Timeless Bonds

Crying like villain

They hurried outside, Blanc struggling fiercely in their grip. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice filled with desperation as she tried to break free. Despite her struggles, Red and Chloe, trained since childhood and far stronger than Blanc, held fast.

The two girls managed to drag her through the rain-soaked grounds, searching for the location where they had first arrived. Red glanced around, her eyes misting over with nostalgia as she took in the familiar sights. The flag she had held, the one she had once playfully fought Chloe with, fluttered nearby. The memories of their initial arrival—the excitement, the camaraderie—felt distant but cherished.

Red's gaze softened as she looked at the place where their journey began. It had been a hopeful start, filled with promise and determination. Now, as they prepared to leave, she hoped for a future that was brighter and more hopeful than the past they were leaving behind.

Her heart ached with a deep wish. She wanted to save her mother and see her change for the better. More than anything, she hoped that the future Bridget would resemble the kind, optimistic person she remembered, not the harsh, unforgiving figure of the Queen of Hearts.

Chloe glanced around, a wistful smile touching her lips. It was hard to believe that the same girl who once wanted to feed her to the Jabberwocky was now someone she had grown to care about deeply. The time they spent here had taught Chloe so much—how to be less judgmental, how to stand up for herself, and how to appreciate the unexpected connections life sometimes offers.

As she looked at Blanc, now a chaotic mess in their grasp, Chloe felt a pang of sadness. The kind, welcoming girl who had once just wanted to show her cousin and aunt around had transformed so drastically in such a short time. It was a bitter reminder of how quickly things could change, and how even the most familiar faces could become unrecognizable.

Chloe's eyes met Red's, her expression filled with hope and concern. Despite the turmoil and the heartache, she clung to the hope that their efforts would lead to a brighter future. She wished for a future where they could undo the damage done, where their actions would lead to healing and redemption, and where the girl she had come to care for would find her way back to the person she once was—or even better.

Blanc trudged along at the end of their group, her energy drained and her spirit heavy. The vibrant memories of her arrival felt like a distant dream now. She had been so hopeful then, eager to connect with her cousin and Chloe, and to find a place where she truly belonged. The prospect of genuine friendship, of fitting in and being part of something meaningful, seemed so close yet now felt painfully out of reach.

As she walked, Blanc's thoughts turned inward. She had fallen for the villains she'd once seen as adversaries—her feelings for them had taken her by surprise. She now understood why she had been drawn to them, why she had wanted to be close to them so often. Maleficent and Hades, though fearsome, had become familiar, and even Uliana, with her annoying tendencies, had come to feel like a bothersome little sister. Her heart ached with the weight of unspoken emotions and unresolved feelings.

Blanc sighed deeply, feeling the crushing weight of her situation. She would be returning with Red and Chloe, back to a home that felt more like a distant memory than a sanctuary. Her home was where only her mom and the rabbit truly understood her, but even her mom's hands-off approach left her feeling isolated. The thought of leaving this place, where she had experienced joy and camaraderie—despite its troubles—left a gaping void in her heart.

She would miss the VKs, the mischief they shared, and the freedom of not caring about judgment. Those moments, though fraught with challenges, had been filled with a sense of belonging that she longed to hold onto. Now, as she faced the reality of returning to a more conventional life, Blanc felt an overwhelming sense of loss and uncertainty about what lay ahead.