Sorry this took so long, had to put my time on my other story which I greatly enjoyed making. I will try to balance out the publication dates, since I already laid out the groundwork for this story's trajectory.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, this should've been the last chapter, but I felt like laying out the stepping stones before resulting in this chaotic mess of a sleepover.
H: You are fools to ever think that I will be left in the dust!
He was supposed to be resting, recovering his strength, refueling the fire that raged within him. Yet here he was, in the middle of a… party?
These mortals, these plebeians, treated him like an inconvenience. Their glances were brief but sharp, as if his mere presence disturbed their fun. He didn't even want to be here. But the thought of voicing his grievances was pointless. The humans mingled around him, keeping their distance while still watching him, as if he were a dangerous creature in their midst.
"So, don't forget to calculate the velocity of happy thoughts when mixing in fairy dust. It'll make solving for hex squared much easier," Briar explained, her voice animated as she held her audience captive. "Although, whatever you do, don't confuse grounded dragon scales with doom bloom powder. Trust me, you don't want to see what happens next." She chuckled, but even in the laughter, the group's eyes flickered back to Haze with unease.
The idea of a "study party" was spellbinding in theory, but the tension in the room was palpable. Friends exchanged notes, sharing knowledge with one another to help them learn faster, but the atmosphere felt tight, like a rubber band stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.
"Any questions?" Briar asked brightly, her eyes scanning the room.
Hunter raised his hand, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Uh, yeah… Can we turn Haze around to face the wall? I don't like the way he's staring at me."
I will end you for that, mortal!
"Hunter!" Raven snapped, her voice laced with disapproval, though her own discomfort mirrored his.
"What? Can you blame me?" Hunter shuddered. "Just look at him. I'm already creeped out having him in the same room as us. The least we can do is have him face the other way."
"As much as I agree with you, that's not exactly a noble approach," Daring said, rising from his seat. He grabbed a blanket and unceremoniously draped it over Haze's head.
"Daring!" Cupid exclaimed, rushing over to pull the cloth off. "That was so mean!"
"Well, hexcuse me," Daring retorted with a smirk, "but after everything Haze has done, I'm pretty sure I'm in the right."
"Just because you are, doesn't mean you should," Cupid shot back. "He's still a student, like us. We should treat him with the same respect we'd show our friends."
"Seriously?" Hunter scoffed. "I'm all for second chances, but never in a lifetime will I call Haze my friend. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even want friends." His voice softened as Ashlynn tugged at his sleeve, silently begging him to back down.
"Did he?" Raven suddenly said, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"What do you mean, friend Raven?" Apple asked, her perfect face full of concern.
"We were all there, weren't we?" Blondie chimed in. "We all witnessed first hand what he did to us… right?
"But did we really?" Cedar added. "I mean, other people have been telling me that none of the stuff Haze did yesterday ever after happened at all. Mama Goose says that it was probably just a figment of our imaginations due to how traumatized we were about him."
"Same thing on our end." Hunter spoke for himself and Ashlynn. "People have been saying that we were delusional, some just outright said that we're crazy."
"I don't want to doubt our memories of what happened that horrid day, but everyone I know tells me a different story. Which makes me wonder what's truly real and what was only dreamt." Ashlynn said, dragging the mood down with her.
"Okay, enough of this depressing talk, it's killing the good vibes," Briar interjected, waving her hands in the air. "Let's wrap up the study session and get this party started!" She lit sparklers, and the tension broke as laughter and cheers filled the room. The group quickly forgot the awkwardness as they threw themselves into the celebration. Blondie connected her MirrorPhone to the speaker, and Raven cast a soundproof barrier around the room so they wouldn't get into trouble.
Music blared, vibrating through the walls as arms shot into the air, everyone losing themselves in the moment. "This is totally wicked!" Cedar shouted over the booming bass.
"I know, right?" Raven tried to respond, but her voice was drowned out by the beat of One Reflection's latest hit.
Teens danced and laughed, some playing games while others twirled under the kaleidoscope of lights. Even Apple, ever the composed princess, let loose, blowing a party horn and giggling with her friends. It was chaos — joyful, vibrant, infectious chaos.
And yet, in the middle of it all, Haze remained motionless, a solitary figure in the sea of movement. He was a statue, frozen in place, a marionette whose strings had been severed. Cupid hovered near him, gently leading him to one of the couches so he wouldn't be in the way.
"Cupid! What's the hold-up? Come dance!" Dexter called out, wobbling over with a cup of Yo-curd, his movements awkward but endearing.
Cupid glanced at Haze, uncertainty in her eyes. "I don't know. I don't want to leave him like this. What if something happens?"
Dexter raised an eyebrow. "What, to him? Or to us?" He chuckled. "Relax, it's Haze. As much as he's made enemies, I doubt anyone's gonna mess with him. His flames aren't something to take lightly. I'm still recovering from a sunburn in places I didn't even know could burn."
Cupid let out a small laugh, her tension easing. He had a point. There wasn't much in Ever After that could threaten Haze. Maybe, just for tonight, she could let herself have fun.
"Alright, you convinced me," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the dance floor.
The music pumped louder, and the teens partied harder. Haze's eyes, though glazed over, took in the scene. They were happy. Too happy. His chest burned with rage as he watched them dance, laugh, and sing, ignoring his very existence.
How dare they.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted Hunter and Daring in the middle of a drinking contest, Dr. Peter Pepper cans littering the floor. Hunter let out a victorious cheer as Daring collapsed in defeat. Haze's gaze moved to Apple, giggling uncontrollably as Raven helped her sober up. Briar, too exhausted from her earlier antics, was already curled up on one of the sofas, fast asleep. Dexter and Cupid twirled in the center, oblivious to everything but each other.
Haze seethed. They shouldn't be allowed to enjoy themselves. Not with him here. They should be trembling in fear, bowing at his feet, not reveling in their frivolous little lives.
But he was powerless. His strength had long since left him, leaving him paralyzed, forced to endure hours of laughter and joy, things he no longer understood or desired.
Just end my suffering already.
But fate, ever cruel, wasn't done with him yet. As Hunter celebrated his victory over Daring, he lost his grip on his soda can. It flew through the air in a slow-motion arc before landing with a wet thud right on Haze's head as the liquid dripped down his face.
The music screeched to a halt. The room fell deathly silent as all eyes turned to the drenched figure in the center. Haze's eyes snapped open, no longer vacant but burning with fury.
Hunter winced, his face pale. "Oops… my bad."
Haze's gaze pierced through the crowd, his anger palpable. Everyone held their breath, the joy of the evening evaporating in an instant.
"Way to hex it, Hunter," someone whispered.
""You dare…" Haze's voice slithered out, cryptic and chilling, dripping with malice as he slowly lifted his head. His golden eyes glowed faintly beneath a shroud of dark hair, the threat behind them palpable. The air itself seemed to freeze as he locked eyes with the group.
"You dare!" His voice erupted, echoing like a thunderclap in the room, and in an instant, flames exploded from his body, swirling around him like a living inferno. The fire mirrored the fury that consumed him from within, dancing wildly, scorching everything in its path.
The teens reacted instinctively, their bodies moving before their minds could catch up. Weapons were drawn, spells prepared, hearts hammering with fear. Raven, her voice unsteady but determined, stepped forward, summoning a dark protective barrier around her friends. "Haze, stop! You don't want to do this!" Her words carried a desperate plea, but even she knew it was hopeless.
A wicked grin curled on Haze's lips as he stood to his full, terrifying height, his presence filling the room with dread. "Oh, trust me," he hissed through gritted teeth, his tone seething with malevolence, "I do." The fire surrounding him crackled louder, growing more intense as his rage deepened.
He cast a dark, disdainful glance at each of them, his eyes filled with contempt. "Once I'm through with you peasants," he spat, voice trembling with venom, "you'll have nightmares for the rest of your worthless, miserable lives!" His voice broke into an animalistic scream of fury, fire roaring in response. He stepped forward, his entire body vibrating with murderous intent.
But before he could take another step, he stopped. Something was wrong.
Haze blinked, his fury momentarily interrupted by a sharp, stinging sensation. Slowly, he looked down, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. An arrow. A single arrow was lodged deep in his chest, right where his heart should be.
The room seemed to gasp in unison, shocked silence enveloping the group. All eyes turned to Cupid, standing at the back with her bow still drawn, the bowstring quivering from the force of her shot. Her normally gentle face was taut with tension, her fingers gripping the weapon as if it were her lifeline.
Haze stared at the arrow for a moment longer, his initial surprise quickly dissolving into something far more sinister. A low, menacing chuckle bubbled from his throat, building into a full-blown laugh, deep and ominous. "I never knew you had it in you," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. The eerie amusement in his tone sent chills through the room.
With a single, fluid motion, he yanked the arrow from his chest, as if it were nothing more than an annoyance. "But if you think that a single measley arrow is enough to stop me, then you are sorely mista—"
Before he could finish, a hail of arrows cut him off. Cupid released shot after shot, each one striking the same spot with unnerving precision. Haze staggered backward, the force of the attack overwhelming even him. His expression faltered, his confidence slipping. His knees buckled, and with a final, hollow thud, he collapsed to the ground. His once fierce eyes went blank, staring up at the ceiling, unseeing.
"Cupid… you didn't…" Raven's voice was barely a whisper, her disbelief hanging in the air. She watched in stunned silence as Cupid, trembling and out of breath, wiped the sweat from her brow, her wings drooping from the exertion.
Apple, paler than a ghost, gasped audibly, her hands shaking as she stared at the fallen figure of Haze. He looked lifeless, his monstrous power snuffed out in a matter of seconds.
Cupid, her chest heaving, finally lowered her bow. Her eyes were steady, though a flicker of guilt passed through them. "I made a promise," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "I promised he wouldn't hurt you guys again, and I'm not planning on breaking it anytime soon."
"But we didn't hexpect you to straight up kill him!" Raven's voice broke as she stared at her friend in disbelief, the reality of what had just transpired crashing down on her.
"Oh, Godmother, no!" Cupid gasped, her eyes widening in horror. "I would never do that!"
Raven gesture wildly at Haze's prone form, her panic rising. "You just shot him with a bunch of arrows! What do you mean you wouldn't do that?! Have you completely lost it?!"
Cupid quickly fumbled for an explanation, grabbing one of the arrows from her quiver and holding it up. The heart-shaped tip gleamed softly in the dim light, its golden hue casting a strange warmth over the room. "These are my specially designed love arrows!" she said hurriedly. "They don't actually hurt anyone."
"Love arrows?" Hunter echoed incredulously, his eyes narrowing. "You call that love?"
Cupid nodded, her hands shaking slightly. "They're meant to inflict feelings of love. I shot a few at Haze to… well, calm him down."
"A few?" Hunter snorted, eyeing the dissolving sparkles where the arrows had been. "Looked like a whole quiver to me."
Ashlynn bit her lip, glancing nervously between Haze and Cupid. "I agree with Hunter. Wasn't that a bit… hexcessive?"
"I think it was long overdue, honestly," Daring chimed in, crossing his arms with a satisfied smirk. "About time someone took him down a notch."
Cupid held up her hands defensively. "Please don't worry. The arrows should take effect soon, and hopefully, he'll… mellow out."
Blondie stepped forward, her face pinched with confusion. "But if you had these arrows all along, why didn't you use them sooner? You know, before he tried to kill us?"
Cupid sighed, her expression softening with regret. "I didn't want to. It's wrong to force someone's emotions. Love is powerful magic… you shouldn't mess with it unless you absolutely have to."
Apple, ever the pragmatist, raised her hand tentatively. "Wait a spell, so… when he wakes up, is he going to, like, fall in love with whoever he sees at first sight?" She took a cautious step back, and the rest of the group followed suit, not eager to test the theory.
"Oh no, nothing like that!" Cupid shook her head quickly. "These arrows are different. I had a friend help me make them. They're designed to inspire different types of love." She pulled a rainbow of arrows from her quiver, each tip glowing a different color. "Red is for true love, orange for admiration, and yellow — for friendship."
"Friendship?" Cedar repeated, incredulous.
"Yes, friendship!" Cupid confirmed, her face lighting up. "That's what I shot him with. Hopefully, once he wakes up, he'll understand what it's like to care about someone."
"And how long does it usually last?" Dexter questioned, still unsure.
"Well, one arrow is usually enough to affect a normal person for a few hours at most. However, factoring in how much I shot Haze with and what type of person he is. I say that we don't really have that long before they expire." Cupid explained.
"And do you think it's safe to be around Haze once he figures out what you did to him?" Daring prodded, "For all we know, he could skin us alive for even entertaining the thought of messing with his emotions, much less shooting a bunch of arrows into his chest!"
"Yeah, I'm kinda with Daring on this one. I say we lock him up while we still can and pray to Godmother for the best." Cedar chimed.
"Cedar!" Raven reprimanded her friend.
"What? I'm just saying." Cedar retorted as she rubbed her wooden arms.
"Still! Maybe we can use this chance to learn more about Haze? You know, while he's still drunk on friendship?" Raven added.
"Raven, it's impolite to pry into other people's privacy. Villain or not, we need to be understanding of Haze's circumstances. No matter how curious we are of what he's hiding." Apple said, perfectly as Raven deadpanned at the fairest of them all.
Before they could ask any more questions, a low groan echoed from the ground. All eyes snapped back to Haze, who was slowly pushing himself up, dusting off his clothes as if nothing had happened. His eyes were shadowed, his expression unreadable as he took a step toward them. Instinctively, they backed away, their backs pressed against the wall.
They had made a grave mistake — they had forgotten about Briar.
"Briar!" Apple hissed, panic rising. "She's still—"
"Shh!" Raven whispered urgently. But it was too late. Briar stirred, her long nap interrupted by the commotion. With a yawn, she rubbed her eyes and blinked lazily.
"Did I miss something?" she asked groggily, her voice soft and oblivious. As her eyes adjusted, they landed on Haze, towering above her. Her breath hitched, and she froze, lips quivering. Her crown glasses teetered before falling to her lap.
But instead of the nightmare she expected, Haze's face softened. The dark, menacing aura that had surrounded him lifted, replaced by something unexpected — a warm, genuine smile. His sharp, predatory grin transformed into something gentle, even kind.
"Oh, careful there," Haze said softly, bending down to pick up Briar's fallen glasses. He placed them back on her head with a delicate touch. "Wouldn't want to ruin your beauty with misplaced glasses, now would we?" His voice was light, teasing, completely unlike the Haze they all knew.
The room went silent, jaws dropped, minds scrambling to comprehend what had just happened. None of it made sense.
Briar blinked, utterly bewildered. Slowly, she let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, I get it. I must still be dreaming. That's the only thing that makes sense." She smiled dreamily, convinced she was still asleep.
"Well, dream or not," she added, standing up with newfound bravery, "I'm not going to waste this opportunity."
Briar readied her MirrorPhone, excitement and disbelief bubbling inside her as she posed beside Haze. She snapped photo after photo, tilting her head just so, her lips pursed in a way she had perfected long ago. The camera's flash felt like starlight, eternal and unending. In a bold, almost reckless move, she pressed her cheek against Haze's and winked at the camera, her heart pounding as she captured the moment.
But she wasn't worried. Not one bit. None of this felt real. The dreamlike haze hanging over the scene convinced her that she could do whatever she wanted—no consequences, no regrets. "You're a horrible person," Briar said with a teasing smile as she saved the photos, "but you do have a very handsome face. At least when you're not trying to kill me or my friends."
Haze's expression softened with an unexpected tenderness. "Yeah... sorry about that," he replied, the sincerity in his voice catching her off guard. "I was a horrible person, to my friends, to everyone. But if you'd let me, I can make it up to you. To all of you. Starting now."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Her friends were frozen, their jaws slack, their eyes wide with disbelief at the sheer impossibility of what was happening. Briar looked around at their shocked faces, a chuckle slipping past her lips. "Aw, that's adorable. Shame you're only saying this in my dream," she said, her tone dripping with amusement.
Haze smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from him that made her pulse slow, her tension melting away. "Whatever you say, Briar," he replied softly. "I just want to see my friends happy."
Only now did Briar notice her friends — pressed against the walls, their eyes wide and bodies tense, as if they were watching something impossible unfold before them. "Whoa! Who crashed the party? What happened to you guys?" she asked with a laugh, the absurdity of the situation growing more delightful with every passing second.
And then, it hit her — a rush of excitement and realization. "Wait a spell! This is a dream, right?" She spun around, practically giddy. "That means I can wish for anything I want! I wish to stop falling asleep randomly! I want to live my life to the fullest, without being bound by my stupid destiny!"
Haze's eyes twinkled with amusement as he raised his hand, summoning a small blue flame. "Oh, that's an easy fix." He blew gently, and the flame drifted toward Briar, swirling around her in warm, gentle tendrils. As it touched her skin, she felt the fatigue that had haunted her for so long melt away, replaced by an invigorating energy she hadn't felt in years.
"There you go," Haze said, his voice almost casual. "No more curse of sleepiness to hold you back — at least until your destiny catches up with you."
Briar gasped in awe, her body buzzing with newfound vitality. "I can't believe it! I actually feel… awake! I've never felt this energized in my life!" Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around Haze in a grateful hug. Never in a million years would she have thought she'd be hugging someone like him, someone who had caused so much pain. But this wasn't real — this was her dream. Here, anything was possible.
A small, wistful hope bloomed in her chest, a foolish desire that when she woke up, this feeling of freedom would linger. But deep down, she knew it wouldn't. It never did.
"Well then," Briar declared, her voice filled with playful determination, "I'm going to squeeze every ounce of fun out of this dream! And first up — I want to go on a magic carpet ride across Ever After!"
Her friends erupted into panicked protests, their voices rising in unison, but Briar was already lost in her fantasy.
"Ask and you shall receive," Haze said with a knowing smirk. Flames flickered in his palms as he summoned his power, casting it upon a small pink carpet that lay in the center of the room. Fire enveloped it, swirling and crackling, until it vanished, leaving behind a majestic, sprawling carpet with intricate designs, glowing with dark, mystical beauty.
Briar squealed with excitement, her heart racing. One of her wildest fantasies was coming true, right before her eyes. She leaped onto the carpet, her hands sinking into the plush fabric as she settled in. "Come on, everyone! Hop on!" she shouted, her joy contagious.
Her friends hesitated, still clinging to the walls, their faces pale. "Briar, this is a terrible idea," Raven started, but her warning was cut short as Haze's flames engulfed them all, lifting them onto the carpet despite their protests.
Apple let out a small "eep" as she clung to the edge, her knuckles white with fear. Everything was happening too fast, spinning out of control. "Briar, maybe it's time to wake up and—" she began, but her voice was drowned out by the carpet surging forward, shooting out the window and into the night sky.
"Everyone, hold on!" Raven yelled, her eyes wide as they soared higher and higher, the ground becoming a distant blur beneath them.
"Briar, bring us back!" Daring shouted, struggling to keep his crown atop his head as the wind whipped around them. "We could get in trouble with the Headmaster when the clock strikes twelve!"
"Oh, Godmother," Briar said with a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Even in my dreams, Daring, you're such a prude."
"Hexcuse me?!" Daring snapped, clearly affronted.
Briar grinned wickedly, leaning forward. "You all need to loosen up a little! Let go and enjoy the ride!" With a sharp tug on the reins, she sent the carpet plummeting into a steep dive. Her friends' screams filled the night air, echoing through the skies.
"Briar, stop this right now!" Blondie shrieked, her hands clutching the carpet in a death grip.
"You've gone completely mad, woman! And not in the fun way! Cedar added, her voice trembling with panic.
Hunter and Ashlynn held each other tightly, their faces pale with fear, while Dexter gripped Raven's wrist, his knuckles white as he struggled to keep her from falling.
Cupid was faring no better. Her wings caught in the wind, creating drag, and before she knew it, she was slipping, her grip on the carpet weakening. She cried out, but just as she was about to fall, a strong hand reached out and caught her.
Her heart pounded as she looked up, expecting Dexter. But it wasn't him. It was Haze. His serene, golden eyes met hers, steady and unafraid. He balanced effortlessly on the edge of the carpet, as if gravity meant nothing to him.
"Is something wrong with my face?" he asked, his tone teasing as he caught her staring.
"Oh, um, no," Cupid stammered, her cheeks flushing. "I was just... thinking."
"Whatever after you say," Haze replied with a smile, gently pulling her onto his lap. To her surprise, she didn't mind the intimate position as much as she thought she would. In fact, it felt oddly… comforting.
"I never realized how beautiful laughter could be," Haze murmured, his voice soft in her ear. "The screams of joy, not fear or anger. It's... satisfying in a way I never expected."
Cupid blushed, her heart racing as she realized how close their faces were. But Haze didn't seem fazed. His golden eyes shimmered, no longer burning with the fiery anger she once knew him for.
"Woohoo! I take it back — this is awesome!" Cedar's voice broke through the moment, her excitement evident as the carpet soared higher into the night.
The moonlit sky stretched before them, shimmering with silver light. Blondie was snapping pictures like crazy, trying to capture the breathtaking scene. "I never knew how spelltacular Ever After looked after dark," she said in awe.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Ashlynn whispered, stealing a glance at Hunter.
"Not as beautiful as you," he replied, giving her a brief but sweet kiss.
Even Daring seemed to be enjoying himself, letting out a loud, triumphant yell that echoed through the night, his deep voice carrying across the lands below. Somewhere, someone would mistake it for the howl of the Big Bad Wolf.
Meanwhile, Dexter still held Raven's hand, his grip firm and steady. There was something unspoken between them, something warm and comforting. Neither of them said a word, both too shy to acknowledge the connection they shared, but neither of them willing to let go.
But even in the midst of the wonder, Cupid's heart ached. She glanced at Dexter and Raven, their hands still intertwined, and though she tried not to feel it, jealousy tugged at her. She didn't want to resent them, didn't want to feel this way, so she leaned deeper into Haze's embrace, finding solace in the warmth of his arms.
Briar, meanwhile, was having the time of her life. The adrenaline pumping through her veins was intoxicating, and she pulled out her MirrorPhone, snapping photo after photo. Apple sat beside her, laughing despite the chaos. Briar was determined to capture every moment, every fleeting second of this impossible dream.
The night was magical, spellbinding in a way that none of them could have anticipated. More than anything, it felt real, tangible. It was a night that would stay with them forever, no matter how impossible it seemed.
This moment, right here, felt perfect. Soaring above the lands, surrounded by stars, the wind cool against their skin — it was pure freedom. For once, nothing mattered but the sky, the laughter, and the friends at their sides. It was a moment out of time, one they all wished could last forever.
"Um, Cupid?" Dexter's voice broke through the quiet.
"Yes?" she replied, still leaning against Haze's chest.
"How long do your friendship arrows last, again?"
Cupid's heart sank at the question, and before she could answer, a familiar voice shattered the tranquility, cold and dark.
"Not long enough," Haze said, his tone sharp and cutting.
The carpet jerked to a sudden stop, and the group froze in terror. Haze's gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by the cold, cruel expression they all feared.
"Having fun, are we?" he sneered, his voice dripping with malice as Cupid shrank away, pulling herself from his embrace.
The group huddled together on one side of the carpet, their backs against the edge. There was nowhere to run. They were trapped, the sky stretching out endlessly beneath them.
Haze stood on the other side, his eyes burning once more with that dangerous fire. Gone was the warmth, the friendliness. He was the villain again, and they were at his mercy.
"Quick, Cupid, shoot him again!" Hunter shouted, panic clear in his voice.
"I can't!" Cupid cried, her voice trembling. "I left my bow at the dorm!"
"Oh, don't worry," Haze said, his voice cold and mocking. "You won't be needing it. Not after I break every bone in your body."
"C-Can you p-put us down at least? We're a little high up!" Cedar stammered, her voice shaking.
Haze smirked. "Wish granted."
With a snap of his fingers, the magic carpet vanished beneath them. For a split second, they were weightless, suspended in mid-air, before gravity took hold.
And then, they were falling.
"AHHH!" Their screams echoed into the night as the ground rushed up to meet them.
"I'm too dashing to die!" Daring yelled, his voice cracking in terror.
"Raven, use one of your magical spells to save us!" Cedar shouted, flailing wildly in the air.
"I'm trying!" Raven cried, her hands shaking as she tried to summon her magic.
"Cupid, can't you use your wings to fly us to safety?" Dexter shouted.
"My wings aren't strong enough!" Cupid flapped desperately, but even her own weight was too much for her training wings to handle.
"This is it, everyone! This is where we meet our end!" Blondie screamed, her MirrorPhone still recording, the wind tearing at her hair.
"Hunter!" Ashlynn cried, reaching for him as they plummeted through the air.
"Ashlynn!" he called back, their hands barely brushing.
But Briar, amidst the chaos, refused to give in. "No! I'm still not done with my dream!" she shouted.
"Snap out of it, Briar!" Apple had to grab Briar by her shoulders before shaking her gently to knock some sense into her best friend forever after.
"We'll make it though this, all of us, together!" Although, it was Apple herself that had the most regrets as she wished upon a shooting star to help them in their time of need. For what will happen to her story? To everyone else's, if they're not there to play the role?
The ground loomed closer and closer, their hearts racing, fear gripping them tight. There was no escape, no way out. Their bodies drifted in a uniformed cluster. They all reached for each other, their hands clasping in a circle of unity, determined to face their fate together.
The ground was only seconds away. They closed their eyes, bracing for the end, as the last pages of their story has been turned.
And then... darkness.
That's all for now, folks! Tune in next time for another episode of misadventures with the Prince of the Underworld, Haze!
H: I better not see any of your hideous mugs ever again!