The Inside Story

Complicated

"So you and Red, not friends but not enemies, so...I don't get this," Ella declared, throwing her hands up in the air.

Selena scoffed. "You and me both."

We were all sitting in Granny's room, piled on her bed. I had decided we should stay here only for a couple of minutes till we got the next key and knew where the door was. I had already told them about the discussion between Red and me, they were very confused.

"Doesn't she have no reason to not like you?" Snow asked.

"Ehh," I shrugged, "If it wasn't for me showing up, Charmont wouldn't have dumped her. So she has part of a reason to still not like me. It's better than straight out hostility."

Snow nodded slowly. "I still can't believe Red and the huntsman were dating, that's so not written in the story."

Selena waved her wand in little circles absentmindedly, "Do you think that they'll ever get back together?"

We all looked at her. Selena raised her arms in defense. "What, love stories are always interesting! Why do you think romance novels and movies are so popular?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, love is something I'm inexperienced with."

"Kind of makes you wish Mr. Petrolas was with you, huh?" Ella asked.

Snow crossed her arms. "We can't discuss topics like this so offhandedly, this is serious. If the real Red is dating Charmont, then we have to tell them to break up once we get back. They could endanger the story."

"Right," I said.

Somehow, this didn't feel right. I kind of...wanted Red to work things out with Charmont, in here and out there. Snow had already given us her point of view, everyone has to play their role in order to keep the story alive. Ella and Selena? Selena didn't care, but Ella often zoned out to Ms. Sierra's words, changing the ending.

I guess I promoted change considering I had pushed Perry with Goldilocks, Red and Charmont, and wanted everyone to choose their own destiny.

Red opened the door having a soft smile on her face. "Hey guys, I was talking with my grandma about this key you need, I think it might be Charmont's axe since he kills the wolf with it, and the door is also at my house."

Ella frowned. "Won't it be difficult to see your ex after a breakup?"

Red shrugged. "Do I look like someone who would care? Just because I cried, it doesn't mean I'm a wimp all the time."

Selena raised her eyebrows in amazement. "You officially are my new best friend."

"Thanks. Now come on, that Ms. Sierra isn't going to take a break. Villains tend to move fast," Red said.

Brian was now in his human self and was walking beside us as we left the house. "Like me, as soon as Red stopped to pick up flowers, my wolf form ran to her grandma's house."

Red nodded. "Yep. Mortie, don't slow down."

I sighed deeply. "I won't."

I hitched my backpack tighter so it wouldn't fall, as soon as it got dark and we were still in the woods, I would take out the supplies I had. I couldn't believe that the elder was right about going on another quest. How long would we be here? Probably at least days, depending on Ms. Sierra's luck.

"You know how most of these stories include forests?" Ella asked me out of the blue.

"Yeah."

"I was thinking, when it gets dark, we should have a campfire. I'm also curious, won't it be weird when we see our friends in their stories? So far, it's like the exact same character."

I nodded. Could you imagine, seeing another Robin who didn't recognize me? "That would be totally weird, who even decides the way we go to another story?"

Ella shrugged. "The book, it is enchanted and has a mind of its own. Magic is always complicated so you should always roll with it."

"Ella, what's your opinion on this chosen business? Cause it's been bugging me for the entire time we've been moving, every time we mentioned I was a mortie, the FC stand ins say I'm the chosen."

"Well, we don't exactly know what you're supposed to do. Once we hear the entire story of what happened here and who caused the chosen thing, then we can worry about who you are."

I shook my head. "That's the thing, I want to know who I am. I don't know for sure before Ms. Sierra pushed my hand to the vault and the book appeared, mentioned the chosen, and I'm even more unsure now. Principal Wilhelm knew something about me, that would explain why he wanted me to go to that school."

Ella sighed. "Wow, I had no idea you were holding all this in. You don't know who you are?"

"No, I don't. I feel lost in space when I hear that word, chosen. And if it is me...does that mean that my mom and dad are my actual parents? Do I have parents from this world? What does that make me?"

"Katie, we'll figure out the answers. I promise you, but right now we have to go and get out of this story. Ms. Sierra has to be stopped before she destroys the fairytale stories and kills us."

I nodded. "You're right, it just can seem so hard sometimes."

"Hey Ella, and loser! We're almost at Charmont's place! I bet morties are always eager to witness other people's drama," Red shouted.

Ella smirked. "And FC's."

I smiled, not quite reaching my eyes. I need to forget all this business if I'm ever going to relax. Honestly, I'm kind of tired of all the FCs having some kind of drama, Eric and Brian seemed to be the only ones without.

I heard chopping wood a few meters away in front of a small cottage. Charmont was using his axe at a big oak tree, he was close to cutting it down when Red looked nervously side to side. She sighed before changing her face expression to business.

"Charmont!"

Charmont glanced at Red and dropped his axe. It gave off a loud thudding noise and a metal clink, but he ignored it as his attention diverted to Red.

"Red, I-"

Red cut him off, "Char, I don't care right now what you think of me. But these girls need your help on leaving this story and defeating a power-crazed lunatic. We just have to borrow your axe."

Charmont blinked. "My axe? Red, you know better than anyone that I treasure it."

Red glared. "Of course I do, considering you kill Brian with it. Definitely something to treasure."

Charmont's eyes flashed with guilt as he gave Red the axe. Red took it and signaled for us to leave, I still felt bad for him so I stayed behind.

"Charmont, everything okay?"

Charmont nodded. "Yeah, it's fine. You should go with your friends, Katie. This is something that has to be resolved between me and Red."

I nodded and hurried back with my friends.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Red pushed the axe to her front door, causing it to disappear. A long red portal appeared, ready to take us to the next story. Ella clutched my hand while Snow and Selena stepped through.

"Hope you have success," Red said.

I smiled. "Sorry to ruin Charmont and your relationship together. I hope y'all work things out."

Red rolled her eyes. "Trust me, we had a lot of issues. I still can't believe I used to date him now. Don't worry, if we don't get back together, it was for the best. See you mortie."

I waved as Ella and I jumped inside the portal taking us to another story.

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Thanks so much for continuing your support by reading, votes and comments extremely encouraged since they are what motivates me. Get ready for more adventure and fairytales, also fellow friends!