The Impostor

What a Tragic Fate

Briar Rose's eyes fluttered open. It was dark, and she was cold. She was shivering under the thin cotton blanket. All around her was nothing but shadows and silence.

First, she didn't remember the place where she was, but she quickly recovered her whole memory a few seconds later. She was in the Forbidden Mountains. She had slept in Maleficent's fortress. However, the last minutes before her sudden and strange lethargy seemed quite inacurrate and blurred to her.

She reminded of the fairy's face, so close to hers, her hand walking along her neck, her lips whispering something... And then, nothing.

The young girl shook her head, weary. She definitely was compelled to live in a place between dreams and reality, never knowing which event belonged to the former or to the latter.

Since she didn't have the slightest idea of what time it could be, when she saw a fine ray of light entered the room by the tower's little window, Rose stood up and lead towards the huge door she opened very carefully.

Behind the wooden door loomed an endless ruined stone staircase. The young girl started climbing down the steps one by one, taking care not put her feet on a defective stone.

After what seemed an eternity, she arrived in a cold and dark corridor. As she didn't know where to go, she decided to follow the light which emanated from the end of the corridor.

After a few minutes during which she crossed the path of many scaring iron doors she didn't dare to open, despite her curiosity, in fear of what she might find behind, she finally reached what she recognized to be the throne hall. Below the throne stage, a little group of imps were laughing hideously, they didn't seem to notice Rose's presence.

Suddenly, the memories of what she underwent because of those demons the day before came back to her mind. The hoarse and mischievous sneers, the rough hands on her skin, the strong chains around her fists and ankles, the whip's shots on her thighs and arms...

Rose's heart skipped a beat, her mouth went dry, for she couldn't bear the view of those horrible creatures any longer. Unwillingly, she took a few steps backwards.

Then, she hit something firm and sweet at the same time. She froze. Cold hands set on her shoulders. A chill rolled down her spine. She felt a breath warming up the hollow of her neck. Rose closed her eyes at the feeling.

''Do you have any doubt about the efficiency of my protection, princess?'' A smooth voice whispered in her ear. ''If that is the case, I would be very pleased to chase away those pointless doubts from your mind...''

Rose sighed with relief.

Maleficent.

She turned around to face the wicked fairy.

''Oh! No, it's not that... It's just that I, uh... When I heard them laughing, it reminded me of what they did to me yesterday, and...'' Rose explained, struggling to hold back her tears.

''If you want me to put an end to their meanless existence, then you know what to do. One word of you, and I will kill them all.'' Maleficent said, her red lips pursing into an odd, scary smile.

The young girl widened her eyes in shock. Maleficent would be able to kill of she asked her to...

''Oh! No, that's not what I want,'' Rose replied, looking down.

Maleficent slid a hand under the girl's chin, causing their gaze to meet again, before she bent her head towards Rose.

''So tell me, princess, I am curious. What is it that you want exactly?'' The fairy asked her, her voice strangely enigmatic.