The Perfect Gift (A Silverlock Sisters Short Story)

Written by R.M. Walls, aka The Wandering Fox and edited by Scott Tatt, aka The Media Man

Characters created by Scott Tatt and R.M. Walls

(This story takes place before The Silverlock Sisters: Alien Hostage)

It was that time of the year again, mused Alice Daniels as she looked at the date on her Cyber Scroll. It was December. A once marvellous time of the year for her, once full of colour and lights, with music to sing to and a time to rest. But for many years, since that unfortunate day that befell her and her father, it had all turned grey and cramped with no tinsel to hang on the walls. No Christmas tree to decorate. It was just another day at work. And work almost consumed the beautiful woman. Consumed her so far that she had almost fallen into the hot hands of hatred. It had been a very dark period of her life. But things were different now, she thought as she scoured through the Cyber Scroll. She had a different job and it was far greater a task to do than what she did before. And she would make sure the only ones who wouldn’t be having a merry month were the Hunters, especially for a certain man who had treated her like dirt since day one. Having him thrown out of the org and banged up in prison would be the perfect present she could get. Though it still meant she had to work through the holiday, and that was the only regret she had of her plans. But Alice knew well this mattered a lot to so many people. She couldn’t fail them and if it meant she had to sacrifice another year of Christmas, then so be it. In fact Alice had a little plan for the day. In preparation, she'd already suited herself up in her blue uniform and was going to do an “inspection” of the base’s power generator. Well it’d be needing an inspection after she was done with it! But she had the gloves ready in her pocket with a few pliers to snap the wires.

But while she was scrolling through, her thigh tingled as her phone vibrated in her skirt pocket. Gasping lightly, Alice reached her hand in and fished out her phone to see who it was. Her green eyes glistened in delight while her jaw hung in surprise at who it was. This was quite bold of him to do, she thought as she then slid back on her bed and opened up the text to read it in full, her body’s tightness fading away slowly as she took it in. Her heart thumped hard which only made her wince as it was beating fondly for the man who had seen the pain she was enduring and given only empathy to her. The man who was meant to be her enemy. But her recent holiday adventure only gave her something far apart than an enemy. It was Reed Wools. That really tall, dark haired brown eyed Rimor Agent she first met in the Highlands years ago. How funny things turned out between them in that holiday. Together, not only did they open up their wounds to each other to heal, but they stopped a criminal pair from abusing Hunter technology to enslave the village. She was ever thankful to have met him. Though he looked like a big brute, he was incredibly friendly and a gentle bloke who was a lot cleverer than he let on. Her green eyes were curious as she read through his message. Because they had to be careful though, he went by “Ram” as a little ref to the museum he owned. Couldn’t have her dad find out she was chatting to a man who not only was a Rimor Agent, but who her heart groaned for.

Alice. I know this is a bit daft of me to do but I was hoping we could meet up today. I have something I feel you should see. You don’t want to miss it. If you can’t make it then there’s always next year. ❤️

That made her blush, that red heart he left. Ever the charmer.

But her own heart thumped harder and Alice could feel her legs tremble in excitement. Here he was offering her a chance to see something. It didn’t sound urgent thanks to how he said there was always next year. But her crafty mind easily figured that was an enticing lot of words he used, because now she felt the urge to get out there and see it herself. A smirk cracked up on her face, her lipstick glistening in the light of her phone as she texted back.

Give me a moment, Ram. I got to make things a little spooky around here...

It would mean she’d have to get out of there quickly, and with the cold weather out there she would need a wardrobe change. Her green eyes deviously turned to her wardrobe and she grinned darkly.

————————-

The trip to the power generator was made with quite the calm stride, but to others it was a curiosity. There she was in her tight dark blue bodysuit and black boots with a thick woolly jacket around her, humming slightly as she walked towards the lift doors. They could see she was wearing the winter version of her bodysuit thanks to the black fur collar and blue fur cuffs sticking out of her jacket wrists. That would mean she was going outside and so they chalked it up to her going out to patrol the perimeter of the base. That was good, she thought. Just as she wanted them to. While she walked though, Alice noticed a big difference that she hadn’t seen until now. Everybody around her was being more respectful. No longer were their gazes bitter, judging or fearful. It was back to how it was before. Tiny smiles, a nod, a “Morning ma’am”. Alice didn’t much like those days thanks to how they were far darker and a reminder of her inhumane moments. But the friendlier smiles were a thing to welcome back. She earned a lot of respect thanks to her helping stop those criminals who stole the Cyber Dragon. That and everybody was sympathetic towards her after hearing what Simon did to her. In fact the tables had turned. Everybody was now weary of him thanks to him trying to tear her teeth out and trapping her in a room. Alice chuckled as she slid inside the lift. She was going to make sure the table was still going to be that way.

While in the lift Alice checked her jacket. She had slid the gloves and pliers in there as well as a syringe that held a sedative in there. She knew there was a guard at the power generator and she may well have to knock him or her out before she got to business. The generator room was just a level beneath the ground floor where she could easily run up the stairs and hop on her motorbike. If her dad called, she’d tell him she’d try and find some tools in Lake View Town to help repair the damage. The lift then pinged and she took out the syringe while her face scowled, knowing well she had to get to work. The doors opened to reveal a tiny corridor up front with a basic wooden door on the opposite end with a peephole in it. It looked like your regular school corridor or doctor's surgery. It was made to look like it and would trick any lower ranking Hunter into thinking it was just a boring floor they were on. But behind it was the beating heart of the base. With just the lone guard she could handle it. She was thankful this part of the base had no cameras. Strutting over to the door, Alice stood on her tiptoes and looked in the peephole. Her green eyes could see that there was indeed only a lone guard in there with him walking towards the door. Then her eyes widened in surprise.

It was Simon.

He looked bored out of his head. He was on guard duty. Serves him right for what he'd tried to do. Alice grinned wickedly. This day had just gotten better for her. Watching him turn his back to the door, Alice took out her syringe and latched her hand around the doorknob. She was going to make this a very humiliating day for him. Turning the knob, she opened it slowly, just enough to get his head to crane back curiously.

“Is anybody there?” he asked.

Alice smirked as she then kicked the door open and it smacked hard into his face, sending him staggering back in shock and agony as it slammed right in his nose, his voice echoing out a yell as he clutched his face. Alice then leapt in and she thrust her hard knee up into that pathetic delicate spot of his, earning a yell out of him with a big crunch before she jabbed him in the neck with the syringe, his gasping becoming a mere groan as he then passed out on the floor. Alice rested a fist on a great hip as she then took out the pliers.

“Candlelight’s for Christmas...”

After only a few snips of wires, the entire base was plunged into chaotic darkness. Alice took the stairs to get off the floor and ran all the way to the next up, already finding herself in a torrent of colleagues darting pas her, yelling as they switched to torches to see where they were going. The beautiful lady smoothly walked through the dark and reached the ground floor where the many ground vehicles were. Already the Hunters were manually opening the doors to let some light in to help them see a bit. Just as she wanted. Alice could see the outside already and to her surprise the sky was not only grey but little flakes of snow were falling upon the natural beauty outside. It only made her more eager as she grabbed a motorbike helmet and hopped on her bike. Though before she went, a Hunter came up to her and grabbed her shoulder with a baffled look on his face.

“Oi! Where do you think you’re going!?” he asked with confusion.

Alice wryly lifted the visor and looked at him, his face in shock as he realised who it was.

“Tell my father I’m going to Lake View Town! I’m going to find some tools that can be of help!” she told the Hunter, who just nodded with him then running back. Alice chuckled as she then got her phone out and quickly texted Reed.

Where do you want to meet?

———————————————-

The drive felt somewhat nostalgic for Alice as she rode all the way back to Lake View Town, seeing the once green hills had swapped out for thick falling snow. It was funny to think she was here a few months ago when the days were brighter and she had been battling her nightmares. Now here she was, happy to be free of the base and getting a look at the fresher, freer realm beyond it. Driving into the village, she caught a glimpse of the wonders they had made. There were lines of lights connected from building-to-building that shone bright yellow while market stalls were up with a bustling crowd going to them. She’d have to take it in as soon as she parked her bike back at a certain place. Just by the park that would take her to Reed’s house. But there wasn’t any drunks to bother her now. Instead, standing beside the towering lamppost which had a wreath around it was a tall man in a light blue coat, a thick red jumper and grey bottoms that looked incredibly thick, while his dark hair was turning lighter thanks to the little flakes that rested upon him. It was Reed. He was smiling warmly though Alice could see his cheeks were a bright red. She felt curious. Was it because of her or was he just feeling cold? Coming off the motorbike, Alice removed her helmet and she swore she saw Reed’s eyes glow for a moment as his jaw hung in surprise. Her cheeks instantly felt the cold and she tugged her jacket closer to her, feeling they were getting stingy and hid her face just a little in the dark neck fur. They looked at each other for a moment with a bit of amazement. Alice did have to mentally ask herself if she was dreaming because it felt a bit surreal to be back in front of him again, in his hometown with Rimor and the Hunters at the back of their minds. She'd forgotten how tall he really was.

To Reed, he didn’t see such hair look so smooth and tidy in spite of Alice wearing a helmet seconds ago. Her hair was just gorgeously well groomed. And her eyes. They were as bright as a green glittery Christmas bauble that just shone against the wintry air. He shyly itched his wrist and then he tenderly stepped over to her.

“I, um, take it you didn’t have any drunks coming after you?” he then asked with his voice quickly easing as she smiled at him.

Her smile was just alluring and made him feel warmer. Alice chuckled.

“No, but I had to bust a guy’s sack to get here, Wool.” she quipped back at him to which he sniggered.

“Ouch, better not have been Santa’s. Can’t have you being a naughty girl.” he teased back at her to which she cocked a brow with a quirky smile.

“Like I would. Though I think he’d scratch Simon off the nice list. If he ever was there at all.” she noted as she walked up towards him, her hands smoothly reaching around his torso which had Reed stiffen slightly as he felt her body press up against his own.

She looked up at him with her eyes eager and her smile ever a tease. He then relaxed as he gently caressed her cheek and hooked his other arm around her, his dark eyes lowering in delight as she stood on her tip toes.

“I missed you.” he said quietly with his voice full of relief to see her.

Alice felt her voice crack slightly as beamed and said.

“I missed you too.”

Then it came with a kiss. It was a lot softer than last time as she had grabbed him and smooched him hard. But now it was soft, their lips parting each other away a bit to explore a little, their eyes closed as they softly embraced not just each other but the moment of quiet they had on this day. Alice felt her nose squish slightly under his and her entire figure felt a lot warmer as he stroked her cheek ever softly while her hand found his jaw, feeling it was only getting hotter which made her smile more in the kiss. To Reed he wondered if he had grown a pair of wings and fluttered up into the sky as Alice’s lips were smooth and soft, which was surprising still as she was quite the tough lady. But then who was he to be surprised? He himself knew his own strength.

They came out of the kiss with a puff of white misty air escaping each other’s lips. Alice smoothed his jaw and sighed contently as she leaned against him, her soft dark hair tickling his chin. He smiled dreamily as he kept her close to him.

“You will not believe how happy I am to be out of that place.” she said with a snicker as she teased her hand to his chest which earned her a curious smile.

“Bit stuffy? Or did you miss me that much?” he asked as they began to walk, feeling Alice was keeping her legs close to his. Her green eyes teasingly glanced at him.

“I’d say a bit of both. I’ve been busy lately as you might know.” she sternly reminded him to which he hummed in understanding.

She was secretly texting him a little bit of her plans. It was all very discreet, so much so that neither of their bosses suspected anything about what was really going on.

“That I do. You sure you don’t want me to tell Rimor what you’re doing?” he asked to which Alice gave him a smug look.

“Awwww, and where would the fun be in that? Can’t a woman drop in a surprise?” she asked him cheekily to which he snorted.

“Heh, fair enough. It’s your plan after all, Alice.” he admitted defeat to her, earning him a snuggle from his love.

He still had to ask himself how on Earth did he earn the love of her. To him she was far classier and smarter than he was. He didn’t think a man as wiry haired or soft as he was even deserved a woman like her. But it still felt nice to be with her. She was like a hypnotic enigma. That smile. That voice. That of which she laid bare with her heart. How could he not love her? Alice smiled as she could hear his heartbeat and felt it was steadily beating faster. He was truly excited and happy to have her here and it made her feel good. It was nice to be felt for in this way.

Then once they turned a corner, her eyes lit up in awe as she saw the village was truly alive. The market wasn’t just your typical market. They looked like oaken huts and stalls with the scent of chocolate and bread filling her nostrils which made her feel giddy. She didn’t want to fall into that trap, but she loved indulging at Christmas. She hadn’t done that in years. There was also the little competitions that were going on, including the target practice to win a present, but what surprised her was an axe throwing contest. That was more securely watched so nobody would run off with the axe, but she felt curious for it. There was also a Santa there who was joined by a Mrs Claus for the children to meet. There were also those selling little handcraft toys. Then there were the beer taverns that were built, where she swore she saw those drunks again, wobbly legged, laughing. She’d have found it funnier if they didn’t try grabbing her months back. To her amazement, Reed took her towards the stall that was selling gingerbread with a chocolate fountain. Alice’s eyes lit up at it. It was rare to see something like that. The old lady in the stall smiled brightly at him.

“Oh Reed! I was hoping you’d come on out! You’re always busy working!” she said kindly.

Alice couldn’t help but feel that this was something else she'd missed. The old days of Christmas in which everybody greeted each other warmly. The old lady eyed Alice and a cheeky smile speard across her face.

“Ooooooohoooo, I say, you aren’t alone! I take it you’re here for the little lady?” she asked, earning a slight eye roll from Alice. It seemed silly to be calling HER of all people "little". She was almost as tall as Reed! But she couldn't help smirking as well, seeing the funny side of it.

“That I am, Lily! Can I have a gingerbread man dipped in chocolate please? It’s for her.” He asked her, which snapped Alice out of her stare and she looked at him in shock.

“Wha? You mean you’re buying that for me?” she asked in surprise to which Reed coyly grinned.

“Well why not? I gotta treat my dear haven’t I?” he noted as Lily then handed him the gingerbread man and he paid her.

Alice looked at it in amazement and her lips quivered. It had been so long since she last ate something as sweet as this. In fact she'd forgotten what chocolate even tasted like. There it was, slightly runny and chunky with the face of the gingerbread man smiling at her. If her dad saw her now he’d be going nuts. Well, Alice supposed, it didn’t hurt to have a treat.

She took a bite out of the head. Then just like that the taste of it made Alice’s eyes roll back and her gums absorbed it all. So sweet, so good that it made her tongue tingle. Her eyes closed for Reed to see how she was enchanted by the chocolate. His cheeks went hotter and his throat emitted a big laugh as she moaned in awe with her mouth then hanging open before she sunk against him. It was like she was sent right back to her childhood, when her mum challenged her to see who would eat their little chocolate cake fastest. Samantha let her win all the time, until she let her mum win. Gosh it was good. Even if her heart ached at her mum’s loss, she still cherished that bite. Alice leaned back and her green eyes were dreamy.

“Gosh I love you.” she said with delight, to which he gulped and his heart felt a lot lighter. But then he chuckled.

“I’ll love you even more if you let me have some chocolate.” he joked, catching that confusion on her before he leaned in and kissed her lips.

Her eyes then widened as she felt the chocolate still there, being teased in by his tongue. Her great legs wobbled as she leaned against him, not sure what was sweeter. His lips or the chocolate. Reed of course already knew what was sweeter. Alice sighed brightly as she thanked Lily for it.

“That was really good. Thank you for that.” she said kindly to the old lady, who beamed at her.

“Ha! You’re welcome luv! But hey, count yourself lucky! He’s a keeper he is! Treat him well!” she said with pride as she pointed at Reed who tutted.

“Heh, oh I will!” Alice called as they walked along, her eyes landing on the axe throwing contest. Alice could see that some of them were struggling so she walked over to it. He looked at her curiously as he wondered as to what she was up to.

“Ere luv, hold it steady. It’s heavy.” the burly man who was in charge of the axes said as he gave it to her. Alice took it with ease and smirked as she looked at the body targets in front of her.

“Oh, I can handle it...” she chuckled as she thought of Simon’s miserable mug on the target in front of her. Then she took it back and threw it, amazing everybody as the axe went spinning through the air and then chopped right into the crotch of the target, earning a collective “Oooooooooooh!” from everybody. Then they laughed as the body target fell in half at that. Alice took it in with pride and looked at the man who was all wide-eyed in disbelief at the strength she'd displayed.

“That’s how you do it.” she said smugly as she walked on with Reed, who looked a little nervous.

“Um, should I be scared? You seem to really go for that.” he noted in regards to the crotch.

Alice laughed.

“Ha, don’t be. I'd never do that to you.” she said with a friendlier tone to which Reed gasped thankfully.

Alice then continued to eat the gingerbread man until all that was left was his leg. She then hummed and then danced it on Reed’s face which earned a surprised giggle out of him.

“Run run run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread-oh.” she said as she then stuck it in his mouth, earning a laugh as he crunched it.

“Wha? That was for you!” he said to her.

Alice bumped her fists on her hips.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to be spoiled!” she remarked, which had him throw her a cocky beam.

“Heh, you don’t know how much you will.” he noted as he then came up beside her, walking away from the market towards the park.

Alice dreamily smiled at him. She didn’t know what to do to thank him for getting her out of there. Here she was enjoying a day out in December thanks to him. Remembering those old days. She knew soon that Draven would be calling for her which meant she’d have to go back. But it was a good thing she had some money on her to buy some tools in order to keep up her ruse. Alice made the request to stop at the DIY shop to which Reed let her go in and he curiously watched what she was buying. Screws, hammers and a few head strap torches. That of course earned her an obvious question to which she explained it to him.

“I thought I’d turn off the power generator at the base. It’d set the Hunters back for a bit, and give Rimor less to worry about.” she told him, to which Reed looked surprised.

“Blimey! And poor old Simon happened to be on guard!” he joked to which Alice cackled.

“Yes! He’s the one who’s got the busted baubles this year!” she said smugly as she leaned against Reed, who gazed upon her with his eyes filled with only wonder. She was a lot more lively than he thought. He only hoped that what he had for her would truly live up to her behaviour.

They walked on with Alice recognising where they were going. They were heading for that little hideaway where the Forphers and Lillions were. The many Lillions they passed were funnily enough having a little chorus. Though she couldn’t understand their language, she could tell it was a moment of happiness for them. They then looked upon the little den of the Forphers, who were laughing still but were now playing about with the snow. Alice felt her heart skip a beat as she remembered then how she could be here. She looked to Reed with a humble but pleased face.

“They still trust me.” she noted, earning a beam out of him.

“They do.” he said softly.

Her mouth spread into a dazzling smile of joy. Alice looked back at the Forphers as they ran about in the snow.

“I still don’t get how I could have even wanted to kill anything like this. If I could go back I would tell that woman to snap out of it.” she said sombrely, though a smile still remained on her.

Reed grew thoughtful about what Alice had said.

“Yeah. But then I’d never have met you.” he reminded to which she cocked an eyebrow at him.

“You think I’d forget to mention you?” she teased, earning a chuckle.

She then noticed there was something he had slightly coming out of his coat. It seemed to be a little rectangular parcel of sorts wrapped in Christmas paper, bright red with a green ribbon? Her heart then brightened and her stare made Reed realise what she was looking at. He blushed in a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.

“Oh crap! It was gonna be a surprise!” he said as he reached into his coat but Alice stared at him with lost eyes as he then took out the entire thing and a card to go with it.

Her heart pranced as she wondered exactly what he had written. To think that he was supposed to be her enemy. But here he was, treating her warmer than many others back at the base. Though she loved her father, he himself hadn’t even gotten her a card. Reed smiled.

“I thought I’d give this to you. I didn’t know when we’d see each other again, but I wasn’t gonna wait after Christmas. I thought it would suit a superb woman like you, Alice.” he said softly as he gave it to her.

Alice tenderly took the present and stared dumbly at it. Then her green eyes met his brown ones.

“C-Can I open it now?” she stuttered.

He nodded and smiled ever kindly at her which made her feet dig in. Her eyes cast upon the present and she then clawed it back, tearing the wrapping off to reveal a white plastic cover inside. Curious, she then slowly plucked the lid off to see what it was. Her eyes went utterly wide as she saw laying in the fabric was a good necklace with a love heart in the middle with a tiny green gem at the top and a blue gem beside it, with a little inscription inside that read “Always believe in yourself. You are strong. But most of all? I love you”. Alice stared at it for a moment and she felt so many things in that moment. The joy. The gratitude. The awe. The pain. The guilt. The weakness. Her legs, though as strong as they were, buckled and she choked, with Reed gasping as he grabbed her, feeling her fall against him. His face was etched in worry as he wondered if this was the wrong thing to have done.

“Alice? You alright?” he asked nervously, to which she choked and sniffled, her face burying against his neck.

Reed froze and while he held her he didn’t know what to do. He guessed he just had to wait. The Lillions stopped singing and the Forphers stopped playing as they heard her sniffles, looking at her with thought. Alice felt a little embarrassed, but sod it she thought! It was alright to cry. Tears trickled upon her cheeks before she sucked in some breath and then she tenderly looked up at Reed with her green eyes glassy which froze his heart in shock. A tiny smile came upon her.

“You don’t know how much th-this means t-to me, R-Reed. Thank you.” she whispered.

Reed’s nerves eased then, though he was interested still in her tears. Alice though glumly gazed at the necklace “

But I’ve got nothing to give you in return. I’m sorry.” she said to him with guilt in her voice, earning a frown out of him. But before he could question her, she continued, her heart just letting her talk.

“Y’see. I love Christmas. I always did. My mum made it so fun. My dad, well, he made it funnier with some Irish music. But, well. After she died there wasn’t really much of a Christmas to celebrate anymore. Nobody at the base is allowed to celebrate it. Dad strictly banned it. I g-guess it was because it hurt him to see it. Just made him think of her. But I still wanted it. Then you come running into my life and you end up giving me this.” she said softly, gesturing to the Forphers, the Lillions. The market. That chocolate, “There’s a part of me telling me I shouldn’t have it. I haven’t atoned for what I did to your friends.“ she added bitterly, to which Reed gasped and tenderly tilted her head up by her chin, feeling how cold yet smooth her skin was. It all meant so much to her. He could see it. He smiled and her legs just weakened.

“You deserve it. You’ve done so much good lately. Besides, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t treat my girl?” he said smoothly which got her cheeks glowing and her smile returned. His brown eyes softened.

“You didn’t need to get me anything, Alice. I already got my gift. That’s your smile.” he said with so much warmth in his voice that she felt her tears fade.

He saw her. He helped her. She may not have had anything on her now but she would try to find a way to give something back to him. Alice beamed at the necklace.

“I better try it on” she said with her hands going for her jacket, Reed letting her go to let her do that.

Once she unzipped it his eyes widened and they lingered a little before they turned. He had the pleasure of seeing her great cleavage at the party, but even now, with it covered and tightly hugged by her bodysuit, he still felt it was impolite. Though Alice was unaware for she then took the necklace and hung it around her neck. She then unzipped her collar a little to see how it looked, the heart firmly laying against her neck. Her eyes lit up and she smiled as she took hold of his coat, though again her legs went funny.

“I like iiiiiiiagh!”

She yelled as her legs finally gave up on her and she fell on her back with Reed dragged down on top of her, his hands on the ground by her sides with his face wide in shock while her face was briefly confused for a moment. Her hair was slightly out of place while his brown eyes looked so nervous in that moment. The white huffs of air was all to be seen between them, each with a hot heave. Alice was a bit embarrassed by it. But then her lips slowly lifted and her eyes were thoughtful while he was confused. Then her hand reached up and touched his jaw which had him blush; what was she up to?

“You know, if we were enemies and we ended up like this? I’d knee you in the nuts to get you off me” she told him impishly, her legs teasing against his.

Reed was surprised for a moment but her grin then eased him. He then stroked her cheek as gently as he could with how he was over her.

“Heh. Nice try. But I have a cup on me at all times” he quietly teased with him coming on top of her. Alice clicked her tongue and looked towards that area of his.

“Oh? Smart man. Gotta protect the good stuff...” she wisely noted as she looped a hand around his head, feeling his hot breath upon her which made her gut giddy as his chest came upon her great breasts. Reed smiled though he had to remind her.

“Um, we are outside, and your dad will be calling you.”

Alice felt her nose being squished slightly but her lips were up in delight.

“Yes. But a kiss won’t hurt him. And I think I’m gonna be feeling a little warmer...” she noted.

Reed giggled and he gazed back at her. “I love you. Merry Christmas, Alice Daniels.” he said as his lips came upon hers.

“I love you too. Merry Christmas Reed Wools.” was all she said before they lost themselves in a blissful kiss.

————————————-

Dear Alice. Though you may not think that well of yourself now, you don’t have any idea how much you have done to me. You have given me hope. Hope that the heart is still the strongest thing within us. Though I see darkness in so much, I see light as well. My friends. My family. And you. You don’t have any idea how much good you’ve already done. I hope once this is all done with, I can show you more of my world. But most of all? I hope that you be true to yourself. Be true to who you really are. You’re clever. You’re funny. You’re strong. You’re good. And you are beautiful. I feel so glad to have really met you, Alice.

Merry Christmas.

Reed Wools

The End