CrOoKeD-Chapter 1

Chapter 1
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The young female's eyes stare blankly up at the building before her. It towers high with dark windows and glass double doors people were walking in and out of. Some holding folders and briefcases, others jingling keys they use to unlock their cars. The wind is blowing lightly and her chestnut hair flows in it brushing her cheeks. She breathes lightly, the grip on the bags she's holding tightening. With low anticipation she makes her way up the steps to the matching doors and slips in past a man rushing out while speaking into his cell phone. Naturally she ignores him, in a hurry to get to her bosses office. She's already late as is from picking up the items on the errands list she'd been given. Jamming the buttons in the elevator she rocks back and forth on her heels, watching the numbers light up as she goes up.

A ding rings and the elevator stops at 4, the doors opening and a familiar face stepping in. He presses the button for 8 then looks at the female, grinning.

"Hey there Lil' Red."

The brunette smiles back at the ravenette, lightly waving.

"Hey Jack, how have you been?"

"I've been alright, been trying to get a date with that one blonde who works at Cindy's but she's stubborn," Jack chuckles, scratching the back of his head.

"Rapunzel?" She giggles,"Didn't know you we're into girls with long hair."

Jack shrugs, switching the manila folder he's holding to his opposite arm. The elevator dings once more and Red notes it's her floor. She steps out, waving goodbye to her coworker.

"Good luck with Ra-Ra, Jack!" He returns the farewell with a wink and a thumbs up before he disappears behind the closing doors. Red then rushes to her desk outside the boss' office. She sets the bags down with a huff then slips off her red jacket and settling it onto the back of her rolling chair. The brunette checks the telephone for any missed calls, writing down the number on a sticky note then she heads inside her boss' work area. Peaking in she sees her higher up typing at the laptop in front of her. Her glasses sit on her nose, concentrating and not noticing her assistant.

A cough catches her attention and she stops what she's doing to look up with a cocked eyebrow. Red, despite her looking, still knocks to be polite and enters. The black haired woman watches the small girl with a stone face.

"Ms. White, I got those items you requested," Red tells her, lifting the bags for Snow to see,"Also you have 2 calls, one from Beauty, the other Arthur." Snow nods, her eyes drifting back to her screen and once more her fingers tapping at the keys.

"Good, just set them down on my desk and I will call them back in a moment."

With a nod Red does as told then leaves back to her desk.

'Now what do we have today?'

Like every day the girl reaches to the documents and letters delivered to Ms. White and begins her routine of sifting through them and reading each carefully. It's a daunting task but it could be worse. She makes a decent amount, $11.50 an hour, so things like this weren't weighing on her.

'A request for a new lipstick order... a payment... oh Charming agreed to do the commercial! Snow will be happy about that...'

She reaches the last envelope, examining it. Red blinks, her brows furrowing as she judges it's stamp keeping it closed and the contents hidden within from slipping out. There's no 'return to sender', only the buildings address and it being expressed it's only seen by Snow White.

'Hm, I wonder what this is. 'To be read ASAP'... best take this to Snow.'

Red does that and takes it to Snow. Noting the boss was on the phone she leaves it on Ms. Whites desk and leaves back to her work.

*Snow Whites POV*

I set the phone back on the receiver, rubbing my forehead. " Beauty, how many times have I told you..." I sigh, adjusting my glasses. My aqua eyes trail to my desktop and I notice the letter Little Red had left me and I pick it up to see what it could be. Normally she deals with my mail and such so this is strange that she'd deliver me this.

'Confidential. To be read ASAP. Ms. Whites eyes only.'  I read on the back and furrow my brows. Turning it over I note the stamp being used like a lock and I feel my face pale. The indentation in the dried red ink was 'C.M.'. I swallow back my fears and with all my strength to not just shred it here and now I slowly open it. I pull out it's contents, the only item inside being a typed up letter addressed to all of the higher ups. With a glare I begin to read.

*Normal POV*

Red stretches as the work day begins to come to an end. Most co-workers have already gone home but Red always stays back to do some extra things, showing a better performance and hoping to get a raise or better, a promotion. The young female slips on her crimson hoodie and stands, settling her bag onto her shoulder and cleaning up her space for the next day. She notices Snow hasn't come out of the office at all today so Red decides to go say goodbye.

"Hey Snow, I'm heading home..." The brunette knocks on the oak door, peering in. She sees Snow on the phone with her back to the younger girl and Red goes to apologize when she catches something Snow says. Only the two specific words rung in her brain.

"Crooked Man..." She mumbles, concerned as to why Snow would be speaking about him.

"I know it is wrong but what other choice is there? He practically threatened our shipments and employees, and he's the only one of us with any power left to use at free will, we need to do this..."

Red stays quiet, eavesdropping. She can hear the person on the other line and realizes who Snow is speaking to. Odette, the Swan Princess.

"But you know how that bastard is! We all know! What if his twisted mind turns and he goes back on his word?" Odette argues, sounding distraught.

"I know, I know, but we have to put some trust into this. Not all, but some. Yes, he's not fully right in the head-"

"He's a complete lunatic!"

"But we need to trust he won't fall back on this. Crooked isn't stupid, he knows when and when not to cause terror."

"But what about-"

Red jumps as Snow peers back, feeling the staring and her eyes widen. Without a farewell Snow hangs up and faces her assistant who seems bewildered.

"Red, what is it?" Snow questions, hoping the brunette had not heard all that. Red gulps, trying to find her voice.

"Um, I just wanted to let you know I'm heading home now..."

Snow breathes in deeply, in a sense of relief, and nods.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Red could sense the tension in the air and decides against questioning her boss. With a nod she leaves the office, heading back to her apartment. Through the walk her mind stays jumbled with numerous thoughts as to what that letter could have said, what Snow and Odette were discussing, and why Crooked would even be mentioned.