Chapter 1: Storybrooke

Ten years. Emma Swan had a difficult time believing that it had been an entire decade since getting out of prison, an entire decade of staying out of trouble. Today was supposed to be special. At least it would've been in most cases but to Emma it was just another year gone by: Another year of coming short, another year of failing to find her parents or her ex.

Another banner year.

Emma glanced into her rearview mirror. The busy bustling city of Boston was starting to fall behind her as she took to the road after sunset. Emma liked driving at night. The world was so different then. In the day time everything was so bleak and bland. At night if it wasn't the stars and moon lighting up the sky it was town lights and headlights.

Emma smiled. There was no heading back now as she made her way north. She had given up her apartment in Boston. She had only lived there for eight months but it was long enough for her. Emma never really stayed anywhere longer than a year, though there had been one exception. There was no set direction now, not really. The only thing that mattered was getting out and being able to breathe. There was work for a bail bonds person anywhere. Given that she was headed north Emma figured that if she needed to she could find work in Maine. Her financial situation was set, something she wouldn't have to worry about for a while.

Despite her lavish apartment in Boston Emma wasn't frivolous with money, only getting what she needed which is exactly what she had in her car. The landlord promised to send Emma the rest of her materials once she found a place and got settled.

Time ceased to matter. All that mattered was the drive. A sign was coming up that read 'Welcome to Storybrooke'.

Emma looked down at the map she carried with her. There was no sign of Storybrooke on it. That didn't make any sense. When Emma had been down south even the empty towns like Valentine, Texas had been marked on maps.

A fraction of a second later Emma looked up. Passing the sign she failed to see the pot hole on the road. She jerked a little from the impact, her seatbelt keeping her back.

"Really," Emma said to herself as her car began to slow. Emma pulled off to the side of the road fifty yards from the sign. She reached for a flashlight in her glove compartment and the cell phone on the front seat and then slammed the door once she got out.

In the distance she could hear the howling of a wolf. Were there even wolves in Maine, Emma didn't know. With her flashlight she searched the woods that lined the area. Other than the light from her flashlight, it was pitched black.

Emma walked over to her tires and inspected them. Her front left tired had a few shreds and the rear left wasn't as bad but still flat. She went to the front of her car and popped open the hood. There was no spare tire. Emma had used it a couple weeks back and forgot to replace it. She slammed the hood back down.

Looking around there weren't many options so she locked up her car and started walking.

Once in town Emma looked up at the clock tower which read 8:15. That didn't seem to be right either. Emma shrugged it off and made her down the only main street coming across a car garage.

Though the sign said closed the door was still unlocked so Emma walked in.

"Excuse me," Emma said at the reception desk.

"Can't you read," said a thin man, "We're closed."

"I realize that," said Emma, "but I'm kind of in a bind. My car got into some trouble a couple miles back."

"You're not from around here are you," said the man.

"That obvious?"

The man shrugged. "Sorry, still can't help you."

A younger man came in from the garage and looked at Emma, "Ignore him," he said to her. "I'm Billy, how can I help you?"

"Emma. I must have run over something. The front tire is shredded and one in the back is pretty flat."

"Okay that won't be a problem," said Billy. "I'm sure we can take care of that. Come with me and we can get my tow truck. We'll have you all set in no time."

"Thanks."

Later on Billy had the garage door open and Emma's car was inside. Emma waited outside as he inspected the car. Shortly after the car had been checked Billy walked over to Emma.

"You said you were just passing through," he asked her.

"That was kind of the idea yeah."

"Afraid that might be possible."

"How bad is it?"

"A couple of belts got damaged so those will take a while to fix plus the two tires."

"So you can't get me out of here tonight, can you?"

"Afraid not," Billy said sympathetically.

"Great," Emma said placing her hands in her back pockets. "I don't suppose there are any hotels around here are there?"

"There's a bed and breakfast down the road behind the diner."

Emma made her way up the walk to the bed and breakfast. So many trees and leaves covered the entrance that it was difficult to make her way to the front porch. Emma walked inside and there wasn't anyone in the main lobby but she could hear some voices coming from upstairs.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stay in," Granny said following Ruby down the stairs.

"I'm not a child, I don't have to listen to you," Ruby shouted back.

"As long as you live under this roof you do."

"I can't wait to leave this place for good!"

"Excuse me," Emma said when the two of them were downstairs. "I'd like a room."

Ruby looked at Emma, "Seriously?"

Granny's distain quickly turned to a smile, grateful for the visitor that had just arrived. She went to a side room and returned with a thick old book.

"Would you like a square view or a forest view? Usually there's a fee for the square but I don't have to add it."

Emma smiled slightly, "Square's fine," she said.

"Square view it is. And the name?"

"Swan. Emma, Swan."

"So miss Swan, how long will you be staying?"

"Just a day," Emma replied.

"Very well," said Granny as she handed a key to Emma.

As Emma took hold of the key a roll of thunder shook the building.

Granny looked up and then shook her head. "Damn weather report said the storm wasn't supposed to be in for another week."

Not too far from the bed and breakfast the hand on the clock tower moved. It now read 8:16.