When Alice Liddell arrives in Storybrooke, she only hopes for one thing: to find her parents whom she was separated from long ago. What she does not expect is to find secrets. Buried ones that could lead to her demise. Friends who are all very suspi...
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Two evenings later, I had finally found the will to pull myself out of bed. The setting sun cast long rays through the tall windows of the house, giving my room a warm glow against the outside chill.
My eyes ached from tears, and I cried so much that I had no more tears left. My cheeks were raw from the constant rubbing, creating a bright blush. I collected myself and slowly descended the stairs, not wanting to interrupt the television downstairs.
Once I reached the living room, I saw Victor and Ruby, both laying on the couch. Ruby was looking directly at me as I came to the landing on the stairs. "Uh, hey. Sorry to bother you guys." I said softly.
Ruby didn't move, just stared at me. Victor grabbed her shoulder and she jumped. "Red, sweetheart, didn't you want to tell her something?" Victor asked softly as Ruby regained her normal luster.
"Yeah. So I wanna have a little housewarming party." I leaned against the null post, watching her. "Just have a few friends over. I think it would be nice." she defending as she wrung her hands.
"It's time, isn't it?" Victor asked. Ruby, whose eyes had been darting around the room now looked to him and nodded.
"T-Time for what?" I asked uncertainly. "Come on." Victor stood and took Ruby's hand. She kept her eyes low as he pulled her up.
I followed them into the kitchen and then to the backyard. The sun had now disappeared and a large round moon had begun to make it's ascent into the fading light. Ruby released Victor's hand and started away from us.
"Ruby this isn't what...he told me, is it?" I asked. She ignored me as Victor pulled me into his side. He nodded to Ruby and she bowed her head.
When she straightened, her eyes had turned to a bright yellow. Her face began to contort and a cry escaped her lips as she fell forward, hunched over in pain.
"What's happening? Victor help her!" I cried as Ruby's blue shirt split and was replaced with a large, animal-like back. In a split second, she was a looming figure, her back almost reaching my shoulder. She was covered in sleek black fur, and large pointed teeth now occupied a snout. I felt weak as Victor held tight to my waist, but I pushed that weakness aside. The wolf watched us for a moment.
I stepped forward.
"Alice, I-." I shushed him as I took another step. "If it's Ruby, she won't hurt me. She promised." The wolf eyed me, it's breathing deep as a gust of wind whipped the shawl around my shoulders.
Another step, then another, and another. My hand hung in the air, just inches away from her. Victor's concern was palpable as I rested my hand on the soft fur of her snout. The wolf sat and then instantly moved to a resting position. I followed her and sat with her a moment, scratching her ear.
"It really is you, isn't it?" I gazed into the eye closest to me and smiled.
"She has to go." Victor said tightly. I nodded as Ruby then stood and started off into the dense woods.
