My last name and number, 18, on the back. I pull on my knee-high white socks with two navy stripes at the top, then put on my black and white converse sneakers. I do my make-up; which is a good foundation and line my eyes in silver. I take my hair out, and put the pony tail holder on my wrist. Then I add one of my hair feather pieces; I actually ended up starting that trend at my school, because mom used these cool, bright teal feathers for a lot of accessory pieces she gave me for one of my eleventh birthday presents. There were feather earrings, headbands with feathers arranged on them, hair extension with feathers, a bracelet, necklace, and anklet. The hair extension feather pieces are my favorite to wear.

I make my way downstairs to the kitchen where Mom is setting breakfast on the table; it's french toast, my favorite. "Looks good, Mom." I smile and kiss her cheek before I take my seat at the table. She and I eat breakfast together every morning, since Dad leaves around six for his shift at the hospital.

"Sleep well?" She asks taking her seat beside me.

"Uh huh." I say as I stuff a bite of toast soaked in maple syrup into my mouth.

Mom gives me a questioning look, but she doesn't ask me anything more as she begins to eat.

"Mom," I address her as I finish my last bite. She looks at me. "Just to remind you, I have that study session with a classmate after practice, but we should get finished by around six." I tell her.

"You're studying here, right?" Mom asks.

"No, we'll be outside at the park. It's going to be a nice day." I say.

"Alright. You better be back by six thirty for supper."

"I'll try. Bye!" I get up and head for the door.

"Have a good day!" Mom calls after me.

I wave to her, grab my backpack, and go out to my silver 2002 Pontiac Firebird. I absolutely love it. Dad had one when he was in college, and still has it. He wouldn't let me drive his, so he decided to get me my own Firebird for my fifteenth birthday; I was actually pretty surprised, since cars are usually the sixteenth birthday present.

I run my hand up the hood on my way to get in. Learning to drive... That was quite the experience. Mom was the better of my parents to drive with. She would just talk with me normally and correct me when needed. Whereas Dad, was constantly on guard, yelling for me to do things as I was getting ready to do them. The first couple of trial drives with Dad resulted in me crying and terrified to ever get behind the wheel again. Driver's Ed was my saving grace, otherwise I'd probably still not want to drive. It was such a freedom to be able to drive myself, even with the thirty minute drive to school.

I looked at the clock 7: 18; I'd make it with plenty of time to get to homeroom. It was already May. I would only have two more weeks of school before graduating. I was seventeen and already graduating school. Then I would be attending New York State University on a full ride scholarship for softball. Coach was definitely sad to see me go, but he was proud that I'd gotten a full ride for my softball talent.

I listen to the radio, singing along, as I drive to school; I know the way so well, I could probably drive in my sleep. I park my car in the Senior parking area, in the front of the lot, before heading to homeroom.

DODO

Now that its down to the last two weeks in school, the days seem to go by so fast. I get through all my classes: College Algebra, Chemistry, English Composition, Drama, Lunch, French, and Choir. All that's left is Study Hall; which having already completed everything except Chemistry, since its what I'm doing the study session for, I head to Ms. Sparrow, our school councilor, to talk to. Dr. Kiwi, is currently away on business, and so when that happens I talk with Ms. Sparrow, who takes notes and faxes them to Dr. Kiwi for his records.

I knock on her door, before hearing her high voice call, "Come in!" I peek my head in. "Oh, Daphne! So good to see you! What's up?"

I enter and take a seat across from her. Ms. Sparrow has short black hair in a bob haircut, dark brown eyes that hide behind her thick bronze framed glasses, she's a petite woman with very tan skin. She's always wearing neutral or earthy tones. She dresses in either blazers or cardigans over a button-up shirt, paired with a skirt or trousers, and shoes that are flats or heels. She always tries to look professional and put together like this, even though she's a very positive, open, and talkative person.

"Well... I had the dream again." I start.

Ms. Sparrow nods and pulls out my file. "Yes. The dream about having to pick a card for the suit. Right?" She nods. "Nothing different happened, right?" She says typing in her computer ready to make the usual report, since this is the third time I've had to come to her when Dr. Kiwi was away and I had the dream.

"Uh... Actually..." I start, Ms. Sparrow's hands stop typing and she looks at me.

"Something's changed?" She asks, and I can see a glint of excitement and interest in her eyes.

"Yes. Everything went according to plan, until after I picked the card, which was Clover." I tell her, and she starts typing. "Then the dealer stopped me from leaving and had me focus on the cards again... They moved on their own." I tell her.

"What did they do?"

"They turned themselves over, so I could see the backs." I tell her.

"Was there anything special about the backs of these cards? Did you recognize the back's design?"

"The design didn't seem so important. The cards each had a letter on the back."

"Did it spell something?" She was so eager.

"Dodo." I say.

"Hmm... Dodo, like the extinct bird?" Ms. Sparrow asks, and I nod. "Hmm... another bird..." She says quietly to herself.

"What was that, Ms. Sparrow?" I ask.

"Oh, nothing dear! Continue! What happened next?" She tells me.

"Then she wanted to know if it meant anything to me, and I told her no. After that she told me to remember and go back. Then she said 'they need you.'"

"Was that it?" Ms. Sparrow looks a little disappointed.

"My alarm went off and woke me up, and after I was awake... … I heard her voice in my head again, repeating for me to remember, go back, and they need me." I voice what I was afraid of and wait for her response.

"Hmm... That's definitely quite odd, Daphne. So before this last dream, the dealer had never done anything after you chose a suit?"

I shake my head. "Do you think it's because I would leave so quickly after to another dream or wake up that it hasn't happened before?" I ask.

"Maybe. Dr. Kiwi sure will be upset he missed a new development in your dream. He's always been wondering what it could all mean." Ms. Sparrow answers.

"You don't think I'm crazy for hearing her voice when I woke up?" I ask her.

She smiles. "You're not crazy, dear. I'm sure your subconscious just reiterated itself and sounded like her voice to make a point for you to remember it."

I nod. "I guess that makes sense."

"Of course it does. So how have classes been? Anything new?" She asks.

"Well, we put on the play last weekend, so that's done and over with." I start.

"Right! I went and saw it! You were fabulous as the lead." She smiles.

"Thanks. Honestly, I was surprised when I got it, but the character was more me than Royal or Cassandra..." I tell her thinking of the two biggest drama queens in your class. "And, the big game against East High is tomorrow." I tell her thinking of the most important thing on my mind.

Ms. Sparrow nods. "I'm sure the team will do fine. You're quite the player; which you should be, to receive that scholarship!"

I laugh a little. "Yeah. The only main issue I have right now is that I have a B in Chemistry, so I'm having a study session with a classmate after practice today to help me get an A on the test and bring my overall grade up to an A, so I'll graduate with a 4.0." I tell her.

"Oh, yes. Science has never been your strong suit, which neither has math, but you overcame those issues." Ms. Sparrow says out loud nodding in agreement.

"Yeah." I nod, remembering how upset Dad was when they realized I was terrible at math and science. That was quite the let down to him, but he just said I took more after Mom in being better in the more creative arts. "So, that's all I have to report." I say standing.

"Alright, Daphne. You still have plenty of time left in Study Hall. If I don't see you tomorrow before the big game, good luck!" Ms. Sparrow puts her arm in the air, her hand in a fist.

"Thanks, Ms. Sparrow." I smile to her and make my way to Study Hall. I got extremely lucky that the Study Hall they put me in was with Madame D, the school's drama teacher and director, along with most of my friends.

"About time, Daph!" Melanie Clark, one of my most unique and unlikely friends, says when I enter the room. The reason being that Melanie has the reputation as a bit of a punk, since during our freshman year she got caught several times for vandalism and shoplifting; she received community service and her father made her join the softball team, which is how I got to know her. Of course, she definitely looked the part, though I like to call it being edgy. Her black hair is short and the right side is shaved, has five piercings in each ear, very intimidating dark brown (practically black) eyes, has a tall, lean body, and wears a lot of black and red. Mom almost had a stroke when I first brought Mel home with me, but loved her once she got to know her. The two of us grew really close over that softball season and she's stayed on the team as our second basewoman.

"Were you with Ms. Sparrow?" Tawny Cassin, my closest friend since third grade, asks. Tawny is nice but isn't afraid to speak her mind. She has light brown shoulder-length hair, bronze eyes, a practically perfect smile (if not for the left front tooth being a little crooked from taking a baseball to the face when we were younger... my fault for throwing, hers for laughing and not paying attention), very tan skin, and has a similar figure to Mel. Tawny joined the softball team because of me, since we played all the time growing up; she's our first basewoman.

"Yeah." I tell her, as I take a seat between her and Mel. Tawny's known about me seeing Dr. Kiwi, but I've never told her about the dream; so she knows I talk with Ms. Sparrow when he's gone.

"Hopefully, you aren't getting too nervous about the game?" An obviously fake concerned voice asks from across the room. Cassandra Ross, my used to be friend, until I found out how fake she was in junior high. She used to be blond until last semester she decided to dye her hair black and white, black being the top layers and white the under longer layers. Her green eyes glare at me, as she drapes her arm across Caspian Summers', her boyfriend of the past year and one of my few close guy friends, shoulder. Sadly, I have to put up with her all the time since she's our softball team's center fielder and been in theater as long as I have; it feels like its her life's mission to make me miserable, and I don't know why. Mom says she's probably jealous, but I mean come on! Her dad's a big time lawyer and her mom is a well-known interior designer, she's really pretty, and is talented in whatever she does; if only she didn't have that awful personality... So you get the idea of who Cassandra Ross is.

Cas, as I like to call Caspian, on the other hand. He's such a great guy! He's nice, smart, he's in theater and is the baseball team's pitcher, he's got these amazing blue-green eyes, and short brown hair that curls a little when it grows out a little more... Uh! If you can't tell I really like him, but my parents made me promise not to date until I turned 16, and Cassandra asked him out a week before my 16th birthday. So I have to stay content, which I am, as his friend. I feel like she's only dating him to flaunt it in my face that he's hers, and can't be mine. What does he see in her, anyway, to stay with her that long?

"Please!" I retort. "Me? Daphne Birdìe nervous about a game? Never!" I say nonchalantly. "Are you nervous about your game tomorrow, Cas?" I ask him.

"Well, it is East High... So I'm a little nervous." He says. "Sorry, Daph. I don't have your confidence. I wish I did, though." He gives me a smile.

"Ha. Maybe if you had her confidence we'd do better!" Rock Allen, a fellow baseball player, says from beside Cas. He's their team's best batter. "Or else we could just have Birdy take your place on the mound; she'd probably do better!" Rock gives me a smile. I smile back not showing my teeth. I can see and know that Rock likes me and has since eighth grade year when I struck him out when we played baseball in gym. He's been trying for the past two years to get me to go out with him; he even joined theater this past year to spend more time around me and 'wear me down' and get me to 'cave', as I heard from Cas.

"Probably!" Mel adds with a big grin. I shake my head at her.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Arizona Downy, a theater friend of mine, runs into the room.

"Study Hall is already halfway over." Madame D says from behind her desk, and puts her book down. "Prey tell, where were you Miss Downy?"

"Here's my note! I was helping Mr. Wild with some papers." Arizona tells her and hands the paper over. Arizona has been a student helper with one of the fourth grade classes this year, which is a fifteen minute drive from here.

"Alright, Miss Downy. Go sit down." Madame D makes a dismissive hand gesture and goes back to reading her book.

"Did you have fun with the kids, Ari?" I ask.

"Sure did! They're soo cute! Though today they had to take a test, so they weren't as energetic as usual." She says as she takes the empty seat beside Mel.

"What's going on?!" Vega Crane lifts her head, apparently being woken up from Ari's arrival. She looks to her right past Tawny to see me. "Oh, Daph, you're back." Vega yawns. "Anything special happen?"

I shake my head at Vega... well, being Vega. She's the shortstop on our team and one of the few juniors in this Study Hall. Vega is like the kid sister I wouldn't have exactly chosen but would be glad to have around because she's so entertaining and loyal. Her freshman year on the team, she became like my shadow, constantly following me around and calling me 'Master Birdy'. She's very tall (taller than me), with short red hair, topaz brown eyes, and has the gift of sass.

"I've been here a while, V. Ari just got here." I tell her.

"Oh. Well, that makes more sense. Arizona never really mastered the quiet entry." She says before laying her head down on the desk again, so she misses Ari's gaped mouth expression; which it's true, you always know when Ari's coming, even on stage during plays. "Wake me, when its time to go to the field."

Before any of us could say anything else, the door opens loudly as Royal Woods comes into the classroom. "Madame D!" She says loudly, in her annoying sing-song voice.

"Oh joy." Vega mutters and lifts her head.

"I just got the most amazing news!" Royal says as she takes a seat next to Madame D.

"What is it now, Miss Woods?" Madame D sighs; she loves Royal's talent but can't stand her when she's not in character. She's already disrupted our Study Hall several times before now, once to let us all know she was accepted into Juilliard, and loves to remind us whenever the chance arises.

"I just got a call that I've been chosen for an audition for Wicked!" Royal squeals. Considering how Royal's parents are both in the entertainment business, it's not at all surprising. I'm sure her mother pulled her Broadway strings to get the audition for her daughter.

"How lovely, dear. I'm sure you'll do splendidly." Madame D smiles, and I can see the force behind it. Four years of dealing with Royal, has really brought her down.

"Yep! That's all I wanted to tell you!" Royal stalks out of the room, and she glances at me with a smug smile, flips her hair, and continues out the door closing it somewhat loudly behind her. She's still upset I got the lead in our last high school play.

"You know what?" Vega says looking over at us.

"What?" I ask her.

"I think I finally know why Royal is named Royal." Vega says, with a complete straight face.

"Why?" I ask, knowing exactly what Vega likes as responses.

"Her parents knew what a Royal Pain in the Ass she'd be." Vega answers, a small smile curling up the left side of her lips.

Everyone in the classroom, even Madame D, laugh. I laughed so hard I was crying.

"Up top!" I hold my hand out to her once I've calmed myself a little.

"Yay!" Vega says and high fives me. Since I only high five her when she makes me proud.

We continue to chat in our little groups until the bell rings.

DODO

"Come on! You can do better than that, Phoebes! That pitch was nothing!" I yell at my current teammate up to bat. Vega's pitching right now, since Coach doesn't want to tire my arm out. I already warmed it up and did a few rounds, and now am sitting on the bench to watch and critique Vega's pitching, since she'll get to be pitcher next year, unless a promising underclassman shows up.

"Coach! Isn't it about time to stop?" Bertha Hammond, the catcher, looks to Coach Herring.

"Hmm. Is it that time already?" He says, his slight German accent noticeable, looking to his watch. If you've ever seen the Fairly Oddparents, you should know who Jorgen von Strangle is; he's like the cartoon fairy version of Coach Herring.

"Come on, Bertha! We've still got like ten minutes left!" I call from the bench. I already have to sit out the remaining practice, but I still want them to get as much in as possible.

"Hahaha! Birdy, I'm going to miss you so much next season!" Coach says with a smile, but I can see the sadness in his eyes.

"Aw, Coach. We still haven't finished this season!" I tell him.

"You're right. Five more minutes, then cool down!" Coach calls out to the girls.

Vega pitches a slow curveball and Phoebe hits it. It goes into left outfield. Gwen being on third, was able to make it home, before the second string outfielders could get the ball up to home plate. Coach has all the first string players batting now, so the second string are finally getting some practice time.

Gwen comes and sits next to me. She heaves a sigh, "Come on, Daph. We're not all softball crazies like you."

I dramatically gasp at her. "Me? Softball crazy? Really? I never noticed." I smile. "I'm just being a little more demanding than usual since it's East High tomorrow." I say.

Gwen chuckles. "And you say you don't get nervous for our games." She shakes her head.

"I'm not nervous about myself. But softball is a team sport, you know. I don't carry the team, we work together." I tell her.

"Yes. Yes. The team speech from Birdy..." Cassandra says monotonous from where she lays on the end of the bench, away from me.

I huff and cross my arms. The thing I looked forward to the most was that Cassandra would not be at the same college as me, instead she was going to Brown. The even better part: Cas would be on the baseball team at NYSU! We'll be at the same college!

As I'm lost in my thoughts, Coach yells for cool down. I go join the team as we do the stretching and exercises.

Tawny, Mel, Vega, and I are walking together towards the locker room, when Cassandra says from behind us, "What's Linus Darwin doing here watching us?"

We all look towards the stands to see our senior class's valedictorian and reputed nerd. He's got his nose in a book as he sits in one of the few shady spots in the stands. I sigh. "He and I are studying after this. I told him I'd meet him here after practice." I inform them.

"What?!" Cassandra comes around to be in my line of sight. The evil smile playing on her lips making my stomach drop. "Are you secretly dating him?" Her eyebrows quirk up. "You can tell me. The forever single Daphne Birdìe, dating the class nerd! Oh, I just gotta tell Cas! He'll never believe it." My gut feeling proving me right. And I hate hearing her call him Cas; I gave him the nickname.

"That's because he knows me! I told you; we're studying. I need a little help with Chemistry." I admit, hating having to admit a weakness in front of Cassandra.

The evil look actually got worse. "Oh, really? How bad we talking?"

"Put a sock in it, Cassandra!" Mel says as she storms past her and pulls me with her.

Vega and Tawny close behind. "Or should we say d*ck, since we all know that's what you prefer in your mouth?" Vega calls as we walk to the locker room.

The hurt look on Cassandra's face was priceless, and it felt nice to see her speechless, but I still felt that was going a little too far. "Thanks girls." I say.

"Uh. She deserved it, Daph. Constantly flaunting Caspian at you, it's disgraceful. And even more, it's not fair! You've liked him since forever, and she knew it!" Tawny pats my back.

"Still..." I say.

"You're too good, Daph." Mel states as we start to undress in the locker room.

"You only have a B in Chemistry, right?" Tawny asks, changing the subject for me.

"Yeah, but I wanna keep my 4.0, so I need that little extra bit of studying to ensure I get an A." I tell them.

"Understandable. But it's surprising how this is the first close call you've had with your grades." Vega states.

"Well, Physics was tough too, but my dad was able to explain it to me. He's been more busy with work this past few months, so he hasn't been able to help me understand Chemistry, like he did with Physics." I tell them. "I don't know why my brain refuses to understand logical things." I shake my head.

"It's what makes you you." Tawny smiles at me.

"Yeah. We wouldn't want you any other way." Mel adds.

We finish changing, as we leave Cassandra goes in. I feel the stab of guilt. I didn't say it though, so I shouldn't apologize for Vega, even though she spoke up in my defense; wanting to hurt Cassandra like she's been hurting me. "See you tomorrow." I call to my friends and wave as I head towards the stands where Linus is still reading his book. "Hey. I'm done." I tell him as I stand beside him, and he has yet to acknowledge my presence.

"Right. So, you said you wanted to study at the park?" Linus stands and puts his book into his backpack.

"Yeah. It's such a nice day." I offer.

"Eh. It's a typical May day." Linus shrugs. He reminds me a lot of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, mainly in his personality and lanky frame. He wears thick framed glasses and a little shaggy dirty blond hair.

I had talked with him a little before during Chemistry class from time to time, and we'd been partnered for a couple of labs, so we kind of had an understanding of each other. He would get annoyed when I didn't understand, but he'd still explain things to me in a way I could understand better. He could tell I wanted to get it, and that's what made him agree to help me today.

"So, let's go." He starts walking towards the parking lot, where my Firebird is.

DODO

"So, I'm sure this is everything Mr. Feeny will put on the test." Linus finishes and closes his Chemistry book and notes.

"Thanks, Linus! You're a life saver!" I smile at him. I pull out my pocket watch and see it's only a little after 5. "Wow. We finished a lot faster than I thought we would."

Linus suddenly has a weird look on his face.

"Linus? You okay?" I ask, not sure if he might be sick. We were sitting under the shade of a tree at it's base, so I was sure he wouldn't get sunburned or get overheated.

"Um... Well, I heard something..." He starts.

"Huh? About what?" I ask, completely unaware what could be going on.

"...you..." He doesn't try to further his statement.

"Um... what about me?" I prod.

"Well... That you do... things... for people when you're really grateful..." He says.

"Like what?" I still don't get what he could possibly be talking about.

"Daphne..." Before I even realize what he's doing, Linus is on top of me.

"LINUS!?" As I go to push him off me, he pins my wrists down. NO! No way this is happening! Though, I would have never expected this of Linus Darwin... Still this cannot be happening!

Luckily for me, Linus has obviously never done this sort of thing before, otherwise he would have known to straddle me at my waist. Inside he was on my legs enough that I shot them up into his groin. He grunted and fell off me, holding his crotch.

"I AM NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL!" I yell, scramble to my feet, and run into the forest, since I didn't want to chance running past him towards the park and my car and him grabbing me. As I'm running into the forest, all I can think about is how I want to be in the safety of my home.

I can hear Linus yelling in the distance behind me, "I'm sorry! Cassandra said..." That's all I needed to hear, before running even harder.

Home. I want to go HOME! My brain screams. I see a fallen tree coming into my path. It wasn't very big, but enough I'd have to stop or at my current speed jump it. Since stopping wasn't an option, I jumped it and cleared it. As I go back towards the ground, when I get to the point I feel my feet should have touched the ground I look down and see that I'm falling into a huge black hole. What the-?! Where did this come from?! I couldn't see a bottom, just black nothingness. I couldn't stop the scream that breaks through my lips, and the hole is too big to try to grab the edge to keep from falling in. I'm doomed! I squeeze my eyes shut and wait to hit the ground within seconds.

As I realize I'm not hitting anything, I open my eyes and look up to see the hole either closing up after me or I'm falling so far down it's getting smaller. I squeeze my eyes shut again in fear of the impending impact. After what feels like I've been falling for minutes, I open my eyes to see that I'm sitting on the forest floor. What the heck?! When did I-?

Before I can finish the thought, I hear a twig break nearby. Linus?! I quickly crawl into a nearby bush by a tree, and wait for him to pass. I cover my mouth with my hands, afraid to make any noise. After a minute, I hear the footsteps. I watch as a cloaked and masked figure walks past me. All I have to say is that I'm glad I had my hands over my mouth, because a scream wanted to escape with I saw that the cloak was tattered and covered in blood stains, both new and old. I don't think I'm in New York anymore... Otherwise there's a killer in the park... As I wait for him to leave, he suddenly stops, and looks over his shoulder towards me. Oh no!

"Hmm... Ah, it's probably nothing!" The scary figure says lightheartedly, before he continues walking.

I stay put for a long time after I'm sure he's left, then crawl out of the bush. Just as I stand and dust myself off, the afternoon light suddenly turns into a midnight sky. What the-?! How?! Ah! Mom's gonna kill me! As I look around me, I know there's no way I can navigate this forest. So I climb up the tree, and lay down on a high branch, where I feel I should have plenty of coverage from someone seeing me from below.

I curl up on the branch and hold on tightly. Guess I'll need to wait til morning... I hope I don't fall from the tree and break my neck... I suddenly feel as if all my energy has left my body. So tired...

"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you... Welcome home..." An unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar voice says. I couldn't even distinguish if the voice was male or female. Though, at this rate, all I wanted to do was sleep. I've never felt this exhausted in all my life. I felt as though I could sleep for a hundred years and that still not be enough. Tomorrow... I'm going to figure out where I am... Because I can't shake the gut feeling telling me I'm no longer in the park...

And the time I'm sure most of you might look forward to... Questions for Dodo!

Dodo: FINALLY!

These questions are brought to you by KiwiSplash:

Farfetch'd (Dodo):

Are you just a basic figment of her imagination?

Dodo: NO! I AM A REAL PERSON! *tears up a little at this question and sniffles* … TA will explain in more detail in the last question.

How do you think Adam and Carol (almost typed Eve!) will take to you?

Dodo: They took me in to begin with. So I feel they would accept me, because I am Daphne... just the Wonderlandian version...

Are you naturally that good of a singer?

Dodo: … *Looks to TA* Do I have to answer this?

TA: Remember. You HAVE to answer every question to the best of your knowledge.

Dodo: *sighs* … No... WHICH ISN"T FAIR! I'm a bird and I can't sing! I'm like that Scuttle bird from The Little Mermaid. (And I only know that because TA lets me watch her movies and read her books, otherwise I'd be dying of boredom when I don't have questions to answer.)

Do you like green onions?

Dodo: It's a vegetable... So yes, I like it.

Heads or Tails?

Dodo: Tails.

Daphne:

Do you like the Freckle song, even if it shouldn't apply to you?

Daphne: Yes, because it's got a great message of loving who you are!

Do you think puberty will change more than your outer looks and hormones?

Daphne: What else is there to change? My personality? … Well, I went through puberty now, and I can tell you. No, puberty only changed my appearance into an older version of myself, and sadly, I am now more hormonal, but it happens to just about every girl... If anything has changed my personality (which I feel hasn't changed really) would be my parents, friends, and events in my life.

Would you breastfeed?

Daphne: Where did this come from?! I'm only 17! I don't plan on having kids for a long long long time... But when I do, yes. I took a parenting/health class that made me feel it's important to do that for a baby and our body produces it for that reason, so yeah.

Everyone:

TA: So, I learned my lesson from last time and got a hold of them all in advance, so on with the questions!

Boy child or girl child?

Vivaldi: A girl, obviously.

Peter: Girl, and I'd want her to look just like her mother! *Looks over at TA* *TA shakes her head*

Ace: Probably a boy. We could go on adventures and camping trips and all sorts of father-son stuff!

Julius: I don't intend on having children. I don't have time. And they're so noisy and messy.

TA: You're gonna break all your fangirls' hearts with an answer like that! Just choose!

Julius: *sighs* Fine... Girl... Only because they're not as much a pain as boys.

Blood: Hmm... I suppose a boy... though I think I would be fine with a girl, too.

Elliot: I feel the same as Blood.

Pierce: Ohh! I'd want a little girl! She'd be sooo cute, chu~!

Dee & Dum: Boy.

Boris: Hmm. Probably boy.

Gowland: *Scratches his chin in thought* If I had to choose... I think I'd go with boy.

Nightmare: I just want them to be healthy so I'd never have to take them to the hospital. *Shivers at the thought* I'm fine with either.

Gray: Girl.

Black Joker: Boy.

White Joker: I don't know. I think a girl would be a nice change for us.

Jericho: Eh... I guess a boy.

Tic-tac-toe or Connect-4?

(After showing them how to play Tic-tac-toe & Connect 4)

Vivaldi: The game called Connect 4.

Peter: I suppose Connect 4.

Ace: Tic-tac-toe.

Julius: *Sighs* If I have to choose... Connect 4.

Blood: Connect 4.

Elliot: Connect 4.

Pierce: Um... Tic-tac-toe...

Dee & Dum: As long as it's a game, we'll play both!

Boris: I feel the same as the twins.

Gowland: Connect 4.

Nightmare: Connect 4.

Gray: Tic-tac-toe.

Black Joker: Tic-tac-toe.

White Joker: Connect 4.

Jericho: Tic-tac-toe.

Can I think of Pokemon names for all of you (excluding Daphne and Dodo, who are Farfetch'd, and Adam and Carol, who are Adam and Eve)?

TA: I'm taking my power as the author to say: go for it! Then they can decide once they know their name. (Because I really want to see what you come up with. *smiles and winks*)

Several: But-

TA: *silences them with a glare*

Adam and Carol:

Carol, can I call ya' Eve?

Carol: I had a feeling this was coming. Sure, sweetie, if you really want to. *smiles*

Would you ever adopt boys that will try and kill the other?

Carol: *looks to Adam* I'll take this one... *turns to you* um... This is difficult. Maybe? ... Probably, because I'd feel like we could help them.

Do you like apples?

*Carol and Adam look at each other, then back to you* Both: Yeah.

How do you feel about Alice in Wonderland?

Carol: Book questions are mine! *getting really excited* I love it! My father was an English professor/ writer, and he was obsessed with Lewis Carroll's works. Which is why my name is Carol; my mother made him agree to spell it the normal, girl way, otherwise my name would have been spelled Carroll; which would have been cooler. Also, I read Alice in Wonderland to Daphne a lot as a bedtime story, and she even had several Wonderland themed birthdays!

Have you read the Looking Glass Wars?

Carol: No, I haven't. But I'll definitely read it when I get the chance!

Author-sama: TA: I like the sound of this name/title...

Is everyone in your story going to have amnesia?

TA: Well, the only character with actual amnesia is Daphne, and even then it's a technicality. The Role-holders just took the Clover medicine (unknowingly) to ease the pain their memories of Dodo would cause. But by the time Daphne gets to Wonderland, their memory of Dodo is the equivalent of a dream, that she'll slowly remind them of. Though Nightmare still remembers her perfectly fine.

After Daphne leaves, will the grownups remember her?

TA: Are you talking about Carol and Adam when referring to grownups? If so, yes. She's their daughter, of course they'll remember her. If you're referring to the Role-holders, I answered that in the one before this.

Would you put the drunk mom in the Looney Bin?

TA: No. She isn't crazy, just a person with bad judgment. So she'll probably be going to prison for who knows exactly how long... that's a question for the judge of her case... who I don't know.

And, is it just me or is it freaky that Daphne looks like a dead girl?

TA: It's not freaky to me because I know exactly what's going on, but I'm sure some other readers will agree with you. I was hoping for someone to ask something like this so I could explain. So, what exactly is going on... If you've ever seen Doctor Who, there's an episode where he locks his 'Time Lordiness' in a pocket watch (this is part of what inspired my idea). Which was something that I thought was really cool, especially when in Wonderland, their clocks are their hearts and when they die, that's all that's left. So to me, taking that away, like Adam did to Daphne with the transplant, he's taken her Wonderlandian self/essence (Dodo) away, which causes her to forget everything concerning Wonderland. Then having a human heart now pumping her blood and keeping her alive, that DNA of the heart (the dead girl, Ophelia) transfused with her, and made her into a human. And since the heart is what is used for her human DNA, it's the reason why she looks a lot like Ophelia. So, with no memories of her life in Wonderland left, the little remaining power Daphne possessed created her fake memories from what it could get from Ophelia's heart. So hopefully that clears things up a little or it might have further confused you, if so, just go with it and try not to think too hard about it.

So that's it for now. Questions for Dodo will always be accepted through reviews or PMs. And they'll have to answer anything.

So to recap:

Daphne's back in Wonderland! I said she'd be back soon. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Daphne saw Ace first, but who would you like to see her and interact with her first? I'd love to know who you'd like to see her first!^^

Oh! As far as poll results went... in case you might be wondering... Only one person voted, and I let them choose three... So I have a three way tie. Would you like me to reopen the poll for more people to vote? Or you could mention it in a review/PM who you'd like to see Daphne end up with. Let me know, I'm pretty flexible about that.

So until next time! ;)