I hope people have not yet abanoned me. So here is a 5000+ chapter to ease up the pain a little bit. Life's been horribly hectic and a lot of changes are coming. I'm probably going into therapy due to some things that happened to me in the past that weren't dealed with the proper way and where I still suffer from. This chapter has been sort of an outlet due to the anxiety of upcoming monday, where I tell my tale completely for the very first time.
Please forgive me dear readers if there is too much angst in this chapter, or bullshit or blabbering or grammar mistakes. For at some point I did not want to care about the little things and just WRITE. I am probably going to edit the ending later, but that is an issue for in the future perhaps tomorrow but not tonight.
Please remember that English isn't my mother-language. And I hope I update sooner next time, but time will tell. I promise one thing; an update WILL follow. I wont abandon this story, never ever.
The italic lines between ~~ is part of a song from Imagine Dragons called Monster. I found it very fitting at the current scene. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review with constructive critisism.
Chapter 10: Wolf in sheep's clothing
Fingers flew over a keyboard. Slim digits pressing in the keys without hesitation, creating digital words on the pale screen that shone its light on Ann's frowned face.
She was sitting on her couch with her legs folded underneath her with her laptop resting on her lap, the battery warming her jean-clad thighs. On the coffee-table a lukewarm cup of the inky black liquid started to cool down, waiting to be picked up and drunk.
With a grunt Ann pressed the save button and placed the laptop on the table in front of her, trading it for her coffee. Her head was hurting like thousands of leprechauns were pounding away at it with little hammers. She barely managed to write just a few sentences, nothing more. Frankly; she barely had any motivation for it, her mind was way to occupied with current events.
Bigby and Snow told her that there were wards placed around her apartment, mainly at the door and at some of the larger windows. Ann had expected to feel some kind of vibe of the magic the moment she would set foot inside her apartment, but she didn't. Either it was some kind of silent alarm, or she wasn't that attuned to magic.
Which disappointed her a little, Ann thought whilst downing her coffee quickly; disliking it was cooling off rather rapidly. But what could she expect? She wasn't anything but a simple person. Standing up, she walked to the kitchen and set het cup next to her dirty plate in the sink that contained small remnants of her Chinese dinner she had hastily threw together.
Grabbing her brush, Ann started to pull it through her long red manes, successfully unknotting it. She had been in the Trip Trap Bar, remembering that she was nurtured there by the owner Holly after that scary night roughly a week back. It was hard to grasp that such nice woman sheltered a possible murderer.
Her green eyes caught the clock striking 8pm. She pulled on a pair of comfy blue sneakers and shrugged on her coat over her black T-shirt. The moment she gently pulled her long tress from under the collar of her coat someone knocked at her door.
"Who is it?"
Ann had developed the habit to ask who it was everything someone knocked. That umbrella was still standing against the wall next to the front door as her faithful guardian. Darn it, she wished that she still had her dog.
"Ann," the voice sighed gruffly. A grin pulled at her lips as the image of Bigby rolling his eyes at the other side flashed through her mind.
"Sorry, one can never be too careful," she chimed and opened the door, revealing the sheriff. She noticed that he had let the image of an idiot that didn't feel cold or rain fly and actually had thrown on a coat. A long, thin-looking brown raincoat, but a coat nonetheless, with its darkened by water. She groaned, was it raining again? And behold heaven; there was a cigarette between his lips.
"You ready?" Bigby asked, taking in her attire and noticed that her hair was down. He stepped back to give her room to come out and lock her front door.
'Windows locked, check. Curtains closed, check. Some lights on to give the appearance I'm home, check. Front door locked, check.'
"Pretty much," Ann murmured after going through her mental checklist. She hated that she had to be so thorough and despite the wards, every time she unlocked her front door to enter her home Ann felt anxiety clench her throat in an nauseating grip. Being assaulted in your own home was one of the worst things ever, she discovered.
"Isn't Snow coming with us?" She asked as they walked outside, side by side. Giving her a Robin-and-Batman-like feeling. And she wasn't Batman.
"No, she was busy trying to file a report of our findings so far.. and arrange things for Lawrence's funeral," Bigby replied as they hastily walked towards a bright yellow cab that waited for them and held the door open for her, throwing away his cigarette on the pavement.
Hmn, so the Big Bad Wolf had manners after all.
Ann hastily scooted over to the other side so that he could also get in and fastened her seatbelt. When the driver started the engine and gently roll out on the street, Ann first started to realize how large Bigby was. He wasn't that tall in her eyes, perhaps 1,83m, but he had quite a set of shoulders. Not buff mind you, but looking as tough as a statue. Ann had the idea that no one could really rock him off his feet, but perhaps was that the sheriff-y vibe he was emanating.
"Thank you-"
"Bigby I-"
They started talking at the same time, interrupting each other and both stammered. Ann felt her cheeks warm and gazed out of the window as she forced her tongue to stop wagging.
She watched how they passed people, either walking or in cars. Every single individual had a destination of their own, an own path to walk in this mysterious thing called life. Sometimes she thought about that. Everyone had a purpose, a goal and a journey. It made her wonder, and distracted her about how ridiculously awkward she felt in the back of the cab.
"Ann- " Bigby began next to her, drawing her attention from the street to him. Ann saw that he was also looking out of the window thinking about god knew what. "Thank you for your help today at Toad's place. He called up Snow, telling her how you helped him clean up his apartment when you went home this afternoon." He was now looking at her with appreciation shining in his dark eyes.
She wasn't sure what to say and willed her cheeks to stop flushing at the sudden compliment. It wasn't that she was never praised, but Bigby didn't seem the person to her that threw around compliments like candy. Especially to someone of her calibre with zero-experience.
"I just try to do my best," she murmured when she found her voice back and casted her gaze to her lap. "Seeing people reside to prostitution because of plane up-tight bureaucracy to maintain themselves makes me sick. I know that is Crane's doing, not Snow's," she quickly said, reassuring him that she held nothing against The Woodlands. "And she is doing her best, but sometimes people don't notice the little folk so to speak, the bottom, or doesn't deem them important despite it's the biggest group."
Finding courage again Ann met Bigby's gaze. His face was more relaxed than she ever saw, the deep creases in his forehead and between his eyebrows had eased a bit making him look younger and kinder.
"The people coming in at the back, the top ones, get all the attention. While the ones at the bottom coming in at the front get turned away. I want to change that."
"Did you notice this right away?" Bigby asked, his voice gentle. Ann shook her head at the question.
"Of course not, but after spending time Crane's office, seeing the long line of people waiting for an audience, and helping Toad one can recognize the signs especially when one has been in their shoes."
"I guess you didn't see us Fables on our best. We had it worse once, when we came here.."
"Why won't you just quit then? Step out of the system and start anew?"
The cab slowed down to a halt. Bigby stepped out of the car after paying the driver, Ann followed trying not to pay attention at the shady figure leaning against the wall next to the staircase that led down to the Trip Trap Bar. He looked at her as he slammed the cab door shut and smiled. One that did not quite reach his eyes.
"Because I'm not a quitter."
The Trip Trap Bar was just as Ann remembered. A very thin sheen of smoke hovered in the room of where the walls were a mix of dark red and several browns, warming up the place. In the middle there stood a neat looking billiard table lined with dark wood, shimmering in the light of two lamps with green lampshades hovering above it.
It seemed expensive to her and judging by its nearly perfect state and the golden swirly letters engraved in the wood, Ann concluded that it was. Even though she had never played, Ann's hands itched to grab a hold of the carom billiard cue and let the balls fly across the slate.. That sounded better in her head.
"Ann!"
Her eyes snapped in the direction of the bar, where Holly stood there cleaning some glasses. Ann could see that there was another person at the bar, his back turned to door and hunched over his drink making it impossible to recognize him. He did sent some signals of recognition to her, though she could not place it.
"Hey Holly," Ann said. Her voice neutral when her feet carried her to the bar and took a seat next to the hunched man, paying him no heed. Damn, she felt like Doctor Watson.
Holly's azure eyes narrowed at Bigby who joined Ann's side and also took a seat. His elbows were resting on the smooth wooden surface of the bar.
"What does he want?" Holly searched Ann's eyes with irritation flashing in her own, refusing to look at the Sheriff and turning to her, the Mundy. She was obviously not happy that Bigby was joining her, and that seemed to be a little understatement judging by how tense her petite shoulders looked.
Ann glanced sideways to Bigby, who nodded in silent allowance.
"We are looking for the Woodsman Holly," Ann murmured softly. A fling of irritation flared up inside her gut when she heard the person next to her shift on his barstool. She wistfully ignored him, hoping that the guy vanished in thin air so that they were alone with Holly.
"Well, he's not here. So, I guess you can go now," the platinum haired bartender huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Look, I am not even going to ask where he is now, okay?" Bigby sighed, feeling the uneasiness radiate from Holly's being. "I just want to know the last time he was here. That's all."
Holly gritted her teeth and defiantly looked away. Her pose was tense. "Who?"
"Look, I'm being nice," Bigby pressed. "So try again."
Holly looked at Ann who was silently watching her. Ann could see an indescribable emotion flickering in her azure eyes that she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Ann could almost feel Bigby staring intensely at Holly, willing her to talk. Apparently the silent pressure deemed too much for the bartender sighed and her shoulders relaxed. A small smile played on Ann's lips.
"He hasn't been here for a few weeks," she began. Ann could see her eyes shift to the strange dude next to her who shifted. Ann felt her irritation flare up again, that guy wasn't supposed to be here. Holly started to stammer.
"No.. maybe. I don't know. But, yeah. He hasn't been here in a while if he hasn't been here at all.. which.. I don't know."
"Does he tell you when to close to?"
Holly then smirked smugly at Bigby. Ann decided she loved that look, it appeared that Holly was her own woman. "Nope, and he doesn't tell me to tell you to fuck off."
Then it became a little awkward. Bigby stood up and started to take a look around, much to the chagrin of Holly and her other customer where Ann got some bad vibes from. Holly also seemed relieved though that Bigby backed a bit up and turned to her.
"So hun, want a drink? You will need it if you continue to work with him. Why are you anyway?"
Ann nodded slowly, she had a feeling that she would too. "Yeah sure. I hope you have some wine? I'm not that much of a drinker. " She decided not to indulge Holly's curiosity.
"Plenty. Your favour?"
"White and sweet, please."
Holly chuckled as she poured her a glass. Ann didn't understand why she found it amusing. "Something wrong?" She murmured and took a small sip. It wasn't the cheap stuff she was used too. This was some fine wine that tickled her taste buds. If she only had some lobster with it too.
"Nothing. It just fits you."
Ann felt Holly look at her when she took another sip and let the cool damp glass twist in her hands. How much she would like it, Ann didn't feel at ease at all. Was it because of the nature of her visit or because of the guy who sat next to her, or because she had Bigby with her? Anyway, the room felt loaded and it made her twitchy, but also observant.
"Who's that?" Ann pointed at a picture behind Holly of the Woodsman. Holly didn't even took a glance at it and shrugged. "Never seen him."
The lies rolled off of Holly's tongue so easily that it was kind of frightening. But Ann knew for she had been in the same shoes, protecting a friend that she held dear. Damn, it felt like years ago when that happened.
"I know that you are lying Holly," she began softly and stared in her eyes, not allowing to let go of her gaze by the tone of her voice. "I know how it feels to protect a friend, but be aware that we have to talk to him for the things that are happening. If he's innocent he has nothing to fear from us. I won't allow any harm come to him, but he has to come clean and tell us what he knows."
"I don't know who-"
"From who's that glass?"
Ann felt a sharp elbow stab her in her ribs, causing her to flinch and grunt.
"If you want to clean to place up, feel free to get the fuck out of here with your dog."
"I'm sensing a very hostile tone from you, don't deny it. I'm good at picking this stuff up," a deep voice growled behind her. Ann didn't need to turn around, for she heard and already felt the presence of Bigby behind her. Irritation was clearly evident in his voice and she knew why, they were getting nowhere. It was like pushing against a concrete wall, hoping that it would give and turn to jelly, but it didn't. It only seemed to become harder and harder to push against it.
Bigby sat down at the other side of the customer, who only seemed to hunch further over his drink.
"There are a lot of stools in this place," he growled.
Bigby smiled a bit provoking and talked as if he telling a story to a toddler. "Well, if I sit over there," he pointed to the barstools at my right, "I have to yell to talk to you. And I rather don't do that unless I have too, you know?"
Holly walked over to Bigby and leaned forward, jaw tense. "Are you going to order something or antagonize my customers?" Ann glanced around at that, the bar was empty except for the four of them.
The Sheriff only kept smiling sweetly at her. "Gimme a Midas Gold."
"You want a lime?"
He shook his head; "Nahh."
"Good," Holly smirked with self-satisfaction. "Because I don't got any anyway."
The guy next to Ann chuckled, clearly amused. "You think that's funny?" She said, her voice unamused with her patience wearing slightly thin.
"Yup. I think that's fuckin' hilarious." The guy looked up at her. Now Ann knew why he seemed so familiar to her.
It was that fuck who yelled at them this morning while waiting in line. Something seemed different though; one of his hazel eyes was milky white, blind. And he had a scar across the bridge of his nose that she didn't notice earlier. Bigby sighed and grinned lopsided, though his eyes betrayed that he wasn't amused, like her.
"This is fun, this back and forth. We should do it more often, but I am starting to lose my patience," Bigby said with faked amusement and sarcasm. At that moment a toilet flushed, drawing everyone's attention to the green door that led out to the back of the pub. A look of dread pulled at Holly's face.
There was some whistling, someone taking their sweet time and the flush of water as the person washed his or her hands. Ann felt the tension rise in the air and her body turned a bit, feeling the balls of her feet touch the wooden floor; ready to jump of her chair if she needed to. Evening out her breath her emerald eyes glared at the green door that flung open and revealed him.
"Holly, you're out of papers towels in the-"
The Woodsman halted, his speech failing him as his grey eyes shot over to Ann and Bigby, and the look of dread on Holly's face. Bigby, whose face had turned pulled up his eyebrows and smiled at Woody despite the knife cutting tension.
Ann watched how the Woodsman's face fell and he took a seat next to her, taking the half empty drink that she earlier had pointed out to Holly, and took a sip from it. Forcing herself to look at her own drink she mimicked his action.
"We saved your beer," she said, putting down her glass. The Woodsman just sighed, murmuring a defeated thanks.
"Was it number one or number two? I hope it was number two, otherwise you would be pissing your pants right now," Bigby almost sat smugly and rolled his shoulders. Ann felt confused for a moment, was he talking about Lawrence?
"Bigby stop. We have been at each other's throats for hundreds of years. I don't want to fight anymore.."
Let's be clear; Ann wasn't a hard ass sometimes emotionally deprived Sheriff like Bigby Wolf. A week ago she was just a normal writer desperate to come up with something good for her publishers until the deadline that was in a month or so.
So despite her courage and wanting-to-be-tough acting behaviour, she still had heartstrings. And it was clear to her that the Woodsman was pulling on it, whether he knew it or not. It made her think and believe that he could perhaps, maybe, very unlikely but maybe, that he was actually innocent.
"You're in luck Grendel; I've decided to switch seats," Bigby hissed to the customer who apparently was called that way. Was he really the Grendel of the Beowulf tale?
Bigby stood up and wanted to walk past, but was prevented to do so by Grendel's arm. Ann could see a glint in Bigby's eyes, a glint that told her that if Grendel would not release him that he probably going to bite his arm off.
A smile tucked at the corner of the Sheriff's lips. "The last person that put a hand on me ended up with an axe in his head. I suggest you let go."
Grendel slowly slid off his seat, his one hazel eye boring into those of Bigby. "The last fella I put my hands on ended up in the ground."
The pub grew silent and Ann felt the hairs in her neck going to stand up. The tone of Grendel's voice were sending tendrils of fear down Ann's spine and somehow instinctively she knew that this was not to end well.
"It's okay, Gren. Settle down," the Woodsman muttered as he twirled his drink in his hands.
With a shove Grendel removed his hand from Bigby's shoulder and sat back down on his stool. Ann looked up to see Holly staring at him, she could see that she was just as tense as she was. This Grendel could prove a problem.
"Come on, let's go outside. Talk there further," she suggested to Bigby as he walked passed her and sat down on the other side of Woody.
"No, he's staying right here," Holly sneered and shot her a glare. The decision was clear and her suggestion was almost literally wiped off the table, or bar in this case.
Ann sighed and pushed herself away from the bar and started to look around. The strongest sources of light in the pub were coming from the Christmas lights above Holly's bar and from the two bright lights above the billiard table. The rest of the pub was poorly lit, but that also gave a warm cosy feeling. A feeling that one belonged, what probably was the reason this bar was set up.
Ann guessed that the Fables stuck together no matter what in a world filled with violence, insecurity and poverty. She had the feeling that this was one of their save havens where they could forget their troubles and be themselves for once in a while.
One the walls there were a lot of decorations; some paintings and posters, a dart board, somehow a boat paddle and even a dartboard.
A glass being slammed down on the bar made her turn on her heels. The guy named Grendel had gotten off his stool and hissed.
"Shut the fuck up, Woody!" He yelled. "Shit ain't just about you. It's about this fucking lapdog," Grendel pointed at Bigby who had his back turned at him and seemed to glare ahead. Ann could almost practically see his body tense, anticipating for something. "He only comes sniffing around this part of town when the rich fucks in the Woodlands need a shakedown. Ain't that right, Bigby?"
The Sheriff huffed; "Lapdog, really?"
His incredulous tone made the mood somewhat lighter, but Grendel wasn't done yet.
"Holly's sister goes missing and no one give to shits about her. Paperwork, waiting rooms," he growled his voice growing louder with each word. Ann slowly made her way towards them and glared. What the fuck was he doing? Provoking?
"And that bitch Snow White looking right past me, then ushering me out the fuckin' door! Even with an extra bitch to screw with you fucks aren't getting things done!"
If Grendel was purposely provoking Bigby, then he got it. A strong fist collided against his jaw sending him flying backwards on the floor, and in his fall took a bar stool with him. Bigby's nostrils flared as he kept the adrenaline from over flooding his veins. He needed a smoke, badly.
"That all you got, puppy?"
"It seems to be enough. Are you two done showing who is the alpha male? The testosterone is flying out of the god damn roof," Ann growled and stepped between Grendel and Bigby. She had enough of excitement and stress for one day, she didn't want to be in the middle of some bar fight between two guys out of Fairytale-land. She had the gut feeling that it wouldn't turn out positive..
"Done? DONE!" Grendel threw his head back and laughed. A strange green light surrounded him. "Missy we are just getting started!"
In a blink of an eye, the black haired guy named Grendel, had turned into the most hideous abomination she could have ever dreamt of. Eerily pale, large, bulky and with rows of sharp teeth a monster stood in front of her and it roared.
Bigby's hand took a hold of the back of her coat and pulled her behind him in one swift, but incredible powerful motion. His other arm shielded a blow that was aimed for his head.
"You should've walked out of here when you had the chance," the ominous voice of the beast growled.
There was an upward tuck at the corners of Bigby's mouth. He looked into the white eyes of the monster with an unwavering gaze. "Come on, you're scary the ladies.."
"Don't worry about me," Holly growled and transformed in the biggest and ugliest troll Ann had ever seen. Her skin was reddish and covered in warts, bumps and spots. Out of her forehead two horns sprouted and red, yellow eyes regarded them coolly.
This was the point that Ann was actually realizing that they were worlds apart. Everyone may look human, act human and breath the same oxygen as hers; but deep down they were still unnatural beings not uncommon to danger, magic and whatever shit they had been facing back in their days. They were experienced and were probably hundreds of years her senior. She sidestepped around the Woodsman and pressed her back against the wall, her courage momentarily forgotten and feeling smaller than she ever had in her life.
A punch threw Bigby back, catching him off surprise. Grendel used that advantaged to use him as a ragdoll, throwing and tossing him around that made her bones ache even by watching. Bigby grunted, flailed and even managed to throw a punch here and there, but he was no match for Grendel's power. And Holly and the Woodsman were just watching.. watching as he beat up Bigby more and more, destroying the expensive and gorgeous billiard table, the dartboard and lamps in the process.
"Stop! You're killing him!" Ann shrieked, panic making her voice hoarse as her big eyes followed Bigby's limp form.
"Don't you hear me? STOP! Listen to me!"
~Ever since I could remember, everything inside of me just wanted to fit in..~
Ann took a step forward and at that same moment Bigby was flung so hard across the room and the wall had huge cracks in it. His body slid down the wall motionless, his face hidden. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
So far Grendel could smirk, he did as he took a hold of one of Bigby's legs and dragged him across the wooden floor. He had won, he had defeated the Sheriff. There was no way nothing was broken in Bigby's body, judging by the way he was flung around. There could be no way that he..
~I was never one of pretenders, everything I tried to be just wouldn't settle in..~
The sound of nails scratching over the wooden floor made Holly and Woody look at each other with their breaths hitching in their throats. Claws anchored Bigby to the wooden floor, but not enough when Grendel snatched him by the waist and threw him against the nearby wall right next to Ann who jumped and shrieked, shielding herself with her arms by instinct. When she peeked between her arms she felt her blood run burning cold in her veins.
Instead of warm amber eyes, bright yellow ones were glaring right in hers. The face compared to that of the illustrious Wolfman of the old movies surrounded those piercing eyes and was now set in place of Bigby's usual grumpy exterior. Needless to say; his overall demeanour was much more overpowering than normal, making her almost cower away if her feet –no, her entire body- weren't made of lead.
~If I told you what I was, would you turn your back on me? And if I seem dangerous, would you be scared..?~
With a snarl Bigby pushed himself off the wall, ending the feeling of slow motion in Ann's head and whirling her back in real time, and sucked himself on Grendel.
Now the roles were clearly turned around a full 360 degrees as Grendel now served as punching back and endured almost the same punishment as Bigby did merely a minute ago, though now much more brutal. With that transformation something was unleashed in Bigby, something angry and enraged. Something to be feared.
~I'm only a man with a chamber who's got me. I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me? A monster, a monster.. I've turned into a monster..~
Grendel growled as a broken billiard cue was stabbed viciously in his back and crumbled on his knees. Ann panicky looked from the Woodsman to Holly, but they were doing nothing and were just watching with a mixed look of horror, fear and disgust on their faces. Deep gashes across Grendel's face and throat were bleeding profusely, colouring his leathery white skin dark red as Bigby jumped of and with a swift kick broke the poor guy's left knee. Grendel wailed ear-shattering, but the brutality had not ended there and his claw-like arm aimed for the weak spot in Grendel's shoulder. Ann could stand it no more and allowed her body to overrule fear and act.
'Who was the monster here now? The Man or the Beast?'
"STOP!"
Her messy bright red hair was like an enflamed halo. Within two enormous of steps that her feel like she had wings brought her between Grendel and Bigby. Her, a petite human and a mere Mundy, stood between two monsters. Her emerald eyes glaring up at piercing yellow with the tips of razor sharp claws scraping her forehead momentarily before being retracted. The blazing yellow eyes approached her as Bigby took a step forward, almost threateningly.
She had no idea what had become of her to do such a thing, for it was not normally her nature. Ann just acted and wriggled her way between them without regard of her own life. That type mindless acting secretly worried her.
"Out of my way," Bigby growled. His voice sending tendrils of fear down her spine, but she did not waver. She couldn't. There was a fine line between defending yourself and sheer brutality, one that Bigby had crossed; aware or not.
"No."
Something in Bigby's eyes flickered, what it exactly was Ann couldn't exactly decide. With a huff the wolf turned on his heels and strode to the bar, shoulders and muscles tensed and almost bulging underneath his shirt. At the removal of his presence and let out a shivering breath and concentrated on it, willing her knees to stop shaking.
"Whiskey, double."
"What were you thinking back there? Just throwing yourself careless in the midst of a fight.."
"I'm sorry I saved your humanity, your lordship. It won't happen again."
"You could have been attacked.."
"By whom? You or Grendel?"
Bigby halted, forcing the Woodsman to a stop because he had an iron hold on his arm. Back at the bar, when Bigby had calmed down, one of the Tweedles came barging in the bar asking leisurely about who could tell him anything about Faith. He and the Woodsman had bolted at the same time, forcing Bigby to choose who to chase. Ann had tried to chase the Tweedle, but he had jumped in a car and drove off before she even got close. Thank the gods that Bigby had gotten a hold of the Woodsman. At least they weren't coming back to the Woodlands empty-handed and hopefully with a worthy lead.
"I would never hurt someone innoce-"
"Well that sure didn't look like it," Ann briskly interrupted him and tucked an irritating strand behind her ear. It was silent on the streets except for the occasional cab and shady pedestrian who hurriedly walked past them. She didn't blame them; they were an odd bunch.
"Look Bigby," Ann sighed and rubbed her eyes, feeling fatigue wash over her like a tidal wave. She stuffed her hands deep in her black coat's pockets and pulled up her shoulders, shielding herself from the cold as they resumed their slow pace. "Let's drop it for moment alright? Nothing seriously happened and you made your point clear.. what's that?"
Blue and red light angrily flashed in her face, making her head ache almost immediately. People in uniform and police cars surrounded the entrance to The Woodlands. Ann felt her legs carry her to the bright yellow tape and ducked straight underneath it. Weaving through the police officers, she noticed a small clump together at the bottom of the stairs of the building. An officer pulled back and held his hand to his mouth, gagging.
Peeking between shoulders she stared into two glazed over bright blue eyes. Feeling the blood drain out of her face she turned around and stared straight into the amber eyes of Sheriff Bigby Wolf who's expression was dark and his eyebrows knitted together. Ann viciously swallowed down the bile that came up her throat.
"Ann, what is it?"
A set of two strong hands grasped her shoulders firm, but not too tight. Bigby's musky smell of leather and smoke wafted into her nose. She did not see the officers running at them from the entrance, trying to stop them from interfering but it was too late. She had already seen everything.
"It's Snow White.." she managed to croak out, almost gagging in the process at the horrendous sight that was forever burned in her brain.
"Ann?"
She sighed and felt uncontrollable tears rolling down her cheeks.
"She dead!"
