Timeless Bonds

Bonus 7: alternate Universe part 2

Blanc was gently escorted by Fairy Godmother to the principal's office, the soft clinking of the handcuffs marking each step. The once-pristine white dress she wore was now smeared with mud, a stark contrast to her composed demeanor. Fairy Godmother's eyes were filled with a mixture of concern and empathy, though she remained silent, allowing Blanc to process her emotions in her own time.

Meanwhile, Uma, who had been observing the scene with a growing sense of unease, refocused her attention on the ongoing ceremony. She resumed her speech, trying to maintain her composure despite the chaotic events that had unfolded. Her words, though delivered with poise, carried an undertone of tension that reflected her troubled thoughts.

The ceremony eventually came to a close, the crowd dispersing with a mix of bewilderment and speculation. Uma then led Chloe and Red, accompanied by their mothers—Cinderella and the Queen of Hearts—toward her office. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, each step echoing the gravity of the situation.

In the principal's office, Blanc sat on the edge of a worn-out couch, her eyes fixed on the window. Fairy Godmother took off the handcuffs. The world outside passed by in a blur of color, but she didn't register any of it. Her dress was still caked with mud from her earlier struggle, staining the fabric and leaving dark smudges on the couch. Despite the mess, she made no move to clean herself up or even acknowledge her surroundings. She felt detached, as though everything around her was happening in a different reality.

Fairy Godmother, with her gentle nature, tried her best to connect with the distraught girl. She approached Blanc with a soft expression, her hands cradling a cup of freshly brewed tea. "Dear, what happened?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern. "You can talk to me. I'm here to help."

But Blanc remained silent, her gaze unwavering from the window. Her thoughts were far away, consumed with memories of Morgie, Hook, and the life she had left behind. The room around her faded into insignificance as she replayed their faces in her mind, wondering if they thought she had abandoned them or if they were searching for her even now.

The sound of the door bursting open broke the stillness in the room. Uma, with her commanding presence, entered the office, followed closely by Red, Chloe, and their mothers. The tension was palpable, and Fairy Godmother turned around, her face etched with worry.

"She hasn't said a word," Fairy Godmother explained, walking towards Uma with a concerned expression. "She doesn't even look at me. I've tried everything to reach her, but..."

Uma's eyes narrowed as she observed Blanc, who continued to stare out the window, completely unresponsive to the commotion in the room. Red and Chloe exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier determination now overshadowed by a mix of guilt and uncertainty.

The tension in the room escalated as the adults watched the exchange between the teenagers with growing confusion. The warmth in Fairy Godmother's voice was now tinged with concern. "Blanc, dear, we're only trying to understand and help you," she repeated, hoping to coax some sense out of the distraught girl.

Blanc slowly turned away from the window, her eyes locking onto Red and Chloe. The anger burning within her was unmistakable, and it was clear to everyone in the room that something significant had happened between the three of them. The adults exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to comprehend why Blanc seemed so hostile towards the two girls.

Blanc's voice was cold and steady as she spoke. "You can help me if you give me the watch." Her gaze never wavered from Red, her words carrying a weight of unspoken accusations.

Red's heart raced as panic set in. She couldn't let anyone know about their time-traveling escapade; it would raise too many questions and possibly unravel everything they had done. Her hand instinctively drifted towards her jacket pocket, where the watch was hidden.