𝓦𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝓘𝙩 𝓑𝙪𝙧𝙣, 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗖

𝓒𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝓝𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣

Niklaus Nikiforv's POV

Nik's hands were clammy as Jameson approached his grandmother's porch. The Hoods' cottage wasn't shabby, though it was rickety and dated. Made of bricks and had a lopsided roof, but it seemed cozy. James took a deep breath before knocking on the wooden door. Once, then twice. Nothing happened.

"Are you sure she's home?" Ana Tremaine asked, next to Nik. His heart was beating so fast that he was sure that it would leap out of his heart. In fact, he felt a bit embarrassed to be next to Ana. She was so beautiful, he looked like nothing compared to her. Her hair was like a fiery fire, her eyes twinkled as bright as the moon, and her smile was priceless. Does that sound creepy? Oh dear, Nik fretted far too much for his own good.

"Just give her a sec, she's an old lady like myself," the Candy Witch cracked. Honestly, after getting to know her, Nik realized she wasn't as bad as everyone said she was. She did offer them candy, but the good brands. She wasn't malicious either, she was as sweet as sugar. Finally, the door swung open.

An old woman shuffled out, holding a shotgun. Holy hex! "Who the hell do you think you are to trespass on my property—Jameson?" Granny Hood lowered the gun and squinted. "It really is you, Jamie! Oh, my apologies, I don't have my glasses. Candice, you made it! There's a lot of you, isn't there? Alright, come inside and make sure to wipe your feet."

Essie's jaw dropped. "James, your grandma is actually so badass."

"Honey, our lives don't stop at sixty-five," the Candy Witch chuckled as they entered the cottage. The floorboards groaned and creaked under their feet, the smell of honeysuckle in the air. Nik breathed it in, reminding him of home. They arrived in the living room and they took a seat on the brown leather sofa. The Hoods' home was certainly vintage, with antique photos and old shelves.

"Ah, it's marvellous to see you again, Jamie," Granny Hood mused, shuffling over with a tray of tea and sweets. Essie immediately went for the sweets whilst Nik grabbed two teacups, offering one to Ana.

"No, it's okay, I'm not hungry. Thank you." She smiled brightly, which made Nik's cheeks go pink and he turned around. You're such a worrywart, he criticized himself. How will you ever confess to her if you're too nervous around her? A crush was more stressful than people would say.

Joy cleared his throat. "Thanks for your hospitality, but we're here on a task."

"Oh, right!" James had gotten distracted. He went into a detailed explanation of what happened in Ever After High, including their mission. "Granny, you're the ruler of Hood Hollow, surely you've heard news of these pages."

Granny Hood clucked her tongue. "Unfortunately, I do know where the pages have landed, but I forbid any of you from getting it," she ordered gravely, "because they're in the wolves' dens."

"Why not?" Essie protested, throwing up her hands in the air. "We need those pages!"

"The wolves are dangerous, sending you children into their awful territory is a suicide mission. They'll tear you apart," the old lady persisted, hands on her hips. She was scolding them, Nik realized. The room went deadly silent, even the Candy Witch looked awkward, when James spoke up.

"They're not like that. You don't know them like I do, they'll let us get the pages."

"You don't know how I do too," Granny Hood said, narrowing her eyes. "There's a fine line between docile and hostile." She glanced at the rest of them, shaking her head. "I've spent my entire life running away from those creatures, they're monsters. And I've got the proof." She pushed up her sleeves to show scars that resembled claw marks. Oh my Grimm.