Nothing about my life made sense. I honestly wasn't even suppose to be alive. I was stillborn, yet somehow life was breathed into me. Born as Snow White's twin, I felt as more of an afterthought. I was the one who wasn't supposed to be there. I was though. It took my parents two weeks to name me, they knew Snow's within the first hour.
My name always felt like it was plucked from the air. It didn't bounce off of Snow's. They simply decided on my name because of my silver toned hair. Sterling. I seemed to be the opposite of Snow growing up. She was warm and bubbly, I was cold and distant. We were two sides of the same coin.
I left her side long before the curse hit. I had changed my name. I went by Winter. I traveled. I found my place. It was sheer luck I got thrown into the same world as her. I've waited my twenty-eight years to see her again. I got news from a dear friend. He had found them. In Storybrooke.
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Driving through the small, picturesque town, I saw several faces I recognized. I knew I shouldn't, but funny enough I did. I wasn't meant to be here anyways. I finally stopped outside of some eatery. The sign read Granny's Diner. Shrugging, I stepped out of the vehicle and headed inside to meet my friend, August.
He was sitting in a booth with his back to the door, talking to a blonde woman. "Hey brother, long time no see." I placed a hand on his shoulder, going with the story he had told me about. Looking up, he swatted me away while smiling. "Took you long enough to get here." He joked, scooting over for me to sit in the booth with him, and I did.
"Who's your lady friend?" I asked, nudging his elbow with mine under the table. August cleared his throat awkwardly, having seemingly forgotten about her. "This is Emma Swan. She's the sheriff. Emma, this is my sister, Gwendolyn Silver." He introduced us as I leaned toward and shook her hand. So this was my niece. "Nice to meet you Emma. My brother hasn't caused any trouble has he?" I raised an eyebrow at her.
"No. Not at all. Now if you two will excuse me, I have to go." Emma said as something caught her eye behind us. As soon as she was gone I turned to August. "All right, O. I need the information you have on this place." I said quietly. "Yeah. Let's get to the inn." Was all he said and motioned for us to leave.
As soon as we were in his room at Granny's Inn he started telling me everything. I listened quietly until he was done. "How do we make her believe?" August asked, sounding so hopeless. "We do what we must. We'll find away." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Winter, I know where he is by the way." He stated as he pulled me into a hug. "I figured as much." I sighed, letting him cling to me.
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The bell overhead chimed as I walked into the store. Antiques and such scattered about the place in chaotic organization. "Hello?" I called out, hoping he wasn't about town. I needed to see him. I needed to know if he remembered. He had to. I needed him to.
"Sorry. Shops closed." I heard his voice call from the back. He walked out, his head down, wiping his hands off on a rag. As he looked up and spotted me, he seemed to freeze in place. The look on his face told me he remembered.
Giving him a small smile, I bowed my head. "It is truly a pleasure to see you again Tilt." I whispered, my voice cracking. "Winnie." He croaked out, going around the counter and standing in front of me. He slowly rose his hand to my cheek. Breathing out a breath he'd been holding, he enveloped me in a hug.