Echoes of Wonderland

As the world caves in

TRIGGER WARNING!!! - Mentions of torture, blood, knives, etc.

I apologize in advance.

Chloe's POV

They come out of nowhere. Hook grabs me first, his one good hand clamping down on my arm like a vice while Morgie blocks any chance I have of escaping. Maleficent and Hades are there too, their eyes cold and unforgiving. I try to fight back, but they're too strong, too fast. The last thing I remember before everything goes black is Hook's sneer and Maleficent's dark laughter echoing in my ears.

When I come back to my senses, I'm in this horrible place—a cave, cold and damp, with jagged rocks digging into my back. Chains hold me down, tight around my wrists, and every movement sends a sharp pain shooting through my arms. The air smells like salt and decay, and I can hear the distant drip of water somewhere in the darkness.

The cold bites into my skin as I struggle against the chains, my wrists raw from pulling at the metal. It's no use, but I can't stop trying. I have to keep fighting, even though I know it's hopeless. The cave around me is dark and oppressive, the damp air heavy with the scent of salt and rot. I can hear the faint echo of water dripping somewhere far off, the only sound breaking the suffocating silence.
But then I hear them—footsteps, getting closer. My heart pounds in my chest, fear tightening its grip on me. And then she appears, Uliana, stepping out of the shadows with that twisted smile on her lips. Her eyes gleam with a cruel amusement as she looks down at me, like I'm nothing more than a toy she's going to break.

- Well, well, look who's finally awake. - She says, her voice dripping with mockery. - How's our little princess feeling? Comfortable?

I glare up at her, refusing to show any fear, though it's pulsing through my veins like a drumbeat.

- Let me go, Uliana. You won't get anything from me.

Her smile widens, and she crouches down beside me, her hand moving to grip my chin, forcing me to look into her eyes. They're dark, almost black, and filled with malice.

- You're a stubborn one, aren't you? I like that. It'll make breaking you all the more satisfying.

She lets go of my chin, her hand trailing down to my shoulder before she suddenly digs her nails into my skin. I bite down on my lip, refusing to cry out, but the pain is sharp and immediate, like hot needles pressing into my flesh. I can feel the skin breaking under her nails, warm blood trickling down my arm.

- You think you're so brave. - She hisses, her voice low and dangerous. - But we'll see how long that lasts.

She waves her hand, and I feel the air around me shift, the temperature dropping even more. Suddenly, it's like ice is crawling across my skin, freezing me from the inside out. My muscles seize up, and I can't stop the shiver that runs through me.

- You know, - She continues, her tone almost conversational- All you have to do is tell me where the book is, and this can all be over. No more pain, no more suffering. Just one little secret, and I'll let you go.

- You think I'd betray Red like that? Betray everything we're trying to protect?- I look up at her, my vision blurring with the effort of holding back the tears. - You're delusional, Uliana.

Her smile falters for a moment, and I see the flicker of anger in her eyes before she leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

- You might not care about your own life, Chloe. But what about Red's? Are you willing to let her suffer because of your stubbornness?

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I force myself to hold her gaze, refusing to let her see how much her threat shakes me.

- You'll never touch her. - I spit back, my voice trembling with the effort to stay strong. - I won't let you.

- You think Red can save you? - Uliana laughs, a cold, cruel sound that echoes around the cave. - She's just a child playing a game she doesn't understand. And you? You're just a pawn. Disposable.

Her words cut deep, but I force myself to push back the fear, to remember why I'm here, why I can't give in.

- I'm not telling you anything. - I say, each word laced with as much defiance as I can muster.

- We'll see about that. - Her smile fades, and she stands up, her eyes narrowing as she looks down at me.

She waves her hand again, and this time the pain is immediate and excruciating. It's like fire is coursing through my veins, burning my guts. I can't hold back the scream that tears from my throat, the sound echoing off the cave walls. My body convulses, and I can feel the chains cutting into my skin, the metal biting into my flesh.And then, just as suddenly as it started, the pain stops, leaving me gasping for breath, my body trembling uncontrollably. I can taste blood in my mouth.

- That's just a taste of what's to come, Chloe. - Uliana steps back, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. - You're going to beg to tell me where that book is. But by then, it'll be too late.

She turns to leave, and I feel a cold wave of dread wash over me as Morgie and Hook step into view. Hooks grin is feral, while Morgie looks at me with a dark glint in his eyes that makes my stomach churn.

- So, princess. - Hook drawls, his voice thick with a twisted amusement. - How about we have some fun?

Morgie pulls out a small knife, the blade glinting in the dim light of the cave. My breath catches in my throat as he kneels beside me, the blade tracing a line on my cheek. It's not deep enough to cut, but the threat is clear.

- We could make this quick. - Morgie says, his voice low and taunting. - But where's the fun in that?