𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔗𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔰 ✓

Trapped

We ended up at the edge of a dark and ominous forest. Because it was a fairytale, everything was literally black, even the sky was very dark.

"I'll go first," Hunter said, walking in front of me. Grabbing his arm, I scoffed.

"Even though this is a fairytale, I don't need a prince to fight my battles. I can handle myself."

Ignoring his shocked look, I walked right into the forest. He soon regained himself and followed me. We didn't have to walk very far before I saw a sparkle illuminating the forest and raced to it.

Pushing back a branch that smacked against Hunter's chest, making him grunt, the amusement was drained out of me. I saw a huge blue swirling spiral that looked much like a portal.

"She's already in there," I hissed. "Ugh I need to rescue her. But how? Madame will know we are there and I can't let her know that I'm here to stop her, but she will close the portal soon."

"Let's take a chance," Hunter said, determined. "She knows who I am and I can distract her. Find Cinderella and get her out of here."

Before I could respond, he raced into the portal. I waited a minute before taking a deep breath and entering myself. It was a house, something I didn't expect.

Weird voodoo objects were placed on old-fashioned furniture. There was a glass ball in the middle of the room, surrounded by velvet purple couches. It looked like I had stepped into a wizard's lair. She must have taken Cinderella to her home.

I heard hushed voices in the bedroom, which sounded like Hunter and his mother. The door was closed, so I tiptoed around the house and visited the most obvious place. Opening up the hall closet, a leaning Cinderella fell forward.

I gasped as she hugged me before I put my hand over her mouth, motioning her to stay quiet. Tiptoeing out, I stopped when I heard Hunter grunt and rush into the room, which I didn't notice was just an empty white room.

"Mina! She knows!" he yelled as Morgana came into the room. I stiffened as I saw her in her real appearance.

She reminded me of the Evil Queen from Snow White, beautiful but evil. Her long ink black hair was tied in a neat bun and her emerald green eyes matched Hunter's exactly. She had a very strict and professional stature that screamed power. She wore a long blue dress and gold robe, but what terrified me was the wand and spellbook in her hands.

"So you're the pest that's trying to ruin my plans," Morgana smirked. "Look at you. There's no way a little girl like you can stop a witch like me. What did that old man see in you? It doesn't matter anyway. You weren't a threat to start and you're locked up anyway."

Then she just walked out and locked the door without letting me have one word.

"What is wrong with her?" Hunter asked, mumbling to himself. "So...everything you said is true?"

"Of course," I answered. "There's no point in lying to you. Your name really is Hunter and you really are the son of Morgana."

It was obvious he still found that hard to believe, but I couldn't blame him. He always thought that he was a prince named Thomas and Cinderella was his bride.

"What's going on Thomas?" Cinderella asked. "And Mina? Who's she?"

I sighed and explained to her what I told Thomas. "I was sent here to help the princesses defeat Morgana, who's planning on locking you all in this realm and getting rid of it to steal your happy endings. This is Hunter. He is incorporated into every fairytale as a new character, but he's really Morgana's son who was dragged into all of this."

"So...you really aren't my lover?" she asked sadly. Hunter looked conflicted, but said nothing. Now that he knew, it seemed like the magic was wearing off.

"But Prince Charming is," I reminded her.

"The one who's with you?" Ella said, looking up at Mina tearfully.

"He's not really my lover Ella," I promised her. "He is destined to be with you and I'm going to make it happen. I just need to find a way to get out of here."

But that wasn't easy. There was no window or way to escape. Trying to kick the door open just sent Hunter flying back. Morgana must have put a spell on it. Shoot, I thought. I was supposed to be the heroine but there was no way to get out.

"Don't worry," Cinderella encouraged. "We'll find a way out."

I just hoped that she was right because I had to save her. There was no way that I was going to let Morgana trap her here forever. I may have been hesitant when Aldus first told me this, but now I was determined to do what was right... but first I needed to escape.