Echoes of Wonderland

All I want

Red's POV

Celia's words break through the heavy silence that's settled over us. Her voice, calm and matter-of-fact, contrasts sharply with the storm raging inside me.

- How about we go pick up your stuff, and slowly make our way out of this town? - She suggests.

I nod, the motion almost imperceptible. I don't trust my voice right now, afraid it'll crack under the weight of everything I'm feeling. I just want to get this over with—gather my things and leave this place behind.

The four of us make our way to the shed, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Chloe stays close, her presence a comforting but also excruciating reminder of everything I've been running from. I feel the weight of her gaze, the way she watches me with a mixture of concern and determination. I want to push her away, but there's something in her that makes it impossible.

We walk in silence, the town of Corona stretching out around us. The buildings, once familiar, now seem distant and foreign. Every step toward the shed feels like a step back into a past I've been trying to escape.

As we approach the shed, I can see the way Chloe's eyes take in the surroundings. The old, battered structure looks even more forlorn under the afternoon sun. I can almost hear the judgment in her silence, the way she processes the mess that has become my life.

- I'll be quick. - I say as we reach the door, my voice barely more than a whisper. - Stay outside.

Chloe opens her mouth to protest, but Celia places a hand gently on her shoulder.

- Let her have this moment. - Celia says softly. - She needs it.

Chloe's eyes meet mine, filled with an emotion I can't quite place. She nods, though I can see the reluctance in her stance. She takes a step back, her hand brushing against Dizzy's as they stand a little distance away. The air between us is charged, full of unspoken words and lingering feelings.

I turn back to the shed and push open the creaking door. The sight inside is even more disheartening than I expected. The space is a chaotic mess—empty alcohol bottles scattered on the floor, clothes strewn about, and the bed a disheveled heap. It's a far cry from what it used to be, a stark reminder of how far I've fallen.

I walk inside and start gathering what I can, trying not to let the mess overwhelm me. Every item I pick up feels like a piece of my past, a reminder of the choices I've made. The bag I use is small, barely big enough to hold everything I've accumulated over the past few months.

I hear Chloe's muffled voice outside, but I don't turn to look. I'm focused on the task at hand, trying to keep my emotions in check. Each item I place in the bag feels heavier than the last, weighed down by regret and sadness.

When I finally finish packing, I step out into the light, clutching the bag tightly. Chloe and the others are waiting, their faces a mix of hope and anxiety. I try to muster a smile, but it comes out as more of a grimace.

- Okay, I'm ready. - I say, my voice betraying the uncertainty I feel. - Let's go.

Chloe steps forward, her eyes never leaving mine. Her presence is both a comfort and a challenge, a reminder of everything I've left behind and everything I could potentially regain. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and together we start the journey out of this town—one step at a time, toward an uncertain future.

—-

We start the long journey back to Auradon, the road stretching out before us for what feels like an eternity. We decided to take the long way back, I think it'll be better for me to take my time. It's a two-day trip.