Chapter 9- The Secret

Hi, so I have been unbelievably stuck on the plot for this one, let's just hope it turns out okay! So… my internet it down again. This is unbelievable… I'm so annoyed; stupid TalkTalk. Also to my guest reviewer Cupcake 23'26; I may sound like a total idiot but I have no idea what your review meant. If you could just pm me about it? It says you are addicted but to what? And what do you mean about the chapters? Really sorry …

Sabrina groggily woke up. Her head was pounding and she felt sick. To make matters worse her neck was stiff from having to sleep on the floor. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times in the light that was shining through the windows. She sat up and put a hand to her forehead. She saw a figure standing over by the bookcase. Sabrina grinned.

"Uncle Jake?!" Sabrina said loudly. The person turned around and that's when Sabrina's eyes properly adjusted to her surroundings. It wasn't Uncle Jake at all. It was Claire; thin, small, beautiful Claire who Sabrina had serious suspicions about. Claire smiled but Sabrina just scowled at her. Claire barely even noticed.

"Hey sleepy-head. Jake's still asleep. Sorry kid." Claire said. Sabrina noticed she had an English accent. She wondered how she hadn't realized this before. Sabrina folded her arms and looked away.

"I am not a KID! I'm sixteen." Sabrina said sharply. She was always weird around new people. She took a while to get used to them and trust them. It wasn't her fault; it was always good to be wary around new people anyway. In case something bad happened and you could fight them, as you weren't properly attached. Sabrina was sure she would adjust… eventually. Claire shrugged and went back to the book. Sabrina got up and was about to leave the room and head to the dryer for her clothes, when she realized something.

"What are you reading?" Sabrina narrowed her eyes. Claire could never find out the truth about fairy tales and everafters. Claire would think they were all crazy and run away as soon as she got the chance. Sabrina didn't think she could ever handle seeing her Uncle heartbroken again. It was bad enough with Briar dying. If Claire died Uncle Jake would probably give up on everyone and everything and end his life. He was extremely close to doing so four years ago. Claire turned around to face Sabrina and blinked a couple of times then froze. She dropped the book.

"Nothing." She said immediately, kicking the book away. No one could find out the truth. She had lost too many people she loved… she couldn't lose Jake. Although just because she had a serious relationship didn't mean she would stop her search. She would keep going until she got what she wanted. Claire was used to getting what she wanted after her past anyway- even if it was just for a little while. She just wished she could wish again… Sabrina frowned suspiciously and steadily walked towards Claire. Sabrina could sense that the woman was very uncomfortable. Sabrina would know; she too hated being put on the spot. But who knew what this lady was up to? Sabrina had to help her family. Claire was obviously up to something. However, how can you help people… that don't even know they need to be helped? Looked like Sabrina was by herself. No big deal. She was used to going against her family and doing what she thought was right. Even if it meant she was alone. Sabrina warily eyed Claire. She was still walking towards her, ever so slowly. Claire had stayed glued to the same place. She wasn't the least bit worried and she brushed the uncomfortable feeling away. Sabrina couldn't do anything to her. Even if she did find out Claire's secret, what would she do about it? Yes, Sabrina was no threat but Claire had a feeling she underestimated Sabrina. That didn't mean she would let Sabrina find out the truth- she wouldn't. It was better that way. Still, she wasn't intimidated, why would she be? With all the things she had seen and been through, everyone would be as strong as her if the same things had happened to them. Sabrina stood across from Claire. She was staring her out, her eyes like hard icy glass.

"What book were you reading?" Sabrina repeated. Claire tilted her head and shrugged. She pushed past Sabrina. Sabrina frowned at Claire. How dare she act like Sabrina wasn't there at all? How dare she act like nothing was up? There was definitely something wrong and Sabrina would find out one way or another.

"Sorry, I was just having a look through them. I like fairy tales, believe it or not." Claire said with laughing eyes. She smiled at Sabrina and Sabrina's icy glare melted. She stayed still to the spot and simply nodded. It was almost like Claire had a hold over her. Sabrina shook her head and woke up again out of her trance. Claire had vanished. That woman had serious problems. Sabrina would look into it later. She went back on her way to the kitchen. There was a small room next to it where Granny Relda kept all the cleaning supplies and did the washing, drying and ironing. It was a very clean, neat and organized room. So unlike the others. It didn't even have any books in it. Very weird. Sabrina fished through the dryer and took out all her clothes. She dumped them into a basket when she noticed she was struggling to hold all of them without any falling out. She tucked the basket under one arm and trudged upstairs. Claire's motives kept popping into her head and she was getting worried. What if she exposed the existence of Everafters to the rest of the human race? Bad things were going to happen and dark secrets were going to come out. Unless Sabrina could prevent all of it. Sabrina got dressed into black sweats and a red netball top she cut up herself so it was now an off-the-shoulder, crop top with netball written on in huge white words. She slipped on her black plimsolls. Today she would let her hair down. She couldn't be bothered to do anything special or interesting with it. It was blue after all. Sabrina could really kill Puck sometimes. Sabrina held her breath and wrapped her arms around her stomach. She started to feel as sick again; throwing up sick. The events of last night came flooding back to her and crashed into her thoughts. The fight, the pranks, the crying, the pain, the mean words. It was horrible. She didn't want to see Puck today… but then, if she kept deciding she wouldn't talk to him, how would they ever resolve things? Sabrina didn't want to leave on a bad note. She wanted her and Puck to be friends… or as friendly as they were ever going to be with each other anymore. She had never fought with him like that. This wouldn't be easily resolved. Good thing Sabrina was a determined person. She breathed out, realizing she had held her breath all that time. Sabrina walked out of the bedroom slowly. She peeked in the hallway to make sure Puck wasn't there. It was best to give him some time to calm down if you actually wanted to have a decent conversation with him. She crept out and snuck down the stairs. Daphne was still snoring away. She could probably sleep through a hurricane but that had yet to be tested. So far she could sleep through a snow storm, a thunderstorm, a vacuum and a TV at full volume. Bad idea; the neighbours came to complain about the noise and Sabrina got grounded for having the TV on too loud. That was not a great day…

"Leibling?" said a woman with a soft German accent. Sabrina looked up and saw her grandmother standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Sabrina smiled.

"Hey." She said and walked over to her. Granny Relda moved out the way to let her in and walked back over to the eggs that were sizzling in a pan. Sabrina sat down and started to eat an orange. With all the sports clubs she was doing, you had to learn how to eat healthily. Sabrina loved it; it meant she could keep thin and stay extra fit and healthy. Granny Relda cleared the fruit bowl of the table to make space for her pots and pans of purple eggs, gold sausages and luckily; normal looking toast. Although that didn't necessarily mean that it was toast. 'Never assume something is what you think it is by the way it looks' was Sabrina's motto about Granny Relda's cooking. Another reason why she was having an orange for lunch.

"I heard you and Puck arguing last night." Granny Relda said sadly, breaking the silence. Sabrina nearly choked on her orange.

"You what?" she croaked and Granny Relda nodded. Sabrina went quiet. She held a hand to her forehead; it had started throbbing with pain again. Sabina took a few deep breaths then un-scrunched her eyes and saw Granny Relda sitting silently across from her. Sabrina looked down. She really didn't want to hear another lecture. She knew it was her fault. It would still be nice to have someone on her side though.

"Sabrina…" Granny Relda started slowly. Sabrina shook her head.

"Save it… I know what I've done wrong and I really don't want to hear a lecture about it. Okay?" Sabrina sighed. She took another piece of her orange and played around with it before letting it fall back on the table again. She had suddenly lost her appetite. Not that she really had one to start with.

"No Sabrina, this is serious. What you said, what he said… It was heart-breaking for me to have to listen to two people in my family bickering on like that. Those words aren't ones you can take back easily and I needed to take immediate action. I don't want you and Puck to end badly." Granny Relda said in a rush. Sabrina felt her hand be covered by a wrinkled one. Sabrina didn't pull away because she knew the old woman in front of her had a point. Sabrina felt tears coming to her eyes but she easily blinked them back again.

"What do you think I should do?" Sabrina asked after a while. Granny Relda shrugged.

"Try to talk to him?" she suggested. Sabrina rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I thought you were listening to the fight? That's what I tried to do but it made everything worse."

"Okay, then I have a plan." Granny Relda beamed. Sabrina looked at her sceptically.

"What do you have in mind?" she said slowly. Granny Relda laughed.

"I need some food from the shops. How about you go get them for me?" Granny Relda asked. Sabrina raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing. Then she shrugged.

"Sure." She said eventually.

"With Puck." Granny Relda said quickly, unable to meet Sabrina's furious gaze.

"WHAT?" she exploded, banging her hands on the table. Granny Relda shushed her and hurriedly got up and went upstairs. Sabrina kept shouting after her and eventually threw the knives and forks- that were resting next to the plates and food on the table- on the floor. She was mad. How could Granny Relda do that to her? The cutlery landed with a loud clang. Daphne came walking into the room and sat down. Her eyes were still milky from sleep and her head was tilted to the side. Sabrina guessed she woke up with a stiff neck too. Daphne started to stuff her face with all the food and burped loudly. Sabrina groaned and slumped down into the seat with a scowl on her face. Daphne noticed and looked up at her big sister.

"What's up?" she said between mouthfuls. She stuffed another sausage wrapped in egg into her mouth and then some toast. Sabrina looked over at her warily and sighed.

"Guess someone didn't hear the fight yesterday." Sabrina said. Daphne smirked and Sabrina gave her a glare as if to say if-you-have-something-to-say-then-say-it. Daphne bit her lip.

"We kind of all heard." Daphne said thoughtfully. She grinned then stuffed her mouth with a sausage sandwich. Sabrina was too occupied with her thoughts to even frown at Daphne's atrocious eating habits.

"Of course you did." Sabrina muttered bitterly. She had no privacy whatsoever in the hell whole! She was so angry. She was going to be hearing lectures all day at this rate.

"I'm on your side though." Daphne said, patting her sisters clenched fist. Sabrina looked at her sister in the eyes and smiled. Sometimes all she needed was a bit of Daphne to cheer her up. They didn't fight as much anymore. They had grown up and gotten over it. Now they mostly stayed up late talking, laughing and doing sisterly things.

"You're probably the only one. Puck was right; I am a bitch." Sabrina whispered. Daphne shook her head.

"No you're not. At least not all the time…" Daphne trailed off when Sabrina glared at her furiously. Great, now even her own sister thought she was a bitch. Was everyone against her? She would be against herself too though.

"Thanks, really, just what I needed." Sabrina muttered sarcastically and left the room, leaving Daphne to scoff up all the food. Sabrina was surprised Puck hadn't come down so he could help her. He probably had an even bigger appetite than Daphne now, since he was older. He was like a vacuum to food, like one is to dust.

"Why don't you just admit you love him, kiss him to apologise and sort everything out?" Daphne called after her. Sabrina scowled- Daphne was endlessly teasing Sabrina about how she secretly loved Puck, which she did not- then she sighed and sat down on the sofa, trying to calm herself.

"This is not how I imagined my holiday to be… this sucks." Sabrina thought angrily to herself. She flopped back onto the sofa cushions. Her mind raced through everything that had been going on. If only she could go back in time and prevent the fight. Never say those things to Puck at the river or in his bedroom. But obviously if someone was to do something completely stupid, it would be her. Sabrina suddenly remembered something. Something that would hopefully take her mind off things. She got up off the sofa and over to a bookcase. She went down on all fours like a dog, and craned her neck to see under the bookshelf. She saw it. Sabrina saw the book Claire kicked away. Question was: could she reach it? Sabrina stretched her arm as far as she could but only got it covered it dust. Sabrina moaned at it and quickly wiped the dust off. She sat up and looked around the room. She spotted an umbrella in the corner, in an elephant foot shaped pot where there were some other umbrellas in there, as well as walking sticks and other weird stuff. Sabrina rushed over to it and took the longest umbrella. She would take a walking stick but none were long enough. She went back to the bookcase she was at before and crouched down. With the umbrella, Sabrina reached out and knocked the book so it skidded towards her. Sabrina lifted it up and blew on it. The dust blew away. She looked at the title of the book and frowned. The title read 'Powerful Lost Objects' in big, blue spidery writing. Why would Claire need this? Sabrina was starting to get worried. Looked like she had a real mystery on her hands, unlike the ones Granny Relda had nowadays. Sabrina flipped through the book. She saw pictures of objects she had seen before, used before and some she had never even heard of. She came across a magical object she used that was probably the most important to her; Little Match Girl's matches; these helped her save her family under the school and find out where her parents were. Sabrina continued to flick through trying to figure out why Claire would be looking through this. Maybe she was an everafter and she was using Jake to get her hands on something. Her name probably wasn't even Claire! Sabrina gasped at the thought of Claire changing into a horrible troll after getting her hands on the Vorpal blade. Sabrina snorted afterwards, like that would happen. She would have to keep a mental note in her head about the book and to have a snoop through Claire's stuff later. She had to take action and keep an eye on the woman/possible thing even if no one would help her. Sabrina slid the book into an empty spot in the bookcase and stood up. She suddenly heard some shouting from upstairs. Looked like Granny Relda had told Puck about going to the shops with her. Sabrina started to get nervous and shakily sat down. She played thumb war with her own two thumbs, trying to occupy herself. Someone came stomping down the stairs. Puck. He looked just as reluctant to have to do this as Sabrina was. Granny Relda came down the stairs shortly after him. She grinned at Sabrina and rubbed her hands together as if to say 'job done'. Sabrina gave her a scowl as she went back into the kitchen and started a conversation with Daphne. Sabrina looked back at Puck and she caught him glaring at her. Her eyes fell down to her feet like they were the most interesting things she had ever seen.

"Well hurry up then, don't just stand around there looking like an ugly garden gnome." Puck sneered. He strolled over to the door and flung it shut behind him. Sabrina sighed; he was not in a good mood. She joined him outside and they walked over to the shops together in silence. They didn't even look up from the ground that they were both busy staring at once. Sabrina was surprised that Puck hadn't opened his mouth and complained that he wanted to fly. Puck was surprised Sabrina was able to shut up for this long. When they finally reached the shops, Puck rifled through his pockets and pulled out a piece of paper.

"The shopping list." Puck said into the deafening silence, shoving the paper in Sabrina's chest. Sabrina quickly caught it before it fluttered to the ground. She looked up at Puck who was walking ahead, seemingly content with himself. She scowled and rushed to him. As they walked through the shops and over to 'Asda' where they always did their shopping, lots of people were staring at Sabrina. She eventually realized it was her hair and she blushed. She had completely forgotten about it. Puck grinned at it and almost laughed at her embarrassment. Sabrina lightly punched him in the arm. Puck simply pushed her into a group of girls, making her collapse on them. Sabrina quickly got up, brushed herself off, apologised and went back over to Puck (who was in hysterics) and ignored the girls insults at her. Sabrina laughed dryly and punched Puck in the gut. He bent over and Sabrina strode away from him, smiling from ear to ear. Sabrina reached 'Asda' and looked at the list. Sabrina soon realized it wasn't even a list. It was a note. How could Puck not notice? Was he blind? Sabrina skimmed over the note quickly. It read:

Dear Puck and Sabrina

If you are reading this you have probably noticed that it is NOT a shopping list. I'm sorry for making you go away all the way over there to buy nothing, but you must understand that I want you and Puck to be able to get along. I fear that after all you said to each other, it might be the end of a relationship and I don't want a broken family. I know deep down you still care about one another. Please make up? For me?

Granny Relda X

Sabrina scowled and crumpled up the note and tossed it into a nearby bin. Why couldn't people understand that they weren't going through the things she was. She had tried to say sorry to Puck and it hadn't worked. What? Did they think a stupid note would suddenly make Puck forgive her? No! She was trying though. That was better than nothing. No one understood that these things take time. They were just too perfect to be in the same mess Sabrina always found herself in. Puck appeared behind her.

"Why did you throw the list away?" he asked, rubbing his stomach. Sabrina sighed and turned around to face him.

"It wasn't a list; it was Granny Relda saying that she wanted us to make up." Sabrina answered with a roll of her eyes. Puck groaned and copied Sabrina's eye rolling.

"Right… of course." He said, running a hand threw his hair. Sabrina looked down. Puck grabbed her arm and started walking away. Sabrina looked up in surprise but didn't protest or ask him where they were going. She just let him drag her somewhere. Once outside the shopping centre and in the streets, Puck shot up into the sky, holding Sabrina around her waist and taking her with him, and eventually landed in the park, after flying for some time. He put Sabrina down. Puck walked over to the swings and sat down. Sabrina went to sit next to him, wondering why he brought her here. They sat in silence for a while, slightly swinging using their feet.

"Why did you bring me here?" Sabrina wondered out loud. Puck shrugged.

"Don't really know. I should have just left you really. I guess there was no point in us being there anymore and sometimes I like to come here. It's always quiet, I feel like it's mine." Puck said quietly. Sabrina nodded and looked back at the ground. Bits of the water balloons were still littering the ground, making Sabrina a bit sad. Puck seemed to notice it too as he kicked a bit away from him, like it was reminding him of the good times before everything fell apart. It probably was… just not as dramatic as that. The silence hung between them like a sheet covering their heads and making it hard to breathe.

"Do you think… that we will ever be… friends… again?" Sabrina said slowly, thoughtfully, breaking the silence that was hurting her ears. Puck looked at her from the corner of his eyes.

"I don't know Sabrina." He said after a while, he sounded fed up. Like he didn't want this conversation. Sabrina didn't care though; she would keep talking about it until they could sort it out. She also couldn't believe he called her Sabrina, this must be worse than Sabrina thought. She had so many things to tell him but all she could manage was a measly:

"Oh…"

"Don't be mad Sabrina." Puck sighed.

"I know, these things take time… but, I said sorry yesterday? Why couldn't you just listen?" Sabrina asked him, staring at his face.

"I didn't want to forgive you. You hurt me, Sabrina. I still don't know if I want to forgive you."

"Your words hurt me too, and I didn't even mean them. I just got mad. You know how easily you can get me worked up." Sabrina sighed.

"That's for sure." Puck sneered and Sabrina gently pushed him.

"So… what should we do? Granny Relda won't let us back in the house until we are 'best friends' again." Sabrina groaned.

"I wish I knew… I don't know if I can forgive you straight away and I know that you can't forgive me right now either. We are clearly both mad at each other." Puck said and Sabrina nodded in agreement.

"Like I said… these things take time. We can't rush them. Our relationship… friendship… whatever it was, it was fragile enough as it was."

"How about a truce? A truce until we are whatever we were." Puck asked, holding put his hand to shake.

"Deal, good plan." Sabrina smiled, shaking his hand then turning back to face forward. Puck did the same. They swung in the swings gently, in a comfortable silence. Sabrina watched as a car passed through the road and a few people walked on the side-walk. This town was still just as sleepy as it was. More humans had moved in making it less silent and dead, and a few everafters still lived here, but it was still so quiet. There were barely any people in the street or anywhere else for this matter. A perfect place for people who liked peace and quiet and privacy. Suddenly, two blocks away, Sabrina saw a small figure with ginger hair cross the street and turn a corner until she was out of sight. Sabrina gasped and shot up quickly; it was Claire. She remembered her mystery and made her way to the gates. Puck stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"Where are you going?" he demanded. Sabrina grinned; it had been a while since she did things like this.

"To follow a certain person who is getting married to my uncle and who I found looking through a book titled 'Powerful Lost Objects'. I want to know what she is up to. You coming?" Sabrina quickly explained, hoping he caught on who she was talking about. Puck shook his head.

"No thanks, I don't want to mess up your uncle's life. He's been through enough Grimm. Plus I can't spend too long with you without feeling nauseous from your smell." Puck said, waving a hand in front of his nose. Sabrina didn't even bother to argue, she was too excited. She barely even heard what he said. She shrugged, waved and ran off after Claire. Sabrina didn't have to run far. This town was so small that, at Claire's speed and Sabrina's running speed, she quickly caught up to the woman. Sabrina prided herself in being sneaky. She knew that Claire would never spot her. She followed her at a distance, occasionally hiding behind things or ducking or moving out the way to not be seen when the woman turned around. Sometimes she even tried to blend into the crowd… if there was one! Where was she going? Sabrina stopped and hid behind a bush when Claire finally came to a stop at the Hudson River. They had been walking for an hour and a half to get where they were. The river was on the other side of town. They turned many corners, crossed many roads, and once or twice Sabrina would have to wait outside a shop until Claire finally decided to continue on her 'walk' again. Sabrina couldn't stop feeling the buzz and adrenaline rushing through her veins because she was on a mystery again. Maybe Claire had a secret man she wasn't telling anyone about. Sabrina seemed to forget the consequences of her doing this; Jake's heart and her families love. There was always a price to pay, as Granny Relda always said. This was one of those times. Sabrina had just been too busy to stop and think about it. Sabrina sat down and peeked around the side of the bush. Claire was still waiting next to the river. Who was she waiting for? The mermaids? Just then, the ground started to shake, and a house came stomping out of the forest. Sabrina gasped and winced when Baba Yaga's ugly bone house witch scrawny chicken legs came into view, she still couldn't get over what she almost did to her. It haunted her dreams in the night and made Sabrina uncertain about going out by herself. Sabrina held her breath, not noticing the fact that she was shaking. She was more scared of Baba Yaga than people knew- but she wouldn't dare admit it. Baba Yaga came walking out of her house. She still had the ripped, blood stained clothing, the dark, evil eyes that made Sabrina cringe, the black, crooked teeth, the warts and the drooping, wrinkled skin. She was a terror to just look at. Everyone feared her. She did eat people after all and Sabrina once saw her licking her lips at some people. She wasn't a person to mess with, no matter how old she was. Claire and the hag started talking incoherently, Sabrina strained to hear what they were saying… but just… couldn't. This made Sabrina very suspicious though. Claire must know about everafters. This changed everything. Sabrina could almost jump in glee that her hunch was right. Now, she just had to get Claire to admit the truth… and what better way than in front of her family? Sabrina grinned mischievously. She crept away without a backwards glance. How was she going to get the truth out? What was Claire's story? Sabrina finally arrived home. It was two in the afternoon. Sabrina was hot, sweaty, tired, legs aching and her head was pounding again… but she was determined. She was going to find out the truth, one way or another. Sabrina took heavy breaths as she made her way to the sofa and sat down. She caught her breath. Sabrina heard someone come down the stairs. She turned to look and smiled at the figure as it smiled back.

"Hey Uncle Jake." She said, but gasped when something stabbed her in the chest; guilt. Pain. Sorrow. For what she was about to do to her dear uncle. Tears stung her eyes. How could she do this to him? She shook her head.

"No, this is something I have to do." Sabrina thought as Uncle Jake came and sat next to her smiling. He touched her hair.

"I heard someone needs to get their hair colour back." Uncle Jake said, laughing. Sabrina pushed her thoughts and the guilt, sorrow, pain to the back of her mind. She managed a smile and nodded her head. Uncle Jake handed her a strange liquid that was purple and smelled like smoke.

"Put this on in the shower instead of shampoo and conditioner. I suggest you wear gloves. This'll stain badly." Uncle Jake said. Sabrina took it.

"Thanks." She said and looked at it through the bottle, "where's Claire?" she asked. Uncle Jake shrugged.

"She's out on a walk exploring. She wanted to be alone." Uncle Jake replied. Sabrina raised a knowing eyebrow but said nothing. She just smiled and nodded.

"I know you don't like her… but she is now my life Sabrina. I want you to respect that, okay? You don't have to like her but just… please?" Uncle Jake pleaded suddenly. Sabrina looked up and saw the sadness in her uncle's eyes. Sadness that she couldn't get along with the new 'love of his life'.

"Yes… but I have an announcement to make. When she comes could you gather everyone here?" Sabrina asked. Her uncle just smiled, nodded then left. Sabrina was alone again and the thoughts and feelings came back to her again. Sabrina clutched her chest and groaned, falling down on the sofa. She was going to ruin a life; a life that she loved, a life that was important to her, and for what?

"For the truth." she told herself and left to take a shower and sort her hair out. Sabrina headed upstairs and took a long shower, drenching her hair in the liquid and then washing it out. She remembered to wear plastic gloves and understood why when blue stained the whole of the glove. Sabrina peeled them off and chucked them into the bin. She dried herself and wrapped the towel around her. She made her way to the bedroom and got dressed into a silk, purple top with matching shorts. Sabrina looked at herself in the mirror over the desk, and grinned. Her hair was blonde again. Like it had always been. Sabrina walked downstairs, relief flooding her that she wouldn't have to live with blue hair. To Sabrina's surprise, her whole family and Puck were gathered in the living room talking and trying to get Puck away from the plate of cookies. Sabrina smiled and joined Daphne on the floor as there was nowhere else to sit. She looked over at Uncle Jake who winked and gave her the thumbs up sign. Sabrina nodded her head to say thank you. She didn't know how he did it, but he must have charmed everyone, to get them all downstairs. Either that or he lied. Daphne sniffed the air and cringed.

"Pheeuw, what's that stink?" the little girl said, grabbing everyone's attention. Daphne wafted a hand in front of her nose. Everyone sniffed as did Sabrina, but she couldn't smell anything. Uncle Jake smiled sheepishly as he too, held his nose. The rest of the family joined him and Elvis ran out the room.

"It's Sabrina." Puck laughed. Sabrina glared at him, and then looked over at Uncle Jake, who couldn't meet her gaze. Sabrina grew hot at the realization that everyone was staring at her and that maybe Puck was right.

"Yep, it's definitely you sis." Daphne groaned, edging away from her. Sabrina snarled.

"Did I tell you about the side effects?" Uncle Jake asked. Sabrina glared at him.

"NO!" she shrieked. She smelt her hair and shuddered in disgust. She let out an agitated moan.

"Ah, well your hair will smell for about two days after use." Uncle Jake said sheepishly. Sabrina felt like screaming. There was always a side effect to magic. Now she would have to live with a putrid smell in her hair for two whole days. She gave icy glares to her family- who were still looking at her- and they quickly looked away. Sabrina scowled and crossed her arms. It wasn't the worst thing that had ever happened to her but she would still prefer it if there wasn't anything wrong. She would have to suffer a few more days of people looking at her weirdly. Just then, the front door opened. Claire walked in and seemed slightly taken aback at the eight people staring at her. She smiled and waved. Sabrina grinned. It was now time to put her plan into action. Claire drifted into the room gracefully and sat on Uncle Jake's lap. She kissed his cheek and they held hands. Sabrina lowered her eyes. She remembered the consequences of her doing this once again. But it was either now or Uncle Jake would have to find out later. Either way, the truth was going to come out. Sabrina smiled again. Puck narrowed his eyes at her. He knew what she was planning, remembering what she had told him at the park. Puck shook his head and hoped she knew what she was doing; she didn't. That didn't mean she wasn't going to do it though.

"Hey Claire." Sabrina said sweetly. Confusion rushed past Claire's eyes but she blinked it away and smiled.

"Hi Sabrina. How is everyone then?" Claire asked, looking around the room.

"Tired." Henry and Veronica sighed in unison. Basil yawned as if he was agreeing with them.

"Fine dear." Granny Relda responded.

"Hungry. Puck stole all the cookies." Daphne huffed, folding her arms and sticking her tongue out at Puck when he laughed at her dismay.

"I'm okay. And you?" Sabrina asked. Claire nodded.

"In love." Claire said and laid her head on Uncle Jake's shoulder. Daphne squealed in excitement and bit down on her palm. Sabrina rolled her eyes and Puck pretended to gag.

"So, did you enjoy the book you were reading this morning at… hmm, eight?" Sabrina asked innocently. Claire's eyes quickly switched to that of Sabrina's and she frowned. Betrayal flashed across her face but Sabrina ignored it. She ignored the tight knot of doubt in her stomach too. This was something she had to do.

"Yes thank you." Claire answered quickly. Uncle Jake frowned.

"What book?" he asked his soon-to-be-wife. Claire shrugged.

"You know what? I've forgotten the name." she sighed. Sabrina raised an eyebrow. Of course she remembered. It was obvious she didn't want anyone to find out her secret which made Sabrina all the more determined to find out.

"It was called 'Powerful Lost Objects'. I picked it up to put it back on the bookshelf when you dropped it. I couldn't help but read the title." Sabrina said casually. Granny Relda's eyes went wide with worry and Daphne bit her lip. Henry and Veronica shared an anxious look. Claire's eyes darkened. She knew what Sabrina was up to. Claire also knew that she was losing. Everyone was already starting to doubt her. No lie could get her out of this mess. It was too late. Claire cursed herself for not being careful.

"It was?" Claire asked. Sabrina sighed. She wasn't going to be easy to crack and she was still keeping up the act.

"Yes it was. Why were you reading it?" Sabrina demanded.

"Sabrina, stop. Claire, don't answer her." Uncle Jake said. Everyone was uncomfortable with the tension in the room. Sabrina felt Uncle Jake's eyes on her, heavy with shame. She couldn't meet his gaze. He had to see Claire for what she really was; a liar.

"It was interesting, I guess." Claire shrugged, ignoring Uncle Jake. Uncle Jake looked at her with betrayal.

"I'm going to get started on dinner." Granny Relda said before brushing herself off and standing up.

"I'm not hungry," Sabrina answered before anyone else could; everyone had to see this, "which bit was interesting?" Claire and Sabrina held their strong gaze, like they were having a staring competition and no one was backing down. Granny Relda nodded and awkwardly sat back down. Everyone was watching intently, scared, wondering what the answer would be.

"Sabrina, stop now. God dammit." Uncle Jake muttered, shaking his head. Sabrina wanted to stop but she couldn't. She knew her uncle was mad but it was a small price to pay to save everyone.

"Why are you interrogating me Sabrina?" Claire asked slowly. Sabrina blinked. Claire had changed the conversation and Sabrina didn't know how to answer. She started to feel the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She knew everyone was disappointed in her for doubting Uncle Jake's fiancé. Sabrina started to feel uneasy and dizzy. She still kept going though. She couldn't back down.

"Why are you not answering my question?" Sabrina asked. There was a loud BANG from Uncle Jake, who had pounded his fist on the coffee table.

"Are you happy with what you are doing? Can you not trust me and my choice of women? Do you want to ruin my life? Do you want me to lose someone I love… again?" Uncle Jake demanded. Sabrina looked taken aback by his sudden outburst of rage. He had never talked to her like that before. Ever. Sabrina swallowed back the shock.

"I...I j-just…" Sabrina stammered, trying to think of the right words. She couldn't concentrate and she looked down. Uncle Jake's face was contorted with fury. His eyes flaming at Sabrina. He jumped up and shook a finger at Sabrina. Sabrina felt tears coming to her eyes. Why couldn't her family believe her? They believed a woman they had only known for two days instead of her?

"You just what? You just want to turn everyone against her? Is that it? Just because you have a problem trusting people doesn't mean there is anything wrong with Claire." Uncle Jake accused her. Sabrina looked up in shock. Is that really what he thought of her? She looked at her family. They were all staring at her with disappointed gazes. Sabrina couldn't take the pain anymore. The pain of everyone against her, hating her, thinking this was because she had a problem with trusting people. Sabrina could tell by their serious faces that they thought the same thing. Sabrina jumped up. The truth had to come out. They had to know she wasn't making this up. Sabrina was angry.

"Why don't you ask her?" Sabrina shouted, gesturing to Claire who sat motionless on the sofa. Uncle Jake looked confused. Ask her what? Claire's insides formed a tight knot of worry and fear. What was going to happen? Things were not going the way she had planned. Sabrina's eyes were filled to the brim with tears. She hated it when her family accused her and went against her. She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to keep the tears back.

"Ask her what?" Uncle Jake shouted back. Sabrina shook her head. She forced herself to say it, fearing that if she did, she would lose her family forever.

"Ask her why I saw her talking to Baba Yaga when she told you she was going to 'explore'." Sabrina whispered, looking down. Claire's eyes opened wide with guilt as everyone turned to look at her with blank expressions. Apart from Jake. He looked at her with shame and confusion and doubt. Claire's head was reeling and she felt like she was going to puke. She was right; she had underestimated Sabrina but now she knew never to make that same mistake.

"Is this true?" Uncle Jake asked.

"I…" Claire started, blinking and looking down, fiddling with her hands. The words were all jumbled up in her head and even when she had sorted them out she couldn't say them. She was frozen. Uncle Jake frowned, knowing that what Sabrina said was true. Who was this woman he thought he loved? Why did he have to lose everyone?

"Who are you?" he wondered out loud. Claire bit her lip. There was no point in lying. The truth was already out so she might as well answer the question. She just hoped she wouldn't lose everyone and everything she loved. There was long silence as everyone stared at her, waiting for her to respond. Even Sabrina held her breath. She should feel proud that she was going to find out the answer to her mystery, Claire's big secret. But she just felt depressed.

"I'm…" Claire started taking a deep breath, "the Little Match Girl."

Sabrina eyes widened. She was NOT expecting that….

I actually had loads of fun writing that. Truly amazing. Hope I build a lot of tension there as well, waiting for the climax. Thanks to all my reviewers, followers and favourite-ers… if that's a word. Hope you liked the twist. All will be revealed in the next chapter. BYE xx

P.S. I think the internet is working again so it's nice to end on a high note. 8D