Chapter 10:
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Our day started off bad, and got continually worse. To start things off, we all got up late. It was mind morning before we headed off. Austin and I stood close to one another sometimes holding hands, which undeniably made me feel all fluttery and happy inside. We also watched Red and Jeremiah, who seemed to be ignoring one another, but they sometimes made eye contact without glaring at one another, which was progress. I don't believe they hate each other. Not anymore. If anything they seem to have chemistry. And some sort of bond. I was sort of fuzzy on their past.
Obviously they new each other, because of the circle, but they seemed to know things only friends would know. Like how Jeremiah knew all the right ways to make Red angry, and she knew all the right dog insults to set him off. But also, in the shack, she had remained unaffected by his outbursts and sudden changes, almost as if she was used to them.
I decided I had read to far into the situation. They obviously had just picked stuff up from one another because of the circle. They were bound to notice each other, especially since Red had a thing against werewolves, and Jeremiah was observant. He had already guessed many of my bad habits, like my hair chewing habit. It wasn't a regular thing, only when I'm nervous, so stop judging. My musing was interrupted by a drop of water.
I looked up into the sky, and then the heavens opened up. It felt like a hurricane. I looked down just in time to see Red jump into Jeremiah in shock. He held her for a second, before they broke eye contact and broke away. Austin grabbed my hand, and yelled at Red.
"What do we do?" He yelled.
"Keep moving."
The rain hadn't stopped for hours. We were all soaking wet and shivering.
"We're gonna have to set up camp and wait this out." Jeremiah yelled back at us. Red was shaking like a leaf, and looked half drowned.
" We have to keep moving!" She yelled shaking her head defiantly.
Jeremiah put his hand on her face, and shook his head.
"You're freezing Red. Everyone else is too. Snow can wait. None of us can afford to get sick. Let's just wait it out, and if it clears up later we'll start again. Let's just enchant a place and set up." He tucked a soaking wet piece of hair behind her ear, and they glared at each other a minute, before Red nodded giving in.
She enchanted the small clearing, while Jeremiah, Austin, and I set up the tents. Red finished before us, and worked on digging out the blankets. She had brought a small bag, that somehow held everything without being heavy. It was incredible.
When everyone was wrapped up in a blanket, we settled into our tents. Austin and I still shared one as did Red and Jeremiah. Austin and I sat in the middle huddled up for warmth. We were both still shivering a bit.
"You know, this quest is a lot different than I thought it'd be." Austin said nonchalantly.
I had to agree with him on that one, and I told him as much.
"I mean I thought it was going to be faster and more exciting. It's boring. The only action we get is Red and Jeremiah fighting. And they hardly do that anymore! Don't get me wrong. I enjoy not facing the enemy since we aren't trained, but I wish something would happen! Like maybe spot a unicorn or something I don't know." I started cracking up. I don't know why, probably boredom, but suddenly our whole situation seemed funny.
"What's so funny?" Austin asked me curiously.
"I don't know!" I managed to choke out between laughs. I was now crying as well as laughing, and it was border line hysteria. Austin put his hand on my forehead worriedly.
"Are you sick? Should I get Red over here?" I took a few calming breaths, and finally managed to get calm.
"No, no. I'm good now. I don't know what was funny, I just couldn't stop laughing. I think this is how I react to stress or something. I don't know." Austin just rolled his eyes.
The storm subsided about an hour after my episode. We packed up and continued on our way. It was hard to walk through the mud. It was everywhere just waiting to make you trip and fall. Being in a dress made it ten times more difficult to navigate the mud, and keep up a good pace to try to reach Snow's before nightfall. I almost fell several times, and after the ten millionth almost slip, Austin just left his arm around my waist. It was definitely helpful. I wasn't the only one having trouble though. Red had almost slipped several times as well. Once, she fell into Jeremiah, luckily he was expecting it, so he caught her, but he didn't let go of her. I couldn't tell if it was more for his sake or her's though.
It was twilight when we finally arrived at Snow's home, a pretty cottage, with flowers and vines growing on it. A warm glow was coming from the windows, and I could just imagine the warmth inside. Red smiled in relief, and the put her determined face back on.
"Alright. This is gonna be rough. Snow White isn't one to join anything unless it benefits her, so we have to make it seem like it does. That means that you two," she said pointing at Austin and I," need to not draw attention to yourselves until necessary. We don't want her know who you are until she's on board. Stay quiet, and if she asks you who you are lie and say trainees for the circle. Don't make eye contact. Jeremiah and I will do most of the talking. Once we've gotten her on our side, then you introduce yourselves. Got it?" We both nodded and looked at one another worriedly. How come everyone was scared of Austin and I? We walked to the door, and Red lifted her hand to knock, when the door opened.
"I was wondering how long you were going to stand outside and talk strategy. Well, come on in. We have a lot to discuss."
Snow White was unlike anything I ever imagined. Of course physically she was the same. She had long raven black hair, brown eyes, a pale complexion, and of course, rosy red lips. Personality wise, she was completely different. To be honest, she was a complete bitch.
I was starting to wonder if everything was backwards in this dimension. Everyone claimed Jeremiah was a jerk, and would be difficult to persuade to join us. That had been completely untrue though. Snow White, was supposed to be this amazingly sweet and helpful person, but she wasn't. The only thing that had been true about her, was the fact that she was difficult to persuade.
We had been here an hour, and I already hated her. First, she threw it in our faces that she was more powerful and all knowing than us. Second, she was constantly comparing herself to me, and somehow always came out victorious. The third, but most important thing, was that she kept hitting on Austin. She kept flirting with him, and touching him in subtle ways. The worst part, was that Austin seemed completely oblivious, and because of that, he didn't seem the least uncomfortable, or willing to tell her to back off.
The fact that I was so jealous of her surprised me. I had no claim to Austin romantically. The only claim I had was our intertwined fate, and the fact that he was my protector. Maybe that was what was making me feel so threatened. That, and the fact that Snow was ten times prettier than I was. Plus, she had found every insecurity of mine in the first five minutes I was around her. For example, the first thing she asked me directly was what happened to my hair. She had then proceeded to fluff hers and reply that she was glad she stayed indoors. That was the nicest thing she said to me.
After our 'pleasant' introductions, Snow White had wasted about half an hour just telling us about how great she was. She told us that she had been keeping tabs on our whole quest, and that she knew many things we didn't yet know about ourselves and the future. She also told us, but mostly Austin since she couldn't look away for some reason, about how awful her life had been since the circle no longer wanted her.
"It's just so tragic. Everything went downhill since the circle abandoned me. I've had to live here all alone, and fend for myself. Reyna tries to get me to join her daily, and I've almost decided too. No one else wants me!" She cried. She sounded close to tears, but the only one being fooled by this display was Austin, who looked confused, but somewhat sympathetic. Red and Jeremiah both had made noises of disgust almost simultaneously, while I stuck to my classic eye roll. I spoke up, much to everyone's belief, before Austin could ask her what had happened.
"Let's just cut to the chase. We came here for a reason, let's get on with it." Snow gave me a heated glare, and then put on one of the fakest smiles I've ever seen.
"Of course. Well what did you come for?" She said through clenched teeth.
I raised an eyebrow, and put on a falsely sweet smile.
"If you can really see the future shouldn't you know?" I asked innocently. Red concealed her laughter behind a cough, while Jeremiah didn't hide his at all. Even Austin cracked a smile.
The fact that Snow had no response made me happy inside. I did an Ally victory dane in my head. Red finished 'coughing' and told Snow why we came.
"So, you want me to tell you what I know about the prophecy, and join your cause? I don't think so. The circle kicked me out, they have absolutely NO right to request my assistance." Red clenched her jaw, and I could tell she was struggling not to say something completely rude. Jeremiah seemed to sense this, and cut in.
"The way I remember it Snow, you stormed out. You said you'd had enough of us. We're asking you to join us again. We need your help. Rosemary said you could advise us, and she thinks you will be a good connection for us to have." Jeremiah finished kindly.
Snow looked at all of us suspiciously.
"What would joining you entail?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
Red answered," You would have to swear loyalty to the circle of course. That means you also swear to help the Chosen One and the Protector no matter what. You would have to assist us in any way you can, and with holding information that could affect the outcome of the war in a negative way would be considered treason. So would switching sides or acting as a spy for Reyna. If we found any of this out you could be killed. We would also expect you to join us in battle." The list did seem oppressive.
Snow looked at all of us, and went quiet for several minutes. Finally, she made eye contact with me and smirked.
"Fine, I'm in."
A/N: sorry if this chapter is weird. I wrote these chapters a while ago, and I'm trying to edit the best I can. I have the major plot points for this story but not the filler things, so Im sorry if any of my chapters so far have rambled on. Please tell me if anything doesn't make sense or seems irrelevant. Let me know if I need to edit out parts of the story. Thanks for reading, and tell me what you think of our dearest Snow. Also are there any other fairytale characters, or creatures, you want me to mention or include? I have a couple in mind, but if you guys have anyone you think would be cool I'm all for it! Love you all! Ps: 3 chapters in a night, am I somewhat forgiven yet?