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”HEY!”

The voice sounds foreign. You’re not sure where it came from, but the pair are both staring at you now. You’re out in the open and your hands are clinched into fists so tight it hurts. Your entire body is trembling. The world begins to blur, but you blink back the tears. All you can do now is stand there.

Bon-Bon’s smile is gone. Her jaw is slack and the color fades from her cheeks. Her hands fall to her side. Her eyes are wide with horror. With recognition. She mouths the word “Liza“.

“Isn’t that your niece?“ You hear Lyra ask.

Bon-Bon turns to look at Lyra, then rushes toward you. Her run is off-balanced and she almost trips once. When she reaches you, she drops to her knees.

“Liza, are you alright? I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” She pushes your hair away from your bandage, “What happened to you? Are you alright?“ She keeps repeating herself.
Lyra catches up to her and bends down to you, “Hey! Eh Tootsie, right? That’s a nasty bump you got there.” Why is she acting like she doesn’t know you? “What are you doing here?“ Her head is tilted to one side and she has a soft, kind smile across her lips. Why is she acting like she doesn’t know you?