Different Worlds

Chapter 6

Rociante becomes spooked as we reach a stretch of forest that is enshrouded by darkness. The trees overhead block out almost all sunlight, save for a few beams shining through patches of leaves and leading us on the path. Emma stops us at the edge of it, somberly staring out into the dense woods. Then she turns to face us.

"Are you sure you want to do this? We can turn back and find another way to bring justice to your father. I can teach you what I know of my magic."

I shake my head. "This is what I need to do. My father deserves more than giving my mother a simple punishment. He didn't deserve to die like he did. And besides, you're too inexperienced with your magic. I need someone who can teach me how to control it."

Emma exhales heavily. "Magic destroys everything in its path. Turns good people into monsters."

"Emma, you're not a mons—"

The little girl glares at me. "I wasn't talking about myself." She glances at Robin. "You best prepare yourself. Rumplestiltskin doesn't take kindly to thieves."

"I'll be sure to remember that," Robin quips, unsheathing his bow and holding it tightly for protection.

Emma smirks at him. "The only thing scary in this forest is the lack of a shadow. You don't need that."

We walk in silence for a few minutes, Emma leading the way despite Robin insisting he should since he has the weapon.

"So, Emma," I start. "How do you know of this forest and Rumplestiltskin? You said you got sent to the castle when you were 5."

"I knew Rumplestiltskin when I was little," Emma answers, pushing away a few branches sticking out on the path. "I used to live not far away from here."

"But—" Emma holds up her hand to cut me off.

"What is it?" Robin asks.

"Shh!" She hisses at him.

I gasp as a pair of yellow eyes appear on my right. My brain is screaming at me to run, but I can do no more than wiggle my fingers as I'm frozen to the spot from fear.

"Don't move," Robin whispers, raising his bow to aim at the creature.

The creature comes out of the shadows to reveal a silver wolf. It's bigger than all 3 of us combined, and its teeth are bared in a snarl, its claws unsheathed. It looks ready to pounce.

"Don't shoot her!" Emma yells as the wolf leaps forward.

An arrow is let loose from Robin's bow, sinking itself into the wolf's heart. The beast drops to the ground with a loud howl of pain before its body begins twitching. I pull Emma back as she moves toward the wolf, but she wrenches herself from my grip.

"You don't understand..." the girl murmurs, running her fingers through the wolf's soft coat and gazing into its eyes. The wolf cries in pain as Emma pulls out the arrow.

I step forward, afraid it is going to devour Little Emma in one bite. Emma doesn't seem afraid whatsoever as she whispers to it. Her hands glow white with her magic and she places them above the steadily bleeding wound on the wolf.

"She is the guardian of this forest," Emma explains, her voice becoming slurred the more magic she pushes into the wolf. "Her name is Red, and she's my friend. She's not just a wolf."

My brow furrows in confusion as images of Red Riding Hood from Emma's storybook come to mind. "You mean, the wolf-girl from your book?"

Emma looks up at me, her eyes drooping slightly. "All of those stories are real. If you ever have ventured out of the kingdom, you would know that."