The moment Mia's eyes opened, the memory hit her. She closed them again and tried to fall back asleep. But it was too late. Ivy was gone. How was that possible? Ivy couldn't be gone. Mia still needed Ivy. Surely, that had been a nightmare. Surely, that hadn't actually happened. But if it hadn't happened, then why was there so much pain in Mia's heart? What if Ivy really was gone?
This couldn't be happening. Mia couldn't imagine life without Ivy. How could she get up and go about her life when her whole world was gone? If only Mia had gotten to Ruby and Ivy just a little bit faster. Then things wouldn't have ended like this. But Mia had been too late. Rosy, it was Rosy who had killed Ivy. Why, oh why had Mia trusted her? If she had known who Rosy really was, she wouldn't have helped her.
"Mia?" That was Ruby's voice. "Hello? It's morning." Mia ignored her. Life had ended. What could she do without Ivy? There was no point in getting out of bed or doing anything anymore. "Mia, please answer me," Ruby went on. Now Ruby was tugging the blanket off Mia.
A scream rose up from Mia, and Ruby flinched back. Screaming didn't fix anything. But what else could Mia do? She could cry. Screaming was the only thing that she could do. So, she screamed, and she screamed as loudly as she could. But the pain in her heart didn't fade away. It just grew more and more intense with every breath that Mia took. Ivy's voice filled her mind. What a firm yet gentle voice Ivy had. Mia wasn't ever going to get to hear that voice ever again. She would never feel Ivy's arms around her again. She would never see Ivy smiling down at her. Ruby took hold of Mia and pulled her into an embrace. That brought little comfort to the child. Ruby's hug didn't feel like Ivy's hug. Nobody gave hugs that were just like Ivy's.
"Did I dream it?" screamed Mia. "Please, Ruby, tell me it was a nightmare!"
"It wasn't. I'm so, so sorry, Mia," whispered Ruby. There was so much pity in Ruby's eyes. "I wish it was. I really wish that it were."
"BUT I NEED IT TO BE A DREAM. IT HAS TO BE A DREAM!"
"I'm sorry, Mia. But we have to keep going. It's what Ivy would have wanted." Ruby was probably right. Ivy had told Mia that she needed to listen to Ruby. So, that was one tiny little thing that Mia could do to make Ivy proud, even if Ivy wouldn't be there to see it. Mia's little fingers clung to Ruby. Ruby wasn't Ivy. But Ruby was here, and she was all that Mia had to cling to. "We can't tell anyone what happened. It needs to stay secret. Do you understand, Mia?" asked Ivy. Mia nodded. Yes, telling people would just end in more dolls getting hurt. That was the last thing that Mia wanted. Ivy wouldn't want it either. Ivy... Ivy... Ivy couldn't be gone. There was no way that someone as strong as Ivy could be killed. With one final scream, Mia buried her face in her hands and snuggled up close to Ruby.
"Why... why do we have to keep playing?" Mia knew the answer already.
"I know it's not fair. But we have to," whispered Ruby.
"D-did Ivy tell you about my powers?"
"Yes."
"I-I've been feeling really good lately. Soon I won't be able to feel anything bad. That good feeling will last for several weeks," explained Mia.
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"Well, that should make this a little easier for you," said Ruby gently.
"B-but I don't want it to. I want to miss Ivy. Because I love her. Shouldn't it hurt when you lose someone you love?"
Ruby didn't answer. She just held Mia tightly. The two dolls just sat there together, holding on to each other as if the rest of the world wasn't there. There was no telling how much time passed before Ruby got to her feet and carefully lifted Mia out of the bed.
Ivy... Ivy... strong Ivy... kind Ivy... Ivy who had always seemed so untouchable... Ivy was gone. Loyal Ivy... powerful Ivy... Ivy was gone. These words spun round and round in Mia's head until her entire mind became one merry-go-round. The world around her wasn't real anymore, it was just a bright and colorful blur. There was nothing beyond Ruby. Ivy had been Mia's world. Ruby was a tiny little moon that had orbited Ivy. Now that little moon was the only thing in existence. The hallway was full of dolls who were talking softly. But Mia couldn't see them. Her eyes were fixed on Ruby's face. Suddenly, Mary's voice filled the room.
"Good morning unit 463! I have some unfortunate news to share with you. Ivy is dead," Mary's voice said. Gasps rose up from all the dolls. Mary's voice was almost drowned out by the panicked whispers of the frightened and confused dolls. Of course, they were shocked and terrified because they knew what Mia knew. Everything would fall apart without Ivy. Mia didn't know what Ivy had done to get all the other dolls to listen to her. Maybe Ivy had a secret spell that Mia didn't know about. But Mia didn't really need an answer to that question.
Things would still fall apart without Ivy. "Over the next couple of days, I will organize things and select a new leader!" Mary added. Who? Who else could be like Ivy? Nobody could. No matter how brave the new leader was, Ivy would always be better. Now Mia felt angry. She had no idea why she was angry or who she was angry with, so she just decided to direct the anger towards Mary.
That was easy enough. It was always easy to feel angry with Mary. Why did things have to be like this? Why did life have to be so horrible? Why did Mia have to live without Ivy? She didn't want to live without Ivy. Now Mia found herself wishing that the humans had never built her. Surely, nothingness would feel better than this. Oh well, Mia would never get to know for sure. Ruby set Mia down and took her hand as the dolls all headed out towards the square. Mia could feel the collective misery in the air around her. She held on tightly to Ruby's hand. A part of Mia half expected to look up and see Ivy holding her hand. But of course, it was just Ruby. Because Ivy was... gone.
"Hey! Hey! Ruby, wait up!" That was Blossom's voice. Blossom sounded much more cheerful than she normally did. She must not know the news. "Where's Ivy? I wanted to ask her something," Blossom said. Ruby hesitated.
"Ivy is dead," said Ruby at last. A gasp escaped Blossom. Ruby's words brought fresh pain to Mia's soul. Suddenly the sun seemed to lose its warmth and the world its color. What was the point in there even being a world if Ivy couldn’t be a part of it? Mia knew these questions wouldn't get answers and even if they did, Ivy would still be dead. There was nothing she could do to change that fact. Mia pulled out her list as Mary's voice filled the air. The world around her was loud and bright. But it wasn't real. Life wasn't real anymore. Because if life was real, it was the most unfair thing to ever exist.
Level
10
XP
49
Strength
5/100
Health
100/100
Stamina
100/100
Spells/Powers
Montus