The Clash, Book One

Chapter 42: The Eighth Witch, Part C

San Francisco, Present Day

A boat horn blared in the distance as Regina held a small vial of clear liquid, a small smile appearing on her face as she gazed at it.

She then glanced over her shoulder expecting Henry to be beside her. She instead saw him leaning against the dock that overlooked the harbor - he stared at his cell phone as if waiting for it to ring.

She cleared her throat as she joined him and asked, "Henry, is everything alright?"

Seeming a bit out of sorts, he looked over at her and answered, "I missed a call from Jacinda, and now she's not picking up. I just... I don't know. I feel like something's wrong.

Roni couldn't help but smile as she assured him, "Well, if she needs you, that woman is not shy." She then told him, "Put your phone away and focus. We came here for a reason. Now... put these on," as she handed him a pair of gym shorts.

A gym then came into view, filled with people riding workout bicycles. Upbeat dance music played throughout the space.

Henry tried to get settled on his bike before he grumbled, "Now I'm even more confused. Did I just drive halfway down the West Coast to work my quads?"

Roni fisted his arm as she appealed, "Just play along and pretend you love every second of it."

The red-haired instructor then told her class: "Good morning, beautiful souls," as Roni nodded toward her and explained, "This is who we're looking for."

The woman then continued, "You're all about to sweat like your life depends on it." She then flipped her hair back to reveal none other than Zelena.

She then offered the class one final piece of encouragement: "All right, my cycling monkeys. Grab onto your bikes and fly! Whoo!" as she turned up the music and swung her towel around.

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

The morning after Drizella's threat - and Alena's summons - Lucy sat in the courtyard, clutching the brown and gold storybook. A saddened and frightened expression held on the little girl's face as she glanced around at the remnants of her birthday party.

She knew her Aunt Alena would break the curse, but she was scared to be away from her family. She didn't want to be cursed, and she didn't want to say goodbye.

Henry and Ella huddled together in discussion as they watched their little girl. They then walked over to her; she rose to her feet as she continued to hold the storybook.

He then reassuringly began, "Hey, Luce. We hope what Drizella said still doesn't scare you." He then bent down to be on her level and continued, "We stopped her once, we can stop her again. Okay?" placing a comforting hand on her arm.

Lucy nodded before her mother added, "That's right. Remember how we told you we were going to come up with a plan?"

The little girl nodded once more before Ella told her, "We now have one to make sure the curse can't hurt us."

"Yeah. And you're a part of it," Henry spoke - only to receive this question from his precocious daughter: "Does that mean I get a sword?"

Henry and Ella couldn't help but smile. She then said, "One thing at a time, sweetheart," earning a giggle from Lucy.

Ella then suggested, "Why don't you start packing, all right?"

Lucy looked thoughtful for a moment. Her brown eyes then lit up and she stated, "I'll pack the journal Aunt Alena gave me. I already started filling it with our memories - that can be how I help."