Surprise! I'm not dead! I've been rereading Upside Down and I feel the need to point out how my writing kind of sucked at the beginning. I'm thinking about going back and rewriting chapters, but I'm not sure. If any of you have thoughts about that, message me or leave a review because I'm still on the fence about it. For now, I'll keep updating once every million years.
Side note: This story is almost at 5,000 views, which is super exciting for me. Thank you to everyone who has read Upside Down and an even bigger thank you to the people who are still reading after my sometimes crappy writing and very infrequent updates.
88 years ago, Enchanted Forest
Alexandra
She had done it. For the first time in nearly two years, Alexandra was free. Truly free.
The sun beating down on her, the trees blowing in the wind, the forest creatures scampering about in the underbrush; all of it was too much for Alexandra to take in. She had forgotten how beautiful the outside world was. She had been able to hear the birds chirping, hear the rain fall, hear the wolves howl, but she could never see it from her cell. Now, Alexandra could see it all. The birds perched high in the trees, their feathers bright spots of color amongst the green landscape. Raindrops on each blade of grass and fallen leaf. A sleek wolf, white as snow, that lurked in the distance. It felt like a new world.
"Alexandra!" She turned, and found Wyn darting towards her, a smile plastered across his face. His sea green eyes were bright with something she had never seen in him before, joy. Sure, he'd laughed and smiled when he was with her in the cave, but this was different. He felt just as free as Alexandra did. The boy wrapped his arms around his friend, laughing. Alexandra hugged him back, tears streaming down her pale face.
"We did it. I didn't think we could do it, Wyn, but we did. I'm out. I'm free," Alexandra said. Wyn laughed again.
"You're free," he echoed, smiling with his bright eyes. Alexandra stepped back, taking him in. She had never seen Wyn outside of her sparsely lit cell. His skin was a little paler in the sunlight, but not as pale as hers. His eyes had more green in them than blue, and they were the rich color of emeralds and sapphires. His hair was light brown, not the darker color it had appeared as in the cave. He's cute, Alexandra thought. She blushed, looking away from Wyn to the long dirt road behind him. It cut through the forest and stretched as far as Alexandra could see. At the end, it disappeared into a low hanging fog.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"The woods outside your prison. If we walk west and follow the setting sun, we should reach my village by dark."
"I thought you said your village burned down."
"It did, but it will give us a place to stay for the night. We can set up a camp and think about where we want to go." Wyn ran a hand through his long hair, hair that hadn't been cut in a long time.
"I already know where I want to go," Alexandra replied.
"And where's that?"
"To my father. I'm curious to see what he's like, and honestly, I'd like to have a word with him. His very existence has put me through quite a lot." Wyn's face fell.
"Of course. Right. That makes sense," he said, voice quiet. "Do you know where he is?"
"Not a clue."
"Then how do you think you'll find him?" Wyn fiddled with the sleeve of his tunic, hands covered in dirt. A smile played across Alexandra's lips.
"Did you forget? I have magic," Alexandra said, wiggling her fingers at the boy. He nodded, focused solely on his sleeve. After all they'd been through, was Alexandra really going to leave him alone for the man who ruined her life? That was not fair. Nothing ever was in Wyn's life.
"You should go then, if you want to find your father."
"What do you mean? Aren't you coming?" Alexandra had thought they were in this together. Did Wyn not want to stay with her?
"He's your father," Wyn replied, remaining nonchalant. Alexandra frowned. Is he mad at me? Did I do something wrong? The girl's hand found its way to the chain that hung from her neck. The shell Alaya had given her daughter was still there, and Alexandra began rubbing her thumb across the rippled surface. Both children were at loss for words, convinced the other wanted out of their friendship.
"We can talk about it later, I guess." Alexandra pointed to the sky. "The sun is setting. We should find somewhere to sleep."
"Why not poof us somewhere? With your magic?" Wyn said, a small twinge of jealousy seeping into his words.
"I like the fresh air. Come on." Alexandra started walking, eyes darting around the forest. Begrudgingly, Wyn followed. He knew these woods better than most, and he knew that Alexandra was traveling inland instead of towards the sea. She wouldn't be finding any pirates in the middle of the Enchanted Forest. He remained silent though, watching the young sorceress with an amused look.
"Wyn? Why are you looking at me like that?" Alexandra asked, her blue eyes wide. Wyn cursed himself in his head.
"Oh, well, it's just that the maritime villages are in the other direction. I don't think you'll have much luck finding your father deep in the woods." Wyn blushed, looking at his feet. Alexandra sighed.
"Take my hand," she mumbled, reaching for him. The boy placed his hand in Alexandra's and watched as she took a deep breath. "Are you ready?" Wyn nodded. Then, the world tumbled away from him and he was enveloped in a dark cloud. For a few brief moments, all Wyn and Alexandra could see or feel was each other, then the cloud dissolved and they were standing on the docks of a seaside village. Buildings rose behind them, with thatched roofs and tall chimneys. Narrow streets stretched as far as they could see. Barrels were stacked all around in random places. Ships were docked up and down the wooden walkway, and more floated out in the harbor.
Wyn's eyes went wide as he whirled around, startled by the change in scenery. Alexandra giggled as Wyn fell to his knees, staring up at her.
"I thought you said-"
"I changed my mind. Besides, I think it was entirely worth it to see the look on your face," Alexandra laughed. Wyn ran a hand through his hair, reliving the last few seconds. While he sat on the docks in bewilderment, Alexandra took in her surroundings. Rumplestiltskin had never really told her much about her father, so she'd have to do a bit of reconnaissance. Sailors and townsfolk alike bustled to and fro, carrying baskets of fresh caught fish and other goods. Having only ever been to her small village and Rumplestiltskin's castle, Alexandra was beyond excited to be somewhere new.
"We should find someone to talk to. Maybe they can help us find my father." Alexandra grabbed Wyn by the arm and pulled him to his feet. She took a step forward, prepared to find help, but Wyn pulled her back. Alexandra turned to face him, saw the shy look on his face, and blushed. "What's wrong?"
"Do you really want me to come with you? With you and your father?" Wyn could feel the girl's cold eyes as they stared at him, but he couldn't bring himself to look at her.
"Of course, Wyn. You're my friend. I can't imagine doing any of this without you," Alexandra replied, pulling Wyn into a hug.
"That's nice," Wyn said, returning the embrace. Alexandra laughed. "Yes, yes it is. Now let's go. We've got a new adventure to begin." With that, the pair started off towards the village, happier than they'd ever been before.
Present Day, Storybrooke
Alex
Cassia didn't speak a word as I sailed the Roger into the port of Storybrooke. The events of the last few days had confused me enough to keep me silent as well. Wyn and I were going to come here, find my father, and go back to the Enchanted Forest. A simple enough plan. The Savior and her son were never meant to get involved. No one was supposed to know that I was here. Wyn should have been by my side, holding my hand, telling me that everything would be alright.
Instead, the plan was flipped on its head. I came here alone, got arrested, and forced to interact with the new family my father had made for himself. I wasn't supposed to be put into therapy with a cricket or to meet an aunt I didn't know existed. I certainly wasn't supposed to be kidnapped by said aunt. I wasn't supposed to lose Wyn.
"I know that look," Cassia says.
"I could not possibly care less," I reply, leaving the helm.
"You've lost someone, recently too. Someone you loved."
"Shut up or I will slit your throat," I mutter. The Roger glides slowly into Storybrooke's port, coming to a stop as I toss a few ropes overboard.
"I was married during the curse. In love," Cassia says. I sigh, turning around to face her. With a snap of my fingers, the ropes tie themselves and the gangplank falls to the dock.
"William, his name was Michael then, was the love of my life. My world ended when Emma Swan broke the curse. William left me for his real wife, his real family. He never cared about me, Alexandra, and that broke my heart. I had that same look on my face for weeks after."
I pull a knife from my boot and twirl it between my fingers. Cassia simply laughs.
"William was mine, darling. Who was yours?"
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe the reason I look so glum is because I was kidnapped?" I say, crouching down in front of Cassia. I take the knife and rest the sharp edge against her pale neck.
"You can tell yourself that all you want, my dear, but I can see right past your little act." Cassia's soft voice raises to a snarl. "You are a carbon copy of both your parents. You are a dishonorable egomaniac that will sacrifice anything and anyone to save your own skin, just like your father. But you are also easy to read, and when you love someone, you love them with everything you have because that's the only way you know how. Alaya was the same way."
I press the blade deeper into Cassia's neck, allowing a few droplets of blood to run down her neck.
"What. Is. Your. Point?"
"You loved your mother with everything you had, but you didn't have much. You wanted more. You wanted a father, friends, magic. So when Rumplestiltskin found you, and it came down to choosing whether to save your mother or get the life you'd always wanted, you chose to let Alaya die."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I press harder, a thin stream of blood now trickling from beneath the knife. "I was nine years old when my mother died. She was all I knew, and all I wanted. I knew nothing about Killian, or my magic, and I didn't give a damn about having friends-"
"You're lying!" Cassia cries, jerking forwards. I draw the knife away, gaping at her. "You killed my sister! You! My life was ruined because of you, Alexandra!" Her eyes, a deep sea green like my mother's, are brimming with tears.
"You're mad," I mutter, standing up. Her voice breaks and she sputters her way from speaking to sobbing. Tears run down her cheeks, leaving shimmering tracks. As gently as I can, I untie her from the mast and retie her hands behind her back. "Up."
She stands, eyes closed.
"My son, Max. He needs me. Please, Alexandra. Please-" I flick my wrist, and her voice dies.
"I'm sorry, Cassia."
Present Day, Storybrooke
Killian
"What about a tracking spell?" David asks.
"We don't have anything of Alex's. It won't work," I reply, slamming down my fist. "This is hopeless." Emma looks at me from across the table, concern lurking beneath her expressionless face. She's always been an open book.
"Killian, we've dealt with far worse than some deranged woman." Emma reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. "Cassia doesn't have magic or an army. There's no way for her to leave Storybrooke. And, from what I've heard, Alex could kick her ass with her hands tied and a blindfold on. We will find your daughter and bring her home safe," Emma says, smiling with her eyes.
"I need some air." I pull my hand out of her grasp and slide out of the booth. David reaches out to stop me, but Regina pulls him back. "Let him go," she says.
I push open the door to Granny's and head straight for the docks. Hurried footsteps follow me, and then Emma's hand is on my shoulder. I stop, turning to look at her.
"It's terrifying, isn't it. Not knowing if your kid is okay. Are they sitting somewhere, waiting for you to save them? Are they bleeding out, alone and afraid? Are they completely fine?"
"If this is your idea of an inspirational speech, love, it's terrible." I turn back around and start walking. Emma follows.
"What I'm trying to say, Killian, is that I know what it's like. I've been in the same situation with Henry, and it's awful. Our children are our lives, and when they're gone, it's like a part of you is gone too. But if we want that part of ourselves back, we have to stay strong," Emma says, lacing her fingers through mine.
We walk in silence, because I don't know how to say what I want to say. I know that she's done this before. She's lost Henry more than once. But things are different for them. Emma and Henry don't have eighty eight years of history between them. Emma hasn't failed her son, not like I've failed Alex. Instead of dwelling on the matter more, I clear my throat.
"I know you mean well, Emma. But Alex and I are nothing like you and Henry. There's a lot that's happened between us that I can't explain right now. It's as simple as that."
"Killian, I-"
"Can we just let it go for now?"
"No, Killian. Look." Emma points ahead to the docks. Walking along the docks, confident as ever, was Alex. She held Cassia in front of her, a knife against the woman's throat. Her shirt is stained with blood, her damp hair clinging to her jacket.
"Oh my God." Emma and I take off at a run. "Alex!" I shout. A weight lifts from my shoulders and I manage a small smile as I near my daughter. Alex looks up, her face bruised and her blue eyes tired, and she lets go of Cassia. I sweep her up and hold her as tight as I can.
"I'm sorry, Papa," Alex says, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
"Don't be."
"I should have been more patient, more understanding. This is my fault, I'm sorry."
"Alex, stop apologizing." I set her down but keep her in my arms. She lays her head against my chest and I run my hand through her hair. When words failed, it often served as a way to calm her down.
"We need to talk," she says quietly.
"It can wait." Over Alex's shoulder, I watch Emma pull her handcuffs from her jacket and snap them onto Cassia's wrists. She smiles at me, then starts talking to Cassia in a hushed voice. "Let's go home."
Alright, so it's a shorter chapter compared to the last few but I just wanted to get something out. If I do end up revising the previous chapters, I'll try to publish a new one so I can let you guys know. If I don't, then you can look forward to another chapter in who knows how long. Thanks for reading!
-TheFandemonium