Meet in The Space Between ✔️

5

Love, what would you do if you couldn't get me back?
You're the one who's gonna lose
Something so special, something so real
Tell me boy, how in the fxxx would you feel?
_________________

IT TOOK us a little while to locate the same store. Recgonizing the bakery was like hiting the jackpot.

Just as we walked down the old street, a young man came our way, shouting "Hey!".

It took me a second to realize it was Jake from the bakery. He was half covered in flour.

"Oh hey!" Mal waved cheerfully.

"Back so soon?" Jake laughed, stopping in front of us.

"Yeah. We're just paying that store a little visit." I told him honestly, pointing at the store.

THE COLLECTOR'S COLLECTION

Well, they sure collect some weird stuff.

Jake frowned. "I wouldn't if I were you." He warned, "They're such a weird bunch that the people in this town suspect they're witches. I don't think I've left their house in five months."

In a normal situation, I would have snorted in disbelief. But how sure am I now?

"I'm sure witches don't exist, Jake." Mal replied, keeping her cool. She grabbed my arm. "Let's go."

And we left Jake in a muddle.

The handle of the door felt cold under my skin as I pushed to enter. Mal gave me a look. Neither of us knew what exactly to expect.

The place was the same as yesterday, though it looked like a stack of books have been thrown on the floor. It was a mess. It looked like there was a conflict. Mal looked very surprised.

"Hello?" I called, swallowing down the knot in my throat. Something didn't feel right.

After what had seemed like forever, two figures appeared from the back room. The woman looked pale, shivering as she locked her eyes on me. The girl, on the other hand, took one quick look at me and turned sharply towards her mom.

"I told you!" She shouted, "I told you it was her!"

The woman didn't respond, she just covered her mouth.

"Woah there." Mal said awkwardly, "What is going on?"

"Tell her why you're here." The girl demanded, pointing at her mom.

Her tone frightened me. I pulled out the pocket watch that I was given yesterday.

"This." I answered, trying not to show my bafflement, "It told me to come back so I did."

"See?" The girl exclaimed, "What more evidence do you need?"

The woman fell to her knees, hand still on her mouth. "We're cursed." She breathed.

"Cursed?" Mal questioned, turning to her.

The girl's determination burned. "Mom. If you don't tell her, I will."

Staggering onto her feet, I watched the woman approach me slowly. My shoulders tensed with fear. I noticed Mal edge closer to me, offering protection if it was needed.

The woman's hands were shaking. "What's your name?" She whispered, looking like she wasn't ready for the answer.

"Braelyn." I answered, trying to show pride and confidence instead of uneasiness.

"My lord!" The woman cried, recoiling back again.

She looked horrified of me.

Suddenly, the dark haired girl charged forward, almost pushing her mom aside and blurted:

"I'm your sister."

My mind went completely blank and I think I heard myself gasp.

"E- excuse me?" I managed.

The dead serious look on her face said she wasn't kidding, and I felt the truth weigh down on my chest all at once. Am I breathing?

"Braelyn, daughter of Shan Yu, yeah?" The girl continued, "I'm your sister- well, half sister."

I just stuttered in response.

"And that-"

I turned to the woman before me. She still had her hand clasped over her mouth. She obviously had made the connection yesterday. Suddenly, everything about her was magnified.

"-that's your mom."

This.

This was my mom.

This was also the woman who abandoned me as a baby, leaving me with a notebook and a knife.

A pang of hurt and confusion hit me. I felt like I was drowning in questions.

I don't know how long I've been standing there gawking helplessly, but I jolted when Mal touched my shoulder, looking like she wanted to comfort me, but was at a complete loss of words.

"Y-you're my sister." I said aloud, voice wavering as I looked at the girl. Like I needed the confirmation again to know I'm not dreaming.

She nodded. For some reason, she was tearing up, causing another wave of confused emotions to hit me.

"And you're my mom." I choked, staring at the woman, "How?"

The girl grabbed my hand- My sister grabbed my hand! I felt like I just jumped out of my skin.

"We'll explain." She said, pulling me behind the counter. She stopped, then turned to Mal, who stood quite still. "You can come, I guess you're a friend of hers."

Every cell in my brain called it quits.

"Mom. Get it together." The girl said, before turning towards me, "Her name's Brisa, in case you didn't know. I'm Emma, but no one calls me that. It's Em, please."

I just gaped stupidly at her.

Em.

I have a sister. Her name is Em.

My head hurt.

The back room was just as messy. The only difference was that there were more clothes and a staircase that led up to God knows where.

Emma sat Mal and I on the shaggy couch in one corner, then her mom- my mom, who still looked very shaken up, in the armchair. I guess she wasn't taking the news well either. I was desperate for someone to tell me what's going on.

Why do I have a half sister? Why are they in Auradon? Did they escape from the Isle? Why didn't they take me? How did they recognize me?

"Mom." Emma's voice was softer now as she reached over and held Brisa's hand, "I want to tell them, but I don't think it's my place..."

I watched Brisa rub Emma's hand, before turning to me, tears in her eyes. "I'll tell them." She promised.

I gulped.

Did I want to hear it?

"Braelyn." The woman said, as if she had said that name a thousand times, "I don't know where to start. But I assume you have questions..."

I wanted to shout Of course I have!

Mal put an arm around my shoulder, and suddenly I was infinitely grateful that she came along.

"Why'd you leave me?"