in a split second, i'm hit with every memory i've forgotten. rapunzel. i keep hearing that name repeated in my head. forcefully, i closed my eyes in hopes to stop all the memories straining my head. i can see it all, i see my parents, i see the castle, i see her.

"fuck, zelly!"

i dropped to my knees, my body letting go. shawn had grabbed me in his arms, preventing me from falling to the ground. i can't stay awake, i need to remember.

                              shawn's pov

shit! i grab her quickly, lifting her into my arms before she fell onto the ground. oh god, zelly.

"fuck, zelly!"

i shout, hoping it'd shake her up a bit. she only passes out, her body limp, i curse under my breath. whoever that witch woman was had disappeared, but the sky was still dark gray. she had to still be around somewhere nearby, i shake my head. forget about her right now, take care of the girl that's in your arms passed out!

quickly, i carry zelly inside and upstairs to our room together. i set her down onto her bed, as she laid unconscious, internally i began panicking. how can i wake her? who was that woman? am i even alive?

millions of questions were passing through my mind, i paced in front of her bed. watching our room's doors, including the balcony's. what am i supposed to do? i kneel beside her bed, shaking her vigorously, no use.

"ZELLY! WAKE UP!"

i screamed at her, she didn't budge. i sighed, there's gotta be a way somehow to wake her. for all we know, that witch is coming to kill us!

zelly's pov

"mom, help me please!

i cried out as i was strapped to a chair. i can't fucking get out! my mom pulled against the restraints, no use. i looked at her with panic, her eyes were glossy.

"oh, honey i'm gonna get you out of this you hear me? that witch bitch isn't going to hurt you anymore."

my eyes burned with tears as she tried using a knife to cut the rope restraints. the metal on the knife melted within seconds, i try pulling and pulling. she tainted it with magic, there's no use.

"mom, please. stop."

i cried, my voice quivering, she continued to try and untie me. her hands beginning to burn up from both the rope and magic. she shook her head refusing to accept that i was going to be cursed. she looked around my room for something to use again, desperate to get me out.

"i love you, mom."

i get out, her eyes dart towards me before i see my chest begin to turn a bright purple. she drops her knives running towards me, but it was too late. i felt it explode within my chest, i screamed in pain feeling a darkness overcome me. the blast blew my mother back, knocking her unconscious.

                             shawn's pov

what could she be dreaming about right now? i keep shaking her, only to see her chest slightly... purple? i blink, rubbing my eyes, am i hallucinating or is her chest glowing purple? i take a closer look, i push down her shirt slightly, seeing her chest gleam purple. placing my hand on her chest, i get electrocuted instantly.

"ow!"

i mumble, taking my hand away. checking my hand for any signs of burnt flesh, there was nothing. i take a look at her chest again to see the purple slightly fade for some reason. was this keeping her asleep?

                               zelly's pov

i wince, feeling my chest burn. my mother wasn't in the room anymore, but my father was. he stared at me in sadness, i blink, am i going crazy?

"how did you find-"

"i got a witch to do it for me."

he confessed, moving to the side to reveal a woman with black curly long hair and red eyes. she smirked, waving at me with her talons. so that's why i'm in this position? that's why i blew up?! he took a step towards me, observing my state.

"what the hell did you do to me."

i spat at the witch, she pouted.

"tsk, tsk. that tone of yours is not suited for your now step-mother, rapunzel."

i widen my eyes, step-mother? no way in hell. i pull at my restraints, only to have my chest burn in resistance. i cuss under my breath, seeing the witch laugh.

"what did you do, father?"

he had an apologetic look on his features, the witch placed a hand on his shoulder. leaning to kiss his cheek, i gag at the sight.

"i made a deal. marriage with her so i could finally find you. your mother made a grave mistake leaving me while taking you.
there's just one catch,"

i raised my eyebrows, looking down at my glowing chest.

"and i'm assuming it has something to do with my glowing chest, right?"

i scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. my dad nodded as the witch pointed at me.

"you're not so naïve after all, maybe you won't be such a bad step-daughter."

she cooed, i growled at her, only to see her laugh.

"you're going to be bounded to the house for all eternity."

my heart plummeted, as the witch approached me.

"and the only way to break the curse? well, that's another story for another time."

i gurgled in my throat, spitting in the witches face. she flinches, wiping the spit away from her face. i glare at her, as she did the same.

"and now? you're never going to find out how to escape. hope it was worth it."

she shrugged, lifting her finger. i felt my chest burn again, making me scream in pain. my father only stood by, not an ounce of remorse on his face. i'm going to find out how to escape this curse...

whether i die trying.