Once Upon a Hallow’s Eve

by Nicole Coverdale

  “Wee!”

  Julie laughed, twirling in the water. She dived downward, swimming past a school of fish. Admiring their shining colors before swimming around them and catching up to Sebastian. “This is incredible!” she cried, grinning from ear to ear. “I feel so free!”

  “Welcome to the best thing about life under the sea,” Flounder said, swimming up to her. “There’s nothing like it.” He glanced at her. “You know, you kind of remind me of Ariel. She used to love it too. Until she yearned for freedom. For something different.”

  “Change can be good,” Julie said, swallowing, thinking about the changes she herself had gone through the last several years. “Especially when it’s for freedom.” She dove upward, breaking the surface. She blinked, shielding her eyes as the bright sunlight beamed down on her. “Holy crap! That’s bright!” she cried, gazing around at the rippling waves as they glimmered underneath the bright sun. In the distance, she caught sight of a dolphin, a whale, and further down she saw a sea otter bathing in the light. Then she caught sight of the large ship, swaying in front of them. “Whoa… is that Eric’s ship?”

  “Yup. That’s it,” Sebastian said, struggling to catch his breath as he climbed up her arm. He perched on her shoulder, staring at the waving beauty with white sails, and a polished, wooden exterior. “Pretty, isn’t it?” he asked. “But you won’t find him there. He hasn’t set sail since Ariel passed.”

  “Then where is he?”

  “In the house he built,” Flounder said, pointing his fin toward the beach. “Look, there he is.”

  Julie turned, gazing across the waves toward the small, logged house lying on the beach. Watching, as a black-haired man walked out from the house, staring across the sea waters with sad eyes. “He looks so sad,” she whispered, blinking back tears as she stared at him on the beach, his white t-shirt and baggy pants rumpled as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

  “He just lost the love of his life, Julie! How do you think he feels?”

  “Right.” She drew in a breath. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  She swam forward, paddling her arms through the water and a loud noise suddenly filled her ears.

  “Caw! Caw!”

  She jumped, catching a glimpse of something headed her way. She yelped, diving into the water as a beak dove toward her. “Sebastian! Flounder! What the hell was that?” she asked, breaking the surface again and staring up high into the sky as a seagull circled through the air. It turned, heading right for her. “Ahh!”

  “Scuttle! No!”

  Sebastian jumped on her head, waving his claws in the air. “We come in peace!”

  “Peace? Did you just say peace?” Scuttle perched himself on the log next to them, eyeing them. “You do realize you’re talking about a time where the evil sea witch is in control of the seas, right?”

  “We’re going to do what we can to stop that,” Flounder put in. “This is Julie. She’s here to help.”

  “I don’t trust her,” Scuttle said, regarding Julie warily. “She has a fin. A mermaid’s fin, and there is only one mermaid I trust. Ariel. And she’s dead.”

  “I promise, I’m not here to hurt anyone,” Julie said, raising her hands in surrender. “I just want to help get this story back on track. If we don’t, my world could be in very, real danger.”

  “How can you help? You’re just…”

  “A girl?” Julie asked, scowling. “And you’re just a bird with a big mouth.”

  Scuttle laughed. “Feisty, aren’t we?”

  “More like, annoyed,” Julie said. “I’ll have you know that I am a very powerful witch. A witch who can help you, and maybe even bring Ariel back to life.”

  “You can’t bring the dead back to life, Missy.”

  “No, but I’m willing to bet if I can get this story back on track, her death will have never happened.”

  “You’re biting off more than you can chew, Missy,” Scuttle said. “Because the evil witch is determined to get rid of all the happy endings, all across the realms.”

  “Evil witch?”

  “Why yes. She’s the one who sent you here.”

  “No, it was…” she trailed off. “Her minion.”

  “Minion.” Sebastian snorted. “Who has minions these days?”

  “Apparently the evil witch does,” Julie murmured. “Scuttle, how do you know all of this?”

  Scuttle shrugged. “I hear things. Plus she was here, not long ago. Oh, my brothers and sisters were frightened to death.”

  “You saw her?”

  “Not me, but there was certainly a vibe. An evil vibe. I’m guessing that’s why she sent you here. To get rid of you. I’ve heard of you and your sisters Julie. A lot of demons fear you. That’s why the witch sent you here. She thinks, that if you get stuck in your favorite fairytales, without happy endings, it’ll be your undoing.”

  “You have sisters?” Flounder asked.

  Julie nodded. “Yes. Three of them.”

  “And they’re witches too?”

  “Damn right they are, and I’m guessing they got sucked into a fairytale just like me. Hmm…” She tapped a finger against her lips. “Damn witch. She’s going to be very surprised when we come home.” She grinned. “Come on!”

  They headed for the shore, and Julie paused at the beach. Watching as Eric turned toward them. “Sebastian? Flounder?”

  “Hi Eric!” Flounder cried, jumping out of the water.

  “Man! Is it good to see you guys!” Eric cried, crouching down, and looking at the two. He lifted his head. “And you, Scuttle. And…” He trailed off when he caught sight of Julie. “And who are you?”

  “I’m Julie,” Julie said, swimming forward and extending a hand. “I kind of ended up here by accident.”

  “You’re not by any chance the one I summoned for, are you?”

  “Summoned for?” Julie arched a brow. “Sorry, Eric, but a demon sent me here.”

  “Hmm…” Eric tapped a finger against the side of his temple, then he shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, because you’re here to help, right?”

  “As much as I can.”

  “That’s good enough for me. You’re a witch, right?”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I’ve done my research. Come on.” He held a hand out to her.

  “Ah, Eric, we have a little issue,” Julie said, pointing to her fin. “I can’t exactly walk on this.”

  “Oh right. Hold on!” He raced back toward the house, returning a moment later with a vial. “Here. I think this will help. Ariel made this for herself, when she first got her legs. That way she could visit her friends and family whenever she wished.”

  Julie took the vial from him, eyeing the dark, brown liquid. “It looks disgusting!” she cried, but closed her eyes and brought the vial to her lips. “But, I guess it’s better than nothing.” She took a sip.

  Within seconds, the fin disappeared, and she gasped. Staring at her legs, as they reappeared. “Holy crap. It worked!” she cried. “How did Ariel come up with this?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Eric said, glancing away and handing her his jacket. “Here.”

  “Thank you.” Julie took the jacket from him, wrapping it around herself. She stepped out of the water, stumbling as her legs felt like spaghetti. She fell, and Eric reached out, catching her. “Easy there.”

  “Thanks. I guess I have to get used to walking again,” Julie said, laughing as she straightened. She lifted her head, staring up into his deep, blue eyes feeling her heart skip a beat. Man, he’s handsome!

  She scowled at herself. Julie, stop it! You’re here to help, remember? Not to goggle over the prince!

  “Do you by any chance have some extra clothes I can borrow?” she asked.

  “Of course. Follow me.”

  They walked across the sandy beach, toward the small house. As they entered the house, Julie turned to look around, noticing pictures of Ariel. It’s like a shrine, she thought. Staring at pictures o
f Ariel in the water, collecting sea shells, eating at the table, there was even a picture of her and Eric at the ball. She paused, staring up at the portrait. “You guys look so happy.”

  “We were,” Eric said, handing her a set of clothes and turning his back. “We were in love.”

  “I know.” Julie quickly dawned on the clothes, her gaze going to the table in the middle of the room. She walked over to it, staring down at the pictures of her and her sisters. “How did you know about us?”

  “Everyone knows about you,” Eric said. “That’s why I tried contacting you today. On all Hallow’s eve. The only day of the year when the realms are connected. Only it seems, the demon and I had the same thoughts. To bring you here.”

  “Only he wants to destroy me.”

  “And I want you to help me.” Eric gestured her forward. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

  He disappeared inside a room, and Julie quickly hurried after him. Stopping, when she saw the coffin. “Is that…”

  “Yes. It’s Ariel,” Eric said, placing a hand on the glass coffin and staring down at the redheaded woman lying inside.

  She looks so peaceful, Julie thought, staring down at the woman. Almost as if she’s sleeping. She placed her hand on the coffin, tears filling her eyes as she gazed at the young woman, dressed in a light, pink dress. Feeling sad that her favorite fairytale character had gone through so much.

  “I preserved her body,” Eric continued, breaking into her thoughts. “Because I knew deep in my heart someday someone would come to help us. That they would save our world, save Ariel, and Ariel would finally be able to give birth to our daughter.”

  “She’s pregnant?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh. Wow.” Julie blinked. “Eric, I’ll do what I can. I promise. I want nothing more than to bring your happy ending back.”

  “I know. Thank you for coming, Julie.”

  “It was more like fate brought me,” Julie said, laughing. “So, where is—”

  “Julie! Eric! Come quick!”

  Boom!

  The ground suddenly shook, and Julie gasped. She grabbed the wall for support, watching as Eric grabbed the spear off the wall. “Wait! Eric! No!”

  “She’s here!” Eric shouted, racing out of the house. “And I will not let her take anything else from me!”

  “Dammit! Eric! You’re going to get yourself killed!” Julie shouted, racing after him. Another blast shook the ground and she stumbled. She slid to a stop, grabbing the side of the house for support and gazed across the beach, staring at Ursula as she rose from the water. Her large, purple and black body rising as she raised her trident. A beam of electricity zinging through the air. “Ursula.”

  “Hello, my darling,” Ursula said, landing on the beach with a loud thunk. Her eight tentacles spraying out in front of her. She smiled, her blood red lips curling into an evil smile. “I heard there was an intruder in my seas. I’m sorry, Child, but there is no place for you here.” She aimed the trident toward her.

  Electricity shot from the prongs, and Julie screamed. She dove to the ground, rolling as electricity flew around her.

  “Blasted woman! Why won’t you die?”

  “Because I’m a good witch,” Julie said, jumping to her feet. “And good witches don’t die!” She flung her hand out and swore. Julie! You don’t have your powers, remember?

  Ursula laughed. “You don’t scare me, little girl.” One of her tentacles struck out, grabbing Eric by the throat. “Hello, Eric. It’s been a while.”

  “Let me go!”

  “Let him go!”

  Caw! Caw!

  Scuttle dove down from the skies, pecking his beak at her.

  “You fool!” Ursula jerked around, one of her tentacles whipping out. She smacked Scuttle in the side of the head, and he flopped to the ground, laying there helpless.

  “Scuttle!”

  “You have this naïve hope of bringing this sea back to its former glory, little girl,” Ursula said, turning and glancing over at Julie. “But what are you gonna do when there’s no one left to save?” She tightened her grip around Eric’s throat.

  “No! Ursula! Don’t kill him! If he dies, so do all of you!” Was that really true? She hand no idea!

  “She’s not going to kill me, Julie,” Eric gasped out, winking at her. He lifted the spear in his hand and slung it forward.

  “No!”

  An eel jumped out from the water, diving in front of Ursula. The spear striking through its body.

  “No!” Ursula screamed, letting go of Eric. He tumbled to the ground, and Ursula dove downward. She lifted the eel, staring at its lifeless body, then at Eric. “You fool! You killed my baby! Now, I’m going to kill someone you love.” She aimed the trident toward the house.

  “No!”

  Electricity slung from the trident, zinging toward the house. Julie stumbled, the ground shaking underneath her once more. She tripped, falling to the ground. A scream escaping her mouth as the stream of electricity hit the house, the house crumbling, and falling on top of her.

  “Will you get your grubby, greasy, hands off of me!” Jasmine shouted, struggling against the restraints tied around her wrists. She winced, the rope rubbing raw, and the edge of the sword poked into the small of her back. Ouch!

  “You have a mouth on you, little mouse,” the guard said, leaning in close and snickering in her ear. “You’re not going anywhere, Lady. You’re stuck with us.”

  “I figured just as much,” Jasmine muttered, panting, as sweat beaded across her forehead. They trudged down the long, sandy road and she glanced around her. Staring at the miles and miles of sand lying before her. Raising her head to stare up at the sun lying high in the sky, and sighed. What a mess this is!

  “Jasmine, are you okay?”

  She glanced back at Sky, as the guard shoved him forward. Her eyes locked with his, and she smiled despite their predicament. He’s worried about me? How sweet. “I’m fine, Sky,” she said as they were pushed through the large gates. The guards lead them up to the large, black doors with gold, squiggly designs. “I am worried though,” she said, as they stepped inside the palace. “About my sisters. Where are they?”

  “My guess, they got sucked into some other fairytale,” Sky said as they entered the palace. He glanced around him, shuddering at the black and red painting along the walls. This is so wrong! he thought. This isn’t the way this is supposed to be! “It was probably part of the demon’s plan to split you up, but don’t worry. They’ll be fine. They’re strong, Jasmine. You all are.”

  “I know,” Jasmine whispered as the guard opened a door, and pushed them through. She stumbled down the steps. “But I still worry. We’ve never been apart this long. Since I knew I had sisters that is.”

  Sky chuckled. “You Morgans really like to worry, don’t you? Jasmine, they’re fine. It’s…”

  “Our destiny, I know,” Jasmine said, rolling her eyes as she glanced over at him. “You keep saying that, but we’re still people, Sky. We feel. We think. We worry, and we feel pain. They’re my sisters! Don’t you remember what it’s like to have a family? To worry about them?”

  “Of course I do.”

  Jasmine froze, the pain in his voice stabbing her in the heart. “Sky…”

  “Here you go, Lady,” the guard jerked the door in front of her open, shoving her inside. “Home sweet home.”

  “Hey!” Jasmine gasped, hitting the cold concrete with a hard thud. Her head smacked against the wall, and she groaned as Sky was thrown in next to her. The door slamming shut.

  “Wait! No!” Jasmine jumped to her feet, racing toward the door. She wrapped her hands around the bars, shaking them. “You can’t just leave us here!”

  “You’re a prisoner. It’s where you belong,” the guard said, as he locked the door. “Have fun with the scorpions.”

  “Wait. What?”

  A chirp sounded behind her and Jasmine froze. She turned, glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes widening w
hen she saw the scorpions scrambling up the wall. “Oh God. We’re going to die.”

  “Somehow, I don’t think death by scorpions is in the cards for us,” Sky said, rising to his feet. He walked up next to her, folding his arms across his chest. “We should try to get some sleep.”

  “Sleep? You’re kidding, right? There’s no way I can sleep here!” Jasmine cried, jumping back as a scorpion climbed up the wall next her. She shuddered, then glanced at Sky. “Sky, I’m sorry. What I said about your family… that wasn’t fair.”

  Sky nodded, sliding to the ground and tracing a finger along the crack in the floor. “It’s okay, Jasmine. You’re upset, I get it.” He blew out a breath, leaning his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. “But the truth is, sometimes I forget what it’s like to have people who care about you, who love you, and who are there for you. I’ve been around a long time, Jasmine. I’ve seen a lot. Been through a lot.”

  “You mean your death?”

  Sky nodded. “Yes. I went through hell back then, Jasmine. The way I died…” He shook his head, his voice catching. “It was sudden, it was painful, and I left everyone I loved behind. My Mom. My Dad. Even my brothers and sisters. I could do nothing to erase their pain.”

  “Did you ever go see them… when you were reborn?”

  Sky smiled tightly. “Is that what you’re calling it? Yes, I did. Once I was put back on earth, I did go see them. They’re happy, Jasmine. My Mom, she’s remarried. My sister, my brothers, they all have their own lives. Have gone to college. Have friends. A family. They’re happy too.”

  “What about your Dad?”

  “He wasn’t so lucky.”

  “Sky!” Jasmine wrapped her hand around his. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s life, Jasmine. Some live. Some die. Some are reborn. Some are even lucky enough to live their lives to their full potential.”

  “Did they see you?”

  Sky shook his head. “No. It would do no one any good. Seeing me, it would just confuse them. I couldn’t do that to them. They deserve to be happy.”