Chapter 6: Henry's Castle
She strolled past the trees, the smell of the beach hitting her nose. The grey clouds slowly rolled through the gloomy sky. She shivered and glanced at the "castle" Granny and Ruby mentioned. Sitting there in his black jacket was Henry. She walked over, sending a smile when he saw her.
"Cool castle," she said, "mind if I sit?" Henry shook his head. Aliyah hopped onto the kid toy, letting her feet dangle. "So why aren't you in school?" Henry shrugged. "Come on Henry, I thought you and I were connecting." Aliyah said, nudging his shoulder.
"I was hoping things would change, that the finale battle will begin."
Aliyah sighed, "Henry, you knew things wouldn't be easy. Look at your stories. The hero overcomes certain things before becoming who they need to be for the battle ahead."
"You mean, Emma needs to level up?"
Aliyah smiled, "yes, she needs to level up. The major obstacle for her is believing in fairytales, but before that can happen, there are several quests she has to accomplish." Henry nodded his head in understanding.
"Do you believe in fairytales? It would be easier to convince Emma." He looked at her seriously.
"Yes." Aliyah responded faster than she wanted. Henry caught it, but didn't act on it. "I have been telling Emma fairytales for a long time. She is stubborn. Maybe with you and your book, she could see them in a different light." She watched him closely, seeing how he was processing what she told him. From the little time she met Henry, she saw a bit of both his parents.
Henry looked up at her. Aliyah noticed something else bothering him, "did you know about me?"
This wasn't what Aliyah expected. She looked at the sand breathed in and out slowly, deeply, "yes. I did." She whispered.
"Then why didn't you adopt me?"
She looked at him with sadness, "Because I wa…." Aliyah heard the crunching of sand. Coming up behind them was Emma, the book in her hands. She moved, allowing Emma to sit next to Henry.
"You left this in my car." Emma handed the book to Henry, who didn't acknowledge her. She looked at Aliyah, giving her a sad smile, then at the clock tower. "Still hasn't moved, huh?"
"I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That the final battle will begin."
"I'm not fighting any battles, kid."
"Yes, you are. You're here because it's your destiny. You're going to bring back the happy endings."
"Can you cut it with the book crap?" Emma looked at Aliyah, "Is this what you two have been talking about before I got here? You were going to call me when you found him."
Aliyah shrugged, "I wanted to spend time with my nephew. I was going to text."
"You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me; I can tell." Aliyah smirked when Emma looked back at Henry. "You're just-pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay; I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance."
Aliyah watched Emma look ahead with hurt and sadness washing over her face. "How do you know that?" she asked, trying to gain her composure.
"The same reason Snow White gave you away." He looked over at Aliyah, who gave him a slow and sad nod.
"Listen to me, kid." Emma looked back at Henry, her voice wavering, "I am not in any book. Aliyah is not in any book. We are real people. And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance, but it's not with me."
"Then why didn't you adopt me!" Henry looked at Aliyah.
Aliyah thought of how she should answer, then stopped and looked at Henry. She couldn't do it. After all these years, she still couldn't completely talk about it. Emma sensing her sister's hesitation, "C'mon, let's go." And hopped off the toy, followed by Aliyah.
Aliyah watched Henry, still on the toy, hopped on his feet and ran to catch up with them, "please don't take me back there! Just stay with me for one week, that's all I ask!" hopping off the toy, he looked up at them after he caught up. "One week, and you'll see I'm not crazy."
"We have to get you back to your mom." Emma told him.
"You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!" Aliyah heard the cry in Henry's voice. She looked at Emma, noticing her body language changing. She watched Emma as she broke down.
"Oh, you wanna know what sucking is? Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway; our parents didn't even bother to drop us off at a hospital!" Aliyah rubbed Emma's back, trying to calm her down while she herself was trying to keep herself together. "We ended up in a foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own kid, so they sent me back and by that time Liyah wasn't there…." Aliyah continued rubbing Emma's back when she stopped to collect herself. "Look. Your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard. And I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you. But at least she wants you."
"Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway; that's just where you came through!"
"What?"
"The wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe, you appeared on the side of the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."
Aliyah released a shaky sigh and pulled her hand away. She didn't realize she was shaking until then. She looked at Henry, seeing a tear coming down his face. This was a start of something. A small leveling up for all three.
"Sure, they were. C'mon" Aliyah heard Emma and watched Henry take her hand. The three walked off in silence.
When they reached the main road, Aliyah stopped, "I'll be at the diner." She said, "I need to send those pictures to my client."
She walked past Emma who softly grabbed her arm, "are you okay?" she whispered.
Aliya nodded. Emma gave her a questionable look before releasing her arm. "I'll be fine." Aliyah answered and walked away. Her mind drifting to Henry's questionable plea.
Sorry for this being late. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted this part to go. Stay safe and Happy belated Thanksgiving!