Alexa Frostbite

Nearly dying can do strange things to a person. 

To be alive one minute, breathing and thinking and the next, dead. There was no other word for what he'd been. Alexa hadn't told him much about what had transpired in Halfirr. He hadn't expected her to, but he'd hoped that maybe she trusted him more by now. They'd been through enough together. They were sitting in Mel's living room again, where she'd yelled at them for leaving her and demanded answers. This time he knew they weren't going to be able to lie their way out of this one. Well, Alexa couldn't. She couldn't lie. She could do a lot of things, but she couldn't lie. Melanie stalked in, a hot cup of mocha clutched between her fingers. She gripped it so tightly he was afraid the china would break.

"Miss Melanie"—

"Tell me what happened back there!" she shouted, her voice completely bulldozing Alexa's out of existence. His lips puckered, and he had to choke his laugh into his sleeve. His hands still felt cold, but he guessed that was the shock and whatever that magic Blott Rye had done to him. Magic. The concept of that existing still took some getting used to.

"Why do you guys look like you've been down a mineshaft? I want to know the truth. You appear in the middle of Manchester after moving away with this," she gestured to Alexa. "This Austen reject. Jake, please, what's happening?" He looked up but couldn't meet her gaze.

"I wish I could. Mel, even I don't know what's going on. All you need to know is that it's dangerous and I don't want you involved," he said. Hopefully, she'd take his answer. It was the most honest one she was ever going to get. Melanie slammed the cup onto the table and sighed. From next to him, Alexa leaned closer.

"We should leave Jake. I do not want to be a burden on this girl much longer. There is also the matter of Wolfie catching up," she reminded him. Oh, fantastic. He'd almost forgotten about her. Which was quite an achievement in itself to be fair.

"You're right," he said and stood up from the couch. His rucksack lay in the chair behind Mel. As he inched towards it, she gave him a hard stare.

"What are you doing?" This time it was his turn to sigh.

"Mel please, you don't understand"—

"Only cause' you won't tell me!" she snarled.

"Actually, she does have a point there," said Alexa.

"Shut up!" They chorused. Mel's hands scrunched into fists and Jake could see tears gathering.

"Please, just tell me what's going on". She moved to wipe her sleeve over her face. Inch by inch, he slid towards the rucksack, and managed to reach behind her and grab it. Then he peered over at Alexa. Maybe the link worked two ways. Maybe he could start a conversation with it. Not that he wanted to exactly, but it was starting to seem like the only option they had.

Alexa? Alexa, can you hear me? Immediately, she met his gaze and nodded.

"Well Jake?" Mel pressed. "What's going on?"

Can you use that Alteration again? So Mel forgets us and she won't be in danger? His words only received a blank stare. In his mind, a wall of thorns sprung up. Was Alexa sending him images now? Jeez, that wasn't right. He tried to ask again, but she stood up, walking across the room. She stopped and put her hand on Mel's shoulder.

"Melanie, you must understand that we cannot tell you. You are such a bright girl and I for one do not want to put you in danger. If you want to help us, then let us leave and forget we were ever here," she said. Mel's face fell.

"But you guys are my friends. Real friends, who don't lie. You can't go". She wrapped her arms around Alexa. To his surprise, Alexa returned the embrace. It seemed like time froze itself long enough for them to say goodbye. Sniffing, Mel began to smile.