Page 21 of How To Survive This Fairytale

“So be it,” says the Fair Queen, voice trembling as she finds her resolve.

“Hans, you know what to do.”

Wild-eyed, broken-hearted, she turns to you.“Bring me Snow White’s heart.”

25.

TAKE SNOW WHITE INTO THE WOODS.

The bright green woods,each lush leaf dappled by sunlight, the path snaked with wending shadows.Snow White purposely snaps twigs underfoot and hopscotches between emergent stones and dead patches of grass.The ribbons in her raven hair bounce with her every movement; her skirt swishes; she even hums, completely unaware she is a lamb on her way to the slaughter.The birds, too, are unaware: the bluejay lashes through the elms; the woodpecker fills the peach blossom air with its endless determination.

And Friend, old and frail, has not come with you.You left her in your chambers.There is no reason for her to see the murder of the princess who has played with her all these years.No need for it at all.

“I love the woods,” says Snow White.“Don’t you, huntsman?Certainly you must.Whybecomea huntsman if you don’t love the woods.”

Arms spread wide, she rushes forward, fearless, into a dense thicket.What would it be like, you wonder, to be able to love the woods?

26.

KILL SNOW WHITE.

If you do it quickly,it can end without pain.

Stone in heart, chain in soul, you take your hunting knife in hand, and?—

“Huntsman?”Her voice wobbles as she turns, and looks up at you, roses for cheeks, silk for skin.“Huntsman, what are you doing?”

Kill her.

What am I doing?you wonder.She’s a child.She’s seven.

It doesn’t matter.Kill her.

What have I been doing this whole time?

Stop it.Kill her.This is how the story goes.

“Huntsman, please,” cries Snow White.“Let me live.I’ll run away.I don’t want Mama’s beauty.I don’t want her crown.”

It doesn’t matter what Snow White wants.

It matters what you want.

And you want to live.

When has what I wanted ever mattered to this story?

Kill Snow White.

Your shadow stretches over her, blocking out the light.

You have been here before.

So many times before.

Never with someone so young.

Don’t lose your nerve, Huntsman.