Okay so here is chapter 21, the updated version. I'm not sure what happened before, sorry.
But anyway, here it is as promised.
Enjoy! :) (And hopefully it works)
Chapter 21
The night they were sneaking out, Sabrina found herself getting ready for bed when a knock sounded on her door. She crossed the room and opened the door to see Veronica.
"Hi mom," Sabrina said awkwardly. She hadn't been on the best of terms with her parents recently.
"Hey sweetheart," Veronica said, stepping into the room. "I just wanted to say goodnight." Sabrina stood frozen by the doorframe. Her mom hadn't come any of the nights before to say anything, so why was she coming now? Sabrina worried her parents had gotten suspicious and might suspect them sneaking out. Although, she didn't see how that could have happened.
Sabrina unfroze and walked over to her bed where she sat down. "Well, goodnight," she mumbled. Instead of leaving, her mom came and sat down beside her.
"How are you doing?" Veronica asked.
"Great," Sabrina said, unable to meet her mothers eyes. "If that's what you say when your world has gone to hell and you can do nothing about it."
"Oh, honey," Veronica replied as her arms came around her daughter. "Don't worry about any of that. We'll figure a way out of this."
"Right," she mumbled back.
"And I know it doesn't seem like anything, but you're really helping with doing stuff around the palace."
"Okay." Sabrina thought it was pointless to argue. It would just waste more time and she wanted to be in bed as soon as possible, so she could sneak to the library.
"Really, everything makes a difference." Sabrina merely nodded her head. They were silent for a few seconds. Sabrina wondered when things with her mother had gotten so awkward.
Her mother seemed to realize it as well because she said, "So where are Red and Daphne?"
"Daphne was hungry, so they went to get some food."
Veronica laughed, "It's actually astonishing how much food that girl can eat."
Sabrina cracked a smile, "Yeah, she snores loudly as well."
"I know it's not ideal that you have to share a room, but there's simply not that much space."
"I know, but that's okay. It's actually been kinda fun. We haven't shared a room since before the Everafter War."
They were silent again, but it wasn't as awkward as before thankfully. "Well, I should get going. Good night," Veronica said. She kissed Sabrina forehead before heading out the door.
Sabrina sat there until Daphne and Red came back. They were giggling and screaming loudly with joy. They came stumbling into the room, each of them caring a handful of sweets.
"Want one?" Red asked brandishing a cookie. Sabrina noticed it was the most happy she had seen Red in a while.
"I'm good thanks," she replied. Sabrina grabbed a handful of clothes and quickly went to the washroom. She changed into sturdy black leggings and tank top, zipping up her tight black jacket. She figured they would need to be as inconspicuous as possible. Sabrina peeked back into the bedroom to see Daphne and Red sitting on the floor, eating their sweets. She could probably squeeze in a few more minutes in the bathroom which was always in high demand.
Sabrina glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked relatively the same as she did a few months ago except for her face. It looked older, more like a woman then a silly teenager. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Grabbing a hairbrush, she yanked at her knots. Her blond hair was really long, almost reaching her waist. When she had cleared majority of the knots, she pulled it back into a ponytail.
"I need to take a shower," Daphne said from the door.
"I'm done," Sabrina replied, stepping out of the bathroom. She crossed over to her bed where she flopped down on the mattress. She glanced at the clock, it was almost ten. Now all that was left to do was wait.
Sabrina spent the better part of the two hours reading. She had looked around her room for books and managed to find a few. At 11:45, she got up and informed Daphne that they should leave.
"Don't die," Red whispered to them. She would be staying here in case anyone came looking for them.
"We'll try," Daphne promised. Sabrina shushed her and slowly eased open the door. She was a master at sneaks, so thankfully the door didn't creak. They stepped out of the bedroom and slowly closed it behind them. Sabrina motioned with her hand and they made their way down the empty hallway.
Majority of the way was empty, so they didn't have to worry about being caught. Although at one intersection, they had to sneak behind a guard. Sabrina had held her breath as they tiptoed behind him, scared he would hear them and their cover would be blown.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the library. They stepped inside to see Puck standing in the middle of the room, impatiently taping his foot.
"What took you so long?" he hissed at them.
"We had to sneak here. We couldn't be caught," Sabrina hissed back. "How'd you get here so soon?"
"I walked here," he replied. "Being the king has its privileges and one of them is going wherever I please."
"Never mind that," Daphne scolded them quietly. "How are we supposed to get out of here?"
"Follow me," Puck replied. He led them down one of the many corridors of the library. They walked until they reached a wall, lined with bookshelves.
"Oooh is this some sort of secret passage?" Daphne asked. "Like when you pull a book out and a tunnel is revealed?"
Puck gave her a strange look. "No marshmallow, our way out is up there." He pointed above them to a circle on the ceiling with a handle. "It leads to the roof."
"And how are we supposed to get up there?" Sabrina asked.
"I don't know. Climb?" Pucks wings sprouted from his back and he flew upward. He twisted the handle and the door opened, revealing the night sky. Puck flew up and disappeared.
"You go first," she said to Daphne with a sigh. She pointed to the bookshelf which Daphne had begun to climb.
Puck's face appeared back in the hole. "Hurry," he said. Sabrina growled at him and threatened to throw a book.
She waited until Daphne was through before beginning to scale the bookshelf herself. She felt a little bad for ruining it, but it needed to be done. She placed her hands through the hole and pulled herself up and out of the library.
"Don't close it," Puck warned as she had started to close the door. "It doesn't open from the outside." Sabrina quickly let go of it and stood up. The view from the roof was breathtaking.
"So what's the plan?" Daphne asked Puck. "Where are we going?"
"If I'm right, we can find my old friend at a bar in the village."
"Okay, but how will we get there? I mean wouldn't the guards be watching people leave?"
"But that's where you're wrong," Puck replied with a smile. "They will be watching for people to sneak into the palace, not out." Sabrina stared at Puck, surprised he could have thought through all this. At her look, Puck turned to her. "What? You don't think I can be smart too? 'Cause when it comes to devious schemes that we're not allowed to do, I'm an expert."
Sabrina shrugged, "Of course you are." When Puck turned away from her she mumbled, "You just can't lie to your mother."
He glanced at her from behind his shoulder, "I heard that."
"I did say it out loud." Puck glared at her which she returned.
"Okay, I feel like I'm missing some sort of key bit of information. But right now can we focus?" Daphne asked.
"What? Right," Sabrina said, breaking her and Pucks stare. "Let's go."
"Okay, watch out," Puck said.
"For what?" Sabrina replied, confused. In one quick motion Puck had flown to her and picked her up bridal style.
"Me," he replied. "I'll come back for you, Marshmallow." Puck zoomed off the roof and into the sky. He kept high enough in the clouds that we couldn't be spotted from below, but enough that they could make out the town.
"You're so evil," Sabrina said to him, shifting in his arms. "Don't think I won't get back at you."
"Oh, I'm planing on it," Puck replied with a grin.
"Well, then you'd better be ready," she said with a smirk. Sabrina pushed her face up, so that their lips met. She felt Pucks lips move on hers instantly.
And then they were falling.
"Puck!" she screamed, breaking their kiss. He led out a string of colourful curse words before they were in the air again.
"Maybe we shouldn't do that again," he said breathless.
"You think?"
"You kissed me."
"How was I supposed to know you'd drop us out of the sky?"
"It's not my fault you're distracting." Sabrina paused for a moment, letting a smile creep on her face.
"How distracting am I?"
Puck glanced down at her face. "Incredibly so," he said and her smile spread farther. "Especially when you're wearing such tight clothing."
"Well, I hope it doesn't compromise the mission."
"It won't," Puck promised, "but next time you should wear some sweats and a baggy sweater."
"If it will make you happy." They were mostly silent for the next few minutes until Puck touched down behind a building that smelt of tobacco and alcohol.
"I'll get Daphne," Puck said and flew back into the air. Sabrina gave a quick wave before pressing her back into the building, she wanted to be as invisible as possible.
As she waited for Puck and Daphne, she spent half the time keeping an eye on the sky and another on anyone coming. Besides from the loud noises of the bar and the occasional crash or shout, Sabrina didn't hear anyone approaching. Soon, she saw Daphne and Puck descending. Daphne was clutching Puck like a lifesaver which Sabrina supposed, he is.
"You ready?" Puck asked her as they touched down on the ground.
"You gonna tell us who exactly we're meeting?" she asked.
"No."
Sabrina sighed, "Well, then I guess we're ready." They made their way around the building to the front. Sabrina glanced down the street, surprised by how many people were walking around. She had assumed that everyone would be inside as a precaution, but apparently the world could be ending and people would still find time to gamble and drink. Or perhaps they didn't care.
Puck led the way through the door and into a noisy bar. Sabrina glanced around curiously. Admittedly she had never been inside a real bar, although there wasn't exactly a lot of them in Ferryport Landing. Besides, everyone knew her family in Ferryport Landing, so the chance of her getting caught was pretty high.
It looked just like Sabrina had seen in movies. It was rather dim with dark walls and floors. Directly across from them was the bar, lined with drunken faeries. To her right was pool tables and dart boards. Scattered around the room was small tables and chairs. They were all crammed together, so it made getting between them rather hard.
Puck led the way through, Sabrina and Daphne keeping close behind him. Sabrina had worried that Puck might get noticed, but luckily he pulled his hood over his head and kept his eyes on the floor. They trailed him to the dart boards to a group of faeries. She watched as one handsome faerie with dark hair and eyes threw a dart with impeccable aim, it landing on the bullseye.
"Nick!" Puck called to the handsome faerie who threw the dart. He turned around and grinned at Puck.
"Hey Puck," he replied as they shared a one handed hug. "How you've been?"
"Amazing as usual," Puck replied. "I am the king after all."
"I heard about that. It's too bad, you make a rotten king." Sabrina stared at Puck, waiting for him to hit Nick or shout or something. Instead, Puck threw his head back and laughed.
"I forgot how annoying you get."
Nick grinned. "Don't you mean dashing?" Sabrina stared at the pair, it was like two Pucks; which was a shame because they could barely deal with one.
"Puck," Daphne said and gave the boy a nudge.
"Huh?" he answered, apparently the girls had been forgotten.
"Aren't you gonna introduce us?"
"Yes, who are these pretty girls?" Nick asked, throwing a dazzling smile at them.
"I'm Daphne," Daphne said proudly, "that's my sister Sabrina."
"She's my girlfriend, so stop hitting on her," Puck said.
"I wasn't hitting on her," Nick answered defensively.
"You were planing on it."
"And why would you think that?"
"Because she's hot. Plus you hit on anyone with two legs."
"Not true," Nick replied with a small shake of his head. "I once dated a pirate with a peg leg." Puck rolled his eyes at Nick, but Sabrina could see he was really grinning. "Come, come lets sit."
He led them over to a small table which they all crammed into. "Shall I get drinks?" Nick asked and before anyone could answer he had walked to the bar.
Puck grinned after him, "I forgot how much fun he is."
"How long have you guys been friends?" Daphne asked.
Puck shrugged, "A few hundred years or so. I haven't seen him since I got kicked out of Faerie. Isn't he great?"
"Umm… yeah," Sabrina replied. She felt awkward and strange. She always forgot that Puck had lived thousands of years before she met him in the woods. She felt awkward, like she didn't know the real Puck. Sabrina had to remind herself that she did and gave him a smile and a squeeze on his knee.
Nick returned with four beer bottles. "First rounds on me," he said and took a huge swig at his bottle.
"Don't even try," Sabrina warned Daphne. She pouted, but thankfully didn't argue.
"So how do you guys know each other?" Daphne asked.
"Oh we go way back," Nick replied. "In fact, didn't you turn my head into a donkey?"
"Really?" Daphne asked biting her palm. She had slowly started to lose her old habits, but they still appeared every now and then.
Puck scratched the side of his face. "Yeah I remember dimly doing that."
"Well, I do. I was the laughingstock for decades." He grinned again at Puck, apparently unfazed by past pranks. "So where did you meet him? I don't think I've seen you around Faerie."
"Ferryport Landing," Sabrina replied. "He threatened to push us into a pool, we pushed him instead. It was quite the introduction."
"I'd say." He laughed again and turned to Puck. "I heard you got kicked out of Faerie. I always hated your father."
Puck gave a small chuckle. "You were not the only one."
"Right, I'm sorry for his passing. He didn't deserve that; although, I suppose no one does. Still, running you out of Faerie simply because you wouldn't marry that irritating faerie. What was her name? Molly, Monica?"
"Moth," Puck replied. Sabrina studied his face, but it was perfectly calm. She wished she could say the same.
"Right! Anyway, I heard you'd gone to Ferryport Landing and I would have come and visit, but with the whole magical boundary thing. Well, I didn't really feel like being stuck in one place forever. Lucky it got destroyed, right?"
"Yeah," Sabrina said thinking about the Everafter War and the horror that came with it.
"Anyway, I'm sure you guys are glad to get out of there. You've probably been stuck there since we came over with Wilhelm. How old did you guys say you were by the way?"
Sabrina screwed up her nose. Nick must have thought that they had always been Everafters. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "I'm 17 and Daphne is 13."
"Hundred?" Nick asked.
"Umm… no," Sabrina mumbled, suddenly embarrassed at how young they seemed.
"Thousand?"
"No," Puck said, "just 17. They were turned into Everafters."
"Interesting," Nick mused. "and how do you do that?"
"You ask to much questions," Puck said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
"You don't ask enough," Nick joked back, but his face had turned serious again. "What's your last name?"
They were silent again before Daphne said, "Grimm."
Nick stared at them blankly before throwing his head back and laughed. "You're dating a Grimm? How could you not have told me? This is hilarious!" The three of them joined in with nervous chuckles. "I haven't seen one of you people since we came over."
"Right," Sabrina said. She turned her gaze to Puck, trying to catch his eye. He seemed fascinated over whatever story Nick was currently telling. She sighed and kicked him hard under the table. He jolted up and glared at Sabrina who ignored the stare and gave a quick nudge of her head.
"I'll be right back," Puck said, interrupting Nick. He stood up with Sabrina and followed her to the bar where a group of girl faeries with cheering. Sabrina stopped there, keeping one eye on the Daphne.
"What's wrong?" Puck asked his arms coming around her waist.
"Are you ever gonna get the information we need?" Sabrina demanded.
"I will, but I can't just demand it out of him when I haven't seen him in years."
Sabrina sighed, "You're right. It's just this place makes me nervous and I keep thinking something will go wrong."
"Don't worry. I promise to ask him."
"Thanks," Sabrina mumbled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading back to the table.
"You guys good?" Nick asked.
"Of course," Sabrina replied. "Just needed to ask him something."
Nick smirked, "Right."
The conversation continued to flow, mostly Puck and Nick trading stories. Sabrina kept waiting for Puck to ask the question, but he seemed hesitant. Sabrina understood, although she wasn't happy about it.
"Listen Nick, although it's been fun catching up, there actually is something I need to ask you," Puck said finally.
"Go ahead," Nick replied with his easy smile.
"I can't tell you why we need this information, just know it can save many peoples lives."
Nick studied Pucks face, "Wow, you're being serious here."
"I need to know where Hag Booge is."
Nicks smile disappeared and he glanced around the bar nervously. "Puck you can't ask such questions," he said in a hushed tone.
"I know but I need to know where she is."
"Why would you even think that I would know where she is?"
Puck gave Nick a hard look, "You know where everyone is."
"Yes, but she's an exception. I mean the old witch has been in hiding for centuries."
"Nick, please."
Nick sighed and rubbed his hands against his thighs in what must be a nervous gesture. "Lets say hypothetically I did know where she lived, I could't tell you."
"What? Why?"
"It would be bad; not just for you, but for everyone. We should count ourselves lucky that she doesn't roam around again, burning down villages and kidnapping children."
"I know that, trust me I do. You have to believe me, I wouldn't ask where she is if it wasn't absolutely urgent."
Nick sighed and Sabrina nervously picked at her nails, worried Nick would refuse. Their whole plan depended on Nick telling them. And if he didn't….Well, Sabrina didn't want to think what would happen then.
"All right, but you didn't hear it from me."
"Promise, promise," Puck said excitedly.
"She lives up by the forest, near Old Mans Boulder. Take a right from there and you will find a weeping willow. Go past the tree and you'll get to some thorns. You have to make an offering and the thorns will open up to her hut."
"Did you guys get that?" Puck asked.
"Old Mans Boulder, weeping willow, thorns," Daphne said, counting it on her fingers. "Got it."
"Well, I'd love to stay, but we really should be going," Puck said and they all got up to leave. "I would appreciate it if you didn't mention this to anybody."
"Of course," Nick replied, "and Puck, be careful."
"When am I not?" Puck asked with a smirk.
In a second, Nicks easy grin appeared. "You better go, I can only take so much of you." Puck grinned in return and they made their way out of the bar and to the back.
Puck then began flying the girls back to the palace, Daphne first and then Sabrina. They were silent as they flew, Sabrina silently reminding herself not to kiss him. They touched down on the roof and Sabrina slipped back down the hole, landing on in a crouch. Puck flew in behind her and sealed up the latch and they all began walking =through the library.
"That was surprisingly easy to escape," Daphne noted. "I thought security would be a lot better."
"Oh it is," Puck said. "I informed the head of security before we left that we would be gone. It's why we didn't find an arrow in our backs when we flew. Don't worry though, he won't tell anyone."
Sabrina groaned, "Then why didn't we just walk out the front door?"
"It's much more fun this way, isn't it?" Puck replied with a grin and ignored the girls groans.
So that was chapter 21. Did you enjoy it? Say so in the reviews!
Not sure when I'll update, probably sometime next week. It always helps to review- makes me write faster, so...
Anyway enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!