Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind.
Their leaves are telling secrets.
Their bark sings songs of olden days
as it grows around the trunks.
And their roots give names to all things.
Their language has been lost.
But not the gestures.

-Vera Nazarian

CINDERELVIS

Created By; Snow Marisvega

♚ ♚ ♚

♔Chapter Fourteen♔

"I had another dream, it felt just as real as the others," I huffed. "Maybe, because it was."

"What did you see?"

"It's more about the emotions I felt actually. I was sad, I felt alone, broken. They were all familiar emotions but they came in a rush, all these waves of sadness consuming me. I thought the feeling was familiar until right in front of me was a woman laying on the bed, sick. She was so tired and weak. Seeing her there broke me, I was crying for some reason." I frowned softly as I relived the memory. "She looked so ill. She demanded I came closer and I did, finally getting a good look at her." I looked up at Dantè.

"It was my mother." I gulped. "Well, it was more his mom, our mother." I let out a small, sad chuckle. "She was dying, I knew that." I swallowed. "She was trying not to cry and act strong for me. She didn't know what to do so she just smiled at me, took my hand in hers and asked me to be good."

"The night she died." Dante muttered. "Cinderelvis's mother."

Tears blurred my vision as I muttered, "Yeah." Avoiding Dante's gaze, I turned away, my eyes drifting toward the horizon.

We sat in uncomfortable silence, side by side, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The fields stretched before us, a kaleidoscope of colors - emerald greens, amber golds, and crimson reds - like a page torn from a fantastical novel. The serene beauty of this place usually brought me solace, but today it only seemed to accentuate the ache within me.

Dante sighed. "You are not only altering. I believe you're also slowly getting all of his memories in the form of a dream. I guess we are running out of time." He said and stood up, dusting his butt from the leaves and sand.

I stood up and did the same. "So what do we do? This is crazy."

Dante knew about my slow transformation into a Disney prince-ss and unfortunately not into an omega or a vampire. After Mary had confirmed what I was thinking, I had swiftly gone to Dante's house while my heart raced in fear. I cried to him, telling him what was wrong with me and what Mary had said, how I didn't remember what had happened that morning and how I was in a chirpy mood in such a situation.

He gave me a warm hug and instantly wrote a letter to his father concerning my situation. We both had it sent to him and his father replied our letter five days later, I think that had to do more with the traveling as they have no planes here or iMessage to communicate this misfortune.

Dante's father informed us that his search for answers had yielded nothing so far, but he was determined to try again. His next stop was Camelot, where he hoped to find the elusive and powerful magician.

We all know who.

Merlin.

I knew about Merlin, I had watch the series and was in love with it and knew a lot about him so I had to tell Dante's father straight up where he could find him and what he could possibly looked like and how to get to him. His name was still Merlin and he was Arthur's personal slave and was a young boy, I didn't know what he would look like here since Merlin could be blonde or brunette, so that detail was enough.

We still awaited Dante's fathers' reply,

It's been a week.

"Anything from your father?" I asked.

"No," Dante shook his head. "Not yet. Hopefully soon enough, so be patient, okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I am." I wasn't. "Besides, Merlin might not trust your father since your father knows what he looks like without the beard and the staff."

"It's really mind blowing how you know all these stuff, I must say." Dante chuckled. "How come you don't know me?"

"Well, you're like the unappreciated background character they thought no one would give a shit about. I mean, no one knows you exist. No one even knew Cinderelvis's father had a best friend! I mean, how can they not include you guys?!  You're both fun and important.."

"Wow, your world is mean."

"You have no idea how cruel people can be." I chuckled.

"So, your mother is dead?"

My smile slowly faded and Dante shrugged softly.

"Jesus, Dante, how blunt can you be? Straight up ask me if I'm a virgin as well." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Well, are you?"

I turned to him and gave him the middle finger and we both laughed.

"So, tell me, you know absolutely everything about me and Cinderelvis, It's only fair if I know who I am having a chat with and who I am helping get back to the other side." Dante said and I had to admit, he did have a point.

I mean, he was the only one I could trust here anyways.

"Well, my mom died when I was a kid as well. She was sick just like Cinderelvis's mom and she passed away." I shrugged.

"Your father?"

"He remarried." I fake smiled. "The same devil I live with now."

"Tremaine?"

"Yeah, it's the same damn woman he  got married to, the bitch and her two children made my life hell and I tried to escape, to finally be free from the world of bitterness, but I found myself in an alternative universe with the same characters. Here." I laughed, bitterly.  "Isn't that crazy? They won't leave me alone."

"Your life is terrible."

"A chuckle escaped my lips. 'I know, and now I want to go back. This place sucks just as much, and I don't think—'"

My words died on my lips as my gaze locked onto a familiar figure. I froze, my heels digging into the ground. My heart skipped a beat.

Dante followed my gaze, confusion etched on his face. "What's wrong? What are you staring at?"

My eyes remained fixed on the vision stepping out of the carriage. She tossed her hair back, and the sunlight danced across her silver accessories. Her yellow dress shimmered, radiating warmth and elegance.

She strolled through the garden, a gentle smile on her lips, admiring the flowers. My breath caught as she paused beside a particularly vibrant bloom.

I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. "Oh my God!"

Dante's confusion was palpable. "What?"

I couldn't contain my excitement. "It's her! Alex!"

Dante's eyes widened, but I didn't explain further. I sprinted towards Alex, shouting her name. Dante followed, his footsteps echoing behind me. As I reached Alex, I swept her into a tight hug, twirling her around. She screamed slightly.

I set her down, grinning from ear to ear. "God, it's so good to see you! I missed you so much!"

My gaze drifted to her outfit, and my brow furrowed. "Wait, you're wearing... a fancy dress?"

The red dress and gold jewelry were a stark contrast to her usual style.

Once I put her down, her hand immediately connected with my cheek, the slap echoing through the air.

I recoiled, shock etched on my face. A figure appeared beside me - Dante. Alex's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between us.

"Who's is this?" she asked, her tone icy.

"What the fuck?"

"I am so so sorry, princess." Dante said and did a little bow, I frowned at him, confused.

"Princess?" I questioned and looked at Alex. "Her?" I laughed and turned back to an angry looking Alex and my smile faded once I saw six men in metal outfits running towards us. "Oh shit. It's the same doppelgänger thing."

"How dare you touch me!" Alex said, moving backwards.

"I-I am so sorry, I j-just-"

"I'm sorry, Princess Victoria." Dante apologized.

I grimaced.

Victoria?

"My brother here just...he's got a little mental problem and he thought you were someone else, I sincerely apologize ." Dante said with a small bow and I gave him a look.

"Well, keep him locked up or something!" She said as she adjusted her dress.

"Princess, are you alright?" One of the guards asked and she nodded, shooting me a dirty look.

"I'm fine, let's just go." Victoria said and began to walk ahead.

"But wait," I tried to reach for her when one of her guards pushed me to the ground. "Ow!!" I groaned.

Dante rushed to my side and Alex or... Princess Victoria turned to me and glared at the guard. "Did you not hear the boy say his brother is mentally unstable. I did not ask you to be aggressive towards him."  She said and gave us a look before getting into her carriage. A carriage I hadn't even really noticed until now.

"Shit! Elvis, what are you thinking? You're going to get yourself killed! Are you okay?!"

I couldn't help but laugh like I was crazy. "My best friend, Alex, is a princess?" I was indeed shocked. "I cannot wait to tell her when I get back home that she's a fucking princess, the one thing she detests she most. She's fucking wearing a dress!" I giggled as Dante pulled me up.

"I swear to King Uther, you're crazy! You could have gotten yourself killed!"

"Is she always like that? Irritated by everything and mean?"

"Princess Victoria is-"

"Don't call her that, it doesn't work, it's making me cringe." I grimaced.

"Well, that's her name, we can't change it."

"Just call her Victoria."

"That's disrespectful."

"She's your age!"

"I don't live in a castle!" He retorted.

"Whatever. Anyways, go on."

"Well, she's just-"

"Wait, wait, wait." I blinked. "Princess? Princess Victoria? Her father is king of the this place? The kingdom Cinderelvis lives in? Or is her Dad someone else?" I asked, curiously.

"No, her father is King. Why?"

"Oh my God!" I blinked severally.

"Let me guess, she's not in the story."

"No, she isn't." I blinked. "Why are things changing? I never heard of a sister. No one knows about her, no one even knows the king had a daughter. He only has a son, fucking prince charming."

Dante smiled. "He is attractive."

"First of all, ew. Secondly, back to Princess Victoria ." I said and shivered. "I just cringed."

Dante rolled his eyes.

"She doesn't exist, she's not supposed to. We looked into the palace, we saw everything. The queen died not so long after having her son and there was no words about Prudence. She shouldn't exist." I said as I thought about it.

"The queen died after she birthed the princess." Dante informed and i turned my gaze to him. "Prince Charming was about three years of age when she passed away and Princess Victoria was born. I pity her, she never got to know her mother."

"Is that why she's so bitter?"

"She's always kept to herself, I hear. She is actually a loving person, i think. We don't know her personally but she barely smiles, she used to though, she was really chirpy and wasn't always this bitter but all of a sudden, it was like she just became...what was that you called it? Mean." Dante said, snapping his fingers when he remembered.

"Does anyone know why Alex suddenly went from good to bad? I mean, in my world she was a no-nonsense person, but it seemed everyone liked your princess before."

"People still do, I quite fancy her life. She's amazing but I guess we'll never know why she went from....lovely to....what she is now." Dante said and I sighed.

"It felt so good to see her, I forgot for a second that i wasn't home and she wasn't Alex and i just....I miss her." I admitted, Dante placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Tell me about her."

I smiled. "She's the best," I said as we began to walk. "She's always had my back, she used to fight for me and I've known her since forever. She's the kinda friend everyone would wish they had, she's dark, like really dark. She fancies the devil." I chuckled. "I swear that girl is weird."

"The devil? Which one of them because we quite have a lot, like your step mother." Dante shot and I gasped loudly before laughing.

"That was cool."

"Cool. Thank you." He grinned.

"You are so weird." I laughed. "Let's go get that snack you got me two days ago."

"Which one?"

"The blue one."

"Marbles?"

I grinned. "Yeah, that one."

Dante chuckled. "You're buying."

I laughed. "Jokes on you cause I'm poor."

♚ ♚ ♚

"Cinderelvis, why don't you do this? Cinderelvis, why haven't you do that?" I murmured as I pulled up my pants and folded the legs up so I could get into the river and get some water. "Cinderelvis, I want some cheeries." I said, mocking Driz. "Oh, Cinderelvis, I want some juice. I want this, I want that. Yen, yen, yen." I mocked frustratedly as I put my foot into the cold water. "Fuck!!" I cursed as I moved deeper with the bucket.

It was a hot afternoon, I didn't even know what day it was. My loving step mother had sent me to get some water for Lucifer, that damn stupid, ugly cat! Fuck! I hate that cat! I hate her. 

"Why can't her kids go get the water to bath their dumb cat?! Bitch." I dived my bucket into the water till it was full and pulled it up. With a frustrated sigh, I turned and was greeted by a form which was standing right in front of me, startling me. I let out a small scream and fell on my ass, into the water.

"What the fuck!" I exclaimed, staring down at myself.

"O! I apologize."

"Dude, seriously?!" I yelled, still reeling from the shock.

I gazed up at him and my anger slowly melted away. His confused expression would have been comical if not for his breathtaking features, which was what melted my anger way. He was, without a doubt, the most stunning man I'd ever laid eyes on.

Those piercing eyes, an unearthly shade of blue, held me captive. His chiseled face, framed by a scarf tied around his head, seemed chiseled from marble. The rolled-up legs of his brown pants revealed toned calves, while his fitted black shirt showcased his broad chest.

He towered over me, easily six feet or more, exuding an effortless confidence. If he were in my world, social media would be abuzz with his captivating presence.

My heartbeat quickened as our gazes held. Time seemed to freeze.

"Are you alright?" He asked, he also had an accent. He was arching his perfectly carved brow at me.

"W-What? Yes! I m-mean, no!" I stuttered, blinking back to reality, before shooting him a dirty look. "You startled me and now my entire outfit is drenched! Do I look like I have a lot of clothes in my house or that I like humiliation?"

"I am so sorry, I just...I didn't think you'd get that frightened." He said in that stupid accent, he was holding back a laugh.

"Oh, oh so you think this is funny?" I questioned, arching my brows at him.

"No, no, it's not. Forgive me. I wasn't laughing."

"Forgive me." I mocked his accent. "I saw you, you were just about to laugh like two seconds ago."

"I wasn't, I promise."

Dick.

"Well will you at least help me up?"

He nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Uh, absolutely. My apologies."

As he extended his hand to help me up, I hesitated for a moment. Our eyes met, and a spark of electricity ran through me.

I placed my hand in his, and a shiver ran down my spine. But instead of letting him pull me up, I grinned mischievously and pulled him down.

He lost his balance and splashed into the water, sending a wave crashing over me. I squealed, laughing, as the cool liquid soaked my face.

The stranger resurfaced, his hair slicked back, and a playful glint in his eye. "You're a sly one, aren't you?" he said, chuckling.

"Oh no, I apologize." I mocked.

"What sort of madness is this?" He clamored.

"Madness?" I scoffed. "You're obviously the mad one here for scaring an Innocent boy who just came to get some water."

"Innocent? You were wholly kvetching a minute ago." He cried out

"Kvetching? I was not k-kvetching! Whatever that means." I said, defending myself.

"You totally were!" He replied and blinked in shock. "Wait, did you say...boy? You're a boy?"

Not here again.

"Yes! I am a boy! You know what? I don't even care about what you're saying at the moment, you....jerk. Now if you'd excuse me, I'll leave you to enjoy your bath." I said, flashing him a mean smile before getting up. I could feel the water inside my everything. "I am so mad!" I groaned and grabbed my bucket.

"You could have at least accepted my help, I was only trying to be a gentleman." He said as he sat there, staring at himself. "Now, I have to change these clothes."

"Wow, arrogant, huh?" I huffed, shaking my head. "You brought this on yourself, you know right? Don't even try to blame me for your stupidity. Why the fuck am I even talking to you? I'm out of here." I said and began walking away angrily without getting any water in my bucket. I could feel him staring at me, his eyes boring into my back and I couldn't dare look back, I couldn't still get water with those eyes of his watching me.

♚ ♚ ♚

I scolded Jaq and Gus, my relief tinged with worry. "Seriously, guys, you need to steer clear of Lucifer! What if he had eaten you?"

I couldn't shake the image of Lucifer's menacing gaze, his jaws open wide, ready to snatch Gus. Just moments ago, I'd walked in on the terrifying scene. Lucifer's eyes had gleamed with hunger as he held Gus in his paws. My heart had stopped. Without hesitation, I'd grabbed a nearby bucket and flung it at the demon cat and shrieked, channeling my inner catwoman.

Lucifer got startled and released Gus, who scampered to safety in my arms. Jaq and Gus exchanged guilty glances, their beady eyes wide with fear.

"We sorry, we just-"

"No excuses." I said, cutting Jaq off. "And you," I turned to Gus. "You are his target because you are thick unlike skinny mouse here." I said, referring to Jaq. "You couldn't even run if he had to chase you, so you better stay in the walls and out of his sight. If you're hungry, you all have to wait for me to get home to get you something to eat, and if you wanna get something then make sure that damn, ugly cat is not there! I don't think i want any mice blood on my hands, is that clear?"

They both nodded. "Yes, Cinderelly."

Okay, so I was finally getting along with the mice  in the house, slowly I had wrapped my head around the fact that I could actually hear from the mice talk and sometimes they helped me sneak out of the house by distracting Lucifer and Lucifer distracted the twins unknowingly, making the coast clear for me to leave. The mice weren't all bad, I mean I had to accept the fact that i was in an enchanted kingdom and should be expecting more things, hopefully I wouldn't see anything.

"It's Elvis, for the hundredth time." I sighed. "I'm worried about you guys, I do not want you dying now."

"Gus-Gus understand." Gus said with a smile.

"Good. Now, any news on how I can get home?"

Jaq nodded. "Suzy say you trapped here because something wrong in your world."

I swallowed. "Y-Yeah, I want solutions, not...the obvious." I sighed again. "I need to get out of these clothes."

"Why Cinderelly wet?" A tiny voice asked and I looked to my left to see Bert and Mert, the twin mices staring back at me.

"Because some jerk made me fall." I answered.

"Jerk?" Bert asked, cocking his small head to the side.

"A person who has unlikable and unpleasant qualities, self centered or mean and so, that stranger is a jerk for being mean and scaring me and making me fall, which resulted to this."

"I-" Mert trailed off, he looked confused for a few seconds and then smiled, nodding, I knew they didn't understand anything I just said and it was funny how they acted like they did.

I chuckled. "I will get you crazy mice something to eat, y'all get into those walls, i wanna change my clothes and I can't have talking mice see my nakedness, sorry. Go, go." I ordered and they all ran, disappearing into the walls.

I let out another sigh as I began to take off my clothes.

"Fucking jerk, got me all wet. Didn't even properly apologize and then had the guts to blame me." I scoffed. "I'm going to kill him if I ever see him again. Who does he think he is? I'm not so weak like they all think i am, I'm not gonna be so weak here." I shook my head as I wore fresh pants.

That jerk!

That jerk!

That jerk was so sexy, Jesus! I had to disappear. He was tall, sexy and had the prettiest eyes. And his voice, God, his voice! His accent was so fucking sexy, I wanted him to keep talking but also shut up, it was nothing like Dante's! If I was a whore or something close to that I'd say, this voice could make someone cum at the spot but I'm not a whore so I can't say that.

He looked like he couldn't be real, like he was drawn, sketched. Lord. How can a man look that pretty? That sexy?

I ran a hand through my hair as i thought about him, his face printed in my head. How is that even possible that a man can be that good looking?

Then, I remembered him making me fall. He was annoying, he was even going to argue with me when he was at fault. I only did what was right, he needed to know what it felt like!

I put on my shirt and tied my wet hair up with a rubber band, I walked over to my bed and laid on it, staring up at the ceiling.

With all these happening, there was something I didn't understand. Something I couldn't wrap my head around.

Why did my heart suddenly start beating erratically the second I looked at him?

♚ ♚ ♚

"Driz said he requested you make his favorite, why didn't you?" Lady Tremaine asked. The evil queen who wasn't a queen and her kids were sitting at the dinning, while I stood beside Lady Tremaine who complained about her son's complaint.

"I was busy, madame. You asked me to mail a letter for you and Anastasia asked me to help her with her dress and then I had to clean the stables and there was no time to make his favorite while I made all you asked me to, this dinner."

Driz scoffed. "That is the excuse?"

"Would you have preferred if i made your favorite in a way that you would hate it?" I retorted, trying not to glare at him.

"How many times have I told you, Cinderelvis, not to talk back." Driz said, cocking his brow at me.

"You asked me a question, all i did was answer like any other human." I replied, staring blankly at him.

"Mother, please allow me to teach him a lesson." Driz said and stood up, Lady Tremaine said nothing and sipped her drink. Driz walked over to me slowly, a wicked smile on his face. "Would you like to repeat what you said?"

I turned to him. "I couldn't make what you asked me to because I have been busy, Driz. What would you prefer I do? Make them to be tasteless?"

I felt a sharp sting on my right cheek as my face swing to the left.

"Driz, that's enough." Lady Tremaine said in the calmest voice.

I touched my cheek and swallowed, not looking back at him.

"Know your place in this house, Cinderelvis, you should never talk back to me because you are nothing but a slave in this house and slaves don't talk back." Driz said, I clenched my fist, fighting the urge to punch him or say something.

All i could hear was Dante warning me not to do anything or I'd ruin my chance to go home because Lady Tremaine would know i am not Cinderelvis.

I turned my gaze to a smirking Driz and swallowed. "I am sorry."

"Anastasia dear." Driz called.

"Hmm?"

"Pass me my plate." He ordered and she did was requested. Driz moved closer to me, holding the plate in front of me, then he let go off it and it fell on my legs and broke to pieces, Anastasia gasped while I swallowed the lump in my throat, holding back the urge to scream in pain, just staring back at him. "Now go make me something to eat and clean this mess up."

"Driz, you're being mean." Lady Tremaine said with a small sigh. "He's your brother."

Driz smiled. "Sorry, mother."

"Go now, Elvis. Driz didn't mean to do what he did." Lady Tremaine said and I nodded.

"Yeah, I'll just....g-go to the kitchen." I said and walked away. Once I got to the kitchen, I shut the door and rested my back against it.

I wiped off my tears before they could fall down my cheeks and swallowed, I noticed all the mices staring up at me with a sad expression.

"Cinderelly, okay?" Bert asked and I faked a smile.

"Yeah, I'm...I'm fine. I just have something in my eye is all." I said, sniffing afterwards.

"They mean, we go teach them a lesson." Gus said with a frown.

I chuckled. "They'll feed you to Lucifer without a second thought." Once I mentioned Lucifer's name, Gus tensed and i smiled. "It's fine anyways, let's just....do what they asked me to." I said, clenching my fist. "We are going to make the best meal for Driz." I said with an evil smirk.

"What are you up to?" Suzy asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

I grinned. "Nothing. Are you guys gonna help me with this pay back?"

"I'm in!" Jaq screamed.

"Gus-Gus too." Gus giggled.

"Count me in." Perla smiled.

"I've always wanted to do something bad to them," Suzy said and I smiled.

"What are we about to do?" Mary asked.

"Give Driz the worst bellyache in his life, he's never gonna stop going to the toilet." I smirked. "After all, I did warn him."  I said with a sigh. "Now, shall we begin?"

♚♚♚

The mice and I quickly made Drizella's favorite meal. I always end up laughing when I realize Davian's name is Drizella in this world, it's always funny.

Says Cinderella.

I rolled my eyes as my conscience retorted, mocking me. Driz's food had been made perfectly, maybe too perfect. I added a little more ingredient, several coughs from Jaq my friend, and a spoonful of Gus's saliva, bird poo and you just name it all. He was so gonna enjoy his meal.

I served my step brother in his room and I wasn't even mad because i was getting my revenge on him with what he punished me with. Once I served him, I went up to my room and waited for the effects to take over while I talked with the mices, they had also helped me treat my toes and bandaged it after Driz broke a plate on them.

"Tell us about your world." Mert said and i chuckled.

"My world isn't...all that great. Actually your world is sort of peaceful, there's no...bombing, suicide bombers, and all that crap we have in our world."

"What is a suicide bomber?" Gus asked and I shook my head at him.

"It's someone who kills themselves while killing a lot of people as well, they wear these um, electronic, well it's bad, it's a powerful um, how do i explain this? Let's call it magic, it's something when activated, everyone dies." I explained.

"Wow." They chorused.

"Tell us more." Gus said and I chuckled. They were all sitting on my bed, staring at me, my legs were crossed and I held a Bruno resting on them.

Yes, i have accepted him now. Dogs aren't so bad and Bruno is cute.

"Well, we have horses but we drive cars, they are like super fast, like carriages but more advanced, better. We have big schools for kids to learn stuff and cellphones."

"What is that?" Suzy asked.

"It's a device we use to talk to people who are far from us, like Dante. I can speak to Dante from here with it, I can take photos and make videos and tweet, Snapchat, do a lot of things, listen to music and watch movies on it." I answered as I ran my hand through Bruno's fur.

"Wow!" Jaq and Gus chorused, eyes wide.

"You don't understand half of that, do you?"

"Not at all." Jaq replied, smiling at me.

I giggled.

"And your parents?" Mary asked. 

"My dad is alive but my mom's dead." I replied.

"Like Cinderelvis," Mert said.

"Cinderelvis no have any." Bert said and Mary sighed.

"Bert, it's Cinderelvis doesn't have any." She corrected.

I smiled at them.

"How did you get here?" Suzy asked and my smile disappeared.

"Um, it's...complicated. I slept and woke up here, I guess." I shrugged, still caressing Bruno. 

"That's odd." Perla said.

Suzy stared at me suspiciously, not taking her eyes off me, I flashed her a fake smile. "Oh and uh, in my world we have better food there."

"Like what?!" Gus suddenly asked.

I smiled at him. "We have hamburgers, hotdogs, pancakes."

"What is a ham-boogah?" Mert asked.

"A Hamburger is a sandwich that has a lot of things in it, it has a patty of cooked ground beef," I said and arched my brows at Perla.  "A patty is a flattened portion of meat that is usually round but sometimes square in shape." I said before Perla could aak what a patty was and she smiled.

"Yum." Gus grinned.

"That's not all, anyways as i was saying, a cooked ground beef in sliced bun, and sometimes a hamburger has vegetables, condiments, or both and before you ask me what condiments means, it is something used to improve the flavor of food, like pepper, salt, and so on." I smiled.

"It sounds so delicious!" Gus said, rubbing his stomach.

"Now I wanna try it." Mert cried.

I laughed. "okay, I will make you guys a pancake tomorrow."

"What kinda food is that? Does it have meat?" Jaq asked.

I hissed. "Sadly, it doesn't. But it's heaven, I remember when my mom used to make such for me." I said with a grin. "Giselle taught me how to make it actually, she literally taught me everything I know, even about cooking and that's why I can cook, thankfully, I used to watch her and she was my other best friend." I smiled, remembering her.

I hope she would be able to forgive me.

"What is she like?" Bert asked, smiling.

"She's amazing, she's like my second mom, she took care of me and taught me everything I know." I said, grinning. "She makes the best meals, she is so fantastic and funny." I chuckled.

"Why didn't your father marry her then?" Perla asked and I laughed.

"My father and Giselle? I don't...I don't think it could ever happen."

"But why?" Jaq asked and I remained silent.

They were right, why didn't Dad go for Giselle instead?"

"I... Anyways, we should talk about something else."

"You should sing for us." Gus said and I laughed.

"Yeah, no."

"Oh come on, please." Jaq said and they all begun to beg.

"I can't sing." I lied.

"That is a big fat lie, Elvis, and you know that too." Mary said and I frowned.

"How would you know? You haven't heard me sing."

"Um, a week ago you were humming to a song Cinderella sings and four days ago, I heard you sing." Mary said and i sighed.

"That is not....me. That was.... Cinderelvis, he was...taking over."

"Sure." Perla snorted.

"Fuck this shit!" I sighed.

"Sing! Sing!" Jaq changed and soon they all joined, begging me.

"Fine, fine." I threw my hair back. "I'm not a great singer, so," I cleared my throat.

"Come on." Bert grinned.

"Okay, okay, chill." I said and sang the first song that came into my head.

"Blue is the color of the planet from the view above,
Long live our reign, long live our love
Green is the planet from the eyes of a turtle dove
'Til it runs red, runs red with blood." I begun, singing in a low tone and avoiding their gazes.

"We get so tired and we complain
'Bout how it's hard to live
It's more than just a video game" I swallowed as I thought about the abuse and humiliation i had to go through at home.

"But we're just beautiful people with beautiful problems, yeah
Beautiful problems, God knows we've got them
But we gotta try, la, la, la
Every day and night,
La, la, la."

I thought about my father, how he changed the second he met her, Ursula. How my life turned upside down the second everyone knew I was gay. How I couldn't take it any longer and how it hurt.

"Blue is the color of the shirt-" I trailed off once i felt a lump in my throat, i didn't want to cry like i did every night here. I didn't want to remember my home but then I couldn't stop it, I couldn't help myself and I really hope the people who cared forgives me.

"Cinderelly, are you alright? You crying." Gus said and I sniffed, wiping my tears.

"Yeah, I uh, I'm fine." I faked a smile. "I'm just tired, I need rest, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's time for bed, boys." Mary said to the twin mice.

"Aw, but I'm not tired." Bert whined.

"Me too." Mert yawned.

"You guys go get some rest, we'll continue tomorrow." I said and flashed them a smile. "I cross my heart." I said and they all began to leave, saying a bunch of goodbyes.

"Come on, Bruno, time for bed." I said to him and he got up, I turned off the lamp and laid on my bed, pulling the torn blanket up my body, Bruno laid beside me and i wrapped my arms around him, cuddling my dog.

I missed them

♚♚♚

I woke up to screaming and I quickly jumped out of my bed, the mice rushed out of their home as well.

"What the hell?"

"It's Driz." Perla said with a smile.

I grinned and rushed out the door and down the stairs of my....alley room. I ran down the halls to where the voice came from.

Driz's room.

He was shouting and complaining and had Anastasia by his side. "What could be the matter?" I asked once I rushed in.

Driz was laying on his bed, sweating and looking mad. "He can't stop going to the bathroom." Anastasia said, holding onto her brother.

"My tummy hurts!" He cried.

"Uh, do you wanna go to the doctor?"

"Doctor?!" Driz shot me a glare.

"Sorry, I apologize."

"Mother!! Mother!!!" Driz screamed while I held back a laugh.

"What is with all the noise?" A cold but calm voice behind me said and I composed myself, I turned to Lady Tremaine and gave her my most innocent look.

"Driz keeps complaining about having a stomach ache and Anastasia said he's been using the bathroom since-"

"Midnight!" Driz finished. "it's worse now!" He cried.

"Well, what did you eat?" Lady Tremaine asked as she walked into his room, dressed in a purple ball gown and her hair tied in the usual bun.

"I ate nothing mother!" He cried. "I haven't eaten anything since this morning!"

I smirked and looked up once i heard a creak to see the mice also enjoying the show, I winked at them and Jaq did the same.

"My! My! What are we going to do?" I asked as I waked into Driz's room but stayed far away from them.

"Get out of my room, you diseased being!" Driz yelled at me.

"I am so sorry, brother." I said and walked out of his room, standing at the door. I didn't even care that he was being a dick at this time, I was going to enjoy the show.

"Oh my! I need to go!" Driz said and rapidly got up, he ran past his mom, almost knocking her down, i gave him the space to run out as he headed for the bathroom.

This is so much fun.

"Mother, what are we going to do?" Anastasia asked.

"It's simple, we'll help your brother, it seems he has some sort of....infection." Lady Tremaine said, I turned to her and she was staring right at me.

Damn, she was intimidating.

"Cinderelvis." She called.

"Yes, Madame?" I answered.

"Get ready to leave."

My brows knitted into a frown. "L-Leave where? Where am I going?" I asked, curiously.

Lady Tremaine richly walked back to where I was and placed an evil smile on my face. "You're going to get me what i need to treat my son, your brother."

"Sure." I nodded. "Anything for him, where am I going to get the medications?"

Lady Tremaine smiled. "You are going to get me the bonedust from redwood forest."

I frowned.

I didn't know what a bonedust was or where the redwood forest was so I didn't know how to react to that.

"Um,"

"Mother, isn't that where-"

"Anastasia darling, shut up, please." Lady Tremaine said in the calmest voice, still staring at me. "Would you do this for me please?"

I nodded. "Of course, why not. I'll go change."

"Oh, thank you, Cinderelvis." She said, smiling at me. I gave a small nod and went back into my room.

"Cinderelly, you cannot go." Jaq said, the second I shut the door.

I frowned. "Why?"

"Redwood Forest is a dangerous place!" Perla said, looking worried.

"Not everyone comes back alive!" Mary said and my frown deepened.

"What are you talking about? If people don't come back from Redwood then why would Lady Tremaine send me ther-ooooh, she's my stepmother."

"Exactly!" Mary yelled.

"That sly bitch!"

"You can't go."

I sighed. "But if I don't go then she's gonna know i did something, she already suspects me as it is, I can literally see it in her eyes, it's the same as Clarissa's. I mean, she is Clarissa but you get my point."

"Elvis, it's dangerous, you can't go, please." Perla begged.

"Perla, I don't know what to do. Shit! I brought this on myself, what am i going to do? Fuck, fuck!" I couldn't stop pacing around.

"Don't go." Mary said.

I sighed. "If I don't then that bitch will do something, how dangerous is it?"

"Um, people die? Isn't that enough?" Suzy said and I groaned.

"Well forgive me for wanting to know the complete details, Katherine obvious." I said, flashing her a fake smile.

"You said captain obvious two days ago." Jaq said.

"It's...nevermind." I sighed. "I'm gonna go, I'll carry a lot of protection and um, if I don't go, then they'd know i had something to do with Driz's incident and that reduces my chance to go home cause they can lock me up like Rapunzel." I sighed.

"I come with you." Bert said and I shook my head at him.

"Over my dead body, no!"

"Then I'll come." Jaq said and Perla gasped.

"Jaq, no!"

"I need to show him where redwood forest is and I can't let anyone put themselves in danger, I'm a man."

"A mouse." I corrected.

"A mouse!" He repeated. "A male mouse! You take care of everyone, Perla. Cinderelvis can't go alone."

"But,"

"I be fine." He smiled at her and she gave him a hug.

And then it hit me, she was his love interest after all.

"I come too." Gus said and I shook my head at him.

"Yeah no."

"But I strong."

"You stay back, Gus, I'll go with Jaq." Suzy said and i arched my brow at her.

"Don't you like...hate me or something?" I asked.

"I said Jaq. I need to bring him safe."

"Sure." I muttered. "I need to get ready." I said and tied my hair up.

"I'm worried." Mary said and I snorted.

"Come on, Mary. It couldn't be that bad, you haven't even been there so you wouldn't know." I said and placed my hands on my hips. "How scary can it be?"

♚ ♚ ♚

"I can't believe my stepmother hates me this much," I whispered, gazing out at the foreboding forest before me.

The trees loomed, their towering branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. But it was the leaves that sent a shiver down my spine - pure, inky black, devoid of any life or vibrancy. A thick fog swirled around me, obscuring everything beyond a few feet. Even the grass beneath my feet was black, as if drained of all color and hope.

Daylight seemed to stop at the forest's edge, plunging me into an eerie, perpetual twilight. I swallowed hard, my heart racing. This place felt malevolent, like a haven for darkness and shadows.

I looked down at Jaq and Suzy's tiny faces peeking out of my breast pocket.

"Guys, I don't like this," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Jaq and Suzy's large, round eyes gazed up at me, filled with concern.

I had a bad feeling.

"Y-You guys didn't say it was this scary."

"For the second time, what did you think people never returned meant?" Suzy asked and i rolled my eyes.

"Not now, Suzy!" I scolded, sighing afterwards. I knew the mice said it was scary as hell but I also thought they were just exaggerating, like when Jaq said broduns were the best snacks in the world and it was the greatest thing ever and i ate it only to throw up afterwards or when Gus said he got stabbed and was dying and I only saw a pin in his foot.

I didn't know they really meant this place was scary-scary! Jesus.

"Okay," I let out a big sigh. "We are gonna go in there and find the bonedust for my evil stepbrother whom i want dead."

"W-We s-still g-going?" Jaq stuttered.

"Weren't you being a hero at home like an hour ago? Don't make me nervous, Jaq." I said and tied Major, our horse against a tree outside redwood. "Wait here, Major, we'll be back soon." I said as I patted him and put the small bag I brought around my waist. I was dressed in brown pants, black slippers and a white shirt, accompanied by a blue cape.

"Let's go, guys." I said and with a lantern and knifes all around me, I made my way into redwood forest.

"Please let us not all die." Suzy prayed and i found myself saying Amen.

As we walked, the fog lifted, showing the forest's secret. I gasped once I looked at the trees. The trunks seemed to be bleeding, a crimson color pouring out of them.

The name "Redwoods" now made sense. It wasn't just a reference to the trees' color, but a warning.

Jaq and Suzy trembled in my pocket, sensing my unease.

"This place is cursed," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the creaking of the twisted trees. The air reeked of decay and death. Every step felt like a descent into madness.

"Oh God!" I whispered as I walked slowly, trying not to make any sound. "How does this place exist in your world?"

"It was an Evil Queen's doing, I heard." Suzy answered as I walked ahead.

"Where do we find a bonedust?" Jaq asked and I took out my compass and the map Lady Tremaine had given me from the bag around my waist, opening it and looking at it.

"According to this, it's by the black river and that should be ahead." I said and looked. I continued my journey while Jaq wouldn't stop freaking out. I wondered why the sun never shined here, this wasn't even in the kingdom. Lady Tremaine had sent me out of the kingdom to go find something in an evil forest.

Lord have mercy on me.

"Guys, we need to calm down!" I whisper-yelled, trying to reassure myself as much as Jaq and Suzy. But my words were hollow. Fear gripped my heart as I quickened my pace.

And then, I saw it.

I froze.

"Oh my God, is that... a skeleton?" My voice trembled.

I didn't wait for confirmation. I picked up speed, my legs pumping as I desperately tried to put distance between myself and the gruesome sight. Jaq and Suzy sensed my panic, their tiny hearts racing in tandem with mine.

Suddenly, unsettling noises echoed through the forest – twigs snapping, leaves rustling, and an unnerving, unearthly whispering.

My pace turned into a frantic sprint.

"Don't look back!" Suzy warned, her tiny voice shrill with fear.

"I wouldn't dare," I replied, my eyes fixed on the path ahead.

The darkness seemed to closing in around us.

As we went deeper into Redwoods Forest, the mice's warnings proved eerily accurate. The trees' black leaves seemed to absorb what little light filtered through, casting long, ominous shadows.

The woods bled, sap oozing from gashed trunks like lifeblood. Every step echoed with the unsettling sounds of bats fluttering overhead and screams piercing the air.

At first, the screams seemed to come from all directions, making my skin crawl. It was as if the trees themselves were wailing in agony. It was scary but I continued.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees parted to reveal the Black River. Its dark waters flowed like a serpent through the heart of the forest.

Relief washed over me. "We made it, guys," I whispered to Jaq and Suzy, my pocket companions.

The river's presence offered a sense of hope, but I knew our journey was far from over.

It indeed was black, as black as night and I moved closer, I looked around the river first and knelt beside it. "We're here."

"Oh, I am so happy." Jaq said, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Okay, where do I find it? What does the bonedust look like?" I asked them.

"It's inside the water," Suzy answered. "You stick your hand into the water and bring it out."

I gave her an irritated look. "You're fucking kidding me. I have to dig my hand in that? What if there's like an Ursula worshipper inside that shit and it eats my arm?!"

"Then you lose one arm." Suzy replied with a smile. "I did say coming here was a bad idea."

"Guys, if we want to get back home alive, we really have to hurry or we might become a story for children."

"Nobody knows me so, we won't become shit." I said with a sigh and rolled my sleeves. "Okay, here goes." I said and let out a nervous sigh. "fuck!" I moved closer to the water and dipped my hand into it gently. "Ew. Oh God! Please protect my arm." I prayed as I pushed my hand further into the water, I couldn't feel anything, I couldn't touch anything and so I took my hand out. "Nothing."

"Try again." Jaq insisted and I dived my hand back into the water, I searched for it and then touched something, I paused.

"What? What?" Suzy asked.

"I found something!" I said and pulled out my arm, taking out a white stone along, my smile vanished and i couldn't be more disappointed in myself. "Are you fucking kidding me? Seriously." I groaned and was about to throw it back when suzy stopped me.

"Wait!"

"What?"

"It's not a stone! Open it," she urged.

I raised an eyebrow but didn't question her. Grasping the top and bottom, I twisted the rock in different angles until it creaked open.

My eyes widened as I peered inside. "Oh my God, guys, I think this is it!"

The shiny blue particles sparkling within sent a surge of excitement through me. "This is the bone dust! We did it!" I exclaimed, excitedly.

Jaq and Suzy burst into laughter, both just as excited as I was that this was over.

But our joy was short-lived. I frowned, holding up a hand. "Shush! Shush!"

The laughter ceased, replaced by an unsettling silence. I strained my ears, waiting for the sound again. Nothing.

"Guys, did you... hear that?" I whispered, unease creeping in.

Then, it came again – a haunting howl.

"I did," Suzy replied, her voice trembling.

My heart sank. The sound wasn't behind us; it came from across the Black River.

"Oh my God!" I whispered, my voice trembling as I locked eyes with the enormous black wolf across the river.

Its eyes blazed with fury – piercing red and white orbs that seemed to burn into my soul. The wolf's massive size made my heart quiver. It was huge, its body rippling with muscles. A long scar marred its white eye, eerily reminiscent of Scar from the tales.

Jaq's panicked voice pierced the air. "We're so dead, Elvis! We're so dead!"

Suzy's trembling query followed. "Can you run?"

I raised a shaky hand, silencing them. "Don't make a sound."

My own breath caught in my throat as the wolf's growls intensified.

My hands shook uncontrollably, fear gripping every fiber of my being.

I had never seen a wolf before.

Let me rephrase that,

I had never seen a two headed wolf before.