POISONED FRUIT

closed starter for: @winifredxsnow time & location: around Midnight, the streets of Grimmbrook

It was inexplicable, the layer of fog hovering above Grimmbrook. Some residents have, however, noticed a pattern– the fog retreating and creeping in at the same time every day so the hospital adjusted its shifts to its schedule. Edith’s shift was over at 10 pm and she was expected to go straight home but she stayed a while longer at the hospital, familiarizing a new intern with some Grimmbrook Memorial basics– something she felt obligated to do. Eventually the female set off onto the emptied streets of Grimmbrook, her wary eyes scanning the area. At the sight of a person lying on the curb in front one of the bars, she rushed towards them. Inebriated beyond comprehension, and with knees scraped after an unfortunate fall. The person kept asking for their beloved who had ‘wandered off’ as Edith gave first aid. “I will find them, I promise. I won’t rest until I do,” she spoke in her most reassuring voice, sensing a presence behind her as she helped the drunkard get up. Glancing over her shoulder, she squinted her eyes, still giving the poor dude support. “Winifred?”

Winifred hadn’t been planning on getting caught out in the fog. In fact that was the one thing she’d been sure wouldn’t happen. She’d gone to The Red Apple to grab some files and had staff there who’d had no where else to go because home was too far to bike or walk or driving in this was just as dangerous as strolling around in it. They hadn’t been wrong. After getting stuck there for most of the evening, and sending a hundred texts to Hunter that yes she was fine and no she wasn’t trying to put Hunter out of a job and yes she’d tell her where she was going next time, she finally began walking to her car. There was still some time before the next supposed wave of the fog was to hit and she felt confident enough in her ability to get home within that time frame. 

She wasn’t wrong about that – there was no pleasing everyone, even if that was all Danielle wanted to do these days by picking up spare shifts at other jobs and doing more than making ends meet. Each brother wanted something different from her ( and for her ) but neither seemed to be able to see how much she struggled simply to make it through a day with her head above water. “As long as you’re happy, the people that work here are happy, and most are happy with what you’ve done – then does it matter if not everyone is pleased?” Her voice was a touch quieter than before, stuck in a contemplative moment as she considered what her brothers both wanted but couldn’t think of what she wanted. Or if she was even happy with how it had all turned out.

Instead, she focused on doing the same thing that managed to keep her moving forward towards something that she couldn’t quite make out yet. Happiness, doubtful. A purpose, not for her. Maybe she had been fooling herself to think that she’d been able to be happy once, but there were moments that didn’t hurt as much as the rest as she pressed her lips together in a tight lipped smile as she glanced back at Winifred. The offer didn’t feel as if it were dripping in pity or guilt, both of which she appreciated but there was always that hesitation in taking any help from anyone other than her brothers.

         "It might be silly but it’s the best thing for me and Sam, ‘cause I can’t leave him homeless too,“ she replied with a shrug, and she wasn’t about to invite him along into anyone’s home. Not someone that she was barely finding her footing with again as she peered at the other and couldn’t fully recall what it felt like to be close to her like they’d been once before. It made her sad to think they’d drifted so far, pushed apart by jealousy on Danielle’s side until their paths diverged so much that there was no backtracking to when things had been simpler. "You’ve already helped by giving me a chance here. The extra money will come in handy with the club being stuck in Underland.”

Was she happy? Winifred would’ve said yes if asked but she’d also grown accustomed to the thought that happiness wasn’t everything but justice was. Truth was. And those were the things she pursued. “Usually, but it’s also best not to upset your customer base if you can help it.” There was a balance, as with most things, and unfortunately, appearing to appease those who frequented the red apple was just as important as anything else. It was her main source of income, at least to the outward eye.

“I’m still kickin’ aren’t, I?” He shot her a crooked smile. As much as the world seemed to be against him, he had managed to survive and make it this far. He thought he could make it through this just fine. He still had safe spots after all. He wasn’t too worried about his own safety, but rather the kinks it threw in his life. Joseph was fine with changes, but things had been working out well for him lately.

He liked working with Winnie. She was reliable. He could always count on her to provide the best business. She was dedicated to the work she did, and he respected her for that, though he didn’t ask for too many details. He knew she was trying to take Carrie down, but he was a bit unsure if Carrie had even done what she was accused of. He didn’t talk to Carrie about the work he did for Winnie, and he most certainly did not talk about his relationship with Carrie to Winnie. He needed to keep his business life and his personal life separate. It was the only way to continue to maximize his happiness. 

“Nah, I’m staying with some…friends.” Gio wasn’t his friend. He thought Luke was but even that was still complicated and murky. It was simpler to say that. “Oh right.” He knew she could afford a few weeks of bad business. “It’s seriously throwing a wrench in everyone’s plans it seems.” That was what he was sure she didn’t like, having to change her schedule to deal with this just as he did. “I don’t think I have to worry about this place going down anytime soon. People are scared, and they want to be prepared.” And that meant making sure their car wouldn’t break down. He proudly patted the wall closet to him.  

“Debatable,” she returned the smirk with a raised brow included. This was almost like a game between them – sharp words exchanged, knowing they’d never really land on the other. A sparring match where no one got hurt. She didn’t mind it, in fact – she appreciated that Joseph gave as good as he got where she was concerned. There was an equality between them that most people didn’t really broach with her.

Ida nodded in response to Winnie’s roll call of her dogs, the juxtaposition in names giving her a little smile as she nodded toward her own. “Eddie. The little guy is TBD. My roommate and i have just been calling him a variety of nicknames until she settles on something, I think,” she informed the woman, with a grin. “I got Eddie after Farishka and I got divorced and, honestly, he was the best thing that could have happened to me. So you won’t find me disagreeing,” she lamented. Winnie didn’t seem like a dog person, necessarily, but it was a fun surprise to learn she was all the same. 

Ida followed her hand and nodded in vague agreement with the gesture, understanding it entirely. Only in Grimmbrook, she thought to herself idly, shaking her head a bit. “The bar is…swamped, to say the least.” She agreed with a nod. “I think it’s just a familiar place, you know? People want familiarity right now. Something normal.” She pulled her lips to one side, resigned, and then continued, “So, yeah. Pretty busy. This is a rarity, getting a free morning to myself. I figured I might as well take advantage. Do you take this route normally?”

****

“Eddie,” she smiled at the name, laughing a bit at the TBD and nodded. “They have to stick. I didn’t name Captain for a few days and then well, Captain fits.” The dog was large, majestic and the leader of the small pack. “My father got me Oscar Wilde for Christmas before he passed away.” She hated framing it like that but that’s what most people thought –– an unfortunate accident had taken Montgomery’s life. “He got me all three but Oscar is the baby,” though one wouldn’t be able to tell by Oscar’s size.

It had been easy to dismiss it as a rocky road when there had been a small crunch beneath the wheels of her car. It only took a few minutes before Blake felt the unevenness and knew she had to pull over. She had been anticipating one of the tiers to blow for a while, they’d been on their last legs. However, knowing it would befall her didn’t mean she enjoyed it. Blake had been hoping she’d be able to get the proper tune-up and replacement before this actually occurred. t was a bit far too late now. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she dismounted from the driver’s seat to get a fair look at the tire. Yep. She had prepared for this, a spare that would do in the meantime prepped and waiting in her trunk. Blake had been prepared enough, at least she had thought so. No matter how much she prodded, the lug wrench wasn’t able to free the bolts of her tire. Yeah, she was properly stuck. Dirt on her knees, and exasperation on her face, Blake grimaced. This was not how her day was supposed to turn out. She shot a text to Gabrielle that she wouldn’t be able to make it (and assured to know that the event was still in a few hours so Gabrielle had enough time to compensate for her absence). Blake sighed. “So buddy,” She asked the inanimate object that was her car. “What do we wanna do?”

***

❛ Okay, okay! Fuck! ❜ And his arm gets twisted in a way that feels almost inhuman and for a moment there he fears that it has broken or at least sprained. The side of his face hits the hood of the car  and everything goes white for a brief period of time. His ears are also ringing but he can still hear the man call him a lying piece of shit. ❛ I’ll have it by tomorrow, I swear. ❜  Why is he still making promises that he knows he can’t keep? Most importantly, promises he has no intention of keeping. Everything is fun and games until you make those promises to dangerous people. “You said that two days ago motherfucker.” Fine, so he lied. Shocker.  ❛ Alright, grab what’s in my wallet. I’m-I’m sure it’s all there. Just - get off me man. ❜ 

***

Winnie wasn’t one to get involved in people’s business unless it benefited her own. So when she and Hunter were walking and they heard commotion in the alleyway a few blocks down from the Red Apple, they could’ve kept going. Except she heard a somewhat familiar voice and paused. Felix Buchanan was someone Javier had mentioned in passing, along with a list of people he refused to do business with or accept bets from at The Pit. IT was good for Winnie to know as much and she appreciated his care when it came to choosing who to deal with. It meant her investments would be protected by way of his. 

ADD GIF

Jesus returned her smile, open and warm because as far as he was concerned, Winifred was an ally of the Deadly 7 and neither of them had reason for animosity, even if Jesus hadn’t personally dealt with her much. He was lower on the totem pole, normally handling matters that didn’t really intersect into Winifred’s business. But these were strange days, so he’d become the emissary this time. 

“Me too; I’m not normally known for being punctual,” Jesus said, smile turning rueful. He had absolutely no concept of time, so it was honestly a happy accident that he wasn’t actually late. The other members of the Deadly 7 knew by now that it wasn’t anything personal when he was late for stuff, but that was yet another reason he didn’t normally do stuff like this, when even the slightest error could be seen as a slight and affect the gang’s working relationships. 

Jesus set his helmet down on the nearest clean surface and leaned against the wall rather than sitting- sitting felt too official, gave him flashbacks to hours spent in principal’s offices. 

“We need money,” he said, not bothering to dance around the issue. “This mist has fucked a lot up for us, operations-wise, and that makes it… difficult to fulfill certain obligations. Not impossible, but difficult.”

***

“Never hurts to start changing that,” she noted with a wry smile, putting the expenses she’d been reviewing into a folder. Leaning back in her seat, she looked over at him curiously, wondering what could’ve brought him out to Wonderland. His explanation made sense, however, given the strange things happening in town, so Winifred didn’t blame him or find it odd. They were something of business partners, though that was definitely a loose term when it came to Winnie. She didn’t trust anyone enough to put a label such as partner on an arrangement, but the Deadly 7 hadn’t been anything but useful in the year since her father’s death, so she had no hard feelings towards them. 

He shook his head and waved his hand off, “No, I can’t do regular jobs like that,” That would probably end in a disaster for him and her. It just wasn’t worth it on either end, he knew that. “With the illegal shit. That’s what I’m good at,” He said as if it was obvious, “I can do anythin’ you need, smuggling or whatever,” He figured that she couldn’t get better than him, “Please. Me and Dani need the money.” 

“I’m Maggie.” She said, giving Winifred a smile. The name sounded familiar, the way most names in Grimmbrook did. Despite hearing from Alex and Dani while she was away, not having grown up faces to the names had made the transition home a little strange. Even now, two years in, she still wasn’t quite sure of everyone. Maybe when she got home she’d ask Drake. He seemed to know most everyone. 

“I do, yeah. My dad and I like to hike together. Sometimes my mom joins but she’s not really felt up to it these days.” The treatments took a lot out of her. But they did mild short hikes as a family when they could. “I’ve heard enough wild theories floating around that the fog gaining sentience doesn’t seem far off, honestly.”

Winnie nodded at the name, tucking it away for future reference. She’d heard it before, over breakfast with her father as he read the newspaper, mentioning something offhand about Grimmbrook’s local war hero. She’d not met Maggie until tonight but could imagine the other woman was a force. 

“That’s definitely one way of putting it.” 

Ida laughed a bit breathlessly, relieved to see a familiar face at the opposite end of the three dogs’ leashes—and not surprised, then, to find them so well-behaved. Winnie had always seemed so put-together in the few instances they’d come across one another at parties and galas pre-divorce—never a hair out of place, always immaculately-dressed. Ida wasn’t surprised, then, that, even mid-dog walk, the woman managed to be effortlessly beautiful, the picture of composure. She nodded a bit in agreement at the woman’s not-too-inaccurate assessment, looking down at the dogs before looking up at Winnie. 

“You know, I wasn’t ever, really, and then one day I just…decided to go to the shelter to see who they had. And then I came home with a dog.” Ida offered a one-shouldered shrug. “And then I got a roommate, and now I have two.”

Ida admired how well-behaved and restrained the three dogs were for a moment before turning her attention back to Winnie. “How have you been? It’s been a while.”

****

Winifred smiled politely at Ida. Farishka’s ex-wife. Not exactly someone she associated much with beyond the social circles they’d frequented. Once her father had lost the Royal Flush to the Dugal Cartel, however, she saw less of them and had only heard of the divorce in passing.

She smiled at he dog, genuinely this time, and nodded at Ida, “what’s his name? Lulu, Captain and Oscar Wilde,” she introduced her own who were wagging their tails as they waited for her to tell them it was alright to play, which it wasn’t, not in the middle of the sidewalk anyway. “They’re better company anyway. At least I’ve found as much.” Living on her own, with just Hunter as an occasional (reluctant) roommate meant that Winnie’s most consistent company were her dogs, which she didn’t mind.

People always needed places and people that made them feel like things were normal, judging by the people that came into the restaurant. They seemed to be the types that weren’t bothered too much by the mist that was creeping further into town, probably because they didn’t live in the woods or in Underland like her. Both her homes were gone now, one longer than the other, as she glanced at her own menu that she’d been cleaning down before setting it into the pile of clean ones while Winifred spoke. “I have been trying to remember everything on them regardless, but the daily specials are the ones that I keep getting quizzed on more than the staples,” she replied with a slight smile on her lips that were tired of being pulled upwards.

At her other job, most of the strippers weren’t judged based on their smiles when the rest of them was on display but there was still enough of her that could check out enough that it was muscle memory more than actually enjoying herself. Things were similar here, having to deal with customers but Danielle would do anything to keep the work flowing and the money from drying up enough that she became even more desperate than she felt. “I bet they’ll look great.” An addition to the conversation as she wiped down another before setting it aside as well with a slight hesitation to her fingertips that curled around the edge of another.

            “Sam and I did, but we’re kind of out of there right now until this mist goes away and we can go back,” she admitted, despite the way it tasted on the tip of her tongue like she was back to the same position that she’d been in on the day she got out of prison. She’d been homeless then too with only the things that had been on her person when she was admitted and the same clothes as that day too, but this time she had what ― a backpack of things? Her hands stilled. “You don’t have to do that.” The words tumbled out along with the slight warmth to the back of her neck. “You’ve already done enough by letting me try out for a job here which helps as my hours have been cut at the club.” But she couldn’t ask for more from the other, more than she deserved or what she could even hope for when she didn’t know where they stood today.

Winifred was a woman filled with rage and guilt. Though, her desire for vengeance outweighed her need for reconciliation most days. But standing beside Danielle as she spoke, she couldn’t help but feel that twinge of guilt stir in her. Tucking strands of inky black locks behind her ear, Winifred nodded, “people love a deal which is a bit ironic coming here.” She shrugged, not joking because the Red Apple wasn’t exactly where someone should dine if they wanted cheap eats. 

“I hope so, she redid the signage outside a few months back so i’ve got high hopes for the menu. Someone will complain either way –– getting rid of favorites, keeping favorites that should’ve been changed out. I’ve just learned you can’t please everyone.”

Maybe it was an excuse, or maybe she really clung to that in order to make life easier. Regardless, Winifred knew that Danielle probably didn’t want to be talking about menus right about now. But she couldn’t help but latch onto something easy – everything else seemed to taboo, too personal for people who were no longer personal. “Are you sure?” She furrowed her brows, “it wouldn’t be an issue...would just be silly for you to have to pay to stay somewhere if you didn’t have to, right?” 

“You’re welcome.” To say the woman didn’t become more stoic after her father’s death was an understatement. It was as if she was a shell of her former self, now plastered by their work and nothing more. Not that Winifred had never been reserved growing up, now it was like you had to walk on your tip toes around her. It was sad and Isabel hoped her demeanor and heart wouldn’t change in such a manner when the time finally comes for her father. 

At the mention of the boutique helping out, she didn’t know what more she could give. “What did you have in mind?” Sure they were doing fine, but they  were a small business still reeling from the affects of the earthquake. Of course Isabel would help out her community in a heartbeat if she could, but she also had to keep the boutique afloat as well as pay her employees despite the decreased flow and purchases. “Yeah I know how that feels,” she nodded in complete understanding. Even though she wanted to scream and freak out, that was only saved behind closed doors in the recess of her bathroom. She couldn’t break a sweat in front of her employees, for she was their fearless leader. “Oh, well I was just picking up an order for my dad. But I did want to ask, do you know anything or could connect me with someone for investing in new property around here?” If her dad was leaving $50,000 of his wealth to her, she wanted to put it to good use. 

****

“It’s a small town,” He pointed out, “Everyone should know,” He figured that everyone had at least heard of him, or his siblings. And he felt like the leader of his siblings since he was the oldest, it just made sense. “I need some money,” He figured honesty was key in this situation, “You think you got any jobs for me?” Sam wanted to ask Hunter to help put in the good word, but maybe he had to do this himself. And then maybe he wouldn’t have to resort to stealing purses. 

“You don’t?” Luke’s look of incredulity was ruined by the amusement in his eyes. “Could’ve fooled me.” With the way she’d grown up, Luke wouldn’t be surprised if she knew a dozen different ways to protect herself these days. Especially if what some of the rumors he’d heard about her stepmother were to be believed, but Luke hadn’t been a part of the Snow organization when all of that went down. All he knew was what he saw with his own eyes, and a few whispers he would catch when people would forget he was there. 

As they walked along, he wondered what it was Winifred wanted. They hadn’t ended their friendship of the best of terms, Luke couldn’t really blame her for not wanting to be associated with him any longer but it had hurt. It still hurt to think about. She’d been one of his closest friends at one time. Not any longer, but that didn’t seem to have lessened Luke’s ability to read her, and hear what she was really asking. “It was horrible.” One of Luke’s worst memories had always been of the fire that consumed their family home, and the fear and pain that came with it, but his time in prison had almost surpassed it. “You think you know what it’s going to be like, because of movies and tv shows, but…” Luke shrugged, unable to encompass the pain, and terror that he’d gone through while he was in there. It may have been only six months for him, but it had felt like a lifetime. “It changes you, and definitely not for the better.”

Winnie shook her head, “surprisingly not.” Not a lie. Not the truth either but she figured he’d be able to tell the difference. Besides, Montgomery Snow would’t have let his only child walk around in the world without a modicum of protection or self-defense skills. Her father may have been blinded by lust, possibly love, but he was not fool when it came to protecting and preparing Winifred. As they walked, she noted that the park was still emptier than usual, not that it bothered her, and she nodded to the empty playground up ahead as a destination of sorts. 

“Well from what I’ve gathered and seen through the years might I add, you’re doing a pretty great job and your dad would most certainly be proud.” Isabel knew all too well what the lost of a parent could do to someone and how often you questioned what they would think of you know. It’s a thought that rambled with the absence of her mother. If Ester would be proud of her accomplishments from graduating high school and college to opening up her own business? What wisdom would she have provided her into her young adulthood and now as a woman? “The boutique is doing well considering all that’s transpired as of late. We just flipped the store with our summer inventory, so hoping things pick back up soon enough.” From the earthquake to the inability to leave town and now the fog. Customers and income had been shortchanged a bit, but they were managing and fortunately, the online business was doing well enough that they could make meet ends. Following Winifred down the hall, she walked into her office and looked around. “How are you really?” Whether the Snow would like to admit it, Isabel could see some stress and exhaustion behind her eyes. One thing was for sure, the woman was always contemplating her next move in life. 

“Thank you,” she gave Isabel a small but appreciative smile as she led the other woman out of the kitchens and to her office. Winifred lived a life of before and afters. Before her father died and after. Before her life changed and after. Before when she was Grimmbrook’s darling, a princess sitting on a throne, giving to those in need, taking care of her community. After when she was maintained the image knowing her throne had been stolen, knowing what she gave to those in need, what she did for the community would be for nothing if Carrie had anything to say about it. 

Isabel fell into the before of her life, when she had friends, however casual, and people she saw daily, in social circles and through work. People who she could laugh with, get drinks with, be somewhat herself with. Those people were few and far between now because, for the most part, Winifred couldn’t afford the distractions that friendships brought. “I didn’t even think of that. Hmm,” she glanced briefly at some of the paintings lining the hallway to the office and pushed open the door to let Isabel in.