Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoy the story and look forward to the next chapters. I would be very happy to get some comments.
Chapter 03 – The Revelation
-Point of View *Emma*-
After Emma shocked everyone, especially herself, with this news, the Charmings decided to return home. Meanwhile, Regina wanted to make a potion to prove the relationship between the stranger and Emma. A DNA test would have given the same result, but the others were sure it would be quicker. Emma finally agreed.
"Hope, my little Hope, is all grown up?" Killian dropped into a chair in the kitchen. "How is that possible?"
"It's like that time with Emma." Snow hung up her jacket and joined him. Emma and David followed. "Well, not quite like that. We put Emma in the wardrobe willingly back then, even if it was painful. She grew up alone, without us." Emma's heart sank as she thought about the past. Had her daughter been like her? Had she been lonely, passed from foster home to foster home? Had she ever known love?
"But you've found your way back." Her mother walked over and took her hand. "You came to us, broke the curse and found your happy ending." A small smile crept across Emma's lips and Snow continued, "And Hope has come back to us too. She just doesn't know it yet. But we're going to help. All of us." Snow took her daughter in her arms and hugged her tightly. "Everything will be all right."
"But until then, we need to know more. More about them, more about the curse and more about who's keeping us here in town. " David joined his wife and daughter.
"We need to talk to Hope first." Killian got up and marched off. But he was stopped by David. "Leave me alone, mate. We need to see her."
"This is too hasty. We can't ambush her," David reassured him.
"It will overwhelm her," Emma muttered. She knew what it did to a person. She knew because she had experienced it herself.
"But we have to tell her. We can't keep her in the dark. We're her family." Snow was on Kilian's side. Surprisingly so.
"Yes, we have to. But nothing will change tonight. Regina will have the potion ready tomorrow and we'll check it first. I trust your instincts," David looked at Emma, "but we have to be sure."
"I'm sure," Emma repeated.
"I believe you and we'll see tomorrow," David replied.
-Change of View *Natalia*-
Natalia awoke feeling refreshed. It was the first time in weeks that she had slept through the night. The second night had been her best in a long time. Today she would find the right road and be home soon. She had a feeling she would.
She got up, got dressed and went downstairs. After breakfast she could pack her suitcase. Once again.
She walked downstairs with an excited feeling. Since she had slept a little longer today, most of the guests were already at work and there was plenty of room in the diner. She sat down in the same place as yesterday and studied the menu.
Ruby came immediately. "Are you feeling better today?" the brunette asked.
"Yes, thank you. I slept wonderfully." Natalia smiled at her.
"That sounds good. What can I get you?"
"I'll have a cappuccino and the waffles," Natalia ordered, putting the menu aside.
"The full programme then. Coming right up." Ruby took long strides to the counter to pass on the order.
Natalia took her mobile phone out of her bag and checked for messages. But just like yesterday, no one had written to her. No, that wasn't entirely true. Newsletters never let you down, she always had some in her inbox.
The ringing of the doorbell made Natalia look up to see the two sheriffs. They were followed by a black-haired woman and a tall, dark-haired man. Natalia turned back to her mobile phone. But something tickled her neck.
She looked up again and caught the piercing glances of Emma and the stranger. Was there something on her face?
She nervously wiped her mouth and kept her eyes on her phone. Only Ruby was able to break the stares by stepping into their field of vision.
"Here you go, a cappuccino and the waffles." She placed both on the table in front of Natalia, gave her a quick smile and turned to the next guest.
Lowering her eyes, she grabbed her fork and stuffed the food down her throat. She just wanted to leave. The morning had begun so peacefully.
When she tried to take a sip of her hot drink, she winced and burned her lip. The quick disappearance would be delayed.
She reached for her mobile again, pushed the empty plate aside and searched her memory for an e-book. She needed her book and had left it up there. But Natalia was lucky and found an unread crime novel to get her through the cooling cappuccino.
"What are you reading?" came from the side and she felt someone approach the table. Natalia looked up, expecting to see the Sheriff's eyes. But, as always, she was proven wrong.
"I..." she stuttered and suddenly all the words were gone. What was wrong with me? She cleared her throat.
"A crime novel," she replied, putting her mobile down on the table. She looked at the man in front of her. This town was getting better by the minute.
Her counterpart had to be about her age, with short dark brown hair, a mischievous smile, dark brown eyes and prominent cheekbones. A quick glance down told her that he was probably a regular exerciser. He was wearing dark cloth trousers, a black shirt and a jacket that matched the trousers.
"Have you found the killer yet?" he continued, sitting down opposite her.
"Have a seat," she replied with a grin on her face. "No, I've only just started. The killer probably hasn't even shown up yet," Natalia speculated.
"No, I don't think so." The stranger leaned back in relaxation. "In a typical crime novel, the culprit has to appear in the first few pages and be introduced to the reader. That builds up the suspense and at the end, when the big reveal comes, the reader thinks back to the beginning and has an 'aha' moment," he summarised.
Natalia suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and unconsciously copied her counterpart's posture. "That's an outdated way of thinking. Many modern authors create a twist in the middle of the story and only later lead the reader straight to the culprit."
"The modern authors? And you prefer to read these modern authors?" The man leaned forward slightly, and Natalia had the impression that he was genuinely interested in the answer. A change from her other fleeting encounters with men. But they had all taken place in the big city. Perhaps the men in this sleepy little town were different.
"I read both. Classics are classics. They have their place and will endure. But you shouldn't reject progress and give the new a chance".
"An exemplary attitude. Combining the old with the new. I'm James, by the way." He held out his hand.
"James?" Natalia waited for a surname, but when she realised that James wasn't going to give it, she took the offered hand. "I'm Natalia." Two can play this game, she thought.
But James had other things on his mind and took the menu after letting go of her hand. "How were the waffles?"
"Very good. I highly recommend them."
"I saw that, you really chewed them up," he remarked with a quick grin.
"Have you been watching me all this time?"
James shrugged. "There hasn't been much to get excited about, and I only ever focus my attention on something worth looking at."
"Oh?" Natalia raised her eyebrows in amusement. Was that stranger flirting with her? He didn't even know her. And she didn't know him. She swirled the remaining foam in her cup, drank the last sip and put the now empty cup back on the table. Despite the brief and very pleasant distraction of James, Natalia could still feel Emma's eyes on her. She should get out of here as soon as possible and return to her world.
The bell rang again and an elegantly dressed, dark-haired woman with dark red lipstick approached the two sheriffs. They spoke briefly, but Natalia was too far away to understand. She wanted to take advantage of the moment when the sheriffs were distracted.
"Nice to have met you. But I really have to go now," she said goodbye to James. He rose slightly from his seat and let Natalia pause for a few seconds. The men in this small town still have manners, she thought. But she quickly regained her composure, nodded to him and disappeared into the back corridor that led to the rooms. The glances of Emma and the stranger next to her followed her and sent shivers down her spine.
She quickened her pace and took the stairs two at a time. Just get out of here quickly, she thought to herself, annoyed that she hadn't packed before breakfast.
When she heard someone running up the stairs behind her, she lengthened her stride and almost ran to her bedroom door. She hastily opened it and slipped to the other side, but she wasn't fast enough. One foot got between the door and the frame as she tried to close it.
"Excuse me! One moment, please. Your name is Natalia, isn't it? May I come in for a moment?" The small, petite black-haired girl who had come into the diner with the two sheriffs stood in front of her and looked at her pleadingly.
"I have to pack now. I'm sorry. I have to go in a minute," Natalia tried to wave her off.
But the woman persisted. "It won't take long. Please," she literally begged her.
Natalia, seeing no chance of closing the door in front of the woman, capitulated and opened it fully.
The small woman entered the room and Natalia closed the door behind her. "Who are you, anyway?" A question she should have asked before.
"Oh, sorry, I'm Snow. You've met my husband David, the Sheriff. And my daughter Emma and her son, my grandson Henry." Snow put her hand to her chest, where her heart was, and smiled slightly at her.
"Yes, I remember. But what do you want from me?" asked Natalia. Snow, another unusual name. But there were plenty of them in the neighbourhood. Nowadays, children were named after directions, towns or cars. But in this small town, strange names were more common.
"I... I'd like to talk to you," Snow fumbled and looked around the room.
"About what?" Natalia didn't stop. She'd finally had enough. First these stares and now this intrusive conversation. She just wanted to get out of here.
"Where do I start?" Snow wondered aloud, looking up at the ceiling.
"Best to start at the beginning," Natalia remarked, waving her hand in front of her stomach. "Short and sweet, like I said, I'd like to pack my things and go home."
"You can't do that," the black-haired girl blurted out, taking a step towards Natalia.
She immediately backed away, holding her at a distance with her arms outstretched. "What do you mean? Do you have me here as a prisoner?"
"No, we wouldn't do that. But we would like you to stay here. Please," Snow pleaded, now standing still.
"I want to go home. I have nothing to do here and I'm just passing through. I've already stayed longer than I wanted to," Natalia explained, wondering why a complete stranger was asking her to stay. They had only just met. What had she got herself into?
"I know, I've heard. But I'm still asking you to stay a few more days. Granny says you're tired. I'm sure you're under a lot of stress. Think of it as a holiday." Snow beamed at her.
Natalia shook her head and walked slowly to the door. "Thank you, but I decide when and especially where I go on holiday, and I'd ask you not to talk to me like that. If I'm stressed or tired, that's my business. That's why I don't live in a small town. You're the talk of the town". She reached for the doorknob. "I'd like you to leave now," she said firmly, pushing the handle down.
"No. Wait. Please!" Snow approached her again. "I'll tell you. But please." Snow gestured to the made-up bed. "Let's sit down and I'll tell you everything." Slowly, Snow took a few steps back, turned and sat down on the bed.
Weighing her options, Natalia stood indecisively by the door. Either she kicked the woman out of her room and caused a riot that would bring her husband and daughter upstairs, and Natalia wanted to avoid that at all costs. Or she could listen to the woman's flimsy excuse for a moment, delay her departure, throw the woman out and finally go home.
With these two options, the decision was not difficult for Natalia. She let go of the door handle and sat down opposite Snow in the small chair by the bed. "Please be brief. I really want to go."
"Well, where should I start?" Snow seemed to be thinking and Natalia tapped impatiently on the arm of the chair with her fingertips.
"I'm Snow. An unusual name, isn't it?" Natalia shrugged. At the moment, the name was the least of this woman's problems. But she continued to listen.
"Snow is short for Snow White."
Natalia leaned forward slightly. "So your parents named you after a fairy tale character?" she asked incredulously.
"No, not really. I'm the fairy tale character." Before Natalia could say anything, she was stopped by Snow's raised hand. "Please, let me tell you everything. Then you can always think I'm crazy and leave."
Natalia looked at her expectantly. What else was there? A madwoman sitting on her bed and babbling at her. What was she doing here?
But the next few words, indeed the next quarter of an hour in which Snow outlined the last few years of her life, sounded increasingly strange to her, and in the end Natalia had the feeling that she had ended up in an asylum rather than a small town. Was she still dreaming?
Snow told her about herself, her husband, the Dark Queen who seemed to be the mayor now, a wardrobe and her daughter Emma. It was hard for Natalia to follow at first, but it became more and more bizarre.
The evil queen, who was apparently no longer queen, had put a curse on them all and created this Storybrooke. The curse was only broken by the appearance of Emma, who was not yet the Sheriff, and the kiss of love, which apparently was real. After that there were probably many, many misfortunes, curses, kidnappings, Snow fortunately kept it very short, but in the end all was well. Or something like that. As far as Natalia understood, Emma had married a man who was supposed to be none other than Captain Hook. And it was at this point that Natalia lost her temper.
"Wait a minute! You're telling me that you're all are," she moved her finger in a circle in front of her, "fairy tale characters and now you live in this town? You're Snow White, your husband is Charming and together you have a daughter, Emma, who, funnily enough, is not a fairy tale character. But who married Captain Hook?" Natalia summarised and stared at Snow in disbelief. Had there been hidden cameras here and everyone down at the diner had a good laugh?
But the way Snow nodded, beaming with joy, Natalia didn't believe that theory. Nor the story she had just been told.
"Yes, exactly. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you? Emma, my daughter, and Killian had a child. A daughter. But then we were caught in another curse and a stranger took their daughter, Hope. It wasn't until you came to us that the curse was broken. Do you understand?" Snow grabbed Natalia's hands. "You are Hope!"
Natalia immediately tore her hands from the woman's grip and stood up. "No! It can't be. You're mad. All of you here!" She grabbed the things lying around, threw them into her suitcase, squeezed it shut and zipped it up.
"I'm getting out of here. You belong in an asylum. I have parents." Natalia's voice trembled and tears filled her eyes. Whether from anger or sadness, she couldn't tell at the moment. "I had parents. Wonderful parents. I'm very sorry that your granddaughter was kidnapped. But I'm an adult, 28 years old. Biologically I can't be this baby. Do you understand that? It's not logical."
She reached for her suitcase, grabbed her handbag and ran out of the room, down the corridor to the stairs. There she took two steps at once, which proved difficult with the suitcase and bag, and disappeared through the back entrance. Not the best escape route, and certainly not the shortest. But she decided she didn't want to go through the diner, where her husband, daughter and, apparently, Captain Hook were waiting for her.
She circled the house, ran through the front garden, smeared her polished white sneakers and finally reached her car. She quickly threw her luggage into the trunk and ran to the driver's door.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the door to the diner open and Emma running towards her with the unknown man, probably Hook.
"Probably Hook?" she whispered to herself. "Now I'm going to get crazy."
She got in quickly, started the car and drove off, tires screeching. In the rear-view mirror she saw Emma and the dark-haired man following her in the middle of the road.
Natalia looked forward again. She had to get out of here. She stepped on the accelerator and the car speeded up. The houses to her left and right passed her by, and soon she saw the town sign in the distance. "Finally," she sighed in relief. "Just get out of here."
She kept up her speed, both hands firmly on the wheel. She was a very good driver and knew she was well over the speed limit. But this was an emergency situation, and as soon as the highway was in sight and she had enough distance from the maniacs, she would obey the rules of the road again.
The sign came closer and closer, and a spark of hope grew in her. Soon she would be home and these two days would just be a nice anecdote at parties.
Suddenly the bright light blinded her again and made her jump. Her arms twitched and she instinctively jerked the wheel to the right. The light! She had forgotten about that bloody light.
But she couldn't worry about it. She lost control of the car, which slid off the pavement on its two left tires. She knew it was too late when she let go of the accelerator and crashed into the town sign with a loud bang. She felt the force of the impact and everything went black.
So, what did you think of the chapter?
Unfortunately, there will be no releases for the next two Fridays, as I will be on vacation. The new chapter will be released on 09/06. Until then, I wish you all a wonderful two weeks in August.
