A/N Ok, so to those few people who DIDN'T message me saying 'WHAT HAPPENED!?', I apologize for categorizing you with the people who did. I meant no disrespect, just in the heat of the moment, I had no thought other than, 'GRAR.' Please, keep on keepin' on. I love you all, no matter what I say. Sometimes, I just get a little…upset.
Also, at the end of this chapter, there will be another A/N explaining why I don't update much. So if you care, please read it.
Chapter Three
Sabrina and Jake ran up to the Hall of Wonders to get the magic carpet. The entire time, Sabrina was trying not to get nervous. This was it. This was her big moment; this was the moment that would decide the future.
This doesn't feel right, Sabrina thought as she sat on top of the magic carpet. And it isn't because of the magic. Something just doesn't seem…right.
Sabrina ignored the feeling, grabbing onto the carpet as it swept up into the air. She closed her eyes as they flew out the window, knowing that she was about to save the world—somehow.
*****
Sabrina and Jake arrived at the resistance camp fifteen minutes later. Sabrina stumbled off the magic carpet, clutching her stomach and trying not to think about how much she wanted to throw up. Now wasn't the time—she had a job to do, an important one.
Veronica, Henry, Relda, and Daphne all rushed to meet Sabrina. Relda gave her a long hug, Veronica and Henry both kissed her, but Daphne just stood there, staring at her older sister, a strange look in her eyes.
"Sabrina, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?" Daphne asked. "I know you have to go, but…please?"
Sabrina was a bit surprised, considering the fact that Daphne had been mad at her since she and Puck got back. Daphne felt that Sabrina had betrayed her in more ways than one. Not only had Sabrina never trusted Daphne to make her own decisions, but Sabrina would make rash decisions on the fly, without considering anything else, let alone Daphne's opinion.
All the same, Sabrina was happy her little sister wanted to talk, and walked off with the little girl, out of earshot of the rest of the family.
"Sabrina," Daphne began, "don't do this."
Sabrina's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
"Just…ok, you're going to think I'm insane, but I…I had a vision." Sabrina blinked and was about to respond, but Daphne rushed on. "It was of you, standing over the Scarlet Hand. You were trying to do whatever it is you're going to do, but…Sabrina, just trust me on this on. It isn't going to work. You don't have everything you need, and even if you did? It isn't you."
Sabrina stood for a moment in shocked silence, but then rage started to boil within her. Who was Daphne to tell her what to do? Sabrina was almost thirteen, Daphne had just turned nine. Sabrina knew what she was doing. Sabrina was The One, in every sense of the word. Hadn't she faced countless hardships? Hadn't she grown up fast? Hadn't she retained her purity?
"Daphne, you don't know what you're talking about," Sabrina said coldly. She turned to walk back to the rest of her family, hurt—she had thought that Daphne wanted to make up.
Daphne grabbed Sabrina's arm, tears filling her wide eyes. "Sabrina, please." The little girl's voice was desperate. "It isn't you. This won't work. Please, listen to me!"
Sabrina turned cold eyes on her little sister. The little girl had never seen eyes so emotionless. "Daphne, don't. This is my job. Just because you want to save the world doesn't mean you get to. So don't try to steal my duty."
With that, Sabrina left, returning to her family as Daphne broke down into tears.
*****
"You sure I can do this?" Sabrina asked worriedly as she and Jake walked up the hill, towards the cliff that hung over the Scarlet Hand's army. She was armed with nothing, not even a wand, and somehow, she was supposed to call on forces beyond her control that would destroy the Scarlet Hand. Something wasn't adding up here.
"Of course you can. The prophecy spoke of a mortal girl who had faced countless hardships, who had had to grow up before her time, but who had kept her purity. You're the only one I know who fits that description." Jake placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, smiling a crooked smile. "Don't worry, 'Brina, you can do this."
Sabrina nodded, swallowing hard. She couldn't let Daphne's words get to her—she was just jealous. Wasn't Daphne always complaining about how Sabrina always got the glory? About how Sabrina always made the decisions This was just more on that.
But if that's true, Sabrina thought, why can't I shake this feeling?
There wasn't any more time to think now. Sabrina and Jake had reached the top of the hill, and Sabrina was looking over the largest army she had ever thought possible—hundreds upon hundreds of immortals were gathered below, bloodthirsty and ready to crush the resistance.
Sabrina swallowed hard again, her palms sweating and her stomach turning. She forced herself to breathe evenly—hyperventilating wouldn't help.
Jake gave her shoulder a squeeze. "This is where I leave you, 'Brina." She nodded, tears in her eyes, as her uncle pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry." Jake pulled back with a grin. "Tonight is taco night!"
Sabrina laughed at her uncle's attempt to make her laugh. After one last hug, he left her all alone on the edge of the cliff.
********
After her uncle left, Sabrina stepped onto the very edge of the cliff, into the sight of the entire Everafter army. A shout went up among the ranks, and at least five-dozen bows were drawn, pointing at her.
Sabrina tried, yet again, to control her breathing. How was she supposed to do anything to an army of this size? How was she supposed to call the magic? Why couldn't she stop thinking about Daphne's words? They seemed to be echoing inside her head: you aren't The One; you don't have what you need; even if you did, it wouldn't work for you.
"Stop it!" Sabrina muttered angrily to herself. "Don't think like that. I have to be The One. I have to call the magic."
Another deep breath, and Sabrina closed her eyes, looking deep within herself, searching for the magic she hoped was there. Slowly, Sabrina raised her arms into the air, trying to call forth magic.
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of a bow string releasing it's vessel, and she watched in horror, frozen in fear, as an arrow rushed towards her heart.
And then she was knocked back several yards and Daphne Grimm, the nine-year-old, brown haired, slightly chubby little girl, took her older sister's place. In her eyes was a cold look that brought terror into Sabrina's heart. This wasn't the little girl Sabrina had known: this was a girl who had seen pain, who had seen magic, who had suffered, and had somehow maintained her bright-eyed innocence.
They were the eyes of someone who knew what she had to do and wasn't afraid to do it.
Slowly, Daphne held her hand out, and the arrow, not even three inches from her face, stopped in its tracks, turned around, and flew back to its owner. Then, Daphne raised her arms into the air, throwing her head back, and thunder boomed in the clear sky. Lightening flashed. And the entire Everafter army disappeared.
********
A/N First off, I hope you liked that little twist. =] I've had it in my head since I began this trilogy, and I finally got to use it!!!
Now to the point of this A/N. I've gotten a lot of messages asking me why I don't update much, or asking me to update more. Trust me, I wish I could, but I honestly can't. Why? For multiple reasons.
School
My best friend is going through a tough time, and needs me
I actually got a boyfriend (squeal!) and he's taking up a lot of my free time.
In the spring, I'm in a play, and we only have like…6 more weeks of rehearsal time, so I seriously need to take time to deal with that.
I'm taking karate, and while it's fun, I have to practice a lot
SCHOOL
School
Oh, and did I mention school?
Sleeping just enough to not go completely insane.
Finding time to read for pleasure, which is where I get all of my inspiration.
School
A girl I used to consider my best friend hates me, and I don't know why.
I'm trying to pair two of my friends together--they like each other but won't admit it.
SCHOOL
As you can (hopefully) see, I don't really have a lot of free time. So I write as much as I can, as often as I can, but it doesn't always happen the way I want it to.