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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Stumbling, I struggle to keep up as two women drag us along behind their horses, gravel biting into the soles of my thin soled shoes. I'd woken up sprawled across cold stone, lungs burning, the sky still above me, and the simple fact that I was breathing had felt like mercy. Of course, Regina had lied about the Enchanted Forest being gone. Turns out, it wasn't just Emma and me who had gone into the portal. Snow had jumped in after her daughter, along with the wraith.
Upon awaking, two very upset and angry women had tied us up. They accused us of killing their friend. Which, obviously, we didn't. Especially considering we were unconscious, and it had been the wraith that killed him. But those details didn't seem to matter to them.
The ropes around my wrists rub my skin raw, every step grinding the fibers deeper. My face feels stiff, unresponsive, like it belongs to someone else. Once again, the ground beneath me has shifted without my consent, and survival is the only language I seem to be able to speak. Every time I manage to set roots down, the ground gives way. The first two times in Wonderland, only to be ripped away both times against my will. The third was the curse that brought us to Storybrooke and now... here. Wherever that is.
"What is this place?" Snow calls out.
"Our home." The dark haired woman in intricate armor answers, already spurring her horse forward.
Finally, we arrive at a tiny, makeshift village. The dark haired woman unties us from the horses before leading us to God only knows where. My feet are killing me, and I can barely keep my eyes open. When was the last time I slept? Villagers line the path, their eyes following us—silent, unblinking. Their stares raise goosebumps along my arms as I test my bound hands.
Too tight to get out of, but loose enough to give me hope.
"It's like they're refugees." Emma comments.
The real question is, refugees from what? Or who?
"We're survivors." The dark haired woman corrects, her face severe.
I can't even picture her smiling. Without warning, Snow spins and drives her knee into the other woman.
"Run!" She shouts.
My heart leaps in my throat, but I don't hesitate to do just that. My pulse rushes from the adrenaline. One foot in front of the other. We don't get far before Snow goes limp, out cold. I look back in astonishment. She just...dropped.
I look behind her to see the severe face of the girl with dark hair. She's holding a slingshot. Emma kneels at her mom's side, shaking her frantically. The dark haired woman leisurely makes her way towards us. I step in front of Emma and Snow, shielding them with my body. I lift my bound hands overhead and slam them down, wrenching the ropes taut. The bindings snap, and the effort drops me to my knees.
"Take them to the pit." I hear her order through the ringing in my ears.
She glares down at Emma and Snow, ignoring me. I flinch when two men grab me by my arms, panic slamming into me at the mention of a pit.
