At first, all I could recall was the pounding of my heart. It felt ready to jump from my chest. Later, there were bright purple flashes, my doing I suppose though it all goes black shortly after this.
All my fault.
It was all my fault.
...
"RUN, RUN, GET OUT THE SCHOOL'S ON FIRE!" Spectra screamed flying through the halls of Monster High.
The student body didn't need the warning. The black within purple flames were enough of a warning, flames that refused to be quelled by Abby's ice or absorbed by Heath. Teacher and student alike spilled onto the front lawn met by the blaring sirens of firetrucks and the flashing lights of the Stein's ambulance as it mowed down the gate, parents streaming behind the vehicles eager to make sure their children were okay. Just in time to see the building collapse, nothing more than smoldering ashes.
"Draculaura!" Dracula caught his eldest daughter in a fierce embrace. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," Draculaura sniffled, more shaken up than anything else.
What had happened? No one could say for sure. When the smoke cleared, search and rescue teams traversed the rubble to descend into the catacombs, and what they found was arguably worse. Every brick, every beam was on the edge of crumbling, the creatures who called the place home, as gruesome as they may have been, were charred husks. The origins of the fire? The lava flow and beside it the one student who'd been unaccounted for.
Christina Rose Shadowfae Dracula, unconscious. Protected by the very thing that destroyed the school.
...
Two weeks later:
Christina paced her room with her hands clamped over her ears, desperate to shut out the arguments downstairs. The members of the monster community who barged in daily demanding she be imprisoned, exiled, or put down. Put down like a rabid beast!
All my fault.
All my fault.
All my fault.
With an agitated groan, she slumped into her desk chair to continue with her diary entry.
I remember waking up four days later...
...
What happened? I feel like I've been run over by a train.
Early morning sunlight warmed her face. Sunlight? Where was she? How much time had passed? Opening her eyes Christina was even more confused to find herself in bed. Had it all been a horrible dream?
"Christina?" Vana stood from the desk chair, "You're avake, how are you feeling?"
"Aunt Vana, what happened?" the hybrid sat up too fast making her head swim, "What's going on?"
"Christy," Vana lightly pushed her back down, "Ve need to talk"
"You're scaring me"
'Do you remember anything?"
"Other than the feeling of my heart trying to rip itself out of my chest? No"
Vana moved to the mirror, "I'm going to show you something, I promise it isn't bad, please don't panic"
With that, Vana pulled the covering from the mirror. Christina almost fainted all over again.
"I-I-I-"
Slowly, against her aunts' words, Christina rose from the bed, stumbling over to the mirror. Her hair once a normal brown color was now black streaked with purple. Her wings were no longer delicate, sparkly prism-casting things. Rather they were large so large they brushed against the floor, some cross between a bat and dragon with the same color scheme as her hair.
Vana caught her before she could fall.
"I think you should lay back down"
...
Present:
After Aunt Vana left I went searching for the letters. Grandmother sends them with every holiday and gift no matter how minor. There were years and years worth of one-sided letters to leaf through but nothing could adequately explain what had happened to me. I wish Mom and Daddy were still here. They'd have the answers. I know they would. Blast Van Hellscream may he remain six feet under. Such a hateful being who tore my family to pieces.
Now, I'm forbidden from meeting the one woman who has the answers to my questions. I would like to think that given time Mom and Grandmother would have reconciled but I suppose we'll never know. I sort of remember Mom explaining how my horns would grow in when my magic arrived. It still made me cry with fear.
I miss them.
Someone knocked at the bedroom door pulling Christina away from her diary.
"Christy, are you awake?"
"Come in"
Draculaura stepped into the room with a concerned look on her face, "Our friends want to see you-"
"I don't want to go out-"
"They're downstairs"
"Don't want to go down there either"
"I know it sounds bad-"
"It is bad!" Christina opened her laptop, "Have you been online at all? They want to put me down!"
"Christy-"
"Go away, please"
"Okay, I'll-I'll just tell them you're asleep" Draculaura scurried back into the hall.
"Asleep, huh?"
Christina whirled around finding Duncan on her balcony with Clawdeen in his arms.
"You two were always horrible liars," Clawdeen smirked as Duncan sat her down.
"I'm sorry, I just don't feel like seeing anyone-"
"We came to tell you it was ruled an accident-"
"everyone important already knew it was an accident, so you can stop hiding"
"It'll blow over soon"
...
If anything, the backlash got worse following the ruling, parents were whipped into a frenzy by the elliest members of the vampire court. Crowds of protesters stood at the castles gates kept Christina from even opening a window, never mind going outside. Day in and day out she remained hidden within the castle walls growing more and more restless.
Today there was a raging thunderstorm the kind that knocked out power and put one on edge. It kept the protestors away but it soured Christina's mood further. The hybrid sat curled into the farthest corner of the library, staring blankly into the roaring fireplace. Meanwhile, in his study Dracula fought to end the smear campaign, practically screaming into the phone at the indifferent monster on the other end of the line but getting nowhere he slammed the phone down furiously.
"Is that usually how you handle things, Lord Dracula"
"Maleficent," he growled, standing so fast his chair fell behind him, "You aren't supposed to be here-"
"I know," Maleficent cut him off, "But, things have changed"
"Alissa said-"
"Do you think Alissa wanted this for Christina?"
"No but I'm-"
"Having very little sucess fixing this mess,"
"Maleficent," Vana swept into the room, laying a calming hand on her husband's shoulder, "Perhaps ve should discuss this somplace more comfortable?" she turned to her husband, "Now you take Maleficent to the parlor and I'll fetch Christina-"
"Vhat?"
"Dracula, ve can't help Christina, you know that"
"Fine," Dracula stood, "Right this vay"
...
Christina jumped at the hand on her shoulder, flinching away before she could cause any harm. The accidental magic had become more and more frequent, control sliding farther and farther away with every day that passed. Turning, she found Vana watching her with a sad expression. Even when she didn't mean to hurt, she did so a fact that caused her to hang her head, ashamed to meet her aunt's gaze, "Yes?"
"Christina, someone important vants to see you, come vith me to the parlor?"
"Yes, Ma'am"
The parlor wasn't that far from the library but it felt like they had miles to go. The halls were empty, lit by torchlight and lightning that flashed brightly through the windows making Christina shudder with nerves. Storms were too frightening, too unpredictable, too dangerous. She was much more comfortable with a warm spring rain, drops catching on delicate flower petals or running through her hair but at least the nasty storms kept people away. Frowning still, Christina shuffled into the parlor with her eyes glued to the floor as she sat in her favorite chair.
"Christina, vill you look at us please?"
Christina slowly looked up biting the inside of her cheek to keep quiet when she realized Maleficent was sitting across from her. She wasn't allowed here. Why had she come? What was going on? Was she in trouble after all?
"Hello, Christina," Maleficent softly greeted, "I wish we didn't have to meet like this"
"Me too"
"You know why I'm here then?"
"Because I utterly destroyed the school," tears welled in her eyes, "I don't-I didn't-"
Maleficent was quickly at Christina's side, guiding her to the sofa instead, "Shh, Shh, it was a mistake, dear, you're not in trouble"
"I could've hurt everyone," the hybrid sobbed.
Maleficent hugged her tightly, wiping away her tears, "But everyone's okay, you didn't hurt anyone, Christina"
"What-what am-am-am-"
"You just need proper training, you're much more powerful than other fae your age"
Christina couldn't speak so overcome with sobs.
Dracula sat ridged on the opposite sofa, Vana holding him back as his first instinct was to rip Christina away from the woman Alissa had never wanted near her but Maleficent had seemingly accomplished what they'd failed to do. She calmed Christina down, whispering things so quietly they couldn't hear.
"Knock knock"
The group turned to the doorway finding Duncan and Clawdeen sheepishly standing there.
"Hi," Christina's voice cracked.
"We came to check on you," Duncan explained.
"We know you hate storms," Clawdeen added as the lights flickered.
When they neared her, Christina pressed back into the sofa, "I-I don't want to hurt you," came the whispered explanation.
"Christy.." Duncan was taken aback. In all the years they'd been friends Christina had never feared hurting him nonetheless he and Clawdeen took seats on the edge of the group to put Christina at ease.
"I think," Maleficent broke the silence, "It would be best for all if Christina came to study her magic in Ever After"
Dracula was ready to object only for Vana's withering gaze to silence him, "Explain," he prompted.
"There's a private Fairy Acadamy there where Christina could really learn about her powers and it would get her away from the hatred she's experiecing here"
"This is her home!"
"I don't feel safe here anymore," Christina burst into tears starting anew, "I can't even look out the window!"
"Shh," Maleficent hugged her close, "You're going to be okay," she wiped Christina's tears away.
Once the hybrid was quieted Maleficent continued her explanation, "Christina would stay with me of course, she'd be safest there, no one could get to her and if you're that aprenhinsive about being seperated from her there's a place in the enchanted forest known as Hood Hollow where all the Red Riding Hoods of the past have lived. It's mostly empty now, home to Red and her family. There are many cabins begging to be filled you would be welcome there"
"We're moving?" Draculaura stood in the doorway.
"Just discussing things"
"I can't leave," Dracula sighed heavily, "I'm needed here to..oversee things"
"But, it isn't a bad idea," Vana countered, "The protesters could turn on Draculaura for simply being related to Christina"
"She's right," Clawdeen nodded somberly, "The entire council has been getting threats lately, it could spill over to our familes and yours too"
They talked long into the night. Clawdeen's parents and Margret coming to the castle to join in. As the clock in the corner chimed midnight a choice had been made. Christina would go to Ever After. Vana, Draculaura, and, Sibella would follow as family support while Dracula remained in the monster realm. For their safety, the Wolf family and Duncan would also move into Hood Hollow while Magret remained with Kenny to keep an eye on things. There were of course finer details to be worked out but Christina finally succumbed to the sleep that had eluded her for so long.
...
A week and a half later the families stepped through the portal into the highest tower of Maleficent's castle. Nothing was said as they descended the staircase to the floor below. It was late at night, much too late for the families to travel to Hood Hollow so rooms had been prepared. Christina kept her eyes glued to the floor murmuring goodnights until she and Maleficent were the only ones in the hall.
"And these will be your rooms, Dear," Maleficent pulled open the carved doors they'd stopped in front of
The doors opened to a cozy sitting room, a merry fire already blazing in the hearth.
"Your things are already here, I'll see you in the morning"
"Goodnight, Grandmother"
After the elder fae had gone, Christina moved to the center door on the other side of the room. She pulled it open only to stop short.
"Oh...My...Goodness..."
The room she found herself in could've easily swallowed her room in Dracula's castle. It. Was. Huge. A massive stone fireplace spanned one wall, fire already lit. The bed in the center of the room was already turned down, waiting for her. Her trunks waited at the foot. Stepping further in, she turned to get a better look finding the room shared the same lavender color scheme she was used to. There were more doors beside the one she'd come through. One turned out to be a massive walk-in closet, her clothes already waiting inside. Another door led to the bathroom and the third led to an empty room.
That's odd.
Shutting the door Christina moved to the bed, finding her nightgown waiting. With a yawn, she wriggled into the warm nightdress and climbed into bed tiredly, out cold before her head hit the pillow.
...
Christina woke in a cold sweat, heart in her throat as the next morning dawned.
He's not here. He's not here. He's not here.
Shaking, she slid from the bed. Numbly moving into the bathroom to get ready for the day ahead and whatever it entailed. After a nice hot bath, Christina moved to the closet still daunted by its sheer size and how empty it seemed. Choosing to wear a deep plum dress with black leggings she slid into her favorite ballet flats trying her best to feel normal but 'normal' was nothing but a long-forgotten dream now.
"Christy? Where are you?"
Clumsily tying her fishtail braid Christina rushed to open the door, stumbling and all but falling into the sitting room, "Hi, Duncan"
"I haven't seen you fall like that since we were eight?" Duncan chuckled, helping her to her feet.
"Well, you're wings are retractable mine aren't and they're soo heavy," Christina grumped.
"Here, let me show you a trick," Duncan smiled reassuringly, extending his wings, "Take them like this," he pulled his wings around, "And hook them together so it's like a cloak"
"Does that hurt?"
"No"
Slowly, Christina copied her friend's actions, "Much better"
"Isn't it? It's breakfast time, I thought you might feel better if a friend came to get you"
"Thank you"
"Bad dream? I can see it in your eyes"
"Nightmare"
"I'm sorry, Christina"
"I'll be okay, let's go, I smell coffee"
But she lied.
She would never be okay again.
...
So what did we think? If you're a bit confused by the title I chose it because Christina is utterly terrified of her situation and it pays homage to the Fairy tale inspired Monster High dolls which I, never being allowed to OWN Monster High ANYTHING when it first launched only learned about it through my character encyclopedia. I WANT THAT ENTIRE LINE. It's only three dolls but to get them in decent condition will cost you an arm and a leg...GRR
anyway, Review!