The One That Got Away

EVERY YOU AND EVERY ME

It took her a few minutes to be able to open her eyes. Sunlight was bursting through the window and it was hurting her as if she had been sleeping for days. Layla touched the mattress and the sheets. Soft as a feather.

She had no idea where she was. Again.

When she was finally able to see, she found herself in a bedroom she didn't recognize. It was small, comfortable, and clean. She lifted the sheets to see what she was wearing. A white nightgown that could belong to her grandmother. Layla rubbed her forehead and chuckled. Maybe she was in a third parallel universe this time.

She got off the bed. No slippers or shoes, but the floor was covered with fluffy carpets. She shrugged and moved towards the door, opening it just enough to glimpse outside. Stairs to her left led downstairs. She contemplated whether she should go there, when a happy tweet got her attention.

Layla, surprised, saw the same turquoise bird she met in the forest. "Little birdie, here you are!" The bird chirped cheerfully, flying around her head, and then towards the staircase. It stopped, turning to stare at Layla as if waiting for her. She had to go downstairs sooner or later, so she followed.

The place looked like a normal, traditional village house. The living room had a table with chairs and a fireplace. On the left, an entrance led to a different room. She picked a glance, but the smells coming from inside already betrayed its purpose. It was the kitchen.

A woman of familiar posture had her back on her, cooking. As Layla trod with caution, she heard a child sing. On shifting to search for the little one, the tiny fairy of the woods popped in front of her, revealing the source of the singing.

"Everybody's here I see," she said as the two creatures were dancing around the room.

The moment she spoke, the woman turned. A gasp escaped Layla as she recognized one of her favorite persons in all universes.

"Margaret!" She ran the small distance that separated them and fell in the old lady's arms. The woman touched her hair gently but Layla stiffened. Something was wrong. Something was off. She backstepped quickly out of the woman's reach and stared at her. She looked like Margaret but didn't feel like her.

Layla furrowed her brows. "Who are you?"

The woman opened her mouth to speak. The sound of her voice was nowhere near Margaret's.

"You are a fast learner I see." Her tone was kind, but Layla had been through enough not to trust anyone or anything, anymore. The fairy who, along with the bird, was seated on a chair's back watching the interaction with obvious interest, must have sensed her frustration and decided to intervene.

"You are safe nice lady! You are safe!"

Layla eyed the woman cautiously. Should she trust the fairy's statement? The tiny thing did try to warn her earlier about the witch. Her eyes widened. The witch! She tried to kill her! In fact, judging by the last memories of their meeting crashing in her mind, the claws grasping her, the oblivion, she must have succeeded.

She turned to face the fake Margaret. "Fast learner?" A bitter chuckle left her lips. "I don't think so. I keep repeating the same mistakes." She cocked her head to the side. "Am I dead?"

The woman, carrying two plates with food, headed to the table. "Are you coming?" she said to Layla without pausing.

Resigned and exhausted, Layla followed. She sat on one of the chairs and watched as the old lady brought more plates and a steaming pot of coffee. Apparently, all the Margarets everywhere were determined to feed her.