Just then, the older Daphne entered the tent. "It appears our little mission has paid off," she said to Charming. "I may have found another tear in time."
"Can you tell us when and where it will be?" Sabrina asked eagerly.
"The Ferryport Landing Cemetery. We need to leave now."
*
The adults led the children through the cemetery. There were headstones as far as the eye could see, and a crumbling mausoleum leaning precariously across the path. Weeds had grown over most of the burial plots. None of the cemetery's lamps were working, so the group had to rely on the bluish light of the full moon. It gave everything and everyone a ghostly quality.
"I cannot guarantee the tear will take you back home," the older Daphne said. "In fact, it could put you into an even more dangerous situation."
"What could be more dangerous than running from dragons all day long?" Sabrina said.
"Appearing in the past during the witch trials, for one. Imagine popping up in a Puritan camp and being burned at the stake. Or you could be sent further into the future, when my sister and I are dead and there is no one to protect you from the Scarlet Hand."
"So, we could step through the tear only to find a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex on the other side?" Sabrina asked.
"No, T-rexes weren't native to North America," her older self explained. "But you could step through and find yourself in an ice age thousands of years in the past, or far into the future on the day the sun goes supernova. This isn't a ticket on the Metro-North train. We don't know where you'll end up."
"Then this is too dangerous," Granny Relda said.
"Relda, we know we can't stay here," Charming said. "If there's a chance to get back and make things right, I'll take it. I can't speak for the girls, but I'm going through."
"We'll take our chances too," Daphne said.
Sabrina looked to her sister, surprised by her assertiveness but nodding in agreement. Little chance was better than no chance at all.
"The event should take place within moments," the future Daphne said. "Are you ready?" Everyone nodded.
"So where is it going to happen?" Charming said impatiently.
The future Daphne took a small black orb out of one of her pockets. It shimmered and soon Daphne was shimmering as well. "Directly above that grave," she said, pointing at a tombstone.
Charming's face blanched. He walked to the grave reluctantly, as if it pained him to stand near it. Sabrina and Daphne joined him, unsure of what had caused the change. Then Sabrina saw the name on the granite headstone: Snow White. Daphne gasped.
"They killed her," Charming said. "The Scarlet Hand killed her."
"Why?"
Charming shook his head miserably, then grabbed Sabrina and Daphne by the arms. "If we get back, we have to change this. We have to change everything we can."
"We will!" Sabrina said, surprised by his impassioned demand.
Just then, a black cloud covered the sky. It churned like an angry whirlpool, quickly forming a tornado. The abrupt change in the sky was startling.
"That's it!" the older Daphne shouted. "It's coming."
Charming knelt down and caressed the granite as if it were Snow White's delicate face.
"Take care of yourselves, girls," the older Granny Relda said as the cloud got wider and uglier.
"And take care of each other!" the grown-up Sabrina said.
"You too!" Daphne shouted over the wind roaring in their ears.
"Well, Relda! Am I interrupting another tender moment?" a voice said in a loud growl. The group turned to find the Wolf rushing at them. "I hope you don't mind. I brought some friends."
From the horizon Sabrina spotted what appeared to be a small army. They marched toward the group, holding spears, bows and arrows, and swords. On each of their chests was a horrible mark the girls had seen many times: a bloodred handprint. It was the army of the Scarlet Hand.
The future Daphne reached into her overcoat and took out a wand. She turned it on the Wolf and a shock wave came out so powerfully it sent the beast flailing backward over the high trees. Unfortunately, it did nothing to stop the approaching soldiers.
"Sister... ," the future Daphne started, but the blond woman was already leaping into action.
"I'm on it," the older Sabrina said. Puck swooped down, scooped her up, and flew her straight toward the approaching soldiers. The two disappeared into the throng, and moments later Sabrina could hear the sounds of clanging swords, groaning men, and Puck's cheers and laughter.
Sabrina heard something zip through the air and saw an arrow land only inches away from her foot. Another arrow whizzed past and hit a nearby tree. She pulled her sister close and looked at Charming and the future Daphne. "I hope this is going to happen soon."
The future Daphne raced to Charming's side and pointed to her face. "Make sure that Nottingham pays for this."
Sabrina looked at the jagged scar on the woman's cheek. She hoped that the rough winds had prevented young Daphne from hearing the terrible conversation.
"I will!" Charming shouted.
Sabrina had a million questions, but she never got a chance to ask them. At that moment the world dissolved right before her eyes.
Chapter 7