EDIT: Sky: Re-Added scene skips.
A/N:
Sky: Lots to say this time! Please read.
First of all: HOLY CRAPSTICKS. 42 reviews in less than 2 days? Oh my freaking monkey, I fell out of my chair when I realized this. We're gonna hit 700 with this one, I hope! As some of you know, my goal is 1 thousand reviews by my birthday (which is August 28th XD So… Let's get close, at least!)
BUT! If you are an anonymous reviewer, while we appreciate the enthusiasm and the awesomeness of the multiple reviews, we don't exactly want reviewspam for the same chapter. You guys rock, but you only need to review a chapter once unless you forgot to say something and want to add. Numbers are cool for reviews, but it feels like cheating if it's a few people reviewing over and over XD
Second of all: If you do not read this, you will get confused. This next part of the story is going to be a multiple-part story. The chapter will be "The Beginning of the End" but it has a Part 1, part 2, etc. Because we didn't have enough for a full chapter with the current timeline, it got spliced. The first part of this story takes place where chapter 24 left off, but there will be another break and title inserted to explain where the time jump starts.
All parts of "The Beginning of the End" will take place in Future Puck's timeline, the events that already happened to cause Sabrina to turn into the Heartless. It has nothing to do with the current timeline, where Future Puck is currently at. It's a backstory explanation.
Third of all: IT IS MUCH DARKER AND MORE GRAPHIC THAN ANYTHING HAS BEEN SO FAR. Ayns isn't going to be writing with me on the Beginning of the End plot—I'm writing for every character. She's not reigning in my evil darkness. You can skip the entire Beginning of the End backstory if you want, you won't miss anything vital to the current timeline except for content of Sabrina's journal (You'll understand once you read the chapter)
Fourth: Another content warning—this chapter (Beginning of the End content, anyway) contains graphic violence, angst, and implied rape. If you can't handle that kind of stuff, read from the "No Matter What" Title until you see the new title: The Beginning of the End. Then skip.
That being said, enjoy! ^^
*.*.*.*.*
No Matter What
Chapter Twenty-Five: The Beginning of the End
*.*.*.*.*
"Sabrina."
That single word from Puck sent a ripple of reaction through those in the room. It was the last name that any of them had expected to hear in this situation.
But the gentle gesture from Future Puck to the Heartless had been missed by few, and Puck had opened the door that none of them wanted to touch. It was in that moment that Henry would have been content to never know the identity of the woman in front of them, if it meant not knowing that such a thing had ever happened to his eldest daughter. He'd frozen, mid-reach for Kerdy, and could only stare at the Heartless with a gnawing sense of horror.
Relda covered her mouth with her hand, as Mr. Canis placed a hand on her shoulder for fear that the old woman might suddenly collapse from shock. But Relda was a Grimm, and Grimm's were made from strong stock, so she did not faint. She simply stood there, too stunned to speak.
"Where?" Briar whispered, looking around the room. It wasn't that she had missed the clues - it was simply that she didn't want to believe. Sabrina was her niece, Jake's niece, part of their family. She couldn't be…this person, standing at the front of the room with an expression that screamed lack of sanity. She gripped Jake's shirt, but there was no sign of the real Sabrina in the room. "No…"
As another whimper escaped from Cassia, Snow's attention went to Veronica, not to Future Puck, Puck, or the Heartless. It went to the other mother in the room, concern flooding her gaze because she could not begin to guess at what Veronica was feeling in that moment.
Jake's arms tightened considerably around Briar, his expression more adult and serious than anyone had ever seen it. It was hard, knowing Sabrina and knowing her mannerisms, to see the insane murderer in front of them trying to replicate them. It wasn't that Jake thought she was acting... But he didn't think The Heartless could fully act like Sabrina. She could echo the movements and words, but it was... It was different.
"Oh god," Kerdy whispered, frozen to the spot. His attention tore from the happy evil couple, riveting on Puck. He didn't doubt Puck at all. If anyone could tell... It would have to have been Puck.
But The Heartless had heard Puck as well. She smiled in crazed delight, head lolling back to one side and turning until she saw the younger fairy. "She's gone," she whispered happily. "She'll never be hurt again."
Future Puck drew her into his arms and looked coldly to the group. William was probably the least horrified or disturbed by the revelation, or Will's demise. He was simply assessing the situation to see how he would need to protect his family.
Veronica sobbed at The Heartless' words, her shoulders shaking. She had to cover her mouth with one hand, forcing herself not to break down so easily while Cory was in her arm. He seemed to notice his mother was distressed, and he reached up with both hands to pat at the tears on her cheeks.
"Nokwa..." Cory murmured in concern, hiccupping and sniffling.
Henry spun around and pulled Veronica and Cory both into his arms tightly. He looked over his shoulder at Future Puck and the Heartless, a look of fierce protection on his face.
That was not his daughter. It was like she'd said - Sabrina was gone from that woman. His daughter would never do the things that Will had told them the Heartless had done.
Just thinking about it made him sick.
Slowly, Puck stumbled to the table, leaning against it heavily as he stared at the Heartless and Future Puck. "No," he whispered. "No...how? It can't be possible..."
Future Puck closed his eyes. "It's time," he murmured.
The Heartless looked up at him. "But I want to play."
He pulled her hand up and pressed his lips gently to the back of it. The final confirmation slid a little on her arm in the form of an old, braided bracelet. The match to Puck's. "You know I love you, right?" Future Puck murmured, eyes changing to sorrowful blue.
"Uh-huh," The Heartless nodded earnestly, as if she were being quizzed. "No matter what. You promised."
"No matter what," he agreed.
And before anyone could react, his hand tightened around hers, and with a terrible scream, she began to burn from the inside out, just as Will had. It was over before the audience could finish crying out, the ashes swirling gently to the ground. Future Puck closed his eyes, a tear sliding down one cheek. Puck's legs very nearly gave out on him, and he had to grip the edge of the table. He felt like he was going to be sick.
The promise was echoing in his ears - as was her scream. He stared at his future self, numb, his voice coming out hoarsely. "Why?" he whispered. "Why did you do it?"
It wasn't that that...perversion of Sabrina was gone. It was that they had held that promise, his future self had kept it...and then had killed her. Why?
Future Puck lifted his head, looking to his younger self with resentment and regret. "Because she doesn't have to become that anymore."
Veronica grasped at the words, her breath coming out in a pained cry. "What do you mean?"
"I didn't come here to kill anyone," Future Puck murmured, looking to the barrier. "I came to prevent the future."
Puck went still, staring at Future Puck numbly.
"Prevent the future?" Relda repeated.
Mr. Canis narrowed his eyes, as Henry tightened his arms around Veronica and stared at Future Puck. "This can be stopped?" he demanded.
"Maybe."
Future Puck closed his eyes, then opened them. "It's not up to me. The timing couldn't have been more horrible, but I don't remember this happening. That means it can change."
"What do you mean?" Kerdy breathed. "Don't remember this happening?"
"I remember meeting Will. I remember this meeting," Future Puck said coldly. "I remember leaving, hiding like a coward so I wouldn't hear her say she'd go to New York, right after this meeting."
"So time... Basically is on a loop? The Heartless was created because Will warned us about her?" Jake demanded.
"Something like that," Future Puck shook his head. "His meddling in time was part of the same history I knew. But I'm not."
"So you mean that even though Will is always here," Henry said slowly, "you're not. This is the first time you've come here?" He frowned. "How can you be so sure?" Talk of time travel was making his head hurt. And Puck was simply standing there, stunned like a deer in headlights.
"Because I would have remembered this," Future Puck murmured. "Meeting myself. Killing Will..."
"Why did you kill him?" William demanded. "Why not explain yourself?"
"Will would not have hesitated to kill Sabrina," Future Puck said harshly. "The moment he knew what she would become, he would have ended her life, even if I said she could be saved. He was a fool, and I could not allow him to go after her."
"I don't understand," Veronica whispered. "How did you come here, if you didn't…. Before?"
"I remembered meeting Will," Future Puck repeated, his voice softer. "I remember all of the events as if they were yesterday, and not a hundred and fifty years ago. I didn't have the power to travel through time, but she did. I convinced her to chase Will, hoping we would come to this time."
"So you convinced her to time travel you to the past - to this point - and then killed her?" Snow asked softly, stroking Cassia's hair. "Why did you wait, then? Why didn't you just kill her the moment you got here, if you had that ability?" It helped to think of the Heartless as 'The Heartless' and not as Sabrina - it made it easier to discuss her.
"Because I wasn't sure we came in time," Future Puck admitted. "And I'm not sure she can be completely saved. It's not up to me."
"Who is it up to?" Briar asked softly, turning her head so that it wasn't hiding in Jake's chest anymore.
"...me." Puck stared at Future Puck. "That's what you mean, isn't it? It's not up to you - it's up to me."
Future Puck nodded, looking to his younger self for a long moment. "It's entirely up to you. Although if I didn't know myself... And the way you felt about her, I might consider staying and just taking her away to save her from all the pain in the world."
"Why did Will think it was Red?" Jake asked, looking between the two Pucks.
"I have time. I may as well explain," Future Puck murmured, glancing to the barrier. They had time whether or not they wanted it.
Henry took a deep breath. "Then we better all sit down," he said, also seeing that the barrier was in place.
The last thing that Puck wanted to do was sit. In fact, the last place he wanted to be was in that room. He was overwhelmed by the sudden need to be with Sabrina.
But Sabrina wasn't there, he didn't know where she was at the moment, and that damn barrier wasn't going to let him find her yet.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Future Puck said. But he still made no move to sit with the others.
A few moments later, after Veronica had calmed Cory, and William had hummed a lullaby to Cassia, he turned back to them to speak.
Puck had finally ended up throwing himself into a seat, pulling in his wings, but he looked ready to bolt from the room the moment that he could.
When Future Puck turned to them, he had everyone's attention. Every single person in the room was tuned in to Future Puck, each of them wanting the information. Even little Cassia had taken the pacifier that Snow had given her, and after her father's lullaby, was staring at Future Puck.
"Will was slightly misinformed," Future Puck murmured, a little bitterly. "He was told that Red Riding Hood would be highly influential in the Heartless' rise to power. That she would be the cause, or lead the Scarlet Hand to the Heartless. But this just made people think she was the one who would turn. An Everafter with black hair..."
Future Puck turned to the barrier. "Before Daphne and Kerdy Jr. were killed," he ignored the thud of Kerdy falling out of his chair. "People at least remembered the Heartless had been altered by magic. A human girl with an addiction to magic."
Jake flinched. Briar reached for Jake's hand, wrapping hers around it and squeezing it gently as she looked at him.
"Sabrina," Relda said sadly. Everyone knew about her addiction. No matter what Sabrina did, it was still difficult for the young girl to handle. She wasn't allowed near anything magical by herself. It was simply too risky.
"How was she altered by magic?" Henry asked, as Puck remained silent. Any other time he'd be teasing Kerdy about the whole 'Kerdy Jr.' thing, but this wasn't the time.
Future Puck took a deep breath, but before he could speak, Mr. Canis interrupted.
"Exactly how was Red involved?" he asked. "That she was influential couldn't have been made up - so what was it?"
"She did lead Sabrina to the Scarlet Hand," Future Puck murmured. "Today."
"How?" Veronica gasped. "Red's at home-"
"Faking an illness so no one would stop her from running away. Terrified that she would become the Heartless, desperate not to hurt her family, and praying for the fighting to end, she decided to run away forever."
Kerdy swallowed, getting over his shock and pulling himself back up. "Daphne... And Sabrina--they took the transportation orb to go find Red," he admitted. "Sabrina asked me to cover for them until they got to the meeting, so no one would worry..."
"What?" Mr. Canis was on his feet, his palms flat against the table as he stared at Kerdy. Red had run away?
Sabrina and Daphne had gone after her?
"How long ago was this?" Henry demanded, spinning in his chair to look at Kerdy. "How long did they say it would take them?" Even as he asked the question, in his gut he knew that too much time had gone by. That transportation orb was designed to make travel as quick as possible.
Kerdy bit his lip.
"Don't bother," Future Puck said. "We won't stop them in time. They found Red near the old burned-down Asylum. Sabrina convinced Red to come home. Nottingham and Bluebeard showed up with three others."
Snow paled. "Nottingham and Bluebeard?" She looked at her husband.
Puck jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair so suddenly that it shocked Cassia, causing her pacifier to tumble out of her mouth and stare at Puck with wide eyes. Without missing a beat, William popped the pacifier back into his daughter's mouth without taking his eyes off Puck and Future Puck.
"Bluebeard?" Puck hissed, his wings fluttering rapidly behind him like they wanted to propel him upwards and through the roof.
"Yes," Future Puck hissed the word with more venom than anyone could give him credit for--at least anyone who knew him as the Trickster King. "And you can't do a thing about it yet."
"Bluebeard has barely left his castle in over a year," William growled.
"He left today while you were busy," Future Puck replied sarcastically. "And because there were three of them, the girls couldn't use the transportation orb. Sabrina had it."
"But if the girls had the transportation orb..." Relda's voice trailed off. Two of them could escape using the orb...but would any of them want to leave one of them behind?
"Sabrina used it," Future Puck glanced to her. "Because she couldn't get it to Red or Daphne without communicating, and Nottingham had threatened them both... She used it to send Red and Daphne back to Relda's home. It broke, but did as Sabrina had wished. It left her behind."
"It left her behind?" Puck felt like he couldn't breathe, and he fought back the panic that was welling up inside of him. "You mean she was left alone with those freaks?" He looked at Future Puck for some sign of denial to this, that it wasn't what Puck was thinking.
"How do you think she became the Heartless?" Future Puck asked bitterly. "She was abandoned by us, left to torture and pain at the hands of a sadist, and her only way of escape came from a magic wand one of her tormenters dropped. Once she had the power, she couldn't turn it off. She made sure no one would ever hurt her again."
Kerdy swallowed, hard. "Why didn't she use her bracelet? Not many people know how it works..."
Future Puck held his arms up, turned them so the palms both faced outwards, and pressed his hands together. "Her hands were tied together, possibly by sheer luck, so that she couldn't reach it. Daphne said she tried, but Bluebeard restrained her."
"What do you mean... Possibly?" Veronica asked, voice shaking.
"The Master of the Scarlet Hand told Bluebeard and his bunch not to hurt 'the blonde one'. Daphne remembered it specifically. And after she became the Heartless, she mentioned her secrets being safe with the Master dead. She never outright said it, but the Master is someone Sabrina knew, and may have known about the bracelet."
Henry let out an angry curse at the suggestion.
Puck felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. "Someone she knows?" he repeated. The thought that someone Sabrina knew well enough to have trusted with the knowledge of the bracelet might be the Master...
He clenched his fists tightly, knuckles going white. If and when he found out who that bastard was, he was going to take them down.
Future Puck was silent for a moment. Then he reached into his pockets and pulled out several worn pages. Each had a small dragon coiled in the corner, a specific design from a specific journal.
Puck's gaze was drawn to those pages, and from where he stood he could just barely make out the design on some of them.
"...what are those?" he asked quietly.
"All I could salvage before I had to burn her journal," Future Puck murmured. "Sabrina may have gone insane and lost a vital part of herself, but one thing remained. Will told you that you killed her," he told Puck, not bothering to ask it as a question. "The truth is, you were supposed to. She would kill anyone who crossed her path, except for you. She even disarmed herself, and looked at me, waiting for me to strike. She said it was okay."
His fists clenched.
Numbly, Puck moved away from the table, his eyes focused on the journal pages. And then his gaze lifted to Future Puck's face. "Why?" he asked quietly. "Why would she just stand there like that?"
He'd forgotten that there were other people in the room. He only wanted to hear the answer to his question.
"Because she kept her promise," Future Puck said simply, eyes travelling over each person in the room, and then landing on his younger self again. "She couldn't remember anything about herself or her heart, except that she loved someone... no matter what."
Puck swallowed hard. "And she knew that the one she loved was you?" he whispered. "Even without any of her other memories?"
"Why do you think I was able to melt an iron sword? And why are my wings black? Why would her journal be gone?"
Future Puck closed his eyes. "After the fact, I realized she was trying to make me happy. I couldn't leave the barrier. She destroyed it. Her journal had upset me before her transformation. She wanted it burned. I'd complained about my wings before--the color. She changed it for me. In her own way... She was trying to do things for me the way someone might hold a door open for their lover. She simply had no boundaries or morals to hold her."
Veronica bit her lip, hard. "What's on the pages you have there?"
"The entries right before her transformation. I found her journal, and when I read it..." His voice faltered. "I didn't want it destroyed, but she was adamant. So I saved the pages and burned it for her."
"Can I...see them?" Puck asked quietly. He looked at Future Puck, and walked towards him slowly. The last time he'd read Sabrina's journal had been that horrid night that their fighting had started. He hadn't touched it after that.
Future Puck looked to his younger self. "In one moment."
He looked to the others again. "I know you want to ask why I didn't look for her when Daphne and Red told us what happened."
"There's really no excuse for that," Jake said quietly.
"There isn't," Future Puck shook his head. "Right after this meeting, I left. I flew away without looking back once. She didn't contact me, I didn't try to come back for a week. When I came back and found out what happened, I tried to search for her. By then, she had transformed. Terrified of being hurt by Bluebeard or any other men, she had given in to a powerful surge of magic... She was wandering through town, seeking more. For more protection... When we found her."
He shook his head. "Her mind and body never recovered from the suffering she went through in that week I was gone."
Veronica covered her mouth again, tearfully.
Henry reached for his wife, holding her. "How long do we have?" he asked, cradling Veronica protectively against him. "Before...before she gets to that point? How long do we have to find her?"
"Do you have any idea?" Puck asked in a low voice.
"Where would Bluebeard hide her?" William asked, before Future Puck could answer. "If we knew he had her, I would personally search every miserable square of that castle."
"The years he spent in isolation, he used to make additions. I know where the secret room is. The room from Sabrina's nightmares..." Future Puck trailed off. "The stones she kept seeing--they were from inside the castle. And I don't know how long it would take for her to reach her breaking point, but the moment this barrier drops..."
Veronica took a deep breath. "The idea is to prevent her from being hurt at all. Not just stopping the transformation."
Future Puck nodded quietly.
Puck clenched his fists. "Then the moment this barrier comes down we have to get to that castle," he said. "I'm not going to let that bastard hurt her." His tone was fierce, and it was obvious he meant what he said.
Fighting or not, whatever was going on between himself and Sabrina, he loved her. And he would not let anything happen to her.
Future Puck regarded his smaller counterpart for a moment, then held the journal pages out to him. No one spoke, no one interrupted. Everyone watched for Puck's reaction, many dying to see the pages themselves.
There was a distant look on Future Puck's face as Puck took the pages. For a moment, he stared blankly to his empty hand, recalling the events that had changed his life and plunged the world into cruel torment and violence. It was a sad tale that no one knew anymore. He was the only one.
And it was time more people knew.
*.*.*.*.*
The Beginning of the End
Part One: A Taste of Magic
*.*.*.*.*
'Please don't come back. God, please don't let him be coming back.'The words echoed in her mind over and over, each chant more desperate than the last. Every last nerve in her body felt sharp. She was sensitive and bruised, and even the feeling of her own clothing scratched at her and made her ache. Her wrists were still tied at that horrible angle, leaving her defenseless and hopeless. The sound of wood scratching against stone caught her attention, and she looked up in horror. "No…"
Her voice still sounded raw from the screaming she had done earlier. It hurt to talk, but she knew she'd be screaming again soon. Not like it mattered. No one who cared could hear her screaming.
She made herself as small as possible in the corner of the dark bedroom, as if she could blend in with the mossy stones behind her and remain hidden. Her bare hands scraped against the wall, forcing a whimper past her clenched teeth.
The light flickered on—dim light from a torch. He stood in the doorway, illuminated by fire and smirking with evil. His eyes found her immediately, and he stepped towards her.
"No," she pleaded, shaking her head and trying to back away. Her bare feet scraped painfully on the stone, but she didn't stop trying to scoot. "Please don't!"
A cry of agony escaped her—she hadn't thought about moving her left foot, but now she cursed herself inwardly in any language she knew, and a few she didn't. Her ankle had been crushed right before… Right before the first hellish experience. He had stepped on it HARD to keep her from getting away, and she didn't think it was going to heal correctly.
He moved closer, grabbing her arm and hauling her up, ignoring the scream of sheer pain that came from her at the pressure to her foot, not to mention moving her legs. With a desperate burst of strength, she swiveled her body to the side while he held her, bringing her left knee up into his unprotected groin as hard as she could manage. The movement sent a fresh tearing sensation through her body, but she barely felt it over the white-hot agony in her ankle.
With a shout, he let go of her and cradled his offended appendage, sinking to his knees. One of his hands shot out to grip the metal bed frame, as she slammed face down to the floor. Her leg hurt far too much to attempt using it, but she didn't care. The door was still open, rather than shut and locked from the outside. She had a chance!
Sobbing softly, she jerked her arms up and hit her elbows against the ground as far from her upper body as possible. She used them as leverage to drag herself closer, pushing at the uneven stones of the floor with her right foot. The wetness soaking into her jeans felt warm and uncomfortable to her thighs. She was bleeding again—moving so much had been bad.
She didn't care.
Her arms crossed the doorway, and with a sob of adrenaline and fear, she hauled herself halfway out. That was when the worse sensation of pain hit—one of his hands clamped down on her broken ankle.
"NO!" She gripped the wall, hooking her fingers on the uneven stones, but his strength was greater. With a sharp tug, she was scraping backwards against the floor, unable to struggle.
His other hand fisted into her long blonde hair, which had tangled considerably. His eyes were pure evil as he gazed down at her, smirking. Even in the dim and fiery light, she could see the blue of his facial hair. His namesake.
"I can make it hurt more. Don't push my patience."
She turned her head away with a sob, refusing to give in. His lips skimmed her damp cheek, resting at the hollow of her throat. She felt his body shudder against hers, a soft groan escaping him.
"NO!" she cried again in fear, memories assaulting her. The first time. The second time. She didn't want it to happen again. She didn't!
She jerked her body again, bringing her bound hands up to shove at his face. She tried to dig her fingers into his eyes—any form of defense she could think of. But he was stronger, faster, and prepared for her weak attempts. With a grunt, he hauled her up onto the bed, pinning both of her hands by the rope connecting them.
The door swung shut, but everybody in the castle could hear Sabrina Grimm's tortured screams.
And none of them cared.
*.*.*.*.*
Sabrina stopped counting the days. Help wasn't coming.
She lay on the ground, broken and trembling. It hurt too much to move. Much more than it had hurt after the first time. Her bruises were yellow at the edges, black in the center, and her lip was constantly bleeding. Every time she shifted positions, something else would hurt and she would bite her lip, splitting it again.
No one was coming.
She'd stared at her wrists blankly for hours on end, waiting for it. Waiting for that glimmering thread of hope to rescue her. Puck was mad, but like every time, if she was in trouble, he'd come for her. He always did.
The hours went by.
No one was coming.
Why hadn't he realized she was missing and activated their bracelets? Was he hurt? Had the meeting gone badly? Had Will hurt him?
Did he hate her?
Her eyes flickered to the door in alarm at the sound of footsteps, but they passed. She relaxed her muscles a little.
No one was coming.
It didn't matter how many times she reminded herself. She still stared at her bracelet, silently pleading with it to activate.
She could survive. She could handle it. All she had to do was live long enough to get back to her family. She wouldn't let herself be a victim forever. She wouldn't allow Bluebeard's violation of her body and mind to control her life. She would move on with help. She just needed someone to come for her.
No one was coming.
Tears filled her eyes, sliding down her cheeks with no signs of stopping. She wasn't ready to die, and she wasn't going to let Bluebeard hurt her forever.
'Someone please… Anyone…' She closed her eyes tight. 'I'll do anything to get out of here. I'll do anything at all, please… Someone help me. Puck, I love you, please come find me… Please…'
No one was coming.
*.*.*.*.*
The door opened.
At once, Sabrina jerked awake in fear. She'd lost track of how long she'd been captive. She no longer measured in increments of minutes or days. She only knew how often she was hurt and how often she was alone.
The man who entered the room simply waved one hand, and the entire space was illuminated. It was Goat-face.
She no longer called him that to his face. The first time she had said it, he had punished her terribly.
"You're awake. Good."
She didn't answer, turning her face away.
"You look just like her, you know," he muttered, pulling a wand out. "Remember this?"
Sabrina turned, then shuddered in fear at the sight of the wand. He had used it before to inflict terrible pain on her. He'd bragged that he'd burned her alive in her mind, frozen her, and made her feel as if each of her limbs had been severed. Her dreams had given her a taste of his abilities in the past, but nothing really compared to the horror of actually experiencing it. Sometimes she prayed for death just to escape it, even though she wanted to survive.
"Why?" Sabrina whispered, trying to back away. "What did I ever do to you?"
"You Grimms," he shook his head. "You're just like that Fairy Godmother. Meddling. Sticking your noses where they don't belong. It doesn't help that you happen to look just like my Princess."
Sabrina huddled in the corner. "I don't know who you are or what you're talking about," she whispered, voice cracking in pain.
"Too good to read about the Wizard King? Self-absorbed little brat," he pointed the wand at her. "Truthfully, I don't need a wand. But it does help me stay focused. And it helps my power. Tell me, how does this feel, Sabrina?"
Before she could react, the arc of magic soared right into her. The pain was instantaneous. All of her bones felt like they were being broken, but no matter how hard she screamed or how she tried to stop the pain, it kept coming. She was sure she was going to lose her mind, about to sob for him to kill her, when the pain stopped.
The moment it stopped, a new pain started, this one so intense she couldn't form words in her panicked screaming. She didn't notice her fingernails broken and bleeding from clawing at the wall and floor, and it wasn't long before she'd thrashed and jerked until her body was really physically hurt worse. She heard him talking, but she couldn't fully understand his words. She didn't know why he was obsessed with some Princess she resembled, or why he had sworn revenge. She wasn't even sure he remembered she wasn't the Princess. He was clearly a less-than-well-known Everafter, with a lot of pent up anger that he was taking out on her.
It hurt. Everything just hurt. Her body was thoroughly violated, she was positive she'd been abandoned, and she had no hope left in her. Her heart felt like it was being crushed, reminding her that one person could have found her at any time if he'd cared to.
The pain stopped. Rather, dimmed until she could tolerate it again. Her eyes fluttered open, and her first thought was that she'd finally died. It was only a temporary reprieve. The Wizard King AKA Goat-face had moved to her side, picking her up and depositing her on the bed with a fake tenderness that Bluebeard had never even bothered trying to use.
"I suppose my old friend had the right idea," he murmured, setting his wand on the nightstand. "I have been pretty lonely lately."
Sabrina tensed in fear, feeling his hand brushing over her hip and onto her stomach. She didn't move a muscle, though every inch of her body demanded she scream and fight him. The tears came next. She knew what would happen. The awful feeling of violation, the tearing pain and the weight, pinning her in her own private hell…
'No,' she thought, staring at him in horror as he began to disrobe. 'No more…'His hands were efficient in un-looping each button from his shirt. He removed it. 'No,' she whispered to herself again, shifting onto her side a little. He wasn't paying attention to her, knowing she wasn't strong enough or able to get away.
'Somebody please stop him! I don't want to be hurt anymore, DON'T LET HIM HURT ME!'She pushed herself up on her bruised and sore elbows, looking for any kind of opening. He was going to hurt her. She had to stop him! Her eyes flickered to the nightstand. It was barely within reach… And nestled safely on top was the wand he had been using to hurt her.
'It's magic, you can't,' part of her mind tried to rationalize.
'He's going to hurt you!' another part screamed in desperation.
'It's so risky…'
'HE'S GOING TO HURT YOU!'
'You don't have any other choice,' she heard herself say in her mind, trying to reason with the part of her that was afraid of using magic, and the part that was just plain afraid.
'Just one quick taste of power, and nothing more!'Her eyes flickered back to the man as her fingers grazed the wand. He was still undressing. His hands went to the waistband of his jeans, and with a silent sob of fear, she clutched the wand in one hand. That image had been the deciding factor. She could hear and see Bluebeard's face over hers, awful sounds coming from him while her body suffered. All at once, the rush of power raced up both arms, warm and tingling. The power was there—it was safe. It would protect her. There was nothing wrong with a little magic. It made Bluebeard's face go away.
'Puck,' she clutched the wand tightly, turning back to the Wizard King. "Stay back," she whispered out loud, holding the wand up at the best angle she could. It was pointed at him.
He paused, then scowled at her. "You don't even know how to use that. It's not a toy, put it down."
When she didn't comply, he reached out to snatch it, with all the exasperation of a parent trying to teach a child not to play with a sharp object.
All Sabrina saw was his hand coming towards her. The fear of being touched by him overrode all other common sense or thinking. "NO!" Her scream was shrill and backed by power. The wand pulsed in her hands, coating her in warmth. It was soothing, blanketing her from the world with the faint scent of pine.
The entire room became a soft shade of green. The bed was warm and thick instead of hard and cold, and she sank into it a little. It was like napping in a large bowl of heated pudding.
'Where did he go?' she wondered, nestling in the comfort. It eased the pain from all of her wounds, wrapping around her. 'Oh well…'She had never felt stronger in her entire life. Everything was going to be okay. She knew it would be. There was no reason why she couldn't just use a little bit more magic to free herself, heal up, and find home. "Just a little more," she whispered, clutching the wand. Her wrists came untied. The green energy surrounding her healed up all of her injuries, filling her with another joyous rush. She didn't want to let go of the wand. It was so wonderful…
Sabrina closed her eyes, pulling the wand close as if it were a teddy bear or security blanket. She held it to her chest and sighed softly in relaxation. Her body had been broken for so long, it felt strange to be whole again. But that was how she felt. Whole…
The ripping pain in her chest made her eyes fly open. She wasn't whole. She was still missing something important.
Puck hadn't come to help her. No one had come to her aid. They had abandoned her to hellish torment and violation. She had been used violently and mercilessly, punished simply for looking like a princess, or being a Grimm, or just catching the eye of the wrong person. She didn't know who the Master was, but they had requested her unharmed. They hadn't listened.
It was like she no longer belonged to herself. She would never be the same again. The damage was permanent. The only one who could have helped her heal didn't want to be anywhere near her.
'But I love him,' she whispered to herself. 'No matter what.'The pain worsened.
"Please," she rasped, her voice hoarse from all the screaming she'd been doing in the past week. "Please stop… No more pain…"
The tears came faster, soaking her cheeks and the stray locks of hair that fell there. "I don't w-want to be hurt anymore," she pleaded.
The wand pulsated again, another injection of pure warmth and joy racing through her. With a happy sigh, she opened her eyes. She wasn't sure where she was, or really who she was. She didn't want to stay in the room she was in, but she wasn't sure where to go once she left. Her eyes scanned the room curiously.
She was still on Bluebeard's bed, wearing her blood-stained and ripped clothes. Her wrists were untied, but she didn't care. She stood slowly on her newly healed legs, looking around the room still. The roots of her hair had darkened, turning completely black all the way to her chin. There was a red tint in her eyes.
"Oh!" She gasped despite herself at the sight that greeted her. Pieces littered the floor and walls. In fact, some pieces seemed to be stuck to the ceiling as well. Had she killed him? When?
She wasn't sure. But Goat-face was dead. He wouldn't hurt her again.
A delighted smile lit her face. Sabrina was giddy with relief. He was dead! She was strong enough to kill him, and he could use magic without a wand!
Her bare feet were cold against the warm, damp stones. With a curious tilt to her head, she looked down to see that the walls of the room were soaked with blood. It was pretty.
Still smiling, she walked to the door and exited the room, holding her beloved wand in her right hand. Part of her mind tried to remind her that the wand could be addicting to her.
"Just a bit more," she murmured in a dazed voice. "Just one more taste, and that's it."
*.*.*.*.*
She wanted to sing with joy. There had been four more on the way to the tormenter she wanted to destroy. Each one had left her with a new rush of happiness and comfort, adding power to her supply. One of them had been golden-haired with a pretty pink dress. Sabrina wasn't sure who she was, but the magic had been delicious.
She looked to the wands in her hand. There were too many now.
A frown touched her features, which had begun to warp with the amount of magic and dark arts she'd absorbed. Then a smile lit her face, and she clutched them tighter. The answer was so simple. Absorb more! With a happy moan of relief, she began to suck the magic from the wands in her hands, feeling it race up her arms and through her entire body. Once they were completely drained, she let the useless sticks fall to the floor, clacking against the stones.
She giggled, stepping over them and continuing on her way. Her eyes were wide with delight and excitement, magic racing through every inch of her body, and the air around her.
It felt so good, she never wanted it to stop.
'If I have more, I can protect myself better. Oooh, what a good idea! After I'm done here, I'll go find more…'That thought in mind, she went to the master bedroom, placing her hand on the door. A giggle of delight burst past her lips when the door exploded, raining splinters and bits of metal all around. None of it came within an inch of her smooth skin.
"What the hell?" Bluebeard jumped up from where he'd been resting casually on his bed, his eyes wide with shock.
Sabrina smiled at him. He didn't scare her anymore.
"You won't hurt me again," she giggled, holding her hand up. He didn't even have a chance to react as he was torn limb from limb, splattering the walls and bed red with his blood. The sight caused another rush of reassurance and joy in her. No one could hurt her!
But what if others had magic? What if someone found a way to hurt her? She had enough, but…
"Just one more," she murmured, heading back the way she'd come. "One more taste, I promise…"
Her eyes fluttered shut. The tingling sensation spread to each of her fingers, forming a small red glow. When she opened her eyes, the glow had moved from her, forming a ball in front of her. It floated away, leading her to the closest source of power. Hair half black, eyes half red, and expression crazed with relief and power, Sabrina Grimm walked barefoot from Bluebeard's castle, following the red orb. There was an entire town of power near her, and she wanted it all. One taste at a time.
*.*.*.*.*
A/N:
Sky: Phew. I get to write a lot by myself for this XD And since I posted before Ayns got home from work, there may be some typos. Feel free to let me know in a review or PM and I will go in to fix 'em.
I'm also doing the whole Beginning of the End saga by myself so Ayns doesn't get burned out. I've been pushing her a little hard to write more of this because the reviewers have been awesome. So now, I will push myself! XD
Thank you so much to all the reviewers since chapter 24 went up ^^: SeekDreamsAndFindHope, emerald rose, A CertainPeantButterSandwich, Grimmangel, Reader, Sabrina Grimm, DragonFly7312, curlscat, BookLoverAF, DeDe, HoLlIwOoDbOuNd13, Taylor Wimbley, ILoveGeorgeCooper, iCheer36, Squiggles(x2), book monster, Schadenfreude62, Lyla Domae, Ascaisil, Syd, msjezzi-bella, Amy(x2), emerald and onyx, brii, Trickster Queen464, Erin, gothicgall000, grimmgirl(x2), Hypocritically Her, iD Sisters Grimm iD, obsessedwithbooks, SweeneyToddLover26, wormybook, Viva-Musica, Chicgeek4ever, Lilyflower-314, Blue-Eyed-Lily, Lara D, and The Grimm Smiler :)
Since I can't reply via message to anon reviewers, and some had questions…
To Squiggles: Hopefully that explains it for ya so far, and thank you for the b-day wishes ^^
To Syd: We're not on fiction press, but we're going to try and write books to be published. And Puck was saying there was only one person he would do anything for, including become evil or betray the Grimms—and that's Sabrina. Lol that's okay, I enjoyed writing that scene, and I hope that cleared up your confusion ^^
To brii: Sabrina didn't exactly go back in time to kill the Scarlet Hand, she went to find Will on Puck's insistence. Also Puck was trying to find something that would make her break down the barrier before he had to kill her to save the current-day Grimms, which is why he suggested the Scarlet Hand. We're also estimating about 40 chapters lol :X Thank you for the B-day wishes, and ugh ugh ugh Gilles de Rais creeps me OUT!
To The Grimm Smiler: You won't see this for a while since your review was on chapter 17, but I'll answer anyway XD I love getting Sabrina in trouble. Kekeke. It's just more fun than anyone else. Unfortunately, you'll probably never see me putting anyone other than Sabrina, Puck, Daphne, or like… Red in trouble XD They're just too fun to pick on.
To all the other anonymous reviews, and the previous ones: Thanks so much, we really appreciate the reviews, even though we can't reply to them. They still make us happy, thanks^^
Luvvies!
P.S Edited to fix typos and separate paragraphs, because the document manager is an ass. Thank you curlscat and Lyla, I sure did miss those XD