Chapter 156: Unsure Emotions (2/2)
”Pathetic.” Hans shook his head, rolling his eyes. He walked into Alice's room, who was throwing on a hoodie and shoes. ”Going somewhere, Alice?”
Alice turned to her father, somewhat hesitant before shaking her head. ”I'm going to fight the Garden with Iris.”
”Are you now? Tell me, was this your decision or hers?”
”Doesn't matter. My friends need me, and I will help them no matter what. Please, dad, let me do this.”
”I see. I really didn't want to quite believe it. As a father, I thought to give you the benefit of the doubt. You're growing up and trying many new things. But now you've gone too far. That girl has strayed you too far away from my dream. I cannot allow this rebellious stage to go on any longer.”
Paranoid Alice moved away from her father's reach. ”That girl is my sister. You may have neglected her for the likes of me, but I love her. I never wanted to be a streamer. But Team Rhapsody showed me there's more to a streamer than just making money. You can save people like a true hero.”
Hans scoffed nodding. ”Team Rhapsody. A spanner in my works, I must admit. We're so close, why can't you see that?!” He flipped the table, pointing at her. ”I only want what's best for you. Father knows best if you throw everything, I've done for you, you'll live to regret it.”
”No. No more! I quit.”
”No, you don't… Ha, you honestly think you can tell me what to do? I want this fixed. So, Alice dispose of the girl. She is no use to me or my goal.”
Alice summoned a bow aiming it at Hans. ”If you think the Alice would dare even think of killing her sister, you are a fool, Hans. I will not do as you say any longer! You have no powers I do. You have no rule over me.”
”Oh, but Alice, I do. I have you. Now put the bow down and kill your sister… So, we can make our dream come true.”
Alice did so. She stared on blankly as her eyes glowed yellow, the Garden flowing through her, Hans smiled getting his way. ”Yes, father.”
****
Iris stood outside the manor staring down at her phone sighing. ”What's taking her so long?” A sharp whizzing sound echoed as Iris glanced to her left as she was hit by an explosion. Crashing through the wall, Iris fell to the floor bleeding from the head. She glanced up to see Alice standing there in an outfit of black tactical armour and a half-snake mask with her yellow eye glittering stabbing at Iris. ”Alice… What the hell… Is wrong?”
”Subject A.L.I.C.E locked onto the target. Iris Hawthorne, exterminate.”
”Exterminate…” Alice raised her hand, firing off an explosion from her bow. Iris quickly blocked the carnage with her cube as she leaned against it feeling her body vibrate from the sheer force of the attack. The cube began to crack before breaking apart instantly making Iris collapse to the floor. As Alice went in to finish the deed, a cube slid underneath Iris, flying her away from harm's way. A badly injured Iris glanced down staring at her sister as she smiled stepping back into a portal. Iris' eyes widened as she snapped her head forward, seeing Alice emerging from a portal above her floating. Alice was inches away from killing her sister when she for a split second, took back control tears dripping from her face. This split second was all Iris needed, another cube came from underneath smashing into Iris sending her far away from the danger.
Alice floated back down to the ground staring up at her now freed target. Hans stepped outside arms crossed stuck in thought. ”The Alice failed to dispose of Iris Hawthorne.”
”A pity… No matter, she has no one to run to. The low-rank members of Frizzle Tooth can take care of that. We have much more important business to concern ourselves about daughter of mine.”
”Yes, father.”
****
The cubes softened Iris' descent, but even that was not enough as she crashed into a back ally falling over a set of bins. She lay on the floor, wincing in pain and a broken heart to match. She began crawling away, whimpering. ”Alice… Why would you? How could you… Why?”
She lay on her back-panting staring at the sky. ”What do I do? Who can I turn to?” She stopped for a moment pulling her phone out hovering over her contacts. ”It's worth a shot…” She began the call holding her breath praying she would get through. Her heart skipped a beat when it did so. ”Alton… Is that you?”
”Yeah… You called me, who elsewhere you expecting? What's wrong?”
”Please I need your help… Alice. She tried… She tried to kill me. I don't know what to do. Alton?”
Alton remained silent for a short while before sighing. ”Shit… Just my luck. Where are you?”
”A back ally. I see the cinema… And a payphone.”
”Walfred. I know the burrow. Stay out of sight. I'm on my way.”
”Thank you…” Iris hung up, unable to move as she had her arms out either side coughing. Her thoughts came back to her as she broke down sobbing realising now more than ever she was alone.