Disclaimer: I own nothing. Kind of tragic, actually. Depressing. Forlorn...

17. Cinderella, Daphne White, or Sleeping Grimm?

Decode ~ Paramore

Daphne's point of view...

Heart broken, I run through the fresh rain. It started up only moments ago as I flew from the one who betrayed me. Behind the splashes my feet make as I run through the now-wet trail, I hear him calling for me. Again and again. Then I catch the faint howl of a wolf. Or dog. It's hard to tell. It sounds so forlorn--full of sadness or regret.

But hey, it could just be a howl. Like any other howl out there in the world--to be ignored or, more likely, feared.

Shaking my heavy head, I ignore Devin's cries along with the howls. Pushing even further, I make my way to the cabins in the slowly darkening camp grounds. Faintly recognizing the familiar number on the peeling green paint through my blurry vision, I enter the cabin and slam the door behind me, laying against it and breathing heavily as tears continue to plummet down my face.

Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the window opposite me, I see a drenched girl with her hair falling all over her face and dark, leaking eyes glowering from behind her stringy hair. Quickly, I look away, wiping at my face. But I know it's hopeless; the situation closely resembles a version of Cinderella, when the stepmother ordered Cindy to do impossible chores. That's what this is like—it's like trying to empty the ocean with a spoon. A spoon with a hole through it, no less.

'Cause that's what I am now, I thought. A spoon with a hole through it. And no fairy godmother to fix me up.

It's now that I realize the truth. Life isn't a fairy tale, no matter how many dreams you hope come true.

As I make my way up the stairs to the bedroom, I try to ignore the aching hole in my chest along with the annoying lump in my throat. When the bed finally reaches sight, I run for my safe haven and collapse on the mattress in defeat. Afterwards, thinking of it, I don't know how long I lay there, trying to shut out the world and go back to happier times. Like our kiss…

But, no. I mustn't think of that. I mustn't think of him at all, or the way his lips felt against mine, his sweet strawberry taste, his deep scent of woods, his—

No; forget him. Forget him and you'll be better off.

Oh, Daphne, what would Brina say if she was here right now? Fallen in love with a murderer wasn't such a good idea, was it?

Ha, if only I knew ahead of time. If only; then I wouldn't be hurt as much. There wouldn't be this uncomfortable pain overtaking me.

The thing I don't get is why. Why would he want to take the life of innocent students? Unless he didn't really do it… But no, of course he did. Right?

All of a sudden, I wasn't so sure anymore.

But the next thing I knew, sleep had overtaken me, leaving me in a state of perpetual peace, save for the occasional short dreams of him...

~*~*~

Suddenly, I hear a knock at the door and a voice softly calling my name.

"Grimm?"

Thinking it's surely Devin trying to "explain" again, I'm automatically defensive. "Go away." Though, I certainly didn't meant for my voice to come out so distorted and weak.

"It's okay, it's just me." I turn my head at the faintly familiar voice and find myself looking up into a pair of big brown eyes with large, dark lashes staring back at me.

"Rizzo, what are you doing here?" I ask in defeat as I pull my pillow over my head, expecting his annoying self to start teasing me, or worse—try to force himself on me again.

"Lookin for you, duh." He chuckled. "Everyone thought you were the next one gone since no one's seen you for hours."

"Hours? What?!" I look for the digital clock Tess had installed in the wall (supposedly, the Taits come from a rich family) but can't find it. Weird.

"It's nearly 6 pm," Rizzo supplies then laughes at my stunned expression. "Yeah, you've slept pretty damn long, Grimm."

"Whatever," I murmur, starting to get sick and tired of him. "Just… Ugh, that still doesn't even explain why you're here, Rizzo."

"Um, hello? I thought I just explained this. What, you expected wolf boy to come to the rescue?" he mockes in a scornful tone.

"Wolf boy? What are you talking about?" Confusion overtakes me as I move the pillow away and stare back into his eyes.

"Oh, nothing. Apparently, he hasn't found time to tell you yet," murmures the Indian. "Well, supposedly, he doesn't tell too many people. Ha, me and Reem found out the hard way, lemme tell ya. Nearly took a peace of my sister, he did. Back when they were a thing, last year. Good thing I barged in on time…"

"Rizzo, what in the world are you talking about?"

"Don't you know?"

I shake my head, not the least bit expecting this weird, new Rizzo.

"Ask Scotty," he says.

"Jay?" Extremely baffled, I watch a smile light the boy's dark face.

"Hell, I hope G I Joe don't got nothing up his sleeve, too," he replies. "Nah, not that Scott. I meant the British Scot. What's his face; O'Faolain."

"Devin?" I ask, perplexed. Obviously, I'm thinking he's making all of this up for some reason or another. A practical joke or something. Or maybe not so practical.

"Took you long enough." We both turn around at the new voice with the soft Brittish accent.

Devin.

He lies against the banister with droplets of water constantly dropping from his hair; his expression's grim and his body stiff.

"Sleeping Beauty finally awaken from her slumber? Or is it Snow White, asleep until the seven dwarfs find she's invaded their home?"

"What the heck are you talking about?" My own voice surprises me. It's so cold, mixed with anger and distance.

"This is our cabin, missy," he replies.

"Nuh-uh," I insist, though I become less and less sure after taking a complete look at my surroundings. It's almost exactly like G-6 except for the messiness and different color scheme. The only way I could've thought both were the same was through my unobservant state of depression and damage…which was supposedly a couple hours ago.

Well, hell.

A/N: Good? Bad? Hate it? Love it? Review?

By the way, great thanks goes to Lara D. Meaning, thanks so much for your reviews, telling me what you thought, and even liking the story. Seriously, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Also, thanks to 12grimmfan21. You guys' reviews really mean a lot, even if it's just a few words.

~Ly