Terror filled Mia. But still she held on tightly to Ruby. What had happened? Was this the end of the world? Slowly, ever so slowly, Mia opened her eyes. The sun was shining down brightly on them. It had risen in a few seconds. Mia hadn't known that Mary could make the sun rise so quickly. Why had she even turned the sun back on? Weren't these meant to be the midnight games? Mia looked around. The streets were filled with dazed and confused faces that looked around at each other with concern in their eyes.
"Sorry about that. Something appears to have gone wrong," said Mary after a long pause. "Give us just a few minutes to work out this problem."
"Has anything like this ever happened before?" asked Ruby. Mia shook her head.
"I-I've never seen this happen before. Have you, Blossom?" Blossom just shook her head. There was another sudden flash, and the sun disappeared once more. A few minutes later, stars began to appear in the sky up above.
"There we go!" said Mary cheerfully. "Now you may all resume your playing." Not a single doll moved.
"What in the world is going on?" Blossom whispered. "The overseers are meant to have perfect control over the city."
Mia didn't have an answer to Blossom's question. Ivy had never described anything like this to Mia before. So, this was a brand-new problem. Wonderful. The last thing that Mia needed was another thing to worry about.
"Please resume your playing!" Mary said again. Blossom was the first to stand up. Ruby and Mia followed her lead. Now Mia could hear movement around her as the other dolls got up. They went on through the streets. Mia shook herself and tried to take a few deep breaths to calm herself. She knew that she needed to stay focused on the task at hand. That was what Ivy would do if she were here.
"Stop." Blossom raised her hand suddenly. Ruby and Mia froze. "Do you hear that?"
Mia strained her ears but couldn't make out a single sound. "Hear what?" asked Mia.
"Close your eyes, now!" Blossom ordered. Mia obeyed. There was another blinding flash and the sun was back. Okay, now this was becoming downright scary. “I heard this strange humming sound right before the sun rose. I don't know what it was. It didn't sound like anything that I’ve heard before," whispered Blossom.
A heavy silence had fallen over the city. Blossom's voice seemed very loud despite the fact that she was whispering. All the dolls were looking up at the sky. Everyone listened quietly for Mary's voice. Terror took hold of Mia. She was used to feeling afraid and she was used to danger. But the danger she was used to was organized. She might not be in danger at the moment. But she still had no idea what to do. Something must be deeply wrong and there was nothing Mia could do about it. After what felt like a hundred years of silence, Mary began speaking again. Her voice was so sweet and soft that Mia could hardly understand what she was saying.
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"I'm sorry everyone. Today's games must end early. We have some issues we must attend to. But don't you fear. Everything will be better tomorrow. Thank you for playing today." Relief filled Mia and overtook her fear. That was something. The world was probably falling apart. But if nothing else that meant that she didn't have to play these stupid games.
"Thank you again, Blossom," said Ruby, getting to her feet. "We'd be dead if you hadn't noticed that one doll sneaking up on us."
"Happy to help. I'm glad I could do my little part. Well... this is all very strange indeed. I guess I'll see you two later." With a smile and a wave, Blossom turned to leave. Mia watched her go. Even the way that Blossom walked looked more alive. It felt strange to call a walk hopeful. But that was the word that came to Mia's mind as she watched Blossom. It made Mia so happy to see her this way. But it also made her feel scared for Blossom. Had Lu told her the bad news yet? If she hadn't, how would Blossom take it? It broke Mia's nonexistent heart to imagine Blossom falling back into despair and sorrow.
Well, if she did, there wasn't anything Mia could do to help. There was nothing Mia could ever do to help any of her friends. Maybe she could become a messenger. Surely that would be very helpful. Mia just needed to get Ruby to trust her first.
"What a strange day it has been," whispered Ruby. "I'm not complaining. I'm happy that the games are over. But I can't help but wonder what's happening up there with the overseers. Do you have any ideas, Mia?"
"Nope. Maybe we should ask Lu. That sounds like the kind of thing that she might be able to answer. It seems like she solves about a hundred different mysteries every single day. I wish I could do that."
"That's a good point. I'll ask her later," said Ruby.
"Wonderful. Umm... not to nag you Ruby... but have you thought about my idea at all, Ruby?" asked Mia. A tired but bright smile appeared on Ruby's round face.
"Yes," whispered Ruby. Mia didn't press her further. That smile and that yes were enough for Mia. Her grip on Ruby's hand tightened but not out of fear.
"Thank you for trusting me. I promise I won't let you down, Ruby." No matter what happened, Mia was going to stay strong. She had a job to do, and she was determined to do it well. This was for Ruby, this was for Ivy, this was for Blossom, this was for Lu, this was for the rebels. This was for every single doll in the City of Chipped hearts. This was for the living and the dead. It was a small role. But whatever Mia did from now on, she would do for every doll who had ever lived.
Level
12
Xp
56
Strength
5/100
Health
100/100
Stamina
40/100
Spells/Powers
Montus