The Sword of Truth (Book II)

Chapter III | A Better Place

~|Present Time|~

Ben and the gang waited patiently as Gold hobbled over towards the murky lake on his cane. There was a small submerging dock at an angle, with broken boards, and splintering specks of wood fibers.  Taking a needle, Gold pricked his finger like a diabetic would, and let the blood drip into the water.  Ben watched closely as the dark red liquid spurred throughout the water. 

   Then, as said, the Charon appeared at out of the blackness of the forest behind, an eerie fog soon following. The appearance of the ferryman sent chills up the spines of everyone, except for Gold, of course. The Dark One instructed the family and friends to water into the water through the dock. Who in their right mind would cross into the Inbetween? Well, you may if you have a loved one there, but even then the idea seems ludicrous.

The family and friends carefully walked over the creaky dock into the murkiness of the River Styx. Gold soon followed as the Charon allowed passage of the alive mortals. Perhaps this was not such a great idea.

~|Christmas, Storybrooke 2012|~

Henry couldn't believe it. It was his first Christmas without his mom. It didn't feel right. Ever since she adopted him, she would shower him with presents and love. She would get him some cool action figures of his favorite superheroes and villains in a fight of good versus evil. He never knew he was adopted until she told him when he was eight years old.

The sorrowful little boy was seated across from his mom's ex-lover Benjamin, in the diner.  They each had their Santa hats on in festive style, Ben with eggnog and Henry with hot chocolate. Of course, they were still heavily grieving for Regina. Hardly anything could put them in the holiday spirit, even gifts. 

   Winter skipped into the diner, followed by her adoptive parents.  She looked adorable with her little deep red dress and Santa hat.  The little girl instantly noticed Henry and Ben, rushing over to them.  "It's Christmas!" She shouted and Ben put a smile on his face, helping her onto the seat. 

   "It is, Winter," he said as Henry crunched on a peppermint candy cane. 

  "What's that?" She asked, pointing to the small bad hiding next to him.

   He had just noticed her sticky red lips.  It must of been from a candy cane, he thought.  "It's a present for you, Snowflake," he said sweetly, the nickname incredibly fitting.

   Ben gently picked up the small bag and handed it to Winter, who immediately yanked out the tissue paper and revealed her gift.  It was a teddy bear.  A soft, cute, and cuddly teddy bear.  She gasped at its fluffiness and hugged tightly.

   "Thank you, Benny!  I love her," she claimed as he smiled brightly.  "I'm naming her...Regina, or 'Gina for short," she said, looking into Ben's golden eyes. 

  "That's a great name," he claimed, tears filling his eyes.  Ben regained himself before looking over to Henry. "Henry...I've gotten you something too."

Henry's hazel orbs lit up as he awaited his present. Ben pulled out stack of comic books ranging from Captain America Decks the Halls and The Winter Soldier's Christmas. Henry smiled brightly as he overlooked the Christmas-themed comics. "Thanks, Ben," he said as he starred to read his gifts.