Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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Navigating to the clock tower isn't difficult, despite never having set foot outside the hospital. It rises above all the other buildings in this small town. I admit, I'm taking my time on the walk there. I've been waiting for my freedom for so long.
They can wait an extra ten minutes without their memories.
I'm too busy looking at every corner of the town and enjoying the night air. I don't see anyone along the way, which feels like a small mercy. I finally make it to my destination. The clock tower itself sits above the library.
God, I've missed the smell of books.
Serendipitously, two women stand in front of the double doors of the library. One of the women has blonde hair like mine, except hers is more yellow. She even has a sword. The other is a woman with dark hair and an even darker expression.
Regina.
She'll have to be dealt with later.
"Emma?" I call out.
The blonde whips her head in my direction. She tries to hide the sword slightly behind her back, which makes me laugh a little. Regina meets my gaze. She sneers.
"Alice."
Her recognition of me fills me with nauseating anger. The kind that doesn't even make a muscle in your face twitch. Quiet. Waiting. Like me.
"Who...are you?" Emma asks hesitantly, looking between Regina and me.
Good question.
"Alice, I just said that," Regina answers for me.
Emma's eyes snag on the name stitched on my clothes.
"Jefferson sent me to help you break the curse."
I quickly change the subject. Seems captivity didn't do any wonders for my people skills. Not that they were ever stellar to begin with. I just hope she knows what I'm talking about. Her eyes widen.
"He was telling the truth." She whispers to herself.
"We don't need your help." Regina snaps.
"We need all the help we can get," Emma argues, incredulous.
"She's working with Jefferson."
Emma looks down at the ground, thinking. I roll my eyes, clicking my tongue against my teeth.
"Look, all I want is to break this damn curse. I've spent the past twenty eight years in a cage, and although this is quite nice in comparison," I say, gesturing around me. "I want to go home. So if that means helping you, I'm all on board."
Emma stares at me for a long moment. Finally, she nods her head.
