Maybe I had been too harsh on Elliot.

The thought crossed my mind as I was browsing some books in a cute little store in town. I let out a depressed sigh and shoved the recipe book for cakes back in the slot where it came from. I thinking about buying it when I came across a page on how to make a ice cream carrot cake. Elliot's face popped into my head and suddenly the book was dead to me.

Elliot and I hadn't spoken since the Jonathan incident. Mostly because we had nothing to say to eachother. Elliot had threatened the one person who was most important to me and I didn't know if I could ever forgive him for that. Even though I didn't love him anymore, the time I spent with Jonathan would always mean something special to me.

I paid for the books I had picked out and left the store, hugging the paper bag close to my chest. Blood had sent me into town to buy him somethings he needed and specific books for his collection were the first on the list. Second on the list was - you guessed it - tea. Third was office supplies and other nessecary things to do paperwork.

I was too busy looking down at the paper in my hands to watch where I was going, so when someone's shoulder jammed into my chest, I went flying backwards. I landed on my bum in the most unflattering way and Blood's books escaped the bag and scattered all over the ground.

I don't know what happened, but just like that, I was pissed. Really pissed. I wanted to beat the crap out of the guy who made me fall.

"What the bloody hell is your problem?!" I yelled.

"Eh? Oh, sorry 'bout that- Hey! It's you again!"

I looked up and my heart skipped a beat. Ace!

The Knight of Hearts stood over me, hands on his hips and that carefree smile on his face even though he had tripped me and made me drop all my stuff. "What a considence seeing you here, Miss. You need some help?"

Without waiting for my answer, Ace grabbed my wrist and hauled me off the ground. He pulled with a bit too much force and I crashed into him. He let out an 'oof' of suprise but didn't move an inch. I pulled away from him and stood several feet away, a blush making me turn red all the way down my neck.

I must have the worst luck in the world, I thought, glancing back at him. I was feeling really sad about Elliot and what happened earlier and I just had to run into the cause of it all. This is so typical.

Ace noticed my staring and asked, "Something on my face, Miss?"

"Ah, no, sorry." I rubbed my upper arm. Come to think of it, the last time I was with Ace, I had run away from him. I should apologize. "Hey, Ace, I'm...sorry that our first meeting didn't go too well."

"Eh? Oh, that. I thought you ran away 'cause you didn't like me."

"I'm really sorry about that!"

"Ha, ha, don't worry about it. But why'd you run away in the first place?"

I pondered his question for a long time before I answered, "I don't know how to put this, but you look a lot like somebody I used to know. Like you could be his clone or something. I thought you were him when I first saw you and I was really happy. I was so upset when I found out you were somebody else, I ran away. Again, I'm sorry. It was really rude of me."

He stared at me and I jumped. His dark brown eyes looked...dead. I imagined those eyes boring through my skin, seeing the blood pump through my veins and my heart that was beating painfully against my ribs. I saw him dip his hand in my blood, clutching my heart as it slowly stopped beating... I gave my innerself a little slap. This wasn't the time for my over-active imagination!

"So I look like your friend, do I? What's he like?"

"Well...He was really kind. Guys our age normally hated girls, but he didn't. He was more of a brother to me than my actual ones were. More than anyone else, he'd always been there for me when I needed help. He always understood what I was feeling even when I couldn't express it. I knew I could always depend on him-"

"If he's so great, then why do you look sound so lonely?"

I stopped talking adruptly at this random outburst. Ace was still being all chipper, but I could tell he was serious. "He...He had to move away about a year ago," I said slowly, choosing my words carefully. "I still miss him a lot sometimes. I guess that's why I'm lonely."

Ace looked thoughtful. "So you were freaked out when you first met me cuz I look like your friend." You don't say! "I guess I'd kinda react the same way. I forgive you!" He reached over and rubbed the top of my head. For some reason, I felt like a kid again.

"Why're you petting me, I'm not a dog."

"It's a comforting gesture. Appreciate it."

Suddenly, the sky above us turned dark and the street lamps flickered on, illuminating us in pale light. Nighttime! I have to get back home! Grateful for the excuse, I pulled away from his hand and said, "Well, I have to leave now. Goodbye, Ace!"

"You want me to walk you back?" Ace asked, coming up behind me and holding his arm out to me. "You never know, some creep might be hanging around, so how 'bout it?"

It's more like the creep is standing right next to me. But I was already rude to him once... "Alright, walk me home, Sir Knight." I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and we took off...

...towards the Amusement Park.

Extended Ending

"Ace, where do you think you're going? This path leads straight to the Hatter's! Can't you follow a freaking road?!"

"Huh? But I'm sure there was a shortcut that'd get us there in no time right over-"

"I'm telling you, there isn't! Just follow me! And don't wander off!"

"Ha, ha, ha. You're too kind, Sabrina!"

"...What the hell are you on?"