Author's Note: It's been a while since my last update, but I did it! I'm satisfied with how this little part ended. Let me know what you think! I promise the next update will not take this long!
"What is she doing here?"
"How did she get in?"
"Obviously your key wasn't as well hidden as you thought, Doc!"
"Don't blame him, Grumpy. You lock yourself out enough as it is."
"Why you!"
"Enough! She's waking up."
Snow White had the worst headache. She slowly opened her eyes, expecting blinding light but was greeting by the dim glow of a fireplace. Grimhilde never used the fireplace. Snow blinked. Where am I?
Her vision began to clear and she saw seven men, none over four feet in height, with grey hair, sagging jowls and various hats in different shades. They all stared at her, some harshly, but there was one who beamed, wiggling his ears at her.
"Dopey!" she gasped.
The youngest of the Dwarf brothers nodded. He scurried over and hugged the teenager tightly. Tears pricked her eyes.
"Well, now that you're awake, maybe you can explain what you're doing here, Ms. Blanchard."
Snow looked up from Dopey's tear stained shoulder to see Doc staring at her, arms folded across his chest. She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her coat. Sneezy, his nose red from his allergies, handed her a handkerchief. She smiled gratefully.
"I'm in danger," she said quietly. Admitting it out loud made the night's events too real. She stared at the plaid couch, weaving the handkerchief nervously between her fingers and over her knuckles again and again.
"Danger? From who?" Happy asked, his usual smile gone from his face.
Snow sniffed again. She looked up at the men who were her father's best friends and her favourite uncles. "My stepmother sent a man to kill me tonight, the same one who killed Dad. He … He told me not to go home. She would find me. I just … I started running and, and then I saw this mailbox sign and I thought … I remembered Dad said you were his friends and you would help me if I need it." She blew her nose. "I could sure use some help right now."
The brothers exchanged confused looks. Doc turned back to Snow. "Ms. Blanchard, your father died in a car accident. Everyone says so."
She shook her head vigorously. "No, he didn't! Officer Huntsman admitted to me that he cut the breaks because Grimhilde wanted Dad gone. She just wanted his money, and now that his is drying up, she wants my inheritance!" Snow looked each man in the eye. "Please, you have to believe me."
Dopey, who had yet to leave the couch, took her hand in his and squeezed. He never did spoke a word when she was little, but his gesture said it all.
The six brothers turned their backs to the pair on the couch and began to discuss their options.
"We should turn her out. What if that crazy witch comes here looking for her? If she did do it, we'll be next!"
"Grumpy, how could you?" Happy hissed. "Clark was our friend. What kind of friends would we be if we turned away his only child?"
"Smart ones," Grumpy muttered.
"Enough, both of you," Doc hushed. "This is serious. If what she says is true, we have to get this to the police. We need to put this woman away."
"But how? We have no proof," Bashful said quietly.
"If I can get Officer Huntsman to testify, will you keep me safe?" Snow asked.
The men turned to her. Doc raised an eyebrow. "Do you think he would? He's kept this secret for a long time, Snow. He may not be willing to end his career."
Snow shrugged. "By not killing me, he already has. Grimhilde has something on him, and once she finds out I'm alive, she'll likely use it against him and either ruin his life or," she swallowed, "end it."
Grumpy crossed his arms. "Girl's got a point. Unfortunately."
Happy smiled. "Then it's settled. Snow stays here until we can get to the police." He looked at the teenager. "You can't leave this house, Snow. You must promise to stay where it's safe."
"And you can't call anyone," Sneezy added.
Doc held out his hand. Snow grabbed the phone from her backpack and reluctantly handed it over. "I can't even tell my friends I'm alright?"
Grumpy shook his head. "If we're lucky, she doesn't have a tracking device on this thing. If she does …" he trailed off. Snow shuddered. She hoped Ella wasn't too worried. Once I'm safe, I'll find a way to explain everything.
Happy grinned. "Now that this is settled, what do you say I put on a pot of my famous chili and we have ourselves a hearty meal?"
The boys groaned. "Not your chili!" said Grumpy. "That gave me indigestion for a week."
"I believe it was heartburn for me," Doc added.
"Why don't I make something? To show my gratitude?" Snow suggested.
"Now there's an idea!" Sneezy said. "Just no pepper."
Snow chuckled. "No pepper. I can do that. I think I still remember where everything is in your kitchen." She got up and unzipped her jacket. She hung it up on the hook by the front door and brushed aside a loose curl. Dopey took her arm and escorted her into the kitchen.
That night, the Dwarf brothers and Blanchard girl shared a supper of tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, and lemonade. Snow listened attentively as the brothers doled out stories about her father in his younger days. She could hardly believe he used to go horseback riding with the Dwarfs, and that he was the best jumper the county had seen in a decade. They told her – Bashful did – that this was how Clark got her mother's attention.
"What was she like?" Snow asked quietly.
Dopey patted her arm and, when she looked, he smiled and pointed eagerly at it.
"She had the nicest smile," Happy translated. "Her laugh was better, though. She snorted like a pig!"
"Nice disposition, too. Can't understand what she saw in your father. Girl like that could have had anyone," Grumpy said.
"Oh, come now, Grumpy. You know love isn't as simple as that," Doc shook his head. "They loved each other very much, Snow. When she had you, her whole life changed for the better. She doted on you." He glanced down at his bowl of soup. "You look just like her."
The boys agreed. Snow frowned. "You miss her, don't you?"
"Very much," Bashful said, his cheeks turning red.
"Your father, too, of course," Happy added. "But your mother would make us meals like this with you and your father over. Tonight reminded us how nice those days were. And how we wish we could have them back."
The room became quiet. Snow looked at the faces sitting at the long, wooden table in the dining room. She wished Grimhilde had not gotten custody of her. She would have liked to come live with the Dwarf brothers and to keep the memory of her parents alive with someone besides her song lyrics.
"When this is all over, maybe I can visit more? If you want me to, that is," Snow said shyly.
Doc smiled. "That would be just fine, Snow. Just fine."
The boys helped Snow clear the table and wash the dishes. Some had to be left to soak, so Snow went to the washroom to splash cold water on her face. When she looked in the mirror, she blinked hard. So much had changed in the last few hours. It was almost midnight, but she was too nervous to sleep. What if Grimhilde did have a tracking device on her phone? Could she get in this house without being heard? Snow's skin began to crawl. What will she do once she finds out I'm alive?
"Are you done yet? Some of us have the early shift tomorrow!" Grumpy shouted.
Snow turned off the water and exited one of two bathrooms in the small cottage. She went back to the living room and saw the couch was covered with blankets and pillows. Dopey stood proudly beside it, his ears wiggling again. Snow giggled and planted a kiss on his bald head.
"Thank you, Dopey. It looks very comfy!"
The brothers' bedroom was upstairs. It was a large room full of custom made beds and a fireplace of its own. On their way up, the boys said goodnight to their house guest and told her to holler if she needed anything. One by one, their candles beside their beds were blown out, leaving Snow in the dark.
She laid perfectly still underneath the covers, just as she used to when Grimhilde was prowling the halls, drunk and talking to herself. Snow's eyes were fixed on the ceiling tiles. Once her night vision kicked in, she took deep breathes and scanned the living/dining room area. It had begun to rain and the soft splats of raindrops hit the windows nearby. She focused on the sound and tried to think of something to distract herself from the fear that was creeping in on her.
An image of Ferb flickered in her memory. Would be wonder where she was tomorrow? Likely not, but the idea that he would miss her helped calm her heartbeat. Ella was right, unfortunately. He was cute, and nice, and kind, and he did sing really well, and he wasn't the worst guy to have look at you, especially when he really looked at you, and …
Enough! Snow commanded herself. You have enough to worry about right now. Focusing on Ferb will not make Grimhilde stop perusing you. You have a lot of work to do tomorrow and you have to play it safe.
She needed a plan. Snow folded her arms above her head as the low rumble of thunder surrounded the house. The teenager knew she promised to stay inside, but how would she contact Huntsman if she couldn't leave? She remembered the Dwarf brothers had a desktop computer in the basement. Snow grinned. I can use that to get his contact information and use the landline. I'll have to be quick though, or he will trace it. Or worse, Grimhilde would find a way to trace it, or follow Huntsman. The thought made Snow's heart race.
Snow closed her eyes again and focused on her breathing. Again, Ferb came to mind. She wondered what song they would sing, if they were partnered in choir for a duet. Something romantic, she was sure. He seemed like the leading male type. Snow had written a song recently about a prince charming coming to rescue the leading lady. When she pictured the man the woman sang about, Ferb's strong jawline fit the image perfectly. The song was originally for Ella, or Aurora – another choir star who couldn't pass up a good ballad – but perhaps she could write another tune for the girls. She wanted to keep this one close to the breast for a while longer.
Before Snow knew it, it was morning. She felt groggy as she stumbled to the kitchen, her head spinning a bit as she turned on the coffee maker. By the paleness of the sky, she guessed the sun had just started to rise. She could hear the boys whispering upstairs, buttoning shirts and zippering jeans.
By the time they came downstairs, the table was set and toast was being buttered. Snow, still wearing yesterday's clothes, turned to smile at them. She placed the coffee pot on the counter.
"I hope toast is alright. I didn't have time to make pancakes."
Happy grinned. "Toast is perfect, Snow. We usually don't have time to eat breakfast."
Dopey wiggled his ears in agreement. After a quick meal, the boys were pulling on work boots and thick jackets to keep off the morning chill.
"Now remember, Snow, don't go outside," Doc reminded.
"And don't let anybody in," Grumpy added.
"If you need anything, call the mines. We'll be down all day, but we should be home by six. If it's an emergency, call 911 and we'll go to the police station if you aren't home," Happy instructed.
Snow swallowed thickly as she nodded. She certainly hoped she didn't need to call the police. She gave Dopey his traditional kiss on the head then waved as he raced to catch up to his brothers. As soon as they were gone, she locked the three locks on the door. Leaning back against it, she rubbed the goosebumps from her arm. She looked around the cottage. Now what?
The dishes from last night and this morning were starting to overrun the limited counter space. Snow decided dishes would calm her nerves more than tracking down Officer Huntsman. She rinsed as many of the dishes as she could before rearranging them on the counter and filling the sink.
As she worked, she thought about her song again. It needed work. She started to hum.
"Someday my prince will come. Someday we'll meet again and away to his castle we'll go to be happy forever I know."
Snow smiled. She always wanted to live in a castle. Her father said he would build her one someday. She sighed.
"Some day when spring is here we'll find our love anew. And the birds will sing and wedding bells will ring. Some day when my dreams come true."
It was short, but it would do. She always got stuck at that part when imagining Ella singing this. She loved her best friend dearly, but the girl had never read a romance novel and often admitted she preferred being single. With all the talk of Kit Charming at her house via the step-sisters, Snow couldn't blame her. If I had to hear about that brat all day, I wouldn't think much of love either. And yet …
Snow shook her head, scrubbing the pot harder. Best not to think of that, lest Ferb start to invade her head again. Thinking of Ferb and love was a dangerous combination.
There was a knock at the door. The noise shocked Snow into breaking a dish. She glanced at it from the corner of her eye as beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Maybe I'm imagining things.
The knock came again, this time louder. She swallowed. Definitely not imagining things. She wiped her hands on the dish towel and crept towards the door. She made a promise not to open it, but she never said anything about looking through the eyehole.
An older woman stood at the door. Well, stood might be generous. She had a baggy coat on and a dirty hat covering frizzy, grey hair. Her back was hunched and the lines on her face spoke of many harsh years out in the elements. She had a shopping cart beside her on the walkway full of junk.
Snow let go of the breath she held. Grimhilde would never stoop to wear these clothes. It was just a beggar woman looking for a handout.
As she was about to knock again, Snow unlocked everything but the deadbolt. She would keep her word.
"Can I help you?"
The old woman smiled, revealing a scraggly tooth and pink gums. "I heard singing as I was coming down the street. Was that you, my dear?"
Snow nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Sometimes I get carried away."
"Hardly needs an apology. It's what made me think of something I found yesterday. It might be of use to you."
Snow raised an eyebrow. "What could you have in that cart that would be useful?"
The woman chuckled. "A great many things, but for you – just one." She pulled a small vial from her coat pocket. It was certainly the cleanest item on the woman. Snow squinted at the label.
"A singing solution?"
"Yes, found it in the Parisian district near all those fancy houses. An opera singer lives there and I suppose she had enough vials of this stuff. Found it sitting right on top, as if it was calling to me. Now, I'm not much of a singer mind you, but I thought: what if I find someone who has dreams of singing of stage? This could be a real help! Maybe instead of writing songs for everyone else, she could sing her own."
Snow's cheeks flushed. She thought of all the songs she had to write for the choir girls and how the teacher always said she would get the next solo. Snow leaned closer, still keeping the door latched.
"How much do you want for it?"
The beggar woman grinned. "Nothing, my dear. Just the knowledge that it goes to a good home."
Snow's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. Everyone wants something. I don't have much, but I can pay."
The woman shook her head. "Just take it. Your happiness is my price."
Snow reached through the opening in the door and grabbed the vial. She read the label. She had heard of the brand before. Everything seemed in order. And yet the woman was still there.
"Do you need anything else?"
The woman said no. "But why don't you try it out now? It's supposed to work quickly. You could sing a lovely ballad and put the songbirds to shame."
Snow hesitated. She had a good voice. Why did she need a singing solution? The blue liquid swirled in the vial, egging her on. She sighed as she popped off the lid. Just one swig, then I'll find Huntsman.
The liquid had no taste, but it burned the back of her throat. She tried to pull the vial away, but suddenly the old woman was in the house beside her, shoving the bottle against her lips. For an old beggar, she had quite the upper body strength.
"Drink it all, my dear. Have to make sure it works," she snarled. Snow recognized that voice. She choked. Stepmother!
She wretched herself free of Grimhilde's grip, but the liquid, whatever it was, had already begun to take effect. Snow tripped over the bench near the dining room table. She landed on the ground, her vision swimming. Grimhilde's cackle reached her, but she couldn't get up. She couldn't feel her arms or legs. She tried to find the woman with her eyes, but everything was blurry.
I'm such an idiot. I should have known this would happen.
Grimhilde, wig discarded and make-up running, kneeled over Snow White. She grinned, grabbing the bottle from Snow's hand.
"You should have let Huntsman have you. It would have been a clean death. Now, you will die here. Alone and in pain. Just like your father. Say hello to him for me, won't you? I'm sure you will have lots to chat about in the afterlife."
Snow could barely make out Grimhilde's figure as she stood, but Snow heard a crash near the front door before everything went black.
Machines beeped. Needles pricked her skin. It felt like someone was pounding a stake into Snow's forehead. She took a deep breath and found there was a tube in her throat. She opened one eye. The room was white and a woman in white fiddled with one of the machines.
An angel? Snow grunted, but the tube made it impossible to talk. The woman turned around. She smiled.
"Go back to sleep, honey. You need to rest. The doctors will be back later." She patted Snow's hand before injected a vial. Snow felt her body relax as the drugs took effect. She passed out once more.
Snow wasn't sure how much time passed when she woke up next. The tube was still in her throat and her stomach ached. She opened both eyes and blinked rapidly. She was in a different room. The walls were sea foam green and the curtains blocked the sun better. A chair sat beside her bed with a jacket over it, but no one was there. There was a couch as well, but it remained empty, despite the blanket over it.
The machines still beeped, but Snow ignored them. Am I dead?
Voices drifted in from the hallway. She tilted her head as best she could.
"How long until she can have the tube removed?" Doc asked.
The doctor shrugged. "It could be as early as tomorrow. It depends on how she progresses. The poison has left her weak and susceptible to illness. We're monitoring her closely and doing everything we can, but it's still touch and go."
"Can we see her?" Happy asked.
"Not today. She woke up earlier, but the nurses put her back to sleep. She needs to rest. You can come back tomorrow."
"I'm not leaving," Grumpy declared. "I should have been there. She needs us now, so I'm staying."
The other brothers agreed. The doctor sighed. "It will do you no good to stay in her room and bring in more bacteria. I will call you tomorrow morning when she is awake and we can discuss her options. As acting legal guardians, you have a say in her care."
"Thank you, doctor." Doc shook the man's hand.
Snow didn't see more before the morphine kicked in again.
The next time Snow woke up, it was day. She was sure because some kind nurse had opened the curtains. The sun warmed Snow's skin. She glanced down and saw how pale she was. She wished this tube would be removed so she could talk to someone.
She heard shouting. Snow rolled her head toward the hallway again. Instead of the Dwarf brothers, she spotted Ella and Ferb. Snow's heart leapt. Ella! She tried to call her friend, but the tube made it impossible. She raised her hand to wave, but it was so weak it fell helplessly on the mattress.
Ella stood near the door yelling at someone. Ferb was behind her, but his hand rested on her shoulder, as if to hold her back. Snow blinked, tilting her head more to see who was causing such a commotion.
Kit Charming had gone pale from the verbal abuse. He tried to shout back, but Ella wasn't having any of it. Snow watched, unable to hear the exact words, but she knew Kit said something wrong when Ella's response was a bunch in the nose.
Nurses, and security guards, ran over to help. A tear ran down Snow's cheek as Ella and Ferb were escorted away from her.
Snow pushed the morphine button. She didn't want to see any more.
On the third day, the doctor removed the tube. Snow drank a cup of water and sucked on ice chips until her throat didn't feel covered in sandpaper.
Snow White ran a hand through her tangled hair. She needed a bath. Maybe she could ask her nurse for a wet sponge, or even a cloth. She swallowed and nearly gagged. The plastic tube taste still lingered.
She raised her head as someone knocked. Standing in the entrance to the room were two police officers. Snow squinted. Neither was Huntsman.
"Hello, Ms. Blanchard. May we come in?" the female officer asked.
Snow nodded. One sat beside her in the empty chair while the male went to the window. The woman, Officer Costello, smiled.
"We're glad to see you awake and without the tube, Ms. Blanchard. You've had everyone worried. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Snow rasped. She blinked. She sounded like an old man who had just smoked his hundredth pack of cigarettes.
Costello nodded. "Do you feel up to answering a few questions?"
Snow nodded. "I'm not sure what to tell you. I don't remember much."
"Let's start from the beginning. What were you going at the Dwarf brothers' residence?" the other officer asked.
Snow explained what she could recall, up until the beggar woman – Grimhilde – showed up. "That's where it starts to get muddled," she said.
The male, also named Costello, had moved closer as she told her story, until he stood beside his partner. "That's understandable, Ms. Blanchard. The doctors said you might have a bit of amnesia, but your memories should come back."
Snow nodded. For some reason, the name Costello stood out to Snow. She squinted, trying to remember who had that name. Had Huntsman mentioned it once?
"Ms. Blanchard, you look confused. What's wrong?" the female Costello asked.
"I've heard your last name before, but I can't remember when."
She smiled. "You know our son, Bambi. He helps in the greenhouse."
Snow blushed. "Oh. Yes, you're right. Thank you." She looked away, embarrassed. "Can you tell me what happened after she did this to me? I … I don't remember anything."
The Costellos exchanged a glance. Bambi's mother nodded and Mr. Costello sat on the edge of the bed.
"After you drank the vial of poison, Grimhilde was about to leave when your friends Ella and Ferb showed up. Ella said Ferb was the one to grab your stepmother before she could leave. Ella called the police and we came soon after. Grimhilde had been knocked out, but she started to wake up when we got there. She still had the vial on her and Ella had some paperwork about your father's will with her. We took that, and her, into custody," he said.
"You were taken to the hospital to have your stomach pumped and given medicine to reverse the poison's effect," Mrs. Costello continued. "You've been in and out of consciousness for the past three days. The doctors weren't sure if you would make it, since you had most of the vial. But luckily, you're a fighter."
Snow nodded. "Where are my friends now?"
"We took their statements and I heard from the nurses they've popped by every day to check on you. So have the Dwarf brothers," Mr. Costello said.
"And what happens to me now?"
"We're charging your stepmother with murder and attempted murder. You'll have to hire a lawyer to discuss your father's will, but right now you need to focus on getting better," said Mrs. Costello. "The Dwarf brothers have offered to be your primary caregivers and right now, they are your legal guardians."
Snow smiled. "That was nice of them."
"Yes, it was. We didn't want to hand you over to child services, but if they hadn't stepped in, we would have found you a place to live," Mr. Costello said.
"Do you need anything else from me?" Snow asked.
"No, we have our statement. When a trial date is set, we will let you know. The prosecutor will likely want to go over your testimony, so as long as you're prepared to tell your story, everything should be fine," he said.
Snow nodded. "Thank you."
Mrs. Costello squeezed her hand. "We'll let you get some rest."
Just as they were about to leave, Snow remembered Officer Huntsman.
"What is going to happen to Officer Huntsman?"
The couple paused. They avoided her gaze. Mr. Costello sighed. "He took his life, Ms. Blanchard. He wrote out his confession, about what he did to your father and to you, signed it, and then took his life in his home."
Snow's hands shook. She clasped them together and nodded quickly. "Oh. That's … That's awful. Thank you for telling me, though. Have a good day."
Once alone, Snow leaned back against the pillow and cried. She had shed her tears by the time the nurse came to check on her and give her another dose of antibiotics. Snow was considering a nap when she heard sneakers squeaking down the hall then skid to a halt.
"Snow!"
The teenager beamed. "Ella!"
Ella ran to the bed and flung her arms around Snow. They hugged for several seconds, neither wanting to let go. Someone cleared their throat. Ella pulled back and grinned. "I'm so glad you're okay. Ferb, you can come in!"
Snow blushed as she saw Ferb walking into the room with a bouquet of roses. The young man smiled, setting the vase down on her bedside table. Ella offered him the chair as she sat beside Snow on the bed.
"How are you feeling?" Ella asked.
"Okay. Just tired and a bit sad." Snow looked at Ferb. "How did you two find me? And why?"
Ella explained the breaking and entering. Snow was impressed, but she didn't want to think about the will, or her inheritance. She stared at Ferb.
"Why did you go with her?"
The boy blushed. Ella smiled and moved off the bed. She offered to fetch Snow some more ice chips. Once alone, Ferb placed his hand atop Snow's pale one.
"I can't stop thinking about you, Snow. I haven't since I heard you sing and … and when Ella said you were in trouble, I just … acted. I wanted to help. I wanted to be your …"
"Prince Charming?" she offered.
Ferb laughed. "I think Kit has that title, but I suppose if we're looking at it through a fairy tale lens, yes. I know it sounds silly. Who robs a house and knocks out an old lady for a girl he's barely talked to? It just felt right, I guess."
Snow smiled, squeezing his hand. "I'm very glad you did. I'd probably be dead if you and Ella hadn't gotten there in time."
Ferb smiled back, weaving their fingers together. "When you get out of the hospital, Snow, would you like to go on a date with me?"
Snow blushed. "A real date? With me?"
Ferb nodded. "Of course you. Why not you? You're amazing. Plus, we need to practice that duet more if we're going to star in the choir's winter concert."
Snow laughed. "We may need many dates, then. My voice is going to be difficult at best for the next little while."
"I'm willing to make that sacrifice if you are," he teased.
"Then I accept your offer, Ferb Prince."
He leaned over and kissed the back of her hand. "I thank you, Snow White Blanchard, with all my heart."