Once Upon a Time

Chapter 53

Hope ran through the corridors towards the ballroom.

‘You’re not getting away that easily!’ Finn shouted behind her.

Hope fast pushed the doors open and ran into the room. Finn close behind. She just wanted to run into the garden when two arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back. Finn tackled her, while holding her arm, so that she wouldn’t fall hard and kneeled down next to her, tickling her sides.

‘Take it back!’ Finn said.

‘Stop!’ Hope laughed.

‘Take it back.’ Finn said again.

‘Please, stop.’ Hope laughed as tears welled up in her eyes.

Finn smirked.

‘Not before you take it back.’ Finn said.

‘Okay, okay, I take it back.’ Hope laughed.

Finn stopped tickling her sides and looked down at her.

‘You’re awful.’ Hope breathed.

Finn smirked down at her, lifting his hand up to wipe the tear away from Hope’s cheek.

‘And that’s why you like me.’ Finn said.

‘And arrogant. I have no idea what’s the matter with me.’ Hope breathed smirking.

Finn raised his eyebrows and raised his arms, showing his hands.

‘Take-‘ he started.

Hope wrapped her fingers around his wrist and pulled him down, kissing him on the lips. She felt him relax against her and that’s when she used all the strength that she had left in her body to roll over, ending up on top of him.

‘Now it’s my turn.’ Hope chuckled, showing her hands.

‘No!’ Finn said.

‘That’s not fair.’ Finn said.

‘It’s not fair to chase a girl with shorter legs and then throw her to the ground so you can tickle her!’ Hope said.

‘I know you rather have another kiss.’ Finn said.

‘Nha, I’ll get that later.’ Hope said smirking.

And just at the moment Hope started toward his sides with her hands the doors slammed open and someone stormed in. Hope looked up and saw it was Maurizio, his face with terror.

‘What’s wrong?’ Hope asked immediately getting up.

‘The Shadows.’ Maurizio said.

‘They’re back.’ he said.

Finn had gotten up just as quickly as Hope and they ran after Maurizio. Hope was glad she didn’t wear the heels anymore and that she had taken them off when Finn started chasing her. They ran outside and there she saw the body of a young man lying.

‘Oh my God.’ Hope breathed stopping in her track.

Hope didn’t want to look at the lifeless body, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She stood frozen to the ground. 

‘Hope.’ Finn said beside her.

‘Hope don’t look.’ he said placing his hand on her shoulder.

She didn’t respond, she couldn’t. Finn stepped in front of her and looked down at her.

‘Hope.’ Finn said softly but sternly.

Hope finally managed to look up into his eyes.

‘It’s okay, calm down.’ Finn said.

‘You’ve got to calm down Hope.’ Finn said.