Description: Sometimes illusions ARE better than reality. Rumpbelle
"Thank you, please come again," Mr. Gold stated in his rehearsed sophisticated Scottish brogue. The customer nodded and took the doll that he had purchased, leaving the shop. Gold glanced up at the wall clock, where the hands read 8:00. It was time to close up shop. He took his cane from next to him where it leaned against the counter, and limped over to the door, flipping the cardstock sign over so that it read CLOSED instead of OPEN. He paused a moment to look at the pouring rain, and the residents running to get out of it.
Mr. Gold made his way back to the desk, and returned his cane to its previous position so that he could count the money in the cash register. He took out the hundreds first, then the fifty dollar bills, then the twenty dollar bills…there were only two fives, and five ones, after all, he didn't sell his antiques for cheap. As he set the money aside while counting a knock on the glass door startled him. Couldn't they tell that the shop was closed? The knocking didn't cease, even when he tried to ignore it.
"Hello?" a muffled voice said. That voice... he thought. "Hello? I know you're there, please let me in!" it sounded. Mr. Gold continued to ignore it regardless of its familiarity, but the visitor wouldn't give up. He angrily put down the stack of twenty dollar bills and grabbed his cane, making his way to the door and unlocking it.
He opened the door and stumbled back in utter shock at the guest. It was impossible… she was supposed to be dead! But there she was, standing in a soaking set of light blue scrubs that she had obviously taken from the hospital. Her brunette hair was just as wavy as he remembered it to be, except it was soaked like her clothes. He remained silent for a moment, wondering if this was some kind of strange dream.
"I'm sorry dearie, I've closed up shop for the evening," he finally said. The girl didn't budge.
"Please sir… she'll find me! I finally escaped that place! Please, let me come in for just a moment, I promise I'll leave whenever you like, just for a moment, please!" she begged, folding her hands in front of her. Her voice hadn't changed a bit either.
He was about to close the door in her face, write off this incident as nothing but a dream, however something stopped him. The next thing he knew, he had grabbed her arm, and pulled her inside—and he shut the door swiftly behind him.
"You need to hide, now!" he said sternly, pointing his cane to a cabinet against the back wall. She stumbled over to back and hid, right as a set of headlights passed the store. Mr. Gold watched out the window, and he was relieved to find that Regina was not the driver. He turned to face the frightened girl, and waved his index finger to beckon her. "What is your name dearie?" he asked quietly.
"Lorne…Lorne French," she said, her voice trembling with fear. "But that's…all I remember really, I've been in that place for so long…I don't…" she muttered. He limped over to where she was standing.
"What is this place you speak of dearie?" he asked, even more quietly.
"The hospital, in the basement…she kept me there. She never let anyone see me! She would bring me roses, and tell me that I was insane, and that's why I was there. But she forgot to lock the door, and I ran…" she said.
"Who is 'she'?" Mr. Gold pressed futher.
"The mayor!" 'Lorne' as she was now known, said. "She said that I should call her… Regina…she claimed to be my friend! But she's evil, I know she is." He clenched his teeth and averted his gaze away from the girl. Regina would pay for this. For now, he needed to get her to safety.
Mr. Gold made his way to the counter and put the money in, shutting the drawer. He took his coat from the hook next to the one he held his cane on. He looked at it longingly, and then took it over to Lorne, draping it around her shoulders. She looked into his eyes, and he stared into hers in return. It was her, it really was her.
"Allow me to escort you to my home… I have a spare bed you may occupy for the evening. You look very tired and weak, and I will decide what to do with you in the morning." Lorne's eyes brightened and she gave a smile that Mr. Gold knew far too well…however; he would not be telling her that.
-0o0-
The alcohol greeted Rumpelstiltskin like a long lost friend, one he had tried to give up on a long time ago, but in the moment—it was better than any tea or tantrum he had yet to give. The tantrum he had thrown only two hours ago. Her taste was still fresh on his lips…he was still shocked at her actions. There was no possible way that she could love him. There was no way in hell. He looked longingly at the bottle in his hands and uncorked it, the popping noise immediately soothing him. He took the new teapot from the tray and dumped the brownish liquid into the pot and transferred it to his favorite cup, the chipped one. He hadn't had the heart to smash it. He took a sip, the bitter taste soothing him. He downed the entire thing, and sunk back into his chair, a wave of relaxation rushing over him suddenly. He would not move for the next day if he could help it.
-0o0-
"This is one of my spare bedrooms, there may be some dry clothing around here somewhere—but I may have cleaned it out during spring cleaning… do not leave this room until I come to retrieve you in the morning," he said.
"What about a bathroom?" Lorne asked.
"There is an attached bathroom through that door dearie—it is yours to use, have a good night," Mr. Gold stated, closing the door to the bedroom and making his way down the hall.
Lorne surveyed the small bedroom that her host had given her. It looked strangely familiar; however she couldn't remember why it seemed so familiar to her. She shook her head and continued looking around. There was a queen sized bed, resting in the corner of the room, by a window that looked out over the town. She could see the street lights that lined the street. No one was out. She saw a large clock tower in the square.
Lorne turned to examine the room. She noticed a gorgeous wood dresser across from the bed, with a matching vanity mirror. It was then that she got a good look at her reflection. She was really pale in the face and neck. Her lips were cracked, and a ruby red color. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. Her hands were dry, the skin on them as white as snow. She stumbled backwards into the back of a chair that sat by a small coffee table. She was really dizzy and tired. She needed a warm shower and dry clothes.
She made her way into the bathroom, where there was a vintage looking bathtub, a single sink, a counter with several small beauty products and a comb, a rack of towels, as well as a toilet. It was very homey and warming. It was here that Lorne stripped out of the wet hospital scrubs and ran the bath. She stepped into the searing water, immediately refreshed by the heat. She hadn't bathed on her own for such a long time. She wet her hair, and rinsed the grime from it as soon as she finished soaking. She stepped out of the water and drained it. Lorne got a good look at her nude body in the mirror—she was very thin… it was almost sickening. She picked up a tube of lotion from the counter and rubbed it on her face and skin. She also used it on her arms and her legs. She picked up a towel from the rack and wrapped herself with it, opening the bathroom door. She immediately smelled something incredible. She looked at the coffee table and saw a tray of food—a pastrami sandwich, a bowl of what looked like chowder, a cup of tea, and all the utensils she would need to enjoy the food. She noticed a small card on the tray:
Here is some food for you—I can only imagine that you're quite hungry. Have a good sleep. I will be in for you at seven sharp, since I open my shop at nine, and I get some breakfast at Granny's at eight. I also left a set of pajamas for you, gratefully given to me by the town's sheriff.
-Mr. Gold
Lorne looked next to the tray, and as the note said, there was a set of plaid flannel pajamas. She picked up the folded pants and put them on. Thank goodness for the elastic around the waistband—otherwise they would have fallen right off of her. She picked up the top and slid it over her thin frame, holding the soft, well-worn fabric to her. She sat in the chair and picked up the bowl and spoon, digging into the chowder. She ate ravenously—for she rarely got to eat such amazing food. She finished off the chowder, and began nibbling on the sandwich. She washed it all down with the slightly cooled tea. She knew now that she was safe—that was, until Madame found her. She could hear talking from the floor below her; it was Mr. Gold, and what sounded like a woman.
"Trust me Mr. Gold—Lorne will be safe from now on. Regina will not get her grimy hands on her as long as I'm the sheriff here. I would recommend however—having her change her name, and her hair style. If Regina is the one behind this, then we need to do all we can," the woman said.
"Thank you Sheriff Swan, I greatly appreciate your help in regards to this matter," Mr. Gold responded.
"I'd like to meet her in the morning if that's alright with you, we'll discuss with her then what to do about her safety."
"Of course Sheriff Swan, would you mind stopping at Granny's around eight?"
"That is my thoughts exactly Mr. Gold, be sure to stop in on her before you go to bed. Reassure her that she is safe now," the woman, Sheriff Swan, said.
"I will be sure to do that, have a good evening Sheriff Swan," Mr. Gold said.
She heard a door close, and she jolted up out of the chair, and got into the bed—pulling the covers up to her waist. She promptly fell asleep, with the lights still on. While her body registered the surroundings, she heard the door open, and in walked Mr. Gold. He leaned on his cane briefly, before she heard him walk over to the coffee table.
"I know that you're awake dearie, you can stop pretending," he said. Lorne opened her eyes, and sat up a little bit.
"Thank you for the food Mr. Gold, it was very kind of you," she said sleepily.
"My pleasure—I also want to reassure you, that you are safe now. Sheriff Swan is going to help you as much as she is able to do so." He made his way to the door with the tray, and he reached to turn off the light.
"Mr. Gold," Lorne spoke up.
"Yes dearie?" he asked.
"Please don't turn out the light. I've spent far too much time in the dark," she said.
"Of course dearie, just close the curtains then, alright?" he asked.
"I'll do that…goodnight Mr. Gold," Lorne said with a small grin. Mr. Gold turned to leave.
"Goodnight…Belle…" he muttered almost inaudibly.
A/N: FIRST CHAPTER DONE! YAY! So this is going to go on for a bit, since I have another few days left of break, expect more soon. Reviews are love!