Cup of Violet Tea: Some last minute emergencies like that might happen, although we all know that the bracelet works independently. To Bayview they go!

MagicxMusicxMelody: I guess you'll be keeping track of word choice then! They could be the same person, but Alice isn't aware of it at this point.

InnocentDiamond: Marucho, mainly, is Julie "teacher." Kato's just the best butler ever. I left the introductions out for a reason. I don't know, salt-/freshwater never occurred to me.

Cherry-Tree: You're right about Julie needing the other ticket; I'll explain why. He may "hate" Julie more, but there's more to it.

RosesOfTruth: For certain, Alice's will not die yet! (explained later) Technically, they're all changing the past, which changes the future.

Skyress8619: For us, we can go to any classroom during lunch because everyone's on break, so I went to the computer lab. I don't know about Shun having ninja skills yet.

SSR: I completely forgot that we had early dismissal today! So my Thanksgiving break started couple hours ago. No school from tomorrow (Wednesday) all the way to Sunday!

Runo: (thermometer in hand) Turkey looks ready!

Marucho: Cooking turkey already?

Dan: I can't find the chef's knife.

SSR: Did one of you dump it in the sink full of water again?!

Everyone: (silence)

SSR: I thought so. (rolls sleeves) Step aside!

Chapter Nine

Supposed Danger

...

...

"Quick! We need to take the next ferry that goes to Bayview!"

Shun ran over to the gates and watched Alice's ferryboat drive away while the second ferryboat that blew its horn drove by. "Shun, are you sure we should go to Bayview? You're not familiar with that place."

"I've been their once or twice, but that's not what I'm worried about. Alice said the ferryboats take a long time to get to Bayview. What if the guy that attacked you decides to assault Alice during this time period? Everything will be over."

"No, it won't." Julie pointed her finger on the side of her head. "Otherwise, that hit and run wouldn't have killed her."

Even those weren't the most comfortable words to say, this was the truth. "And I suppose that means I'll have to do something that will prevent him from killing her?"

"He might not even kill her at all! Let me explain to you. That guy said that I shouldn't be here, and neither should you, but he said nothing about Alice. It could be implied that he'll hurt Alice to tell us to get out." She looked at the flashing digital clock above the ticket seller. "You have one minute."

"So let's go." Once the second returning ferryboat docked, Shun lined up at the gate with Julie and waited until every passenger got off. "Wait. Can't you just magically teleport us to Bayview?"

"I can't, not after that scary encounter with my attacker. Wasted too much of my energy defending myself. Fear actually drains my powers, you know."

Shun stared at the two tickets in his hand. "Luckily, Alice gave me two tickets. How coincidental..."

"I say, it was deliberate." Before the harbor employee could let Shun and the others onto the ferryboat, more green frogs hopped out from nowhere into the bay. "Not again."

"Ah! I hate frogs!" screamed a passenger.

"Where did they come from?"

"This had better not delay my ride."

Shun looked around and clenched his tickets tightly. "And I thought it was just an illusion that only we saw. Other civilians can also see the frogs, but they're practically harmless."

"And you might want to see what Alice is doing with one."

On the first ferryboat that just left, Alice was now standing on the back deck, holding a frog that just jumped into her hand. She pet the frog on the back and then lowered her head. After that, Alice held her hands out and sent the frog into the water. "Did she just kiss that frog?" Shun asked.

"Not like it'll turn into a prince. It looked like she was whispering something. Did you notice that this frog was slightly brighter and greener than all the others?"

"I did." Now the harbor employee let passengers on the second ferryboat after examining tickets. "Come on. I haven't been to Bayview in a long time."

"More like you haven't been to Bayview at all, based on current time."

...

...

"Walk forward until you see the stop sign. Then, make a left turn into the street with all the lanterns. The house you're looking for is the only one with blue lanterns."

"That sounds easy. Thank you!"

Alice greeted an elderly man goodbye after the woman gave Alice directions to her destination. She did what the man said and eventually walked into a street full of with hanging lanterns. At the very end of the street was a corner house hanging blue lanterns. I hope she won't mind.

She walked up to the house and knocked on the door seven times. A while later, someone walked downstairs and opened the door. An elderly woman dressed in housekeeper attire greeted Alice with an accent. "Hello. May I help you?"

Alice bowed and asked, "Is-"

"Guanjia, shi shei ah?" yelled a girl from upstairs. She ran quickly down the stairs but slowed down upon seeing Alice. "Alice..."

"Chan! Long time no see!" The two girls embraced tightly and then let go. "I didn't expect to find you this easily."

"Xiaojie, ni renshi ta?" the housekeeper asked.

"Ta shi wo de pengyou. Ni xian zou ba." Chan replied. "You came from Wardington?"

"By ferry. It was a pretty long ride. Are you busy?"

"Nope. Why?"

Alice opened her bag for Chan to see. "I brought a lot of food with me. Maybe we can walk around Bayview and talk?"

"Great idea! I was getting bored anyway. Let me change my clothes and shoes. I have stuff to show you, too. Come inside for some tea. Guanjia! Dao bei cha gei ta!"

Alice entered the living room and sat by the coffee table. The housekeeper handed her a cup of hot tea. "Thanks!" Alice reach for the cup and drank slowly. Maybe what he said really will come true. Alice pulled the cup away for the tea leaves to settle down. From the remaining tea, she could see her own reflection. Wonder what he'll do with those tickets...

In the blink of an eye, her reflection in the tea disappeared, replaced by the complexion of a man donning a mask.

Not again...

After tilting his mouth into a smirk, his face disappeared. Chan ran downstairs and yelled, "All done! Let's go!"

"Right behind you." Alice drank the rest of the tea, leaves and all, and gently slammed the cup onto the coffee table.

...

...

"Yes, I have. She asked me for directions to the Lee residence. It's the house down the street with the blue lanterns."

"Thank you, sire. Have a nice day."

Shun greeted goodbye to the same elderly man who gave Alice directions. "Should we go to the Lee residence together or split up?"

"And if we're to split up, where would we meet?"

"That mushroom kiddie fountain over there." Oddly enough, someone actually built what looked like a marble fountain in the shape of a typical mushroom. Water spouted from the rim of the mushroom cap like how rain trickled off an umbrella. "Should be very easy to find and notice."

"Good choice. I'll check out the house first while you look around." After Julie nodded her head and turned around, Shun called out to her again. "Julie, wait. I thought Alice wouldn't be able to see you. And what if we get lost?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm the one who needs to talk to her. Carry the bracelet with you, and I should be able to track where you are. Leaving now!"

Once Julie was gone, Shun ran down to the house with the blue lanterns and knocked on the door. The housekeeper opened the door and greeting him. "How may I help you?"

"Hi. Did Alice come by earlier?"

"Alice? I don't know any Alice."

Right. Not everyone here know Alice's name. "Sorry. Did a redhead girl come by earlier?"

"Yes, a girl like that came by. Chan left with her about half an hour ago. Don't know where."

"Oh. Thanks anyway." So much for that. Even if Alice was here, it'd be rude to ask like that. Since neither one knew where Alice went, Shun walked back to the fountain. What was I thinking? Alice's here in the first place was for a getaway. Visiting Chan wasn't quite on her agenda.

Back at the fountain, Shun found a shiny copper penny with heads up on the ground. "How lucky." He picked it up and threw it into the fountain. "I wish-"

He was interrupted by the sight of the same person who Julie said was her attacker appearing in the pool of fountain water, but it disappeared once the penny hit the water. "Why does this keep happening? Anyway, I wish I could find Alice so I can tell her she's in danger."

"What danger am I in?"

Shun dropped the coin upon hearing the surprise voice.

*: Housekeeper, who is it?

**: Mistress (Chan), you know her?

***: She's my friend. You go on first.

****: Housekeeper! Pour a cup of tea for her!

SSR: The Chinese was a bit random since I brought Chan in here. Translations listed above. For Chinese speakers out there - how did I do?

Runo: Five days of no school sounds long. Any plans other than homework?

SSR: I'm fully prepared for the incoming food and shopping spree. Bring it on!

Julie: Girl power!

Marucho: Thanksgiving and girl power have nothing in common...

SSR: As much as I like girl power, I have to agree with Marucho's statement. Regardless of if you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, at least be thankful for every person you care about. Gratitude is what makes the world a better place. :')

Everyone: Happy Thanksgiving! R&R!