The Son Of Alice || A Once Upon A Time Story

The Calm Before

This is all my fault.
It's what I remember thinking after going home last night. I hadn't thought through every detail down to its last atom. Now the twins are missing, Chris is hurt and Ashley's heart could be crushed or frozen at any time. My eyes were facing the ceiling when I woke up. My mind made up figures that danced like snowflakes on the ceiling.
I noticed one of my arms was over top of Kenzie. As if to protect her. There was a knock at the door. I jolted up so fast and grabbed my sword like a reflex. I looked around to check that no one was around, and went to answer the door.
It was the mail.
With everything happening we still have mail.
There were a few bills for my parents, some grocery coupons and some fortune teller ad for 'Madam Gababaya'.
"Pshh" I went in disbelief. I knew magic was real but this one seemed like a scam.
I put it all on the dining room table, and went back up to Kenzie.
My breathing accelerated and heart rate increased when I saw the empty bed, almost feeling faint.
Then I heard the toilet flush.
Kenzie came out of the bathroom. I looked at her, wide-eyed.
She made a confused look. "What?" She asked.
"I just... I can't lose you." I said.

I knew Matthew would attack. It was only a matter of when. I made her and I some breakfast, even though she was a better cook than me.
"I didn't grow up with a kitchen." I told her, playfully.
"How many times are you gonna play the 'I was homeless' card?" She grinned, taking a brief look at the coupons.
"So..." I started. "I was thinking we could stop by and see Chris at the hospital. I feel like it's my fault for— I'd just like to see him, and I can't leave you by yourself."
"I can handle myself, don't worry." She replied. Stubborn.
"It's not that— I just don't think—" I rambled, but she didn't believe me.
"You think that... if he gets me, I'm a sure goner, that's it?" She asked.
I didn't say anything.
"Fine. I'll just get Ethan and Ashley to babysit me then." She stood, got her things and stormed out.

I knew she was a bit mad, but I knew she'd get over it too. So I followed her. I didn't trust leaving her alone so I made sure she was safe, and got back home. I texted Ethan to look after her while I check on Chris.

"That's pretty zesty of you." Chris laughed. I had brought him a bouquet, a very feminine one at that.
"Maybe we should pull the plug." I joked.
"No, I'm gonna live forever, didn't you hear?" He said. There was a big bandage over his wound.
"They said I'm gonna be okay. But I gotta stay here a while and rest up." He got all serious.
"This isn't your fault, Alex." It was like he read my mind.
"Thanks." I could barely speak through nearly teary eyes.

In the evening, I went to the Nolan house. I knocked and grabbed the door handle. It was covered in frost. No... I began to panic, opening the door. An ice wraith was on top of Ethan, and Ashley and Kenzie seemed to have locked themselves in the bedroom, calling out.
I was lucky I had my blade on me this time, and got it off of him with a couple of swings, but it managed to get away out a window.
Kenzie ran out and hugged me, gave me a quick, out-of-breath aggressive smooch and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!"

"We have to get you out of here!" I said. Ethan helped Ashley grab a few things too, as if they were gonna skip town. Maybe a small plane was the only way away from this. We couldn't just abandon everyone. But maybe they'd be safer if the curse can't even happen? All these thoughts ran through my head in milliseconds.

The four of us hurried outside into Ethan's car. He tried to start it but it wouldn't budge. He popped open the hood and his face grew full of fear. "It's all frozen." he said.

"What?!" Ashley called out from the passenger.
Just then, the air got colder, even inside the car, you could see our breath. We all turned to the street. There was a presence. We got out of the car and stepped onto the road to face it. To face him.
Matthew gracefully floated to the icy floor. All of us, against all of him.
He took the day to regain his strength, just like us. Today was just the calm before. Now the storm begins.