Chapter Five - Conceal It

Woo, Dagger is back in business guys! After writing that update for Party of the Plane, I'm totally hyped to update the rest of my stories in this fandom. Since this was the story with the most reviews on the last chapter, I figured I'd update it next. c; Hopefully it's good!

life as a demigod : I'm glad you liked it, and that it worked so well with the story! I was super happy to put them in. And sorry about the shortness that was matched with such a long wait! Hopefully this will somewhat make up for it.

iHaveOSD : It's fine! As you can see, I took even longer to update. cx I'm glad you loved the chapter! I feel the same way, and if it weren't for Teague being so rich, I would've had him have a rooftop haven as well. However, that didn't make as much sense for his big house, so I decided to do this instead. I'm glad it's amazing! And ahhhh, I can't even begin to describe how excited I am - even with the long gap between updates - to write the forest scene in this AU. c: Sorry that update did not come sooner.

Anyways, now that I've done that, let's get you guys that story now. c: You deserve it after how long this took.

Teague's Point of View

I sit in my chair, not focusing on class at all anymore as I try to think things through. Zack is not sitting next to me anymore. Instead he is sitting all the way across the room next to none other than Brody Carmichael and his gang. This is why, even though I'm not paying any attention to the lesson, my eyes are doing their best to burn holes into the chalkboard to keep my attention from swaying away at all to them. For one of the first times in my life, I can feel betrayal coursing through me. Zack and I had had a fight while we were at the concert, but guys always fight. How the heck does that justify him abandoning me and hanging out with Brody, of all people? I mean, this new version of him is even worse than the original. So why the heck is he doing this to me?

However, I'm not quite as angry as I could be. I don't need him; I'm the Dark Prince. Not only that, but I remember something similar occurring during a quest that I gave Mina, which means I just have to correlate who I made who for that quest and then figure it out from there. I also have to remember which quest happened after Little Red Riding Hood that we a major one.

Hoping that it will help me deduce it, I decide to figure out who correlates to each other first in case it gives me a clue. Zack is obviously this world's version of Nan. But what about Brody? I consider it for a few moments, and then it clicks. Brody is this world's version of Savannah. I cringe at even thinking of her, but ignore it for now. I knew that already. How could I ever forget that? It's slightly concerning, but I ignore that for now too. Brody has to be important. There is no way that I would not have taken the opportunity to make Mina have to deal with her enemy. The real question is what I did.

However, then it clicks. Savannah White? The name is a perfect chance for the Story. After all, it sounds far too close to an actual fairy tale character's name: Snow White. That seems even more like the direction it'll be going in due to the fact that the glass coffin at the concert was the reason I left. I was not interested in delving into another quest, but it appears I do not get a say. It's obvious of who it will be now that I have thought it through, and I'm ashamed of myself for even taking such a cheap opportunity. However, I did what I could with the stories I could use. It's not like I didn't do a good job with my manipulations. Besides, this world isn't very creative at all, so it makes sense that it would do something that seems so obvious now. This stupid Story can't even do good at his job.

Even though I make sure to face forward, I allow my eyes to look as well as they can at Brody over in the corner as he talks and fails to pay attention in class. However, despite the crick in my neck and the splitting headache that I have developed from working so hard to watch him out of the corner of my eyes, nothing interesting happens in the forty five minutes. In the end, I force myself to go as slow as possible and dawdle as I wait for Brody and Zack to make their way out.

My redheaded friend doesn't even look in my direct as he walks out with his backpack, trailing Brody almost like a sad puppy dog. It's kind of pathetic. I mean, I know Zack wasn't the most manly, but seriously? This is like feminine backstabbing. No offense to girls of course, but this isn't something guys do. They get into fights and then make up and get on with life. They really don't do stuff like this. Is this world just mimicking mine too closely and it isn't interested in diverging, or have I just never realized how horrible human boys can be to their friends? I follow after them at the best distance that I can, observing carefully for any sort of reference to something that could be a part of the quest. I hate how much I have forgotten of what occurred, and a small voice reminds me that I could technically go to Mina. She's the one who lived this all out and probably remembers it. However, my pride refuses to let me. I will not go groveling to her for help while she's acting like a high and mighty jerk.

As I follow my once best friend and enemy, I also eavesdrop. It's not rude when it's for the greater good, right? As I do, I listen to Zack say, "So, my mom's boyfriend isn't using his cabin next weekend. He and I had a talk and he's agreed to let me have a party there. You interested in coming?"

Brody, however, seems skeptical of the idea. "A cabin? Sounds kind of boring, don't you think?"

"If a lake, boats, and girls are boring to you." Zack responds, and I can't help but feel that he probably could've just said 'girls' as a reason to get this version of Brody interested.

And, as I expected, that statement does get him interested. "Well, when you put it that way...I suppose I could see if I can make it. But for it to be real party, there's a few qualifications. And the guest list, well..." As they begin to speed up and chat more, a student cuts in front of me, resulting in me no longer being able to hear their discussion about a party that I am quite positive happened in Mina's Grimm curse as well.

"Dang it." I mutter under my breath, considering whether or not I should follow after the blonde idol of the school. To be fair, nothing interesting is actually happening to him. Would it really be a big deal if I didn't follow after her? After a few more moments of contemplation, I decide that it's better just to head to class and avoid another detention. I change directions in the middle of the hallway, poised to head for class, only to run head on with a new student.

"Hey, can't you watch where you're going?" The green eyed boy fumes, scowling at me. He pushes me out of the way with more force than I expected, and unless I'm mistaken, he mutters under his breath, "Gimp."

Taken aback, I watch the dirty blonde hurry away from where he shoved me to someone leaning against the wall. I almost looked over her due to how average she looks. Brown hair and brown eyes. They don't stick out much on anyone, and I probably would've missed her if this boy wasn't rushing over to her and she didn't appear to be watching the situation with vague interest and, if I didn't know any better, amusement.

I consider calling out to the boy and apologizing, but then it clicks in my head on who he's rushing over to: Mina. And then the voice clicks into place in my head. I know where that boy is from. I've even seen him just recently. It's the boy in the motel that seems to be this world's version of Ever, at least for Mina, named Storm. I stand there, more stunned than I should be, as he catches up to Mina and gives her a huge hug. It's longer than how long normal friends would hug for, and even when he lets go, they're still standing far too close for comfort. This leaves me with so many questions. One of the big ones is why the heck is he here? Did Mina convince him, or was this a move he decided on all on his own?

I stay frozen there, analyzing the situation and trying to figure things out as students keep bumping and shoving into me. Some snap at me to move, but I ignore them, instead watching as Mina leans forward and whispers in Storm's ear. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the way she was acting is downright sweet. It definitely does not line up with any of her recent behavior and how cold she's been. It almost appears to be like her old personality, or at least some mixed variant. It certainly seems more pleasant than her current actions towards me. I cringe as I watch Storm lean in even closer, and dig my fingers into my text book rather painfully. She isn't helping me, and she certainly isn't trying to figure out how to get home. Instead, she's spending her time flirting? How ridiculous is that?"

I look away from them, making sure that I know that I am only angry due to how she is acting as I move through the hallway, praying that she did not realize I was watching them. Didn't she tell me they were just friends? I've considered this a few times, but what the heck happened there? She has to have lied or something has to have changed from that time based on how this is going. Frustrated with everything, I walk into my biology classroom, but a quick glance inside makes me realize that this is the wrong period and the wrong class.

Which of course means that I will have to turn around and walk past Mina and her apparent boyfriend again. The thought of it makes me sick. I mean honestly, does she even care about how our lives have been turned upside down? We're the only ones who remember anything, yet she can't get off her high horse for one moment and be pleasant with me so that we can get something done!

I can't help but also feel a twinge of jealousy as well. Why the heck is it that she continues to keep spending so much time with that idiotic storm enigma over there? What does he got that I don't? I don't mean that in any sort of romantic sense, of course. I don't care if Mina has those sort of feelings for someone. She should have them for someone else besides me, because I certainly would never return them. I would never dream of it, unless it was a nightmare. However, what does he have that makes her keep wanting to hang out with him over me?

Mina's Point of View

Storm tugs me along through the hallway thanks to his tight grip on my one hand, leaving me with only my free hand to pinch my nose with. He weaves through it with ease that is rather unexpected for someone who has barely ever gone to school till we eventually reach an empty classroom, and then proceeds to shove me inside in front of him before quickly following him. Scanning it over once, he then shuts the door behind him and locks it.

This should look incredibly sketchy to me. I'm sure it does to anyone else. However, Storm has made his intentions to help me right now quite clear, so I trust that nothing is going to happen. We'll just have to hope no one walks in on us.

I sit down on the top of a desk, using the hand Storm was gripping to massage my temple as my storm enigma friend grabs a tissue box and pass it to me. I let go of my nose for a moment to grab one from it and then use that to repinch my nose in hopes of stopping the blood now flowing from it. Offering him a thumbs up matched with a pained smile, I take another one and carefully blot at my shirt, which now has a huge blood stain on it.

Storm sighs, shaking his head as he sets the box on the desk beside me before scrambling over to the door and checking it. "The coast is clear. Just fix your shirt and nose with your magic, okay?"

I sigh, waving my hand over the shirt to clean it but doing nothing with my nose. "The shirt I can do. But my nose?" I shake my head helplessly.

He turns back around and gives me one of the most confused looks that I have ever seen. "Why not? I've seen you mend injuries before plenty of times."

"It's different this time." I respond, rubbing my aching forehead as I try to figure out some way to explain this mess to him. "Caused by Fae stuff. It's completely blocked any of my abilities to heal it."

"Which is why you had me enroll for school?" He guesses, and I nod. The faintest trace of a grin ghosts over his face. "I was surprised, to say the least, seeing as we'd both originally agreed that it was dangerous for me to be here. But I'm honored as well that you think I'd do a better job than that Grimm of yours."

I raise my eyebrows at that comment, slightly taken aback. "You think Teague knows anything about this? You've got to be kidding me."

"He doesn't?" It actually seems to take him by surprise. "But hasn't he noticed that you're constantly in pain around him?"

"We barely interact at this point." I inform him, raising my head to look at the ceiling in hopes that that will help to stop my nose bleed. "He's a jerk and he won't accept my help. Besides, I need to keep a lower profile. I got too involved all at once, and we saw how that went."

Storm snorts. "Yup. Injured within a week."

I glare at him, and he takes his cue to zip it before he can say anything else. "Anyways, even if we were interacting, there is no way that I would get him involved in this sort of thing. Gimps don't have any business knowing what's going on in my life. How would I even explain it?" I let out a bitter chuckle. "It would get too complicated too fast."

However, my friend doesn't seem to be buying it. "You're telling me he hasn't even noticed the disappearance of the gold?"

"Of course he has." I snap, before taking a deep breath. "Sorry, that was rude. It's just..." I trail off, shaking my head, "I don't even know why it didn't happen sooner. You know?"

"Maybe it's only just manifesting further? You always seemed way stronger. Maybe someone did something to change it." Of course this is all trying to work itself out to seem like it's always been happening like this in this world. Of course Storm would think half of this stuff was already happening. He wouldn't believe me if I told him otherwise.

"Probably the stupid Story." I comment, although it's not particularly directed at anyone.

"You rang?" I nearly fall off the chair as the voice unexpectedly rings out from behind me. Carefully I slide off, turning to see the gray-eyed freak that is smirking so cockily at me. He glances between me and Storm, and then lets out a short laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry, was I interrupting something?"

I carefully give Storm a look that I know he'll interpret as 'shut up and let me do all the talking.' So long as he interprets it like that, he should be fine. "Not in the sense you mean. But yes, you are interrupting a conversation right now. So leave. Now." I give him a look over, still as disgusted with him as ever.

"Good." He smirks even wider. "I wouldn't want your pet storm enigma to be trying anything that might tempt my future wife from me."

"I'm not her pet!" Storm snaps angrily, and the only thing that stops him from continuing is my glare.

"I suggest that you stay out of this, or I'll make you." It only sounds like a simple scolding from Jared, but it's clear to everyone hear that it is a very clear threat.

I take a deep breath, refusing to shut my eyes purely because I do not trust Jared. Almost positive that the blood has finally stopped, I release my nose and fold my arm. "I'm not going to be your wife ever, Story."

He shakes his head rather condescendingly. "Well, we're halfway there." Was that a pun? I cringe at the mere thought as ideas at what it might mean for me spin wildly out of control in my head.

"Look, is there a specific reason you decided to show up here?" I say after a long pause, sure that I'm now in control. "Or was it just to be bothersome and ask the same questions as usual?"

"Oh, this time I'm not here to ask you questions! We'll save that for next time." He sounds far too chipper as he winks at me. What the heck has he done? "No, this time I have a gift for you."

His smile is definitely far too wide to be anything good, not that a gift from the Story would ever be good. "I don't believe that I want it, so I'll pass."

"I'm afraid it's not one you're allowed to pass." He leans forward and I step back, pressing against the desk behind me. "Ready for it?" I simply glare at him as he snaps his fingers. "And here it is...!"

It appears in his hands, and as soon as I scream he disappears and lets it drop to the ground in front of me. I push the desk out from behind me as I stumble away, gasping and covering my mouth as I stare at what he has presented me with.

Storm comes scrambling towards me. "Mina, calm down! What is it?" He reaches me, and then grabs my hand, staring at the sight before us. "I stand corrected." His attempt to add humor to the situation does not work, but he continues anyways. "Who is it?"

I slowly take my hand from his, kneeling before the blood-splattered body before us, with wings bent out in odd directions that I can't help but accidentally land on top of it. "She is...was his fiancée."

"Ever?" He asks, almost like he just needs another moment of confirmation to be sure as I stare down at the corpse laying here. "I think I might be sick. What do you think he did to get her so...um...well...bloody?"

"I don't know." I admit, and I know that if I had not been here for so long, I would be feeling just as sick as Storm. Sadly, I've seen someone dead before my eyes too many times now for it to truly phase me. Considering who Ever is in this world, that only adds to the numb feeling, and doesn't seem to be negated by our relationship from our own time. "But whatever he did, it was bad."

Something crumpled up in her fist catches my eye, and I carefully pry it out and spread it out once Storm has stumbled away a bit to try and get the image out of his eyes. It's a piece of paper with hastily written words on it. It's a bit bloody in the corners and the lettering is slightly smudged, but it is still legible. Even if all of it wasn't, it wouldn't be too hard to get the general gist.

Mina, I don't have much time to explain. I'm sorry. I never meant to bring all of us here to such a messed up place. It was supposed to be an innocent wish, one that would have been perfect if it had somehow come true. I never thought I'd cause a mess like this. I had wanted Jared back, but not like this. This isn't him.

Charlie is safe here. I don't know why Jared leaves him alone and acts at times almost protective of him, but he does. Charlie is very much awake, for lack of a better word, and I don't think he likes me much anymore. I think he might even have an idea on how to fix all of this. If only I had just listened to him sooner. If you can somehow get here safely and get his help without having to do what Jared wants, then please, do it. Right this mess before it's too late.

I'm so sorry. I was going to come to you and apologize myself. I was going to help you fix all of this. Sadly, I'm afraid I have learned my lesson too late. Jared found out my plan, although I have no idea how, and I know that I'm done for. Charlie finally told me what Jared has been up to every time he slinks off. I'm so sorry for what I did to you, and what he subjected you to.

Good luck from your horrible Fae Godmother.

I blink, trying so hard to muster up some sort of sadness for her, but it appears that my tear reservoirs have gone dry. The note does make me feel a smidge of regret for her, but not enough to negate everything she has done. In fact, as horrible as it is, a larger part of me is more interested in the fact that Ever actually looks rather different than she does in our world. She has longer hair that isn't dyed, and she's dressed in a short, white dress. Thankfully, her signature boots are still on, leaving her with some remnant of herself. I try to avoid reflecting about all the blood and injuries, seeing as they do add to the difference in her appearance.

Eventually I force myself to look away, thinking back to Jared's words. He said that we were halfway to me becoming his wife, or at least his future wife. Was this what he was referring to? Or is it in reference to the other, bigger problem? While I'm hoping it's the first option, even though it would mean time would probably be up sooner and his plan would be going faster, I have a feeling that it is the second option. And despite how horrible the first one is, the second one is far worse.

"We need to get rid of the body." Storm announces, walking over to me as I quickly shove the note in my jacket pocket for further examination at a later date. "If they find us in here with that, there will be too many questions. Not to mention we'll be in major trouble."

"Easy." I wave my hand over her, and slowly she fades out of view. "All signs of it completely erased, at least from here. No one will ever know, so we can't get in trouble and no fingers will be pointed at us."

"Are you okay?" He sounces super concerned, and I glance at him in surprise as I stand. "After everything he said, I was just worried since...You know...His plans for the future...Well, they don't exactly line up with yours...And I know it gets super touchy from there..."

I chuckle, although it lacks any sort of amusement. "Not that it makes things any better, but I'm used to it. Look, let's just get to class." A thought enters my mind, and I grin the slightest bit. "I have to be ready just in case I need to...Intercept something."

Wow, okay. So there we have it. Sorry that it's not as long as my update for Party, but hey, I couldn't do more without risking revealing anything too big. I suppose I could have done more from Teague, but I think this should be satisfactory. How was the chapter? Good? Bad? What do you think of Zach's behavior? Sorry it was so girly, but I wasn't really sure what else to make him do. What do you think of Storm's appearance once again? Do you like him? And how about his interactions with Mina? Is Teague jealous, or is Teague jealous? :p And what about the appearance of Jared? What bigger dilemma do you think Mina keeps eluding to with her pain? Were you expecting Jared to present her with the dead body of Ever? What do you think that means for the crew? How do you think they are supposed to ever get home? Will Teague and Mina ever make up? Let me know your thoughts and predictions in a review!

Anyways, thanks for reading. I swear we'll get to the forest scenes eventually. We're one step closer, right? cx I'm as excited for it as you guys (hopefully) are!

Until next time!

~ Dagger