Post by Grace Hatter on Dec 10, 2015 19:36:00 GMT
 The stress was getting to her. All the questions and fears she kept bottled up inside needed some release. And that release came in the form of nightmares. Her small frame tossed and turned under not her own covers but the covers in the neighbors’ home. She wasn’t in her own adorable tipsy little house anymore. Papa still hadn’t come back! Why?! Why hadn’t he made it back?! Where was he?! Six days..Six days it had been since she’d last seen his face, since he’s smoothed back her hood so tenderly and kissed her head. Soon..It would be seven. But in her dream, the clocks were turned back. That moment..That horrible moment were everything fell apart only she hadn’t realized it..She was back there. “I’m sorry baby but I have to go.” This time she wasn’t so composed. She broke down crying. “No! Don’t go! Please don’t go! Don’t leave me all alone!” “I’ll be back in time for tea.” “No! You won’t! Please! Please listen! I’m sorry about the rabbit! All I need is you! Don’t go!” “It will just be for a little while.” “It won’t! Don’t go!” “Go stay with the neighbors.” “No! I want to be with you!” “I’ll be back in time for tea.” And then the room fell away from her and she was somewhere else. There was a table, a long table with all the makings for a great feast, the perfect tea party. But she was all alone. It was just her. “Papa?” she called out. But there was no answer. She waited and waited. The tea was growing cold. “Papa!” she sobbed. But no one was there to answer. And in the remarkable way that time can in dreams, it sped up and yet felt slowed somehow. Decades passed. Her hair grew long and tangled. Eventually it turned grey. And there she stood at the table waiting for the papa whom by now she was certain was dead. But it was just her. Just her against the world. What could she do but wait? Wait for him or wait for her time to run out. She didn’t know which. She wasn’t certain it mattered. And then suddenly there was a mirror, a giant mirror. She touched the cool glass and her papa appeared just like she remembered him. But she was withered and old while he was still young. “Get it to work! Get it to work! Get it to work!” Hats. Hats. Hats. So many hats in the mirror. A mountain of them. No, several mountains. And still he made more. “Papa!” she screamed. But he couldn’t hear her. She pounded her fist against the glass. She could see him! It wasn’t fair! She had to get to him! The hour glass was running out! She had to see him before it was too late! “Papa!” The glass shattered and then it was just her, all alone again. She woke up screaming. The neighbors ran in and tried to soothe her; but, Grace was inconsolable. She needed her papa! Only papa could make the bad dreams go away, him back with her safe and sound! The neighbors were nice; but, they weren’t family! Papa was all she had! Him and her against the world! That was the way it had always been! She’d decided...She could no longer sit back and wait for him. It was her turn to find him! It would just be like one of their games of hide-and-seek. She always won! This time would be no different! It might take a little longer but..She’d find him for sure! Nothing would stand in her way! Grace knew the neighbors would never give her permission to wander off and see the queen. They lived in the middle of no where. Papa and her only had the two neighbors. And..No, she wasn’t exactly sure where the castle was but..It was big and impressive! (At least she imagined it was, having never actually seen it for herself. But it was a castle! Naturally it would be grand and the biggest thing in the entire village!) And she wouldn’t let something small like having no idea where the castle was located stop her! She’d ask people for directions and make it there somehow! There was no fear in her heart as she ran a comb through her hair at dawn’s first light, trying her best to get out all the tangles. Admittedly...She’d let her hair..go a little recently. But..she couldn’t let Marcella touch it! Only Papa brushed her hair! But..Now she had to do something. If she was to see the queen, she needed to look presentable! Well...She was poor (no denying it) so there was only so much she could do. Grace didn’t own any fancy clothes. But that never bothered her. So long as she could play with Papa she was happy. Grace hoped the queen would understand. She must! The queen had come to visit Papa after all! So she’d know how they lived. Her dress was clean at least; and, Grace scrubbed her face until she was certain every last smudge of dirt had been eradicated. Really, this was the best she could do. And all anyone could ask for was her best, right?! She had to hurry! The neighbors would get up soon! Silent as the grave, she took off. Grace was an expert at sneaking around. She’d been watching Papa ever since she was small. And she was convinced that no one moved so quietly as him. Well, she might be as good as him now! Sometimes she’d startle Papa, suddenly coming up behind him! Eventually, thanks to a few talks with helpful and friendly people, she was pointed in the right direction and made her way to the castle! Now she just had to find some way to convince the guards to let her see the queen! Her dress flared up in front of her as she coaxed every last once of speed out of her muscles. She was completely out of breath, panting slightly when she reached the guards. But she smiled warmly up at them all the same. “Please! I need you to ask if the queen will see me! It’s very important! Tell her I’m Jefferson Hatter’s daughter, Grace Hatter! I think she might know where Papa is! I have to find him! He’s already late for tea!” tag: Regina Mills --- notes: Let the fun begin! |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
