Toxic Tales

Blood Red Part 8

My plan was straightforward and simple: I would poison her. I flirted with the idea of a bloody murder similar to what she'd inflicted on her parents, but I couldn't gather the courage. There had been enough bloodshed anyway, so it would be best if she went peacefully.

I knew she'd always loved apples, so I gathered the nicest ones I could find from the marketplace. I picked the reddest, juiciest one and doused it in a tea made from mistletoe leaves and hemlock roots. I let it sit there as long as I could without letting it get bruised and wrinkled. In the meantime, I prepared my disguise.

I used mud and dirt to smudge my face and give the appearance of age. If I hunched down and limped while wearing my traveling cloak, I resembled a withered old cripple. I put the apples into a nice basket, being sure to place the poisoned one on top. After taking one last look at the old cottage that had provided me such refuge, I left and shut the door behind me.

Before I went toward the palace I said goodbye to Johanna. She wished me safe travels and kissed me on the forehead. I noticed she'd started to cry as she closed the door. I miss her to this day.

I made my way to the palace as quickly as I could. The way I'd devised it, my plan would work well enough: I would find Martha and give her the apple with instructions to make sure that somehow, someway, Snow White and only Snow White ate it.

Even if I had to shove it down her throat, I would end this little beast.

I reached the palace on my second day of traveling. When I passed the edge of the forest, I assumed my hunched posture and limped my way toward the ominous building.

I didn't look up at the guards for fear that they might recognize me. Disguising my voice, I croaked, "Please, take pity on a poor old woman. I have some lovely apples, here...I thought perhaps Her Highness would like a nice, juicy apple."

Before the guards could speak, I heard the large palace doors open. I still hadn't looked up, so when I heard that harsh, bone-chilling voice, I nearly fainted.

"Escort the woman inside. Now!"

The guards did as they were told and walked behind me as I staggered into the palace. I saw a pair of golden shoes and the hem of a yellow skirt in front of me. The ankles above the shoes were incredibly pale.

It was Snow.

She lead me into the throne room and ordered the guards to leave and shut the doors behind them. Once they had, I heard her footsteps walking towards her throne.

"Well, come forward. What are you waiting for?"

The former stepmother inside of me couldn't help but feel appalled at her rude behavior towards an old woman. Focus, I told myself. There is work to be done.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness," I said in my creaky old voice. "I did not wish to intrude, but I was hoping I could provide you with a nice, sweet, juicy—"

"Enough. I know it's you. Stand up, won't you?"

I could tell by the tone of her voice that she wasn't bluffing. I did as I was told and stood upright, forcing myself to look her in the eye.

I still had the image of that little girl that I'd carried with me for the last eight years; in spite of everything, deep down I still loved her. The change I saw in this young woman was jarring. She still had very pale skin and jet-black hair, but her hair had grown almost to her waist. She'd taken to painting her lips blood red. I'd never let her wear makeup as a child. The gown she wore had a yellow skirt and a navy bodice, with white, lacy sleeves that billowed around her wrists. Her shoulders were bare as the dress didn't cover them. I noticed the gold embroidery on her gown; I was willing to bet that it was real gold thread. To complete the sinister image, there on her head sat a jeweled crown, the same one once worn by me and her mother before her, almost as though she were mocking me with it. This cold queen sitting before me positively frightened me to my core, but I did my best to hide my fear.