Chapter 8

I walked over to the ice cream store, hoping to catch Ingrid for a quick chat. The familiar jingle of the bell above the door chimed as I pushed it open, but the place was empty. “Ingrid? It’s Alex! you back there?” I called, my voice echoing slightly against the empty walls.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the back. My heart raced as I rushed to see if she was okay. “Ingrid!” I cried out, desperation creeping into my voice. I pushed through the door to the back, and what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

Ingrid stood in front of a mirror, her expression serious, while my sister Emma was engaged in a conversation with a guy wearing thick glasses. The sight startled me so much that I dropped the cocoa I was holding, the cup clattering against the floor and spilling chocolate all over the tiles.

Ingrid turned, her eyes wide with surprise. “Alex, I can explain,” she said, taking a cautious step toward me, as if trying to soothe a startled animal. I was overwhelmed by a mix of anger and confusion. “Why are you spying on my sister?” I demanded, my voice rising. I couldn’t wrap my head around what Henry had said-was magic really real?

My thoughts spiraled, and I felt the panic rising in my chest. Just as I started to hyperventilate, cold hands touched my cheeks. “Alex, I need you to breathe. Follow my lead, okay?” Ingrid’s voice was calm and, gradually, I felt myself starting to stabilize. I stepped back, gently moving her hands away.

 “Tell me, is what Henry said about this town true?” I asked, my voice steadier but still laced with urgency. Ingrid hesitated, her eyes flickering with concern. “Yes, its all true. But listen to me, you mustn’t tell Emma.”

“Why not?” I shot back, frustration bubbling inside me. “She deserves to know! I can’t just leave her in the dark about this.”

Ingrid’s expression turned serious. “What happens when you tell her? All she’ll think is that you’re indulging Henry, or worse, she might run away.”

A question burned in my mind, and I hesitated before asking, “Does that mean Regina is the evil queen? The one who tried to kill my parents?” I looked at Ingrid, searching her face for answers.

“Yes, Regina is the evil queen,” she said slowly. “But you should let her tell her story. The book doesn’t reveal everything. As for your parents…they aren’t who you think they are.”

Her words sent a shock through me. “What do you mean they aren’t who I think they are?” I stammered, the ground beneath me feeling unsteady. The book had always painted a clear picture of Emma being the savior, with Snow White as her mother. But now I realized it mentioned nothing about a second child until the very end of the book.

“In the book, it said Snow White was meant to give birth to one child the savior. But that didn’t happen why wasn’t their anything mentioning her giving birth to me until later?” I asked, my mind racing with confusion.

Ingrid’s expression softened, her eyes filled with pity. “I don’t think I’m the best person to answer that question.”

“What? Why not? You can’t just drop a bombshell like that and leave me hanging!” I was no longer angry at Ingrid–I was simply overwhelmed. Just days ago, everything had felt normal–no curses, no strange people, no magic. Now, it felt like the very foundation of my life was crumbling beneath me.

I shook my head, frustration boiling over. I picked up the cocoa cup from the floor and I placed it on the table.  I turned to leave needing to clear my head. The weight of the unknown loomed over me like a dark cloud, and I needed space to process it all.

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A/N:Sorry for the long wait had writers block but Ill be posting another chapter soon.