Chapter 3.2: Last Stand

What would happen if I didn't come up for air? 
Jolie isn't really sure what her body would do. Would she drown? Would she somehow adjust to be able to breathe underwater? Would she go into some form of stasis? With everyone in the house asleep Jolie could find out. She could stay under until her lungs strain to breathe and then whatever comes after. She could.

Instead she decides to pull some weeds in the garden and collect chicken eggs and honey. She knows her father would miss her if anything happened. Heck, she's pretty sure everyone would be distraught if she died. She doesn't want to die but she wants to know more about how her body functions. How her species functions.

None of the chickens have an answer for her. Charles the Evil Chicken squawks loudly at Jolie's feet and turns in 3 complete circles before heading back into the coop.
"You're such a weirdo. Welcome to the club."
She is rewarded with a pinkish purple, crystallized,  rare, exotic egg.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Jolie whispers into the coop.
Charles gives out another squawk and kicks up some hay.

"I think the chickens are going a little crazy. Or maybe they're possessed."
Vera looks up, startled, "Come again?"
"I collected a crystallized egg from the coop this morning. That can't be normal."
"What time were you up this morning? Are you feeling ok?"
"I'm fine but the chickens are weird."
"Weird how?"
Jolie gives an exasperated sigh, "Forget it. The chickens are fine. I am fine. Everything is awesome."

Vera consults with Dahlia on the deck after school.
"How was Jolie in school today?"
"Uuumm fine, I guess?" Dahlia pauses, "I was fine too by the way."
"Right. No weird occurrences, though? Aggression? Outbursts? Anything?"
Dahlia gives a loud sigh, "I said she was fine, jeez. I'm going to go try to fix the busted sink, not that anyone would ever care about what I was doing."
"Dahlia, wait!"

Vera watches Dahlia storm off and wonders how she managed to fail so royally with both her sisters in one day.

Varinia proposes an outing to Storybrook Central Park. The family has spent so many days cooped up at home that she's afraid everyone is getting a little stir crazy surrounded by the same people and the same walls day in and day out.

"It's nice to be out and about, mom. How are thing's at your house? Hopefully they're starting to calm down. Our house had a few bumps."
"Honestly, the girls have been a little irritable. I can't say I blame them. It's been a big and hectic move. Everyone's lives have been uprooted. Dahlia had just a few days left of high school and now she has to finish here. I don't think Jolie has fully recuperated from the trauma of being kidnapped. Oh, Maeve, how I miss the days of living in the little shack in the woods."
Varinia wipes at a tear that escapes the corner of her eye.
"It'll get better," Maeve reassures her. "It has to, right?"
"I sure hope so."

Ephraim is unsure about this town, his extended family, and his recent teen birthday. Things were certainly simpler when he was a child.

"It's all down hill from here," Dahlia says. "It can't possibly get better. People barely realize I exist."

"My alien powers do not get stronger with growing phases of the moon. I think you're thinking about werewolves, Uncle Roman."
"Werewolves aren't real, child. Stop reading so many fantasy books!"
Jolie sighs and tries not to roll her eyes. How could he be so blind to everything around him?

Skate party to ease everyone's woes.

Vera runs into Chuck Baughman in the park. They work together at the high school.
"Are you ready for the science field trip this weekend?" Vera asks.
"Ehh, I'm probably not going to show up for that. Saturdays are for parties not work."
"I see," Vera replies slowly. "I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow."
"Maybe."

Varinia serenades the entire park with her most special and treasured instrument.

"It's my birthday today. I'm pretty sure my family forgot," Dahlia admits. "It wouldn't be the first time."
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks."

Vera has to trek across town to see a man about a dog.

Dahlia finds herself about to experience her birthday. No one else is around.

She buries her head in her hands and sobs.

Vera's voice cuts through Dahlia's wails.
"I'm sorry I'm late but I promise I didn't forget. Happy birthday!"
Dahlia's voice shakes, "You remembered?"

Dahlia now has a cute little puppy named Spark.
"I thought it might be nice to have a familiar if you're going to focus on growing magically."
"This was very sweet of you. Thank you, Vera."

A stolen kiss in a quiet garden.

Dahlia wastes no time in finding a job. She's going to put her magic to good use and takes a career as a fortune teller.

"Eat the grains."
Charles clucks angrily and pushes the grains on to the ground.
"Starve then!"

After last night's birthday debacle Varinia is not about to be late to Dahlia's graduation.

Everyone gets dressed up in their best clothes to celebrate Dahlia.

She's left so early she has no idea everyone is gong to show up.

Everyone is there to cheer Dahlia on as she graduates with merit. Her classmates even vote her most popular. Her family cheers loudest.

Maeve insists on hosting an after party for Dahlia, Jermey, and Norman.

"This was so nice of you, Aunt Maeve."
"I'm getting up there in age," Maeve admits. "All I want is to spend my last days surrounded by family."

Maeve doesn't realize she's floating until Vera turns to walk into the house.
"What?"
Varinia casually looks out the front door and lets out a surprised sob.
"No," Varinia cries.
"Mom?"

It's too late. Grim will not bargain tonight.

Israel sneaks off to mourn his wife alone. He mentally catalogues the years they spent together and wonders how long before they'll be together again.