Once Upon A Time ~ Book 1

Chapter 53 - Finding Family

The evil queen awaited the children in her room.
A gaurd accompanyed Hansel and Gretel to her room.
She turned to them. "My dear children." she walked c towards them. "We're you successful on your task?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Though we were almost made into dinner." said Gretel.
"Oh. How barbaric." she said looking down at them.
She waved her hand for the gaurd to leave. He bowed his head and left them.
"Now, of I could have my satchel." she stepped closer to Gretel.
She held up the black leather satchel and handed it to her.
"I've waited a very long time girl this..... Let's hope you didn't let me down." she said opened the satchel. Then she pulled from it a ripe, red apple. "You did it." she smiled.
"Yeah, we did." said Gretel looking up at her.
"You've hot a strong heard, girl." she touched her chest, but she backed away.
"You remind me of myself at your age." she held up her chin.
"We did all that for an apple?" asked Hansel.
"Oh, trust me, dear boy, this is not just an apple." she bent down to his level. "It's a weapon." she turned away. "A weapon for a very particular and devious enemy." she walked away from them. "One who's still under the illusion......." she placed the apple in a chest on her table. ".........thar she's safe."
"Whatever your plan is, we did what you asked. Now you have to keep your promise and good our father." said Gretel.
She turned back to them. "Of course. To reunite your family. So you can live happily ever after." she said walking towards them. She bent down to their level again. "You were left alone in the woods. You deserve better than a father who would abandon you."
Gretel looked down her voice hoarse. "But he's all we have."
"Perhaps he doesn't have to be."
"What do you mean." she looked into her face.
"You and your brother have impressed me. You aren't the first boy or girl that I've sent into that...........sticky sweet house." she stood straight. "But you are the first to emerge....... And as a reward........" she walked towards the stove. "I've decided to invite the two of you to live with me." she turned back to them and spead her arms apart. "Here." she smiled.
"You mean........we get to live in a castle?" asked Hansel.
"Yes." she chuckled. "You would have your own rooms, of course. Personal carraiges, and valets, too........ All of your dreams could come true."
"No." said Gretel.
The queen looked at Gretel, her expression changed.
"We want our father back. He would never abandon us. And even if he did, we would never want to live with someone as terrible as you."
"Is that so?" she said in a deep voice.
"Yes. We're going to find him, with or without your help........."
The queen walked away.
"....... And when we do, we're going to prove you wrong."
"We'll see about that." she turned to them again.
She waved her hand and purple smoke spiraled around the children.
"Gretel? What's happening?" asked Hansel, fear in his voice.
The smoke continued spiraling until it ungulfed them.

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Emma stood outside the sherif's car with Ava and Nicholas. It was dark now. Regina and Henry stood near by.
"Come on." said Emma and she opened the door of the back seat.
"It's gonna be......." she stared stared at their down faces. "Here." she said and took the compass from her pocket.
Ava took it.
"I'm sorry. But we gotta go.
Ava and Nicholas stepped into the back seat of the car and Emma shut the door. She then climbed into the front seat herself.
"Let's go, Henry." said Regina, her arm around his shoulders.
Henry ran from her and to the sherif's car. "No. You can't take them." said Henry through the half open window to Emma. "They can't leave Storybrooke, Emma. They can't. Something bad will happen."
Emma sighed. "Something bad has already happened." she turned on the engine of the car and drove away, leaving Henry alone by the road.

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Emma drove silently on the road outside of Storybrooke.
Suddenly the cars engine made a funny noise and the car wobbled. She slowed down and pulled in.
"Are you kidding me?" said Emma.
"What happened? What's wrong?" said Ava.
"Engine stalled." she picked up her phone and dialed some numbers.
"Who are you calling?"
"Help."
The children looked at one another.