Echoes of Wonderland

Get her back

Red's POV

Thursday morning

When I wake up, the sunlight is already filtering through the trees. Panic sets in immediately as I realize Chloe isn't in sight. I scramble out of the rabbit hole, my heart pounding in my chest.

- Chloe! - I shout, my voice echoing through the woods. I run around, searching frantically, but there's no sign of her. My mind races with all the terrible possibilities.

- Chloe! - I scream again, my voice breaking with fear.

When I hear footsteps approaching, my heart leaps.

- Chloe? - I call out, hope filling my voice.

But it's not Chloe. It's Hook and Maleficent. Hook smirks as he steps into the clearing, his metal hook gleaming in the early morning light.

- Well, well, what do we have here? A little rabbit caught in the open.

I look for my deck of cards in my pockets, but it isn't there.

- Where you looking for this? - Maleficent says with my deck in her hands. - I think I'll keep these. As insurance, well, backup insurance.

Both VK's laugh looking at each other

- Where is she? - I scramble to my feet, fists clenched. - Where's Chloe?

Maleficent steps forward, her eyes glowing with dark magic.

- If you want your friend back, you better get us that book, tonight at the Black Lagoon.

Rage surges through me. I lunge at Hook, but before I can even get close, Maleficent raises her hand, and a blast of magic sends me flying backward. I hit the ground hard, my body aching and my vision blurred.

- Chloe is in quite the predicament. Uliana isn't known for her kindness, you see. - Hook's smirk widens as he approaches me. - She's been... persuasive.

- What is that supposed to mean? - I spit out, struggling to get up.

- Your little girlfriend, Red. Is having the worst time of her life. - Maleficent says, her voice dripping with malice. - Uliana's taken a particular interest in her. Every time you hesitate, every second you waste, Chloe pays the price.

Hook laughs, the sound chilling.

- She's been crying out for you, you know. Begging for you to come and save her. But you weren't there.

My heart clenches at their words, the thought of Chloe in pain tearing me apart.

- If you hurt her—

- Oh, we have. - Hook interrupts. - She's been screaming your name, not in a good way if I may add. Uliana's got quite the imagination when it comes to making people talk.

- It's amazing what a little dark magic can do to someone's mind. - Maleficent adds, almost casually. - Chloe's been reliving her worst fears over and over.

- You bastards! Let her go! - I struggle to my feet, shaking with anger and fear.

- And if you don't bring us the book tonight. - Hook continues. - it'll only get worse. Much worse.

- How could it possibly get worse? - I shout, desperate.

- Use your imagination, Red. Or better yet, ask Uliana. She has all sorts of creative ways to make people suffer. - Hook's smile is pure evil.- Oh, and just in case you still had a glimpse of hope to save her—

He trows the card from the magic deck—the one I gave Chloe in case she needed my help— shredded into pieces, each of them drifting through the air until they reach the ground softly.