Hey there! Okay so I've been doing an awful job at updating. I'm really sorry about that *bows to you all* I've gotten lazy these days. x_x;; Gotta step it up! Especially since it's Spring Break!

Disclaimer: I do not, have not ever, will not ever own Joker/Clover/Heart no Kuni no Alice. But Alex, Aura, Aswal, and cloak ppl are mine. :3

"When the day turns into night,

Mortals weep. They run in fright.

With fear comes man's abomination,

For she shall rise with great temptation.

Darkness looms around the Earth.

Hearts betray for trust is lost.

The time has come for man's extinction,

Says the seer of divination.

A sacrifice will set man free

Lies are spread to keep them safe.

But only when the truth does rise,

The greatest horror shall arise."

-CHAPTER 14-

-WHY?-

I rubbed my sleepy eyes as I sat down in the chair before me. I had woken up from a very good nap but still felt tired.

"Ace tells me you tried to commit suicide," said Julius as he worked diligently on the broken clocks.

After several time periods, Ace and I had finally reached the clock tower. Once Julius saw my red eyes, he immediately sent me to bed. I really was grateful to the man for being so caring. I honestly thought he was heartless when we had first met, but now I was glad I was wrong.

"Yeah… It wasn't on purpose though. I honestly have no idea what happened," I said while looking down at my lap.

"Don't you remember anything?"

"No. I just remember everyone talking about the upcoming ball. They were all so excited. And then-"

I was suddenly interrupted by the sound of laughter from behind. I quickly turn to see nobody there.

Julius raised a brow at this.

"Alex?"

"D-do you hear that?" I ask him while slowly turning to look at the man with fear in my eyes.

"Hear what?" asked Julius, confused as to what was going on.

*giggles*

The sound was getting closer.

I quickly stood and took a few steps away from it.

"Julius," I said while shaking. Voices whispered in my head.

"What is it?"

The voices were starting to get louder.

"Something's wrong… There's something wrong with me," I said while scanning the room for signs of anyone but Julius and myself.

"Alex, what is it?" Julius asked while standing up and walked towards me.

Something strange was definitely happening. The room looked like it was merging with another. Julius looked almost transparent.

Alex…

Come here, Alex.

"W-what?" I asked while looking around. I was standing on top of what appeared to be a red, magic circle. Men in cloaks surrounded me, all bowing down. All appeared to be praying, but for what I did not know.

"Alex," whispered a familiar voice from behind.

I turned around to see the owner of the voice. I shook in fear at the sight before me.

"A-A… A… A… A-Au… ra…?"

I took a few steps back, tripping over nothing and falling to the floor.

Before me, Aura stood. Where her eyes should be were now black holes with blood dripping out.

Come home, Alex.

Aura walked towards me while holding out her hand. I crawled backwards, not wanting to be near her. I was too afraid to even touch her.

My sister tilted her head to the side and smiled.

Going to the other side?

*giggles*

Unable to speak, I could only stare as tears fell from my eyes.

What happened to her?

What happened to my sister?

Don't think you can hide forever my dear. I know where you are.

Suddenly a pair of strong hands grabbed me from behind and pulled me back away from my sister and the men in cloaks.

Julius and I fell on the floor, me wrapped within the safety of his arms.

"Alex! Alex, are you alright?" Julius asked while sitting us both up and looking me in the eyes. This was the first time I've ever seen him so worried.

"Alex!"

I cried uncontrollably.

"My sister," I said between sobs.

"Is that who she was?"

"Y-you saw?"

Julius nodded.

"You looked as if you were fading away. Then that strange girl appeared. She isn't a faceless, but her eyes were missing."

I tried my best to stop crying.

Just what happened to Aura?

Julius paused for a bit before speaking.

"I only saw you and the girl, but it looks like you saw more than that. Mind explaining what happened."

I did my best to explain everything that happened, hoping Julius would come up with some idea as to what was going on.

"Hmm. It looks like she's trying to pull you back into your world," Julius said while taking a sip of his coffee.

I stayed silent while staring down at my tea.

"If it ever happens again, don't ever go. You have to stay away from her and that place no matter what," Julius said sternly.

"Huh?" I asked while looking up at him.

"You said so yourself that your sister looked completely different. She isn't the same person that you knew, and something about her is wrong. And there's also the fact that her eyes are missing."

"But what if she just wants me to save her?" Now that I was calming down, my brain was actually starting to work.

"I doubt it," said Julius as he walked up and sat beside me. "Everyone here in Wonderland is insane, so I know what I'm talking about. I could feel it. Not only is that girl insane, but there's something sinister about her."

"Okay."

Julius wouldn't lie to me about something like this. He didn't seem like the type at all. So I would just have to trust him.

"Now drink your tea and get some rest. I bought it for you since you hate the taste of coffee," Julius said while standing up and headed to his desk.

After finishing the tea, I slipped into the bed. Sleep really would be wonderful right about now.

"Alex," said Julius as he worked on the clocks.

"Hm?"

"If you run into trouble just come to me. I'll protect you."

"Thank you," I said with a smile as I drifted off to sleep. That was the first time somebody ever said something like that to me. It made me so happy.

Please R&R! I love you guys! See you soon *hearts*