Once Upon A Wondrous Love (A Once Upon A Time Fanfiction)

Chapter Nineteen: Breaking Point

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Emma's knocks were filled with annoyance as she tried Hell Hall for the fourth time this week. She looked to Regina and Ruby, her expression telling them silently “I told you so.” and her feet begging her to go lay down.

Emma jumped when movement sounded and the doorknob clicked. The door creaked open to reveal a tall, slender man with a long nose.

“Wha’ d’you want?” he asked, his voice laden with a heavy English and his breath reeking of alcohol. Inside, a television show could be heard from the left of the house. Emma looked back over to them and raised her eyebrows.

“Is Cruella home?” Emma asked, looking past him and the reception hall to the foyer. Just as he answered a hearty no followed with explicatives, Emma caught the sight of a large fur coat slowly creeping it's way upstairs.

“Listen, I've been in Storybrooke a while, but I know a liar when I see one.”

“Cruella, we can see you.” Regina called, rolling hee eyes. The fur coat stood to full form to reveal the disheveled half-head of Cruella.

“Alright, you caught me.” she deadpanned, turning and walking towards them. She gave Jasper one look and he immediately scurried away.

“What can I do for you ladies today? Come to bother me more about that brat?” she asked, adjusting her coat to the cold outside.

“We just want a look around.” Emma said, peering in once more.

“Why?” Cruella asked, narrowing her eyes.

“To mark off of our list...is there any reason why you wouldn't want us to?” Ruby snapped.

Cruella adjusted her coat once more and eyed Ruby, imagining her in her wolf form, and wondering what she could do to obtain the pelt.

“Of course there’s no reason, come in.” Something shone in her eyes that Emma immediately picked up on. Emma pushed past the door and stepped into the chilly foyer of Hell Hall.

“Cover the outside Ruby, let me know if you find anything.” Emma said as Cruella eyed Ruby harshly.

The stairs were to Emma's right, large foreboding things that looked like something from the History books she used to burn back in the real world. Emma shook her head and began the search she hoped would give her answers.

Alice

“Alice, please, wake up!” Alice's eyes forced their way open where they met a long curtain of blonde hair.

“Lizzy?” she muttered.

“Oh thank God you are alright! Wait, you said my name!” Lizzy added gleefully before returning to her worried state. A blanket was haphazardly wrapped around Alice’s body, but it did not dispel the chill that crept in from the snow and dreary day.

“How long have I been out?” she asked, pushing her sore body up.

“Three sunrises have passed.” Lizzy said softly.

“That means I've been gone for two weeks now. They must think I'm dead.” Alice said, her heart dropping.

“Alice? Alice!” Alice jumped at the sound of her name in the distance. Her eyes met Elizabeth's and they both waited a moment in silence, the fear of madness creeping in.

“Alice!” Alice pushed herself to stand and crept over to the bars that contained her from the outside world.

Her heart leapt as Ruby’s figure appeared. Ruby was sniffing the air intently, something that looked very odd when she was in her human form.

“Help!” she cried, her voice hoarse.

“Alice?” Ruby asked again.

“Help us! Please!” Elizabeth screamed as she approached the bars. Ruby crouched, looking in through the bars. Her expression was painted with confusion as she gazed through the steel and into a darkened stone room.

“Alice?” Ruby said softly, her nostrils tingeing. Alice raised her hand, ready to grasp hers. Her hand stopped on something hard. It was a protection spell, protecting Ruby from hearing her but apparently not smelling her.

“N-No!” Alice screamed, battering her fist against it as Ruby  stood and started away, her face crestfallen.

“No! Please come back!” Alice wailed, tears cascading down her face.

“Please come back! Please!” Elizabeth wrapped her arms protectively around her little sister as they both sunk to the chilled, wet floor.

If there was ever a time for Alice to break, it was upon her