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It's been a week since Norton's disappearance. Alice couldn't believe it. What happened? Where was he? Why did he disappear? She had to get to the bottom of this, there was no way she couldn't. After that first match he disappeared..
When Alice asked around about where Norton was Orpheus said he didn't see anything suspicious but... He had blood on his hands. His hands were also tinted red like he was trying to aggressively scrub it all off right before their talk. He must've had something to do with it. There's no way he didn't.
Melly didn't have anything to say on the matter. Alice knew that the Entomologist saw something. Melly had looked away when she said that she didn't see anything, something that she does primarily when lying.
Alice entered her room, pages littering her desk, her cork board was covered in notes on Norton's disappearance. Possible outcomes, where he could be, if he was dead or not. No matter what the outcome of Norton's fate was, alice was getting to the bottom of this. Even if she had to tear the manor apart to do so.
Alice sat down at her desk and started going over the facts again. There must've been something that she was missing… This couldn't be a cold case... Please... The air was still until Alice heard something slide on the floor. She looked over to her door to see an envelope with the muse symbol on it. She curiously stood up and walked over, she leaned down and grabbed it before going back to her desk. Alice sat down and opened the envelope. A letter in cursive.
"You will be participating in the game tomorrow evening. Meet your comrades in the dining room at 7pm sharp.
Best of luck."
Alice sighed. Another game... This will dampen her chances of getting this case solved in a timely manner. Alice set the letter down before going back to going over her notes and clues. She'll have to work overtime to find out where Norton was... As if she wasn't doing that already. The amount of sleep she had lost stressing over what happened to the prospector was insane. She had woken up at her desk that morning actually, drooling on the wood.
Alice reached for her pen when suddenly a growl was heard from her stomach. Shit, that's also something she's been neglecting. Good thing it was almost dinner time or else she would've been a goner. Well, that's an exaggeration but she still felt like she was dying from how hungry she was. Alice stood up and left her room, heading towards the dining room. Hopefully dinner is on the table.
It wasn't that long of walk but combine the long hallways and an upset stomach it felt like hours for Alice. She entered the dining room to see Orpheus, Melly, and Frederick all sitting down already. All three of them looked over, a smile appearing on Fredericks face.
"Ah there you are, I assumed we wouldn't have you for dinner again." Frederick said before sipping his wine, "did you get any progress on finding out what happened to Mr.Campbell?"
"No, no I have not," Alice replied as she sat down in her spot, "It's like I'm missing a piece of the puzzle... Every lead I get ends up a dead end."
"Ah what a shame, I'm sure you'll figure it out." Orpheus said before eating some food on his plate. He twirled some of the pasta on his plate and put it in his mouth. Black Truffle Conchiglie, that seemed to be his favorite. After all that's all he's eaten for dinner for his entire stay.
"Yes, I hope you do find out what happened to Mr.Campbell." Melly said as she looked up from her now empty plate. It seems like she was the first to arrive and eat, even her honey cake was eaten already.
Alice looked down at her food, it was Califlower en croute with steamed broccoli and carrots. There was also a side salad and a piece of truffle cake for dessert. It seemed like the Butler's truly did know everyones preferences. Alice took her fork and knife and started eating her food, savoring every taste. It was such a good meal. Wonderful in every way. The carrots and broccoli was soft and flavorful, the steaming really brought out all the flavors. The salad was nice and crisp and the cake was sweet and moist. A wonderful dinner indeed.
The four of them talked but nothing truly of note was brought up or said. Nothing that would move Alice towards a conclusion which was truly a shame. Alice hoped that someone would spill some information on Norton..
After dinner Alice returned to her room to go over the case for the millionth time. What was she missing...? There must've been something she was missing..
Alice paused for a moment before sighing. She needed to go to bed. Sure the match was later in the day but she still needed proper rest. She needed to be ready for the match since if she wasn't she'd never find out what happened to Norton. Alice went over to her wardrobe and started getting ready for bed. She slipped out of her day clothes and put her nightgown on, she took her hair out of the ponytail and let it flow freely. Alice turned the light out and climbed into bed, laying back and staring up at the ceiling... Before digging around the side of her bed that was against the wall.
Hidden tucked between the mattress and the wall was an old tattered shirt. It was dark green, sewn up sloppily, and smelt of dirt and sweat. Alice hugged it tight before giving it a quick sniff. It still smelt like him.. Alice smiled a little. Even though he wasnt there physically, he was there spiritually.
"Ill find you... And when I do... I'm going to give you the biggest hug... And I'm going to condemn whoever made you leave.." Alice whispered before closing her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The sun shined through the windows, making Alice stir. She turned over with a groan as she clutched the ragged shirt in her arms. She eventually opened her eyes and sighed. It's time to get up... Ugh. Alice gently folded the shirt up before sticking it back where it was originally. She got out of bed and did her morning routine. She got dressed, put her hair in a ponytail, and grabbed her things before checking the time. 7 am... She has plenty of time before breakfast. Alice went to her desk immediately and gasped. There... There was an envelope. In a familiar handwriting there was "Alice" written in.. Red ink...? on the front. Alice carefully opened the envelope and read the words;
"I L L S E E Y O U S O O N."
Alice read those four words over and over. What does that mean? Who will see her soon? Whats going on? Alice looked on her desk and realized that all of her papers and photos were organized. What? Who did this? Alice looked around frantically, hoping to see some sort of clue to what was going on. Alice spotted something at her door. A boot print and a shadow passing by her door.
Alice ran over and swung her door open and looked around and found nothing. She was so confused and scared... Who was that? Who was in her room? What happened while she was asleep? Alice closed the door before just leaving to the garden, she needed some fresh air.
Alice entered the garden to see Melly setting a little caterpillar on a branch of one of the trees. Melly looked over and gave a smile.
"Ah Alice, I didn't expect to see you here! What brings you to the garden?" Melly asked as she walked over.
"Ah, I just needed some air... I think being cooped up in my room has made me start to see things.." Alice said before smiling back, "so what are you doing out here?"
"Oh! I'm just making sure the bugs are doing well. I'd hate for these little ones to die. Also, this little thing is a species I've never seen before! I'd love to see it live out it's life cycle." Melly said as she lead Alice over to the caterpillar that she had just out on a branch, "it's such a pretty little thing, isn't it?"
The caterpillar was a dull green, yellow and red spots covered it's back. It was happily munching on a leaf while the two women were looking at it. The caterpillar inched up the branch away from the two.
"Yes it is rather pretty. But Melly... I must ask... Have you seen anything suspicious lately? I found a boot print and a letter in my room today and I was wondering if you've seen anything." Alice said as she turned to Melly.
"What? Oh dear that doesn't sound good... No I haven't, but... I have heard that there is a new hunter. Perhaps... They snuck into your room?" Melly said with hushed tones, like speaking of the hunters wasn't allowed.
"Why would they do that?" Alice asked as she cocked her head to the side a little, "and why would they leave a note in only my room?"
"I'm not sure... Maybe you have history with this new hunter?" Melly suggested before sighing, "you know, we have a match at 7, so perhaps you can get answers then."
"I suppose you're right... Well, it was good talking with you. Have a good day, Melly." Alice said before going back inside, what a stressful start to the day..
Alice walked down the hallway of the manor and back to her room but paused in front of Norton's room. Alice stared at the door before approaching it and opened it. She didn't know why she was doing this but... She had to for some reason. There was just this nagging feeling..
Alice looked into the room to see nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed like a standard room. Alice walked inside and stared at the neat untouched bed. She sighed a little before leaving the soft inviting bed alone. She missed him. She missed him so much. Alice went to Norton's desk and wiped off a large pile of dust off of it, his little bag of gems was still there. Alice picked the bag up and saw a little note under it. She grabbed the note and read it.
"Note to self: make sure to give Alice the rose quartz, moonstone, and sapphire. Not only do they match her beauty, they mean love. Perhaps she'll research the meanings and feel happier."
Alice chuckled a little before searching the beginning and grabbed the three gems that were mentioned in the note. They were truly beautiful. The way the light bounced off of them was wonderful. No wonder Norton loved these. Alice set the bag back down before sitting the gems in her pocket. She needed to get back to her room.
Hours past and it was finally 7 pm. Alice entered the dining room just as Frederick, Melly, and Orpheus were walking in. They all greeting each other before butler entered and escorted them to the game. Hopefully she had enough time to prepare..
Alice found herself in the golden cave. How sad... This was a recreation of the place that Norton worked at. How cruel to do this. At least Norton didn't have to worry about being sent there right now. Alice hurried over to a cipher and started to decode it. The little beeps filled the air as she heard something. She heard Orpheus scream. Alice looked up from her cipher and looked around to see nobody. They must be on the floors below. Alice shook it off and continued to press the buttons, trying to focus.
Just as Alice finished her cipher, Orpheus was downed. She cursed softly before getting her camera ready as she hurried to where Orpheus was chaired. She jumped down the mine shaft and turned the corner and froze. A familiar looking man in miners gear was standing over Orpheus's chair. Gems and golden shards protruding from his skin, a small plume of smoke coming from his crystal covered helmet.
"Norton?" Alice asked as she took a step forward. The man turned around and Alice met blackened eyes with red spilling from them. Where a large burn scar should've been was bone and fire. Alice was... Confused and horrified. What happened to Norton? Why did he look like this? Alice took a step forward but was met with crystals shooting up from the ground, slicing through cloth and skin. Alice let out a scream of pain and took a picture, sending her projection to save Orpheus on accident. The poor little projection ran towards the chair as was met with getting hit by Norton.
Norton's arms were covered in coal dust and grime but when he swung at the projection a large spike of Ruby emerged from his palm and stabbed right through it. Norton turned his attention toward Alice and moved forward. Alice ran. She ran as fast as she could away from the man she loved with tears in here eyes. Was it from the pain of the gem shards or learning what became of her darling?
Alice made it to a pallet just in time and threw it in Norton's head, a pained distorted scream filling the air as Norton thrashed in pain from getting hit. Alice made it to the latter and went up, hoping to gain some distance from Norton, even just a chasing
Norton recovered quickly and continued chasing Alice for what felt like ages until he gave up and went after Melly. Jesus Christ... So that's what became of Norton. He was turned into a hunter. Alice felt more tears fall from her face as she went to the other cipher above ground and started decoding.
By the time that Alice was able to finish up the last cipher, it was just her and Norton. He had sent Melly, Orpheus, and Frederick back to the manor. Alice got to a gate and started putting in the code when red and black lights appeared right in front of her. Norton had used teleport and was now standing face to face with Alice. Alice screamed and fell back, backing away from Norton desperately. She covered her head as she expected to be hit but it never came.
Alice looked up to see Norton just standing there and... Was he crying? Norton fell to his knees and started to sob, he hugged himself for a few moments. Alice stared for a few seconds before she crawled over. She wrapped her arms around the now hunters broad shoulders and just held him.
"Shh... It's alright Norton... I'm here... I'm here.." Alice whispered as she carefully took the crystal helmet off and set it on the ground and pet Norton's head. Norton leaned into the affection, whimpering softly as he cried. Alice finally found Norton. This isn't what she was expecting but it was better than him being dead... Right?
Alice pressed a little kiss to Norton's forehead before feeling him hug her, he was being gentle, making sure not to squeeze and hurt her at all. Little sniffles and sobs emanated from the hunter before he finally spoke.
"I... I'm... S... Sor... ry.." Norton whispered, his speech was choppy, gravely, and barely able to even say two words. It seems like whatever he was put through damaged his vocal cords.
"No it's alright, you have nothing to be sorry about." Alice said as she wiped some of the crimson tears from Norton's face.
"Hu... rt... You.." Norton whispered again, gently tracing one of the places that the gems had cut her skin.
"As I said, it's alright. You didn't mean for me to step in that, did you?" Alice gave a little smile as she rested Norton head on her lap, running her hands through that black hair that she loved so much.
"No... Bu... t... St... Ill... Hu... rt.." Norton said as he sniffled. He was holding onto Alices skirt like if he let go that he'd be alone. Like if he let go that Alice would disappear like the fluff on a dandelion.
"You didn't mean to so I don't blame you. Now darling... What happened? Why did you disappear and become a hunter?" Alice asked softly as she continued to physically comfort Norton.
It took a while but Alice got the whole story. The first game was pure chaos and full of confusion. He had been attacked by Orpheus and was beaten within an inch of his life. He was transfered to the infirmary shortly after but he wasn't exactly sure of what happened. He had woken up in this form after passing out from the pain in the match.
Alice frowned as she listened to Norton's story. So Orpheus did have something to do with this... And that's why his hands were covered in blood. Alice frowned before going back to pampering her boyfriend who was now much calmer. His breathing was back to normal and he was no longer crying. Norton had a soft smile on his face before looking up at Alice.
"I... Lo... ve... You.." Norton said softly.
"I know." Alice whispered before showing the gems that she had taken from the bag, "you wanted to give these to me. They symbolise love right."
"Yes... Yes... Th... ey... Do.." Norton said as he sat up.
"Good. Because I love you too, Norton."