TWAU: Before the Crime

Chapter 3: New Year

Bigby was sat in his chair, unsure of the whereabouts of Colin. He titled his head back up, allowing his neck to rest on the back of his blue, old tacky, chair.

"Hahaha..." a muffled laugh-an evil, terrorizing kind of laugh- snapping Bigby's head to face the source. A woman stood there, with Woody's axe over her shoulder, grinning at him. Bigby recognised the face, but he could not remember her name. Suddenly, he was paralyzed, stuck in his chair, fear creeping into his chest; this was the only time Bigby had ever been scared. Bloody Mary. That's who it was, her name was Bloody Mary, and she swung the axe from her shoulder and raised it over her left shoulder, positioning her hands in a good grip, ready to swing, "See you around!" she taunted with a little tone of sweetness- a sweetness and sarcasm. She swung the axe, and Bigby sat bolt up right in his chair.

Bloody Mary. Why had he had a dream of her?

"Hey Bigby, you got a smoke?" Colin asked, as he trotted into the front room of Bigby's apartment. Bigby's breath still came heavy, and very difficult to achieve, as he swallowed cautiously,

"Here," he murmured, pulling out a pack of Huff 'n Puffs, still staring straight ahead.

"What's up wit' you?" Colin asked in his New York accent. When Bigby didn't reply, Colin trotted up to him, and stood on his hind legs with his front trotters on the chair, "Bigby! Answer me!" now he was concerned. Bigby was never scared. He blinked and looked down at Colin, without moving his head,

"I had a dream," he began, his voice was extremely shaky,which was unusual, "and it was about, about, Mary..." he trailed off and out his head in his hands while his elbows rested on his knees.

"Wait, you mean Mary? Bloo-"

"Colin, shut it!" Bigby snarled, and Colin stepped back, afraid of Bigby. "Is Snow okay?" Bigby asked, seemingly calm, but inside he was blazing with anger. And fear.

"Uh... Yeah, yeah she is, shall I, um, call 'er?" Colin asked. Bigby nodded, as more sympathy showed in his eyes as he looked at him again.

"Hello, Snow? Oh, Crane. Yeah, is uh... Snow there?" Colin asked, obviously unhappy that Crane answered the phone. "Well can you put her on? Yeah it's for Bigby. What d'ya mean he- Crane put her on the damn phone- Crane! Put Snow on the damn phone!" Colin hardly ever raised his voice; it was usually at Bigby. Bigby looked at Colin, who partially glanced over his shoulder and smiled, "Snow, can you get up to Bigby's apartment? Yeah it's important." Colin put the phone down- Bigby had no idea how he held the phone, but they're fables, I guess that's an excuse.

A few minutes later, a rapid knock came on the door, and Snow burst in, narrowly missing Colin. She glared at him as she walked passed into the front room; Colin returned the favour,

"Nice to see you too," he commented, and murmured under his breath, "bitch."

"Bigby? Bigby!" Snow cried and she crouched in front of him, holding his hands in desperation.

"S-Snow?" Bigby whispered, looking confused, and soon his face relaxed into a sympathetic emotion. He scooped her up into his lap and cuddled her as if it were the last thing he'd ever do, "I'm so glad your okay..." he murmured into her ear, and he hurried his face in her raven hair.

"Bigby, what's happened?"

"I had a dream Snow,"

"About? She asked cautiously,

"Bloody, Bloody Mary, she- she murdered me." Snow felt a drop of liquid on her head, and realized Bigby was crying. Her head snapped up, and she pressed her lips to his, wrapping her arms around his neck, as he tightened his grip around her waist. Bigby was scared. He was actually scared, and Snow knew it. When the kiss finished, she looked at him with big, sad blue eyes, and he gazed down with a small, half smile, which confirmed Bigby's fear.

"Well, I uh, I'll go in the other room..." Colin muttered, but he made sure that he had been heard, as he was there the entire time.

"Bigby, don't worry, she isn't coming to kill you," Snow reassured him, and he stroked her face, surprisingly gently compared to his appearance,

"Thank you Snow, I'm just so glad you're okay." She kissed his cheek, and swiftly jumped off his lap, and went into the kitchen to make Bigby a coffee, to attempt to bring him out of his trance type state.

A note slipped under the door,an envelope. Bigby took a breath in and stood up from his chair. He shook his head, but he was afraid to close his eyes, so to distract him he went to the door, and picked up the envelope. Inscribed writing, fancy, he thought. The envelope read;

'To Bigby, and Snow x'

he flipped it over and tore it open, not waiting for anything. It was a note, with New Years Eve written on the front. The note itself read;

Dear Bigby, and my sister Snow,

I'd love to invite you to my new apartment to celebrate New Years Eve with me and all the other Fables.

I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you recently, and I promise to make an effort on New Year, but please, it would be a huge favour for you to come to this party!

If you wouldn't mind, please tick whichever box you would like below; 'yes, I/We would love to come' or 'No, sorry, I/We can't come'

Love you both loads!

Rose Red x

"Hey, Snow?" Bigby called over his shoulder. Snow's head poked around the corner of the door frame, and she called back,

"Yeah?"

"When was the last time you spoke to Rose?"

"Hm... I can't actually remember," she admitted, flushing red as she went to retrieve the kettle.

"Well, we just got an invite to a New Years Eve party..." he trailed of as he walked into the tiny kitchen. Snow was pouring water from the kettle into the mugs she'd set out, and she looked at him, obviously unwilling to go,

"I know Snow, I don't want to go too,"

"But she's my sister, we have to go," Bigby sighed, and grabbed the nearest pen. He ticked the yes part, and Snow handed him a mug. Great way to start the year... he thought as he took a sip from his mug.

Hi everyone! I hope you like this chapter, yeah I know, not a lot of action, but I just thought it was nice to have a 'calm' chapter, and let it slide a bit. Also, I think I extended it slightly, and its a bit longer than what I usually write! So yeah, please, follow me, share this story, and please vote and comment on this story! I love you all! Thank you!!! <3