The evidence locker came into view – Victoria Belfry's file sat on the metal table. Rogers bemused, "This is all my fault. If I hadn't rescued Eloise, Victoria Belfry might still be alive."
"No, these events were set in motion by forces beyond your control. And that being said, I don't believe they're beyond repair," Weaver reassured him before he glanced down at the folders spread in front him.
Rogers gestured with his hand. "But how do we fix this?"
"Well, I think I may have a way. Have a look," Weaver began as he passed his partner a file. "Lucy's doctor."
With a raised eyebrow, Rogers started flipping through the folder. He looked back up with a start as Weaver told him, "She was found in the hospital the same night as Victoria. Medical examiner said death was due to natural causes."
"You think otherwise?"
"Well, a lock of her hair was missing."
Rogers continued to flip through the folder as he surmised, "Well, it says here she died at the same time as Victoria. If that's true…"
He looked up, realization forming on his face. "Another cult member must be responsible."
Weaver then supplied, "But the evil extends far beyond Eloise. And if we can find the source, might just take us right back to her."
Rogers nodded his agreement – yet a contemplative look spread across his face.
Henry sat in a chair at Roni's, his laptop on the table in front of him. He read positive reviews about his podcast.
He looked up at the sound of his name. He saw Alena walking toward him. "I thought I'd find you here."
He tilted his head. "Were you looking for me?"
"Well, I was actually looking for a place to get some work done, and I thought some company would make it easier."
He hummed as she sat down. He then nodded toward the box.
"That looks like a lot of work. What is all that?"
"Oh, you know, just all the contracts and paperwork that needs to be organized. I don't have to tell you how crazy things have been – even more so since Victoria died."
Alena twirled her hair around her finger as she crossed her knees. She knew she could pull off the cover story – but she'd be so relieved when she no longer had to keep it up.
He hummed and offered her a nod. "Well, good luck. But knowing you, you'll be halfway done before we could even place an order."
She chuckled. "I'm really that obvious, aren't I? I can't even hide that I love what I do."
"No, you can't. You're probably the least subtle person I know." With a tilt of his head, he then added, "Except maybe Lucy."
Alena chuckled once more, and he soon joined her. When they sobered, she asked him, "Are you working on anything?"
"I'm just reading the reviews for the podcast. People really seem to like it."
"And they should! It was really good, Henry." She offered him a smile. He returned it.
She then surmised, "Although, I have to admit I didn't expect to even be mentioned in it, let alone be an important part of it."
"You had an interesting point of a view, and a great story to tell. Victoria manipulated you as well – but tried to hide it behind the fact that you were new to the company."
He then sighed and gestured toward the box. "I gotta admit I'm surprised you're not looking for something else."
"If only you knew," she thought. She then rested her chin in her hand. "Things may change, but it's easier for right now. And I'd rather not spring this on Ivy – aside from what she's going through, you know how well we get along."
"Like fire and ice." He continued to scroll before he told her, "And that's why you should take a break when you can. I really don't see how you're not more stressed."
She grinned as she teased, "Is my overprotective big brother worried about me?" He shook his head and rolled his eyes as she laughed.
With a deep breath, she then told him, "Thank you for looking out for me, though. And don't worry, I always make sure I carve out a little bit of me time."
He smiled at her before he focused back on his laptop. He paused to read through more reviews as Alena took out one of the folders.
His phone then beeped. He looked at it to see a text from Jacinda: "Game night w/ me & Lucy?"
He smiled before he replied, "I'm in." Just as he placed his phone back on the table, Roni's bartender - Remy - approached him.
"So," he began as he sat down. ""H-Town"." A humorless chuckle escaped his lips.
"Yeah," Henry said before Remy surmised, "I was kinda disappointed I didn't make the cut," a question in his voice.
Henry reassured him, "I promise, I will get to your story in an upcoming episode, Remy." He pointed out, "Well, you, uh, definitely mentioned Jacinda. A bunch."
Alena bit her lip to keep from laughing. It still squeaked out – but Henry was too distracted to notice.
"Well…" he tried to defend himself, stammering a bit on the word. Remy then offered, "Must've been the mix tape she made you."
Confusion crossed Henry's face. "Mix tape?"
Remy furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah, she came in here with it, uh, the night that you left for San Francisco."
The teasing remark died on Alena's lips as the lights flickered on and off. She furrowed her eyebrows.
Remy let out an exasperated sigh. "Really? Now the lights?" He waved his hands in frustration as he complained, "I'd better go check the breaker box. This building's falling apart."
He then stood and headed toward the back. The lights ceased buzzing as the bar went completely dark.
"What the hell?" Henry wondered aloud as he looked around, confusion still written on his face.
"I doubt the devil has anything to do with it," a man remarked. Henry looked toward the voice as Alena wrinkled her nose. The man let out a chuckle.
The lights flickered back on, revealing the well-dressed man. He sat at one of the tables, leaning against it.
Henry glanced between the door and the man. He then gestured toward him.
"What…How…When did you come in?"
"I have an idea," Alena muttered under her breath, her fists balled at her side.
The man mused, "Well, even a storm can sneak up on a man if he's not careful." He then chuckled as Henry's expression remained one of confusion, his hand still raised.
The man splayed his hand across his chest as he introduced himself. "The name's Samdi." He looked around the bar as he explained, "I'm looking for the proprietor of this establishment."
"Roni? Uh, she's not here. I could give her a message," Henry offered.
"Wonderful," Samdi began as he spread his hands wide. "I'm an investor. Well," bringing his hands together, "Victoria Belfry pushed me out of the Heights years ago."
"Huh," Henry commented as Alena narrowed her eyes. He glanced her way before Samdi continued, "But now that she's…she's passed on, I've decided to return." He motioned around the bar as he further explained, "See if I can help improve things."
With a nod from Henry, Samdi started, "Ah, please," pulling a business card from his inside jacket pocket. He strolled over to Henry and passed the card to him. "Ask Roni to call me."
He took the card. "Yeah, I will."
The lights began to flicker once more. Alena watched them, a wary expression making its way on her face.
Samdi pointed upwards as he offered, "Oh. Perhaps I can help by getting that fixed."
He bid, "Have a good day. You as well, Miss."
Alena jumped at his words. He gestured toward her. "My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, no, it's okay. It's just these lights – it's a little off-putting."
Henry tilted his head at her words before Samdi surmised, "Indeed it is. So, I imagine my help would be appreciated."
She regarded him for a moment before she nodded. He then told them, "I do wish you both a good day."
Henry relayed, "You, too," before Samdi exited the bar.
He - and Alena's - gaze, both still a little uncertain, moved back to the lights. They came back on the moment Samdi was out the door.
New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago
"I will destroy your happiness if it's the last thing I do."
The Evil Queen's words echoed around Alena as she darted among the trees. She searched for a way out, but only found more and more trees.
"Ugh! Can I please get out of here!"
Her response came in the form of lightning strikes. They lit up the sky like a shadow in a darkened room.
Her eyes widened as she jumped. She turned to run in the opposite direction – only to be met with the same phenomenon in the sky above her.
The endless trees did nothing to conceal the horror.
She dragged her fingers through her hair as her breath became shallow and labored. She collapsed on the ground before her hands fisted around the mud, dirt, and grass.
She screamed.
When she rose to her feet, her fingers still held the ground beneath her. She swung her arm and threw it at one of the trunks – it slid to the ground and disappeared among the foliage.
The lighting ceased, leaving the forest darker and more desolate than before. Alena's blue eyes roamed the trees around her – they all began to look the same.
Maybe because they were.
She then found the strength to run – only her feet knew the destination. But sitting still made the darkness more hollow and empty.
"Your suffering is my victory."
She covered her ears and shook her head. The words still echoed in her mind.
As she continued to run, she spotted a speck of blue hidden among the trees. As she neared it, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The wisp sat just within her grasp. As she reached for it, it disappeared, and her world became dark.
"No! Where the bloody hell did it go!" she screamed. A voice then came through the darkness.
"No need to be quite so hostile – I only wish to help."
As the light reappeared, Alena found herself back in the Infinite Forest – only this time, someone had joined her. He leaned against one of trees, his hands folded in front of him.
She took several steps back. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
"I think perhaps we should focus on what it is you want – an answer to these nightmares. Isn't that right?"
She eyed him warily. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not saying anything until you tell me who you are."
"Why, of course," he began as he straightened and stepped forward. Alena took another step back.
He only smiled. "You're cautious – I can't say I blame you. After all, things are not always as they seem."
She remained silent as she continued to eye him. He then took a white-gloved hand and tipped his fingers against his feathered top hat.
"Dr. Facilier. At your service."
Alena narrowed her eyes, her jaw clenching. "That voodoo witch doctor that crossed paths with Tiana?"
"I take it her tale was less than flattering," he began as he folded his hands once more, "But I can assure you I only wanted for her to succeed – and she's now queen of a prosperous and peaceful kingdom."
"Forgive me if that isn't exactly reassuring," she quipped, her hands balling into fists.
Facilier laughed. "Be that as it may, I'm not here about Tiana – I'm here about you. And how we can assist each other."
"And why exactly would I ever help you?"
He gestured around them. "These nightmares – you've had them for a long time. And yet, you're still no closer as to what it is you must face to make them stop."
Alena unclenched her hands – but only for a moment. She then raised an eyebrow. "And you think you know something about it?"
"I do have many friends on the other side – and the other side is where the darkest parts of the worlds beyond ours exist. And that darkness often seeps its way into our nightmares."
"And you want to help me?" she supplied as both eyebrows shot up and she gestured toward herself. "What do you get in return?"
He smiled. "Nothing – for now. But you see, I will require your assistance in the future, Alena. And I believe you'll be eager for the help."
She scoffed. "Whatever it is you want, I'm sure I can find another way. A way that doesn't involve any kind of deal with you."
He only chuckled. "Don't be quite so hasty. You may find you regret it." He then reached inside the pocket of his coat.
With a flourish, he presented her with a tarot card. He flipped it up to reveal The Magician. "Should you ever wish to speak."
He then waved his hand, and everything went dark.