Chapter 11

1x11 Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

Henry was upset that Mom had his castle torn down. But he was more distraught over the loss of his book. After I had finished reading it he decided to bury it under the castle so that mom wouldn't find it and it got lost when they dug it up. Henry now felt the need to practically rewrite the book so that he would never forget any of the small details. I thought it was ridiculous and that book was stupid to begin with. But Henry was so upset.

After school that day Henry and I took the long way home. Walking by his now demolished castle.

"Henry why is this book so important to you?" I asked.

Henry stayed quiet.

I stopped and parked myself in front of him while he looked at the ground. "Come on Hen talk to me? What did I do?"

"It's not you. It's the book. Without it I can't help anyone." Henry looked like he was on the verge of tears.

"Who do you have to help?" I asked.

"Everyone in this town needs help because nobody remembers except the evil queen."

"So mom…?" I asked and Henry nodded. "Have you thought about just trying to talk to her?"

"It wouldn't work, she would just hurt us" Henry replied solemnly. And he bypassed me and continued towards home.

That night I was lying in bed but I couldn't fall asleep, I was still bothered by what Henry had said. Our mother would hurt us. She loved us. Right?. I quietly got up and tiptoed towards the master bedroom. I peeked my head in the door to see the bedside light on and mom sitting up in bed pouring through papers.

"Lucccyyy." Mom said without even looking up.

I sighed and pushed the door open all the way, "How did you know it was me?" I asked as I started towards her bed.

Mom put down her papers and chuckled, "I'm your mother remember? You used to do that all the time when you were little."

I sat on the bed and mom leaned against the headboard, "I did?" I asked.

"You would peak in to see if I was awake and if I wasn't you would climb into bed with me, but most of the time I was awake and then you would just say you got scared and climb in anyway." Mom smiled.

I smiled back, I wasn't used to mom being so un-cavalier. "So what's up Lucy?"

"Mom it's just, it's Henry. I'm really worried about him. He's just been so upset lately and he is so obsessed with that book and the curse and you being the evil queen and me being Alice-"

"What?" Mom interrupted me sharply.

I backpeddled, "Well I mean Alice, he thinks I'm Alice in Wonderland from his book…" Mom stayed silent but looked as if she was getting antsy. "But it's not true is it…?"

Mom gave a very fake laugh, "That we're all characters from some mystical land and I cast a curse to get us here because I'm the evil queen? I'm afraid not Lucy."

"I'll keep my eye on Henry okay?" I nodded as mom kissed my forehead, "You go back to bed okay? It's getting late." I nodded and returned to my room. But something about our discussion through me off and I had the most peculiar feeling she was lying to me…