Through the horizontal peephole, Rapunzel saw a small fairy fly through the window. She heard the door fly open and tried to whisper to the fairy, ‘go back out the window,’ but the fairy did not hear.
She heard Red’s boots stomp through into the bedroom. A small scream protruded through the tree house as Red caught the fairy in her hand and lifted her up to her mouth. The tiny fairy screamed, hammering her hands against Red’s hand, but nothing worked. She tried to wriggle free, but she was already by Red’s lips. Red bit down and the fairy’s head crunched under her canines. Blood dripped onto Red’s boots as she threw the fairy’s body onto the floor. Rapunzel tried not to vomit as she peered through the closet’s panes. She could see a faint shadow then Red’s boots. The tip of her blood-soaked boots. Rapunzel held her breath as Red took a step forward, stopping in front of the closet.
Red turned and looked like she was walking away, but just before Rapunzel could feel safe, Red’s face appeared by the slit in the pane. Her face was smeared with blood. Her lips curved with twisted insanity. She threw open the door with manic laughter that made Rapunzel scream. Red grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the closet and onto the floor. She bit into Rapunzel’s arm who squealed as Peter and Snow ran into the room.
He whacked Red over the head with a bat. She dropped to the floor, and Rapunzel sat up, barely able to breath between her sobs. Peter turned to Snow. ‘Get Rapunzel out of here. I’ll clean up this mess and find out what’s happened to Red.’
Snow nodded, tears falling down her own cheeks. She looked back at her friend, wondering what caused her to lose it like that. Bell climbed up and gasped as she walked into the room. ‘What the hell happened?’
Peter scowled. ‘Red lost it. I think there is something inside her trying to get out.’ He looked around to check they were alone. ‘I cannot have her mess this up for me!’
Bell knelt down next to Peter. ‘Why don’t you ask Snow for advice? You seem pretty cosy with her.’
Peter pushed Bell backward and turned to face her. ‘I do not need your petty jealousy right now. You know you’re my number one girl,’ he growled.
‘Sorry,’ she said and gulped. ‘What do you need from me?’
He bit his lip as he pondered. ‘Toadstools. They should put whatever is trying to get out at bay for a while, at least until we can find a more permanent solution. However,’ he said, lowering his gaze to the unconscious Red. ‘If it doesn’t work, if she keeps pulling everyone’s spirits down, she will end up in the same place as Wendy.’
Bell nodded. He hadn’t said Wendy’s name in a long time, so he must be serious, she thought. Bell turned into her fairy form and flew off to gather the toadstools. Bell returned, morphed back into the human form, and squashed toadstools with some other herbs into a paste. She handed the bowl to Peter, who pushed it into Red’s mouth.
Red breathed in heavily as she woke up, coughing. ‘What happened?’
Peter lowered his head. ‘I’m afraid that something took over your body. We don’t really know what happened.’
‘Oh, no,’ Red said. ‘What did he do?’
Bell knelt down. ‘He?’
‘The wolf,’ Red shouted. ‘What did he do?’
Bell took a deep breath. ‘You attacked Rapunzel.’
Red jumped to her feet. ‘Is she okay? Where is she?’
‘She’ll be fine,’ Peter promised. ‘Snow is stitching up her arm. We found you before he could do any more damage. We gave you a paste that will suppress it. However, one of my fairies,’ he said, gesturing to the small headless body on the floor, surrounded by blood, ‘is not okay.’
Red put her hand over her mouth. ‘I am so sorry.’
Bell looked over at the broken door. ‘You should go and find Rapunzel.’
THE TRUTH
Red’s gaze traced over the stitched wounds on Rapunzel’s arm and sighed.
‘Tell me the truth,’ Rapunzel said softly. They were sat on a log in the middle of the forest. Red looked down at the floor, her eyes glassy as tears threatened to push through the corners. ‘I was just a child.’
‘You can tell me anything,’ Rapunzel said. ‘When I met you all those years ago, I just figured you were a bit of a loner, but never did I think you were—’
‘Crazy?’
Rapunzel shook her head. ‘Damaged,’ she said with a sad smile. ‘I can fix damaged things.’
‘I’m past the point of help,’ Red stated.
‘Just tell me,’ Rapunzel pleaded.
Red took a deep breath and rested her head on her hands. ‘My birth name is Ruby, the other half of me is called Redell. I took the name Red after he entered my mind.’
Rapunzel looked at her wide-eyed. ‘Who?’
‘A wolf. When I was a child, Jorim and his wife, Penny, adopted me. Penny died, so I lived with Jorim and his two sons, my brothers. Crone and Grin. They were horrible to me; they beat me, made me do all of their chores, and then told Father lies about me.’ Tears brimmed in Red’s eyes; the faces of those she loved and lost swam around her, the memories blinding her vision. All she could see was pain.
‘Your eyes, they’re swimming with grey swirls.’
Red blinked; she couldn’t have Rapunzel see the truth. The souls swimming in her eyes.
They were in the most beautiful paradise on the planet, and Rapunzel was happy. She couldn’t have it ruined. ‘I never should have come back for you.’
‘I’m glad you did,’ Rapunzel said, entwining her fingers with Red’s. ‘I love you.’
Red cried. ‘I love you too, I always did. From the moment I laid eyes on you.’
‘Oh, gosh.’ Rapunzel laughed. ‘None of this love at first sight rubbish.’
‘Seriously,’ Red started. ‘I saw you laid on the grass, no shoes on, the bottom of your dress was wet from where you had been paddling in the lake.’
Rapunzel smiled; she didn’t realise that Red had taken in all of those little details. Red continued, wiping her eyes. The memories of those she had betrayed were gone and were replaced by warmth. ‘You were laughing as a dragonfly zoomed past you. Then you looked sad. I remember you saying afterward that it was because—’
‘Dragonflies can only live for a day and that it was so unfair,’ Rapunzel finished.
‘Yes.’ Red squeezed her hand tighter. ‘You had so much compassion, goodness, and life in you that I could see no one else. It really was love at first sight.’
Rapunzel giggled. ‘And I only thought that was possible in fairy tales.’
Red smiled. ‘We should head back to the tree house.’
‘No,’ Rapunzel whispered. ‘You promised to tell me the truth.’
‘I don’t think I’m ready.’
‘Please,’ she begged.
Red looked into her eyes and sighed. ‘Father was a woodcutter. Before he adopted me, he had a daughter who he called Ruby too. I did not deserve her name, after everything I did.’
‘What could have been that bad?’
‘You must understand. Like I said, they beat me. I was seven. Seven years old, Rapunzel. I didn’t understand. I was easily manipulated.’
‘I understand. I really do,’ she cooed.
Red fiddled with the ribbon on her red dress. ‘A wolf, one which was immortal, came to me in the night. The garden was protected by herbs. He tricked me. We made a deal; he would rid me of my brothers, and in exchange, I would let him in and give him a meal and shelter. We made a blood promise. Well, long story short, I went along with it. I gave him friendship, which actually meant that he could use me as a host.’ Red paused, choking back sobs. ‘He took me over, and I let him. Then he killed my father, brothers, and my grandma, and a witch was behind it all. She still lives in the Dead Woods. He then tried to take over my mind; well, he asked me to find him another host, as he didn’t want to hurt me. I said no and drunk a potion to push him to the back of my mind. He has been lying dormant all this time. I was terrified to put the red cloak he gave me back on, as that�
�s how he got into my head in the first place. I’m scared he will come to the front of my mind. You’ve seen it when I’ve almost lost it.’
Rapunzel nodded. ‘It’s not your fault.’
‘It’s all my fault,’ she cried.
‘We will find a way to rid of your wolf,’ Rapunzel promised. ‘If it’s the last thing I do.’
PIPER’S LOVE
Hook threatened to snap the piper’s flute. ‘No,’ the piper screamed and reached for it.
Hook stepped backward. ‘So your flute is your power?’
The piper tilted his head. ‘It’s a big part of it, yes, but I could still hurt you all without it. I can make all of your nightmares come back.’
‘Wait,’ Lori said, standing in front of Hook. ‘Let’s not get hasty. You wouldn’t want your flute gone for good, would you?’
‘No,’ the piper admitted.
Lori smiled. ‘Good, then let’s talk deals. We need to get into the fountain’s entrance.’
The piper laughed. ‘Impossible.’
Hook shook his head. ‘It’s not. You’re the keeper, aren’t you?’
The piper nodded slowly. ‘I wouldn’t hand it over to you.’
‘Fine, I’ll break it,’ Hook said.
Stilt grabbed the flute from Hook and handed it back to the piper. ‘Wait,’ Stilt said to Lori and Hook who tried to hit Stilt. ‘We don’t need that to bargain with now, do we?’ He looked at the piper who caressed his flute. ‘You need something more than that, don’t you?’ Stilt asked him. The piper raised an eyebrow quizzically but did not reply. Stilt continued. ‘Treasure? No, not treasure.’ Stilt looked around the cave until he spotted a charming diamond ring encased in a glass box, sat on top of a stone ledge. ‘Perhaps a long-lost love? The fountain can bring anyone back.’
‘She’s not dead,’ the piper spat.
Stilt grinned. ‘So it is a long-lost love? Where is she? We can bring her to you!’
The piper gulped. ‘She is on Peter’s Island. I can’t go there. I’m confined to this island.’
‘Easy enough,’ Lori said. ‘If we get her for you, will you give us the key to the fountain?’
‘On one condition,’ the piper said. ‘You get her out of here once you have the power of the fountain.’
‘Why can’t you?’ Stilt asked.
‘If you destroy Neverland,’ the piper said, ‘then you kill me as well as Peter.’
Hook raised his hook. ‘You wouldn’t die for a girl!’ he stated, but then saw the look in his eyes. The same look he had for his wife. ‘Oh.’
Lori walked away. Hook called after her. ‘Where are you going?’
‘To get the girl,’ she called back. ‘What’s her name?’
The piper sighed. ‘She’s called Wendy.’
***
Bell looked over at Peter. ‘Belle’s gone.’
‘I noticed,’ he replied angrily. ‘You didn’t tell me.’
‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘She figured out that I was seeing what was in her head. She opened up; she was vulnerable, so I could see her memories. Then she closed up when I mentioned some stuff that she hadn’t told me.’
Peter’s face flushed red. ‘You did what?’
Bell teared up. ‘I thought I had her. I’m sorry.’
Peter slammed his fist onto the table. ‘Find her!’
She nodded and flew away. Snow climbed into the living area. ‘Hey Peter,’ she said dreamily. Snow had lost touch with reality so much that she was locked in a constant daydream of Peter’s making.
‘Snow,’ he said, hugging her. ‘Fancy going to the beach?’
She grinned. ‘Yes.’
***
James travelled through the enchanted mirror using the fairy dust left on the note from Belle. After three days of walking through the forest, he had finally reached the beach. He sat on the largest rock, looking down at the scene furiously. His brown eyes lit up with envy. With his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword, he eyed his competition. The boy, seventeen at most, wore a forest green cut-off top. His shorts were dirt brown; his sandals were as golden as the sand which he danced on. Snow looked different, a smile was a permanent fixture on her face, but the vacant look in her eyes alerted James to trouble. Everything glittered gold on her white dress, a dress which flowed out as she turned.
A tune filled the air. Starting slow, as if a thousand violins were playing the most cinematic tune in the world, it got higher and louder with each thud of the timed drum beat.
Snow sang with the tune, each word soothing easily into the next, unknowingly rhyming but unchained. James was entranced by the sound, feeling himself lighten.
He shook his head vigorously, trying to snap out of the trance, but he felt light as if he were floating on a cloud. His worries melted away. Watching her spin, laughing, sand bouncing around her bare feet, he thought everything was perfect in the world. Her dark hair was wavy, sea salt gave it a textured appearance, and it was longer then he remembered, falling to the small of her back. Time in the sun had done nothing but good to her snow white complexion, giving it the slightest sun-kissed glow.
‘Snow,’ James called out, but she couldn’t hear him. Her focus was Peter; he was all she could see. Nothing else mattered. ‘Snow,’ James shouted louder this time.
Snow did not see him, but Peter did. He looked up at the handsome man who was dressed like a prince. ‘Who are you?’ Peter asked suspiciously.
‘I’m your worst nightmare. That’s my girl,’ he said, pointing at Snow who was seemingly oblivious to the scene unfolding in front of her. ‘What have you done to her?’
Peter laughed boyishly. ‘Nothing, she’s just happy.’
James ground his teeth. ‘Are you with her?’
‘I am with everyone here, not just one person. I am everyone’s friend, nothing more and nothing less.’
‘Snow,’ he called out again. ‘Come on, we’re going.’
Peter put his hand up, stopping James. ‘She isn’t going anywhere. You, however, are free to stay if you wish.’
‘What? No. We are leaving.’
Peter turned to Snow. ‘Snow, do you want to leave Neverland?’
The smile disappeared from Snow’s face. ‘No, please no. What have I done wrong? Please let me stay,’ she begged. James was sickened at how pathetic she was acting. That was not Snow.
‘Good.’ Peter looked from James to Snow. He could feel something between them. He wanted James to stay. ‘Snow, your boyfriend is here.’ Peter pointed at James, and Snow, for the first time, seemed to snap out of her trance and see James.
‘James,’ she squealed and ran over to him. ‘I am so glad you’re here. I’m so sorry. I have missed you so much!’
He embraced her, resting his head against hers. He could smell the sweet smell of cherries and honey. ‘I’ve missed you too, but you’re not my Snow.’
‘What do you mean?’ Her eyebrows set deeper towards her nose as he stepped backward. ‘Of course, I am Snow.’
‘My Snow would never beg,’ James spat. ‘He’s done something to you.’
Peter was getting crosser by the second, his cheeks flushed, and James was dangerously close to tipping Peter’s anger over the edge. Bell appeared next to Peter and whispered something in his ear. Peter seemed to relax, his shoulders rolled back, and his cheeks returned to their normal, tanned colour. ‘James, is it?’ Bell asked.
He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes.’
‘Well, Snow never mentioned how handsome you are.’ She giggled and let hair platinum blond hair fall out of the bun and down to her shoulders. ‘Welcome to Neverland. You and Snow can catch up later, but first, would you like a bath and some food? You must have had a long journey?’
‘Uh …’ He looked at Snow who looked dazed again. ‘Fine, but I will be back later,’ he promised, this time looking at Peter. Peter nodded and forced a smile.
CURSED GIFT
‘You’re my most favourite person on this island,’ Peter
said with a cheeky wink. ‘I’m going to give you something if you promise to stay here with me forever.’
Snow smiled widely. ‘What is it?’
He placed his hand on hers, and she felt the power surge through her. His green gaze locked with hers. ‘Promise?’
She nodded and closed her eyes, smiling. When she opened her eyes, they slowly changed to a jade green with golden flecks in the irises.
‘Entrancing,’ he said, grinning. ‘You have the power to lure people with your gaze.’
‘I do?’ She gasped. ‘That’s amazing. Thank you.’
‘You can help lure people when they arrive here, so they want to stay with us.’
Snow grinned. ‘Great idea. They’d love it here,’ she said and twirled with glee.
Bell had left James to have a bath at the tree house and looked down at the scene through jealous eyes. Her blond hair changed to black, her eyes turned red, and her fairy dust changed from gold to blood red.
‘Bell,’ Peter called out, sensing her presence. She shook her head, and her hair and eyes changed back to normal.
She walked over to him and smiled. ‘Yes?’
‘I have given Snow a gift. Introducing, the enchantress,’ he boomed. Snow’s eyes glowed as she smiled widely, twirling.
Bell crossed her arms. ‘I thought you were going to give that to me?’ Bell asked, her eye twitching.
Peter touched her arm. ‘I cannot give you that gift, Bell. You’re fine the way you are. Snow would make the best enchantress. You know you’re still my number two girl.’
‘Number two?’ Bell batted his hand away.
‘Don’t be like that.’ He tried to smooth her hair, but she batted him away again. She turned into an orb and flew away. He sighed and turned back to Snow. ‘You look amazing.’
‘Is it working?’ Snow asked.
‘You enchant me without the gift, anyway.’
She blushed. ‘Really?’
Peter held her hand. ‘Are you happy that James is here?’
Journey to Neverland (Haunting Fairytales Series Book 2) Page 9
