Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
---------------------------------
slowly editing! You'll see at the end of each chapter if th...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Skull Rock is kind of beautiful in a haunting way. The giant rock sticks out of the sea, towering over us as Neal rows us to shore, the boat rocking us lightly. The lights from inside illuminate through the eyes, nose, and mouth of the skull carved into the stone, reminding me of a Jack O'Lantern.
We make it to the mouth of the skull, making sure to tie the boat tightly to a nearby rock. This isn't the kind of place you want to end up stranded. My feet touch the stone ground, and I can feel the chill from the cave entrance.
"These are Henry's shoes," Emma says. We all look down and see the footprints on the dirty path that leads to the stairs. "Wendy was right; they're here." With that realization, she rushes ahead, only to be thrown back violently by some sort of invisible barrier. My feet move before I can even process what just happened.
"Emma!" I exclaim, running over to her side. I kneel down by her prone form. She moves and, from what I can tell, isn't injured. I let out a shaky breath. We're already off to a bad start.
"Are you okay?" Neal asks, taking her other arm as we both help her stand.
"I think so," she says, slightly dazed.
"Pan cast a protection spell," Rumpelstiltskin states the obvious. I roll my eyes.
"There has to be a way to break it," Regina says. She holds her hand out, and within an instant, her palm fills with fire. She throws the fireball at the barrier, and we all duck in alarm when the fireball ricochets off the barrier toward us.
"Try all you want, but Pan's magic is too powerful," Gold says in a chastising manner. Regina looks at the rest of us, the concern evident on her face. My own heart starts to sink. Pan couldn't have won already; there has to be a way through. "At least for you." Our heads snap in Gold's direction hopefully. He walks over to the barrier and, without any resistance, walks right through it. I relax my shoulders slightly. Gold is the most powerful out of all of us, so if the rest of us can't get through, at least we'll stand a chance with Gold.
"How did you get through?" Emma asks with raised brows.
"The spell is designed to keep anyone who casts a shadow from entering. That's why he cast the spell he did," he explains. I tilt my head, not fully grasping what he's implying. "This isn't about keeping you out; it's about drawing me in." His words make me feel a little sick to my stomach. If Pan wants Gold to go through that barrier, it means he thinks he can defeat him.
"Alice, does your sword prevent you from entering?" Emma asks hopefully, and my eyes widen. How had I not thought of that? I take a hesitant step forward, not wanting to be thrown back in the same way Emma was. I reach my hand out tentatively and watch as my hand goes through the barrier with no issue. I let out a relieved chuckle while looking over my shoulder.
"Seems not," I say while stepping the rest of the way through the barrier. I look over to Gold, and he nods his head. Looks like it's just me and him.
"I gave you my trust when I gave you that box. Now I need you to give it back," Gold says, a hint of pleading in his voice as he speaks to his son. Neal takes a deep breath before releasing it. He tosses Pandora's box to his father, who gives his son a thankful smile. I can tell how much it means to him that his son finally trusts him once more.
