Once Upon A Time: Hook's Adopted Son (Book 1)

(Storybrooke)

Dark Star Pharmacy buzzed with the quiet hum of fluorescent lights as Henry Mills sat near the counter, engrossed in his comic book, Wolverine vs Hulk. His fingers traced the action-packed panels while he lost himself in the world of heroes and monsters. "Whatcha reading?" a voice piped up beside him.

Henry looked up to see a girl about his age standing nearby. She had a mischievous smile and bright, curious eyes. "The Hulk versus Wolverine," Henry answered, tilting the cover toward her.

"I'm Ava. I think I've seen you around school. You're in Miss Blanchard's class, right?"

Henry nodded, feeling a little surprised by the sudden conversation. Before he could respond, a boy approached them, glancing toward the exit. "Almost ready, Ava?" the boy asked.

"This is my brother, Nicholas," Ava introduced casually.

"Hi," Nicholas greeted with a quick nod.

Henry smiled in return. "Come on, let's go," Nicholas said, glancing around the store.

Ava turned back to Henry, a friendly glint in her eyes. "You wanna come hang out?"

Henry hesitated only a moment before deciding, why not? He slung his backpack over his shoulder and followed them toward the door. Just as Nicholas reached for the handle, the pharmacy's owner, Mr. Clark, stepped forward, gripping the door and keeping it firmly shut. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" Mr. Clark demanded, his tone sharp with suspicion. He sneezed into a tissue before fixing his gaze on Henry. His eyes narrowed as he pointed a finger. "Open up your bag."

Henry blinked, confused. "What?"

Mr. Clark crossed his arms. "Don't think I didn't see you rob me. Open your bag."

Henry frowned, taken aback by the accusation. "But, I didn't take anything."

Without waiting for further protest, Mr. Clark snatched the backpack from Henry's shoulder and unzipped it. As the fabric fell away, several chocolate bars tumbled onto the counter. Henry's stomach dropped. Henry turned toward Ava, realization dawning on him. "That's why you were talking to me. So your brother could put that stuff in there."

Ava and Nicholas exchanged a guilty glance but said nothing. Mr. Clark turned his glare toward them. "And you two, just who do you think you are?"

(Enchanted Forest)

Everyone knows the story of Hansel and Gretel; two orphan children wandering in the forest only to come across a gingerbread house that belonged to a witch, But what if there was more to the story? What if someone had led those two children to the witches' house? What if they weren't orphans?

Deep within the vast, whispering woods of the Enchanted Forest, a steady rhythm echoed through the trees—the sound of an axe biting into solid timber. The scent of fresh pine filled the crisp air as a woodcutter worked diligently, his powerful swings cleaving through the bark with precision. Nearby, his daughter, Gretel, stood watching, her keen eyes filled with admiration and longing. She had always wanted to help more, to prove herself useful in ways beyond the simple chores assigned to her.

The woodcutter, sensing her eagerness, finally spoke. "A fine specimen," he said, running a rough hand along the freshly cut log. "The wood it provides will keep our hearth warm this winter."

Gretel took a step forward. "Can't I have an axe?" she asked.

Her father blinked at her in mild surprise before chuckling. "You did say you wanted to help, didn't you?" He set down his axe and considered for a moment. Then, nodding, he handed her a task. "Take the cart and fill it with kindling. The drier, the better."