Shattered

Speaking to the Dead

Alena

I braced myself as we hurled towards the hard concrete, stiffening my muscles as I slammed into the road. "Are you okay?" I groaned as I looked over at Eliza who shook the impact and nodded at me. "Of course I am, a little fall won't hurt me." She scoffed, holding a hand out to me, helping me to my feet.

"Someone else fell in with us, I don't know who, but I saw them fall after it closed." She reported, dusting herself off before looking around at the dreary town around us. It was our home, except darkness covered every inch of it, causing chills to run up my spine. We were surrounded by the thick forest that formed the outskirts or the town, however the inner city lighting wasn't covered with street lights to block out the darkness, only torches mounted on the sides of deteriorating buildings, vaguely resembling the shops that covered Main Street. The dim glow of the fire provided no help as we tried to look for our extra passenger, causing my stomach to twist with nerves as I entertained the thought of someone hostile finding a way to travel with us.

"I think I found our straggler." Eliza exhaled as she stood over the person's crumpled body at her heeled boots. I glanced at his face and studied his features, gasping once I identified who he was. "Luke?" I questioned, crouching down beside him, causing Eliza to glance at me in shock and chuckle. "You know this kid?" She asked, finding the situation comedic as I gently tapped his shoulder. "He was at the hospital this morning, we were talking." I briefed, sitting back at the sound of his groans.

"Wha- where am I?" He moaned, holding his temple as he tried to sit up, falling back as Eliza gently pushed him back to prevent him from standing.

"You're-." I went to finish but she lunged in front of me and pinned him down, poising her hand over his chest, readying herself to tear his beating heart out.

"ELIZA!" I yelled, lunging to tackle her out of the way, but her strong arm kept me at a safe distance. "WHO ARE YOU AND WHY DID YOU FOLLOW US?!" She yelled, her eyes darkening with the fire that made her the Evil Queen.

"I saw Princess Alena fall through the portal, I just assumed that she might need help getting back from- well, I assumed the Enchanted Forest, but I have no idea where we are! Please don't kill me!" He begged, shielding his face from Eliza, whose sneer only partially faded as she released him from her grip.

"We're in the Underworld, but you shouldn't have come, we don't even know if we can get home, let alone an extra stableboy who wanted to be a hero!" I grumbled, pulling him to his feet.

"I just figured-." He started, but I scoffed dryly and snapped towards him. "Exactly! You figured, no! You assumed that I needed help, but in reality I was fine! Now I have you slowing us down!" I yelled, feeling a hand on my shoulder, grounding me as I noticed his wide eyes and blushing cheeks.

"Alena, calm down." Eliza whispered, making me take a deep breath and glare at him, grumbling.

"Let's go."

Snow

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE WENT TO HELL?!" Regina demanded as Daniel stood just as upset in the hospital room. "Please repeat that, slower." Robin requested, rubbing his forehead as he looked over at his exhausted wife who looked like she may burst into tears.

"She went with Eliza, she wouldn't let me go- she pushed me out of the way and they both fell in! Regina, I swear, but I couldn't stop her or-."

"Please just shut up!" She snapped, causing all of us to jump back and glance at the exhausted woman in her hospital bed. "Regina, please, I never meant for this to happen! I want her back just as much as you do!" He insisted, but I watched her face drop even more as he continued to speak.