Darkside 27 

Bette and Tina were curled in each other’s arms laying in the bed. Chirping birds could be heard through the open balcony door. 

Alistair laughed outside. 

“Sissy got you, again.” He laughed at Tasha.

“I let her do that.” Tasha stood. 

“Yeah right and I’m straight.” Alice asked. 

“Oh shut up.” Tasha said. 

“You want some more?” Avery asked. Tasha took off her armor. “Hmm Okay.” 

They drew there swords and took a fighting stance. Tasha made the first move. They’re swords met with a clang. 

Bette sat up in the bed and looked around. Alistair and Addy were no longer with them. 

“Tina. Wake up. The children.” She said frantically. 

“Huh. What?” Tina rolled over. 

“The kids there gone.” Bette said. Tina sat straight up in the bed.

“Where did they go?” Tina asked. 

Tasha took a quick swing at Avery and nearly caught her arm, but at the last second Avery flipped over Tasha’s head and slashed at Tasha’s back. Alistair burst into laughter again. 

“Give up?” Avery asked. 

“Never.” Tasha said. 

“Did you hear that?” Bette asked. 

“No, What?” Tina asked. 

“Laughing.” Bette walked out onto the balcony. “Come see.” Bette motioned for Tina. Tina looked down into the backyard. 

“They’re trying to kill each other.” Tina said. 

“No they’re sparing. It’s Avery’s favorite game. It looks like she’s bested Tasha a couple times.” Bette glowed proudly. 

“Avery don’t hurt her.” Helena called from the porch. She was holding Addy.

Avery looked over at her, distracted she opened herself up and Tasha took to opportunity to snag Avery’s arm ending the match. Avery winced as the blade sliced her skin open.

“She’s hurt.” Tina said. She was filled with the need to get to Avery. She was gone in a blink of an eye and reappeared at Avery’s side. “Are you okay?” She asked looking at the blood oozing out of Avery’s left arm. 

“I’m fine see.” Avery looked down at her arm healing itself.

“No more of this fight what if one you actually get hurt.” Tina said. 

“Tasha’s pretty good and Alice heals her after each match and as you saw I can’t be hurt long. I heal on my own. It doesn’t even hurt much.” Avery said. 

“I don’t care no more.” Tina said. Everyone was unsure if Avery would listen to Tina. She  had never listened very well in the past much less to someone new. 

“Okay.” Avery said. Bette walked out onto the porch. Addy reached for her. 

“Brunch is ready.” Lil said. Bette turned to look at her. 

“How did you get her here?” Bette asked. 

“The thing she wants most is to be normal, but she’s got some very big battles to win before that can happen. She’s gonna need us to help. I promised we’d follow her lead and we will. If we don’t she’ll leave and never come back. At least not as the child we raised. Let’s just enjoy the normalcy while we can.” Lil said. 

“Thank you. You always know exactly what she needs to hear.” Bette said. Lil just smiled and walked back inside. 

Everyone sat around a large oak table passing around all sorts of breakfast foods. Avery sat quietly in her chair next to Shane and Helena watching her family. The small white mouse climbed into her lap. It squeaked at her. 

“Are you not hungry?” Helena asked. 

“Not really.” Avery said. 

“That’s new you’ve never turned down Helena’s waffles.” Alice said. 

“Alice.” Bette said. 

The mouse squeaked in her lap again. 

“I don’t eat human food anymore.” Avery said. 

“What are you talking about?” Bette asked.