Chapter 12

The Wolf Cub's First Kill


(Daniella's POV)

I looked out of the small window as the carriage rattled along the road. Today, I was to help my mother retrieve a poison apple that would put Snow into her slumber. Unfortunately, the apple is currently in the possession of the Blind Witch. I had asked my mother how she knew about the apple and it turns out that my mother was the one who accidentally lost the apple to the witch when she was a teenager.

"Daniella, are you alright?"

I turned my head and nodded. "Yeah. I am."

"You remember what to do once inside the witch's house right? Don't touch anything except for the velvet bag that contains the apple. And under no circumstances are you to try any of her sugary treats. If you see something that you so desire, a cake or a pastry, I'll get the chefs to make it for you once we're back in the palace alright?"

"I know. You've told me this already."

"Sorry little firefly. I'm just worried about you...but although I couldn't enter the house, I'll always be watching you from my mirror."

I glanced once again out of the window and since the scenery barely changed, I groaned inwardly and asked, "How much longer until we arrive?"

My mother shrugged and answered, "Not too long."

A few minutes of silence ticked by but just as I was about to start another conversation, the carriage came to a sudden halt. I wasn't prepared for this disruption and I was jolted forward into my mother's lap.

"Wha.."

Mother scowled and said in between her teeth, "I'm going to find out right now." Then, I sat back onto my seat to allow her to shuffle over and open the door of the carriage.

I couldn't see what was going on outside of the carriage since Mother blocked my view but as soon as she opened the door, she asked harshly, "What are you two doing in my forest?"

When my mother got out, I could finally see that she was talking to two children; a girl around the same age as me and a boy who was slightly younger. They both looked lost and my thoughts were soon confirmed as the girl spoke. "Please forgive us. We didn't mean to bother you. We're just, we just lost our father."

My mother replied in a voice that told me that she was not in the mood for dealing with this situation. "Two helpless children, lost and alone, a family torn apart. Such as sad and moving story..."

She walked slowly towards the guards and then turned around quickly saying, "Guards, seize them."

The girl reacted quicker than I thought as she slung something with her slingshot towards the pursuing guard. To my surprise, it hit him hard and the two children started running into the forest. As they did so, I clambered out of the carriage and watched my mother stop the guard from chasing the children. "Mama, just let them go. I'm sure they didn't mean to come into our way."

There was a moment of silence which was broken when my mother said slowly, "No...they're far too useful for us to let them go."

"Useful? How?"

Mother looked at me and replied, "they can go with you into the blind witch's house, it'll be safer for you. If anything unfortunate happens, the witch will have to deal with three children instead of one. It'll make it easier for you to handle the situation as well...just make sure that they are the ones to retrieve the apple since that's the most dangerous task. After that, you can teleport or bring the group out of the house in whatever method you wish."

I nodded as my mother surrounded use both in purple smoke. As it cleared I saw that we were standing amongst trees, right in front of the two children.

Laughing, my mother taunted, "running from me is foolish". Then, she extended her hand and tree roots suddenly sprouted from the ground and grabbed hold of the children's legs. They fell onto the ground, wiggling and thrashing in an attempt to free themselves.

Walking towards them, Mother continued, "Foolish, but also brave. And that bravery, may have just saved you and your family's lives."

Then, she removed the roots with her magic and the wave of a hand.

The girl shakily spoke as she glanced quickly between my mother and I, "You're letting us go?"

"Yes I am. But on one condition. You two are going to do something for me."

The boy glanced at, I'm assuming his sister, and the girl said sharply, "and then, you'll take us home?"

"I'll take you to the nearest village. I'm sure you can find your way home from there."

"Alright."

My mother raised an eyebrow and the boy quickly muttered, "Thank you...your Majesty."

Smiling, my mother answered, "that's better. You should learn from your brother, girl."

The girl continued to frown but she repeated what her brother said with haste.

My mother smirked as she said, "Follow me." Then, she began walking through the forest. I quickly came up to her side and whispered, "How do you know where we're going?"

"Well if my memory is correct, there should be a path just through these trees that leads to the house."

"Ok."

I glanced nervously behind me and immediately caught the awkward gaze of the girl. Red-faced, I decided to break the awkwardness. "What's your names?"

"I'm Gretel and my brother's Hansel...why do you ask?"

"Well, I shouldn't I learn the names of people who I'm going to work with in the next few moments?"

"Work with? Where are we going? What are we doing?"

This time, my mother answered their question. "the blind witch's house."

I heard Hansel whisper behind me softly, "That doesn't sound good." Smirking, I replied, "Of course it doesn't. Haven't you heard of the tales?"

"You mean we're going into the house of a witch who eats children?!"

"Yes we are."

Before either Hansel or Gretel could shout out in defence, my mother spoke, "no one is going to get eaten if you follow my instructions. You are to simply enter the house and retrieve something for me."

Gretel frowned as she replied, "Well why do we need to get it? Don't you have magic? How come you need us?"

My mother stopped walking and turned to Gretel, raising an eyebrow. "So many questions. But to answer your concerns, the house is protected by magic. I can't enter. Luckily however, the spell doesn't work on children. Originally, I was only going to send my daughter into the house but seeing your bravery earlier, you'll make the perfect companions. If you three work together, it should make completing the mission safer and easier."

"What do we have to do once inside?" inquired Hansel.

"Well, the Witch has something of mine and I need you to get it back. It's kept in a black velvet satchel inside the house," my mother looked up and then continued, "It's sunset now but you'll have to wait here until nightfall because once the witch is asleep, you can sneak in and retrieve the satchel. Oh, and there's one more thing. The witch's house is...unique. Because of this, you have to take special precaution once you're inside. No matter what you do, no matter how you're tempted, don't eat anything."

Nodding, Hansel asked, "so, what do we do once we've completed the task?"

"Daniella will take care of that. She knows what to do, don't you?"

I nodded as mother continued, "I'm going to return to the palace now. I've had enough of this forest." Then, she turned to me and spoke softly, "I'll always be watching alright? Good luck, Daniella."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine Mama..."

After a quick smile, my mother disappeared in purple smoke. I watched Hansel and Gretel's expression immediately become more relaxed at the absence of mother.

I was the first to speak, "So, umm, we need a plan."

Hansel quickly replied, "yes we do. Do you know where the satchel is located exactly?"

"I'm not quite sure so we'll just have to look through her house when we're inside."

Hansel breathed out shakily, "Seriously?"

I nodded and answered, "Look, I know you feel scared and to be honest, I do too but it's imperative that we succeed."

Gretel tilted her head and asked, "What's inside the satchel anyway?"

I bit my lip, not knowing if I should answer her question. After a few seconds of silence, I gave in and said, "a poison apple."

Gretel and Hansel exchanged glances and I watched nervously as they suddenly fell silent. However, I remembered what I had said yesterday, about not worrying about how people think of me. So, I continued, "It's something that will be used on a particular enemy."

Hansel whispered to reply, "Snow White?"

Immediately after he said this, Gretel put her hand over her brother's mouth and nudged him sharply with her other elbow.

I gave them a small smile as I said, "Don't worry, I won't behead you for saying her name. I'm not my mother."

Gretel looked at me warily but replied simply, "good."

Then, I continued, "and please, don't look at me with that expression. I already know what you're thinking...of how Snow is innocent and that she shouldn't be poisoned."

Gretel continued to look at me with her slightly intimidating expression but Hansel's mouth gaped open after his sister took away her hand. "I've never even met her. How would I know if Snow is innocent or not?"

I sighed and looked along the path, spotting the witch's house approach in the distance. Then, I replied, "I'm not stupid. Everyone in the villages believe that Snow is innocent and that she deserves the crown. The parents; well, they teach their children this...in hopes that one day the new generation will be brave enough to overthrow my mother."

I turned back to Hansel and Gretel and this time, Gretel shared the same dumbfounded expression as her brother. Then, Gretel narrowed her eyes and said, "you're saying this as if you've actually been amongst the village..."

Quickly, Hansel added, "Wait a second. Coming to think of it, this may sound weird but you sorta look familiar. I mean, you're a copy of your mother but I think I've seen you before."

My mind took a stroll down the memory lane and suddenly, a scene filled my head. It was the beginning of last autumn and I was collecting firewood from a woodcutter with Teagan. I remember walking towards a stack of logs and picking them up. Not used to the weight, I accidentally tripped over a tree root and the logs rolled out onto the forest floor. I looked sheepishly at the woodcutter and he muttered something to two kids who were playing behind him. They walked over and helped me pick up the fallen logs. I was too embarrassed to look at their faces directly but I remember turning around and giving them a brief glance whilst I mouthed a word of thanks....no wonder why Hansel and Gretel looked so familiar! They had helped me in the forest just several months ago!

Looking straight into Hansel's eyes, I whispered, "I think you have."

After I said this, I heard Gretel gasp as she exclaimed loudly, "Wait, you're the missing orphan from the village!"

I bit my lip and replied softly, "What do you know about that?"

"I've just heard whispers. They say that a girl from the orphanage has been kidnapped overnight...and it's a little strange that a few weeks after this, the kingdom has been notified that there is an heir to the throne. I mean, it's just weird that the missing girl and the princess share the same name."

Hansel interrogated me after his sister finished speaking, "Is it true?"

I was still debating whether or not I should reveal what had happened. "Is what true?"

There was a pause before Hansel said quickly, "Are you the girl from the orphanage?"

I surveyed the inquiring look on Hansel and Gretel's eyes before I slowly nodded my head and looked down.

To my surprise, Hansel was brave and blunt enough to ask, "How did that happen?"

Before delving into the story, I locked my eyes with both of them and said, "What I'm about to tell you; you cannot tell anyone alright? Not another soul, not even your father. I don't want rumours to go around and circulate the kingdom."

They both nodded vigorously as if they were impatient for me to tell them the story.

I began quietly, "when I was around a year old, I was taken...snatched from my mother and I ended up in Wonderland since I fell through a magic portal. When I managed to come back to the Enchanted Forest, I didn't have any idea about who I was, what my identity was, who my parents were. All of my life I've been an orphan and that's how I ended up in the village orphanage. That is, until my mother found me at the beginning of the winter that has just passed."

"Well that would clear some of the confusion."

"What confusion?"

Hansel glanced briefly at his sister before he replied, "To be honest, when an heir to the throne was suddenly be named, it came as a surprise for all of us. I mean, we didn't even know that the Queen has a child and...we've always thought that Snow would take the throne after your mother's death. I mean, that is unless she manages to take back her birthright before the Queen dies."

Birthright?

I clenched my fists at this. Gretel must have noticed the sudden change of my mood as she nudged Hansel subtlety whilst giving her brother a serious look.

In a low voice, I muttered, "It doesn't matter that she's technically entitled to the throne by birth. She doesn't deserve it, mark my words. If Snow is the ruler of this land, she'll bring the kingdom to ruins just because of her tongue."

There was silence that followed but I continued, "Do you want to know the reason why my mother hates Snow so much?"

Gretel didn't say anything but Hansel gave a brief nod as he breathed, "Why?"

"Snow tore apart my family...so how can she promise you your happy endings if she broke a promise of those who were supposedly closest to her?"

After saying this, I closed my eyes for a few seconds. Have I said too much?

Hansel was the first to speak as she hesitantly uttered, "It's getting quite dark now. Should we go into the candy house?"

I opened my eyes. "Yes, we should."


I pushed back the large leaves of our hideaway spot to reveal the blind witch's candy house. It stood magnificently amongst the trees, with large pieces of colourful candy plastered all over it's gingerbread walls. The place was practically leaking with magic and temptation but I could tell that there was dark magic involved with the creation of such a false delight.

I crept towards an open window, seeing that it was slightly ajar. "In here! We'll fit through here; I hope..."

Hansel and Gretel walked towards where I was standing, right next to a pane of sugary looking glass. I was about to push up the window to climb in when Gretel said softly, "Wait, can't you use magic to take us into the house? You have magic right? Why do we have to climb in?"

I turned my head around and replied, "I'm afraid my magic will be detected. A skilled witch should be able to sense the approaching presence of magic. I'm not sure about the blind witch's abilities but she made this enchanted house so I'm not taking any chances."

Gretel nodded then I climbed up through the window. I pushed myself into the house and after I set foot inside, I helped Gretel and Hansel come in as well.

The house was dark but warmly lit by a fire in the living room. The interior of the house was made with gingerbread slabs and everywhere I looked, I saw pieces of candy as decoration. There even was a chandelier made of sweets, hanging above a long table ladled with cakes.

Hansel nudged me and asked, "Can you be sure she's sleeping?"

To our relief, there was a gentle snore by the fireside and as we walked cautiously closer, we saw that on top of a rocking chair, the blind witch was fast asleep.

"She's sleeping...and remember what my mother said, don't eat anything. Not even a lick."

Hansel and Gretel nodded and I gave them an indication to start our search for the satchel. I walked towards the witch's kitchen and immediately cringed at the sharp knives that stood propped on a block. Hopefully this will go well, if not, I'll feel these against my skin.

Shuddering, I was about to open the pantry door when Gretel harshly whispered somewhere behind me, "There! There's the satchel!"

I whipped my head around and saw her cautiously approach the fireplace. As I walked towards the living room, I saw Gretel hold her breath and stick her tongue out whilst stretching her hand towards the ledge above the burning flames. She glanced briefly at the sleeping witch before quickly closing her hands around the satchel. I grinned with relief and she stalked confidently towards me with a large smile on her face. She extended her arm and held out the satchel but before I caught it into my hands, Hansel suddenly retracted her arm. Her eyes widened and I saw her quickly fly towards the dining table, which was stacked with sweets and cupcakes. I almost cried out as I saw Hansel take a bite out of a blue cupcake which he held in his small hands.

"What are you doing?!" I whispered rather loudly. Gretel looked nervously at me and swiped the cupcake out of her brothers hands. Right after this, there was a groan that came from the living room.

We all looked reluctantly at the fireplace and realised for the first time that there were many human bones stacked in front of the blazing fire. To our horror, the blind witch's tangled nest of white hair shook and began to move. Then, her pale face turned slowly around to look at us. I barely suppressed a scream for the witch's eyes were milky white in colour, as if someone had gorged out her pupils. I backed away even though I was several metres away from her.

"Run!"

Just when we got to the doors, they automatically bolted. Shaking, I ran towards the windows but they also closed before I reached them.

Hansel, Gretel and I turned back to the witch and shuddered as she said in a sickly sweet voice, "I smell dinner..."

Then, Gretel faced me and quickly made a gesture using her hands.

"What...oh!" All of the panic had made me forget that I possessed magical powers. Immediately, I threw my hands up in the air in an attempt to transport us out of the candy house. However, my heart fell down to my knees when I saw that no purple smoke was created. What?!

The blind witch stood up and stalked towards us as she giggled. "Oh, this is going to be a lovely dinner. Three plump children for my taking, and I didn't even have to do anything! Ha!"

Whilst I tried desperately to summon my magic, the witch threw a spell towards us. In the blink of an eye, we sat behind metal bars; we were locked in cages. I gulped as the witch touched Hansel's arm and whispered to herself, "oh yes, nice and tender...what a succulent roast you'll make."

Then, she walked over the oven and hovered her hand outside it's door. Hansel's face paled as he breathed in broken words, "She's gonna cook me! We have to do something, quick!"

Despite Hansel's equally pale face, Gretel said, "Stay calm...wait! Ok, listen. When she opens the cage, don't try to fight. You must grab the keys in her pocket and toss them to either Daniella or me through the bars."

I nodded shakily but Hansel shook his head vigorously as the witch walked back towards us. "She's coming, she's coming, I can't do it Gretel! I'm going to die."

I frowned but just as the witch reached in to take Hansel, I pushed him out of the way. The witch touched my skin and squeezed it slightly. Then, I felt a sharp kick on my leg and I cried out in pain. At the corner of my eye, I saw Gretel give me a look and soon enough, there was a satisfied look on the witch's face. She opened the gate and pulled me out. "Come with me, little boy."

As the witch lead me towards the oven, she muttered to herself, "Gravy or butter? Gravy or butter?"

I gulped but tried to keep myself from shaking as I reached into the witch's pocket to retrieve the keys to the cage. I managed to get them successfully but they were balancing on the tip of my finger dangerously. My clammy hands shook a little too much and my face paled as the keys slipped off, falling onto the hard floor. There was a horrid clang and I cringed whilst squeezing my eyes closed. The witch stopped moving me and I held my breath as she bent down and retrieved the keys. Then, she looked straight into me with her horrible milky eyes and said, "Oh no, you won't be letting your friends go little boy...you'll be the first to get roasted." At the last word, the witch's eyebrows raised up in a devilish motion and I felt my teeth chatter.

Before the witch could move me any closer to the oven however, a blast of something hit the witch on her back. She cried out in pain and a silky regal voice suddenly filled the house. "No one is going to get roasted, especially my daughter you bitch!"

The witch whipped around, trying to find the source of the voice but I've already identified where it came from and who it came from. As I looked into the mirror that hung above the fireplace, I immediately felt relief wash over me as I saw my mother's angry face stare into the blind witch's surprised figure. After the witch composed herself, she said confidently, "Ah, but if it isn't the Evil Queen herself. Now why would she send three children into my house? It isn't because of the apple you gave me when you came in here with your friend, what was her name? Claire? Was it? I must admit, it's been so long since I've seen you. You were just a little older than my preferred age for consumption...ah yes. I still remember the scent of your flesh. You were sixteen weren't you?"

My mother made a disgusted look on her face as she growled, "Claire was not my friend. But for your information, yes. I need my apple back. And you're going to give it to my daughter and let them get out of that sickly sweet house of yours."

I frowned as the witch stubbornly replied, "nah, nah. You sent three perfectly consumable children into my house and you expect me to let them get away?"

"One of them is my daughter you idiot!" With that, my mother reached out her hand and immediately, the witch clawed at her throat as if she was trying to pry invisible fingers from her neck. After a couple of coughs, the witch managed to utter, "Oh, you wanna kill me? Then why don't you? Aren't you powerful enough to do that?"

With a grunt, my mother replied, "You clearly don't know the mirror rules. I can't kill you from behind this glass...but someone else can."

The witch laughed, how she managed to; I have no idea for she was still getting choked by my mother. "Who? Your pathetic excuse of a daughter? She's no witch. She can't even use her magic to get herself out of this house!"

Excuse me?!

My eyes saw red as soon as the witch uttered these words. I started panting loudly but the blind witch continued, "You know, for the daughter of the great and terrible Evil Queen, I can say quite plainly that I am very disappointed. Regina, I believe the apple has fallen a tad too far from the tree."

"How dare you!" my mother screamed.

The smug look on the witch's face finally made the bomb explode inside my chest. My hands felt a sudden pulse of warmth and before I knew what I was doing, I plunged my hand into the witch's chest. I grinned for I saw her surprised face and after grasping what I was looking for, I drew out my hand in a smooth clean motion.

I did it! I used my magic...and in a way that I've never done before. I stared at the glowing red heart as it sat peacefully in my palm. It was the first time that I've ever held a heart, let alone ripped one out of someone's chest. My heart started to beat uncontrollably as my mother's voice whispered, "Oh Daniella..."

At this, I glanced up at her face and swept over her expression in concern as I didn't know what I was to do next. My mother must have known what I was thinking as she gently said, "The heart's all yours Daniella. You, alone, control the witch. You know, I've already released my magic from her..."

What? I glanced down at the witch who was hunched over. "How?"

"This is all happening because of your desires, dear. You're choking her yourself, you just don't realise it. Now, tell her what to do."

Cautiously, I whispered to the heart, "Unlock Hansel and Gretel from the cage."

I held my breath as the witch reluctantly walked over to the cage. She gave me the impression of a puppet being pulled by strings. As she fumbled with the keys, I said under my breath, "Hurry up..."

To my surprise, the witch accelerated her speed and in seconds, the two were out of the cage.

Mother continued to speak, "that's it...good. Now, what do you want her to do next, my dear?"

Quietly, I said, "I want her to unlock the doors of this house."

The witch extended her hand in the direction of the door and windows. Then, they immediately unbolted. I was about to back away from the witch when my mother's voice filled the air again. "Mmm, not so fast. I've been hearing complaints recently about how children have gone missing from the village. Now, what is that pile of bones I see right below me and next to the fireplace? Daniella, you should recall that the penalty for murder in our kingdom is death."

I whipped my face around to look into my mother's eyes. "What?"

A sly grin stretched across my mother's face as she whispered to me, "Kill her. Crush her heart."

I shook my head defiantly breathing, "No, no, I can't do that."

"Yes you can."

Grimacing, I bit my lip as I closed my palm around the red glowing heart. The witch's body squirmed and withered like a wounded animal. Then, I stopped since the witch started speaking in a hoarse whisper. "Aww, my child. You wouldn't squeeze the life out of me would you? You wouldn't want to turn into your mother..."

I waited for mother to reply but she remained silent. She wants this decision to be mine.

I turned my gaze towards Hansel and Gretel and saw that they were watching me intently. I gave them a look and whilst Gretel shook her head, her brother nodded his. Then, I spoke to my mother, "but isn't this murder? I don't want to kill her..."

"Think of this as an execution. The witch has taken too many innocent souls, the kingdom would be glad to be rid of her."

Finally, I turned back towards the witch and narrowed my eyes at her. She smartly kept her mouth shut as she knew that her life was currently balanced on the heart that I held in my hand.

Such a funny and fleeting feeling; to have someone's life controlled in your hand. So powerful...so powerful only if the heart is crushed.

At this thought, I snarled at my hesitation and slowly began to squeeze the organ, not stopping even though the squelching sound of the heart started screaming and crackling between my fingertips. I watched as the witch's body contorted whilst she gasped for air. Her eyes bulged for a moment before she slumped onto the ground. Looking at her still body made my hand open on its own accord and I felt the gritty fine powder of the crushed heart gently fall out from my hands. It sprinkled onto the witch's dead body. I staggered back.

I killed her.