Blood and Apples

Chapter 11

Snow continued walking forward through the forest despite not knowing in which direction she'd go to get out of it. Her mind was clouded, she didn't even stop to notice when her sleeve was ripped by a tree branch.
All she had on her mind was leaving. She stopped.
To go where? Back to the servant quarters? She thought finally taking a moment to think.
With a huff Snow lent against a tree thinking about how for the first time ever she had no where to go, the queen want her gone so the palace was off limits. Snow had not been anywhere but the palace in so long, there was no other place.

Snow wanted to turn back to Dracula's castle but knew there was no point in that either. She crouched holding her knees to her chest as she felt the sudden wait of being alone once again. Tears rushed down her eyes, what was she to do?
A little screech noise soon appeared causing Snow to slightly look up. There hanging up side down was the little bat she helped from what seem like long ago now.

"Hello my little friend" Snow greeted sweetly wiping her tears.

"You wouldn't happen to know the way out would you?" She asked. The bat screeched again before flapping off the branch into the air. Snow lit up quickly getting to her feet ready to finally escape the dark woods. All until...

"Hello! Hello! Is anyone out there?" A crackly voice echoed through the woods causing Snow to stop dead in her tracks. Without a second thought Snow White started walking towards the shrivel voice, ignoring the screeching noises the bat was making.

"Someone please help me! I'm lost" the voice called again. Snow felt she was getting closer pushing away branches and leaves until she reached a small clearing with a large fallen tree and a black cloaked figure sitting upon it.

"Excuse me" Snow gently called, slowly tip toeing towards the mysterious figure. She reached out her hands to the person's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Suddenly the figure spun around revealing their wrinkled old face and long point nose that had a small on it. Their hair was white as bone reaching past their knees.

"Oh thank heavens deary you found me" the old stranger said placing their boney hand on top of Snow's.

"I was pick some apples and I got lost in these woods, I was so frightened"

"Oh my you poor thing, let me help you" Snow said helping the elderly stranger get to their feet. The sound of the bat screeching behind her continued and for some reason got louder, Snow just ignored it making sure the stranger wasn't hurt.

"You're so kind my dear"

"You're not hurt are you?"

"No no, I'm find dear just a little shaken" the stranger chuckled. Snow smiled kinda relief she wasn't alone after all.
The bat suddenly swooped down at the stranger making more screech noises.

"Ah!" The stranger shouted dropping their basket and swinging their frail arms. Snow helped brushing the little bat away, it was very strange to see her kind little friend act in such away. The bat then flew away leaving Snow to help the old stranger yet again.

"Oh my goodness, you've saved me yet again" the stranger croaked taking heat breaths.

"You must've had quite to scare"

"I'm fine dear, but you've been so brave on my behalf, I must reward you"

"Oh no that isn't necessary-"

"I insist" the stranger stated picking up their basket pull of red ripe apples.

"Take one" they said show a shiny red apple to Snow White.

"It does look delicious"

"They're very sweet and tasty, just one bite to bring a smile to a hag's face" the stranger said with a long wrinkly smile. Snow gently took the apple in her hand holding it close to her mouth.

"Yes, yes that's it one bite" the stranger insisted as Snow took a large bite of the apple.
The stranger had been right when saying the apple was sweet, Snow hummed delightfully before suddenly feeling strange and light headed. She looked at the old hag who continued smile as Snow started to loose feeling in her body.

"W-what is ... h-happening?" Snow started to feel more out of breath before collapsing to the grown her vision fading until she was enclosed in darkness.
The old stranger let out a loud evil laugh as she stood over the princess's unconscious body. The old figure started to slowly morph back into the lushed Queen Grimhilde who was still laughing.

"Finally rid of you precious princess" the queen spat with a chuckle, she placed her hands on her hips taking in the view of the once fairest of them all almost dead in front of her.
The gloating was cut short when Grimhilde suddenly heard the sound of wolves howling in the distance, but they were getting closer.
She went to turn away ready to make an escape but was stopped by the Count himself standing right in front of her.

"C-count!?" She gasped in shock.

"Your majesty, long way from your palace it would seem" Dracula said, his face stern.

"In deed it would" the queen replied slightly stepping back just in-front of Snow.

"What are you doing here?" Dracula asked. His tone was low and more serious then she had ever seen him.

"Can't a queen go for a stroll through the woods?"

"You have no business being here"

"Don't forget yourself Count, I am queen after all"

"What have done with Snow!" Dracula suddenly growled, his eyes glowing red with irritation. The queen gasped holding her chest and the sudden outburst.

"It would seem the rumours I heard were true... you are a monster"

"Answer before I-"

"Save your breath count... you too late anyway" the queen smirked causing the count to arch his eye brow in confusion. With one side step Grimhilde revealed the half dead princess sprayed along the floor.
Dracula's eyes almost popped from his head when he saw her.

"Shame isn't it... I'm sorry did I break your toy?" The queen slightly chuckled. What happened next was a blur to the queen, one minute she was standing near a shocked count the next she was being pinned towards the tree while Dracula's hand squeezed her neck.

"H-how d-da-are yo-uaH!" She gasped trying to breath in hair but very much failing.

"What was the point in all this? She was no harm to you!" Dracula growled. The tried to respond but her face was turning pink, the count just stared deep into her eyes before finding the answer.

"I see... jealousy" the queen looked shocked at his response. Suddenly Dracula was smirking now and it did not make the queen feel any better.

"Well don't worry your majesty, I know a way for you to never grow old" the count stated. The queen's eyes showed a shimmer of hope before disappearing at the feeling of Dracula's grip growing tighter and tighter until Grimhilde of suffocating on her own blood.
It was all ended with a snap, then her now lifeless body hit the ground hard.

Dracula turned back to Snow quickly rushing to her side on his knees. Gently he too her into his arms pulling Snow close to his chest while roaming his fingers along her cheeks. They use to be pink and warm now they were grey and cold.

"Princess? Princess please! Snow! Please wake up" his voice was slightly breaking as he pulled her close hoping to feel the warmth of her body again.
He rested his forehead on Snow's trying to hold himself together.
Finally Dracula lifted Snow into his arms before walking back toward his place. He could feel all the bats and his wolves following him back but all he could think about now was bringing Snow's body somewhere safe.