Once Upon a Time. . . (on hold)

Leaves.

I heard a name being called numerously,

Beeping sounds, coming from an unknown source.

And three unfamiliar faces.

That was all I remembered from my dream before a scream woke me up.

No, not just one scream.

And then I heard sobbing as well.

Even though I was still in my pajamas, I asked myself;

Charlotte, are you going to pretend nothing's going on... or are you going to get your ass downstairs right now and find out?

The mini Charlotte in my head made it sound more like a threat instead of a question, like if I didn't rush into Mrs. Grayjoy's garden, I'd end up dead.

Just like her.

I saw a younger version of the diseased lady, crouching in front of the house's door, sobbing her heart out. I squeezed my mother's hand and hugged her side. I couldn't imagine if my mom was suddenly taken away from me like that.

"Where's her body?" I asked curiously.

"Not sure," my mother answered bluntly.

Her face was colorless, as if all the blood was sucked out of it. I had a feeling my face looked as pale as hers did, or perhaps even paler.

Axel and his father was there too, which made me remember that I still hadn't peaked into the bag I received just last night.

It was rather funny how life worked. One day you were alive, and the next day you were just... gone.

"I think I'm going to go talk to Mrs. Grayjoy's daughter."

I didn't wait for my mom's confirmation. I left her side and pushed past a few people. I then realized they were gathered around something, but I decided that could wait. Besides, I was too short to see past their giant heads and figures.

I made sure I was approaching her slowly, so I wouldn't startle or upset her even more. She had red hair, just like I did, except hers was just slightly shorter than mine. Her sobbing got louder and her thin figure slumped against the door I entered and exited no more than 24 hours ago.

"Are you Lucy?"

She nodded and let one hand drop from her face. I sat down across from her and felt my stomach twist into a small knot.

Lucy had green eyes, just like I did...

Now that I was here, I didn't know what else to say. My look-alike resumed her sobbing and turned so that I was facing her back. "P-plea-ase... j-just gg-go," she whispered, followed by a choke.

I took her word and got up on my feet again.

When I asked my mother what time it was earlier, she said it was five A.M. But the sky looked so dark and gloomy, which matched how most of us must've been currently feeling.

The sun left us a little privacy and decided to go on a little vacation behind the clouds.

"Charlie."

I gave Axel a small smile before twisting my lips to the side. "How?"

He sighed and rose his shoulders. "Not sure. My dad went on a morning walk... then he saw this."

He grabbed my wrist gently and pulled me into the crowd. I squeezed in and saw a wooden arrow. The arrowhead was bloody, so was the grass it rested on. The knot in my stomach felt even tighter now. I slipped out of the crowd with Axel and felt my head getting heavier.