“What would you like?”
Mirror reached out his hand. “Before I go, will you tell me that I’m your friend?”
Sabrina took his hand and held it tightly. “Mirror, I am your friend.”
He smiled and sighed and winked at her. Then Granny Relda’s mouth opened and the black spirit of Mirror slipped out and fell to the ground. Granny Relda collapsed. Bunny helped the old woman revive while Sabrina watched the dark mass flopping about like a fish unable to return to the sea. Sabrina caressed him and told him that everything would be OK. Then Mirror melted into a puddle of glistening silver. His remains leaked into the soil and were gone.
There was the sound of fluttering wings. Puck landed at her feet. He had Daphne with him, safe and sound.
“You know, as many times as you two get tossed off of tall things, you would think you’d start wearing parachutes,” he said.
Sabrina swept her sister up into a hug.
“How are you feeling?” Daphne asked.
“It’s gone,” Sabrina said. “The magic is gone.”
Granny stirred, and Sabrina helped her to sit up just as Uncle Jake, Daphne, Henry, Veronica, Basil, and Elvis rushed to join them. The old woman blinked and looked around.
“Welcome back, liebling,” Sabrina said.
Granny Relda smiled and gave her a hug. “Have you girls been up to shenanigans?”
“Hey, that’s my word!” Daphne cried, and hugged her so tight Sabrina worried the old woman might break. Elvis pushed his way in to shower her with happy licks.
Henry and Jake helped their mother to her feet. She wobbled a bit but finally found her balance.
“How do you feel, Relda?” Veronica said, embracing the woman.
“I suppose I should be tired, but I’m actually very hungry,” Relda said with a laugh. “Oh, dear, I’ve lost my hat.”
“We’ll buy you another hat, Mom.” Uncle Jake laughed.
Basil squirmed in Veronica’s arms. “Who is this, Mommy?”
Veronica smiled as a tear escaped her happy eyes. “Honey, this is your grandmother. She’s part of your family.”
“Do you have a boo-boo?” he asked.
Granny wrapped him up in her arms. “I do! But I bet a kiss would make it feel better.”
Basil gave her a big kiss on the cheek.
“You look just like your opa,” Granny cooed.
Puck stepped forward and the old woman nodded at him. “Just so you know, I pretty much saved the whole world,” he said.
“Oh, I have no doubts.”
“Mom, look,” Henry said, pointing to the Everafters who were all bravely stepping on ground they hadn’t been able to reach in hundreds of years. “The barrier is down.”
“Oh dear,” Granny said.
“It’s going to be OK, Granny,” Daphne said.
And then they walked to the edge of town with the rest of the Everafters following behind them. Sabrina could see their faces, uncertain if their greatest wish also frightened them.
Sabrina turned to them and smiled. “You’re free.”
Charming, Snow White, the Cowardly Lion, Baba Yaga, Red, Mr. Canis, Boarman and Swineheart, Pinocchio—so many faces. They all took a step forward and stood with the family on the other side.
Everyone stood silently until Snow White spoke. “It’s too big.”
“What?” Sabrina asked.
“The possibilities,” the beautiful teacher said.
Red helped Mr. Canis forward. He leaned against his cane and gaped at the horizon. Beauty and Natalie joined them, as well as Mr. Boarman and Mr. Swineheart. The Pied Piper’s eyes filled with tears while his son stood grinning. The Frog Prince held his daughter in his arms. The Scarecrow’s burlap face displayed a wide, painted smile.
And then Puck pushed through the crowd. He rubbed his hands eagerly and grinned.
“Have I got plans for you!” he crowed, flying into the air with his wooden sword in hand.
? ? ?
A week later, many of the Everafters were gone. The Frog Prince and his daughter left, as did the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, all of King Arthur’s remaining knights, and Little John. Daphne and the coven worked with some of the talking animals in hopes of creating disguises that would allow them to look human. Veronica held a seminar on the basics of modern life, including how to use a computer, apply for a job, and get an apartment. She was very surprised to find that nearly everyone in town came to hear her. It looked as if Ferryport Landing would be all but abandoned soon.