As soon as the curse cleared, I stood, staring at my surroundings, my home, the place I was born. The trees looked the same. The gravel road looked the same. The grass under my feet felt the same.
When I looked down, I gasped. I wasn't wearing my coat with the blood stain or my jeans or a short-sleeved shirt. I wore a cloak that was only four inches from touching the ground, gold designs decorated the edges and swirled on my back, the same cloak I wore when I ran to protect Emma.
My dress wasn't a ball gown. It didn't come out. It was simple, a light purple, long-sleeved with the end of the sleeve wrapped around my pointer finger. I had no shoes on. With a flick of my wrist, I felt them change to boots, assassin boots I would wear constantly during training.
My hair was twisted behind me in a high bun.
Everyone also wore what they did before they went to Storybrooke. Especially Regina, who wore the dress she wore when she tried to kill me.
"Kaleen?"
I whipped my head around, meeting the gaze of my father, who looked no different, wearing his leather. I smiled weakly.
"Hey," I replied. I could still remember the last thing I saw; Henry's gaze as he gazed back at us, the necklace on him. I gripped where it used to be. I would never see that necklace again.
It wasn't long before Charming and Snow got back on horseback, getting ready to ride back to their castle-that was Regina's. I grabbed Charming's hand as he lifted me onto the horse. Blue must have been close by. I sat behind him.
"Aye," I glanced at my father, who spoke while messing with the bags on the horses. "Well, that would be lovely, if I were going to the Queen's castle." I stared at him in shock.
"You're not coming?" I asked.
"Where are you going?" Charming asked. I stared at him, while he glanced at me for a second. Was he leaving me?
"Listen, mate. The Enchanted Forest is your home," he paused. "The Jolly Roger is mine." I swallowed. He met my gaze. "I love you, lass, but this isn't my home. This is where you belong. You are a magic user. You need to stay." I slid off of the horse, wrapping my arms around him as I hugged him. Tears stained my eyes.
"Why must you keep leaving me?"
"I'm not, love," he whispered. "You've been on the Roger. You can come visit whenever you'd like." I swallowed as he wiped the tears from my eyes with his hand, not hook.
"But I don't want us to be seperated."
"Trust me, love," he replied. "You need to continue your magic, here." I didn't reply, only holding his gaze. He sighed. "As your father, I order you to stay with the Blue Fairy." I nodded, squeezing him again.
"I'll visit," I said, walking away to a horse the dwarfs got for me. I thanked them, and swung my leg over the horse. I stared at my father, watching him as he mounted his and turned away, meeting me gaze before we parted, my chest tightening as he disappeared from view.
-Six Weeks Later-
"Listen," Blue said. I breathed in, listening to my surroundings. "Find me, Kaleen." I stood, reaching out. "Feel my presence." I lunged forward, not touching her. I swore she was there. "Anticipate." I whipped around, blindfold on as I reached again. I was so close. I felt her teleport.
I groaned in frustration, turning around in the clearing.
"Kaleen!"
I pulled the blindfold off, seeing Regina walk up to me. Blue teleported to my side, sighing in frustration.
"Regina?" I asked. "It's been a few weeks." She nodded.
"I thought I'd find you here," she said, walking all the way up to the clearing. I blew a curl out of my face that had escaped the bun my hair was in. "I see you're gaining your magic back."
"I never lost it, Regina," I replied. "I just need a little time to get back into it."
She nodded. "I feel the same way. The Enchanted Forest's magic is very different than Storybrooke's." I nodded, shivering when the wind picked up.
"Kaleen," Blue said. "Why don't you continue on your own." With a poof, Blue left me, standing with Regina. She never had quite forgiven Regina for the curse put upon us.
"Well, then," Regina took another step forward. "Why don't you practice with me?" I gaped at her for a second.
"Regina—"
"I'm serious, Kaleen," she replied. "You've been only trained with light magic. The best are trained with both light and dark."
"Look who's talking, of Evil."
"Kaleen," she huffed. "Put the blindfold on and try again." I moaned, pulling it back over my eyes, cutting off my vision. "Find me." I reached out, spreading my magic like tentacles of an octopus. I sensed her. I lunged forward, but caught nothing but dead air.
I groaned, whipping around again, lunging forward and grumbling in frustration when I hit a tree.
"Come find me, Fairy Pirate."
"Regina!" I exclaimed, throwing myself at her again. "Don't call me that!"
"Why not?" She questioned. "It motivated you. You got closer."
"I'm trying not to be so overcome with rage that I curse an entire world, thank you very much," I snapped, whipping around. I could feel her teleport, just out of my reach.
"Fairy Pirate."
"Evil Queen!" I spat. Anger flooded my veins. I threw myself at her again, missing her by a centimeter away from her hair .
"You're getting closer," I heard her voice to my right, but felt her on my left. I curled my hands into fists so hard, my nails dug into my palms. "Come on, Pirate. You gave up your piracy for what? To fail? To not be able to find a simple person?"
"Simple person? You are never simple, not even when it comes to adopting a child." Then, I knew I had crossed the line. I felt a wave of magic be thrown. I dodged-barely. When I reached up to take the blindfold off, it seemed to be stuck to my face. A spell. Regina made me blind.
And she was fighting me.
"Regina!" I yelled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." I heard nothing but silence. I swallowed. I had provoked the Evil Queen. I wished my reflexes were as fast as my brain. I wished my brain was faster than my mouth.
I felt something worm closer, under the ground. Long and snake like. I kneeled down, feeling what was under me, allowing it to inch closer as I felt it slither over.
I jumped, shooting down at it before it lunged and attacked. A vine, thick and strong threatened to wrap around me, to render me helpless. I gasped as magic shot out of my hands.
Then I felt her.
I threw myself out of the way of the vine, lunging forward and rolling under as it swung itself, continuing to attempt to attack. Before she could strike again, I jumped forward, grabbing her wrist. She gasped in shock.
"I found you," I said. The tightness around my eyes fell away and I peeled the blindfold off my face. I met Regina's gaze, letting go of her wrist. She stared at me, saying nothing. She wasn't snarling or frowning or smiling, just staring.
"Regina," I breathed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. We both know that's not true." I swallowed as she said nothing, but then, suddenly, she smiled. A smile that a mother would give when they were proud. I stared at her. "Regina? Are you...alright?"
"Kaleen," she replied. "No one has done that as fast as you did. Rumple did that to me and…" she smirked. "Let's say I came back with more than a few bruises."
"Are you saying I'm faster at learning than you?" I asked. She smirked again.
"That can be said," she replied. "But I think it's because of what magic you chose to use." I stared at her, saying nothing. "You chose light."
"You provoked me," I said. "You tried to get me to use-"
"Dark magic, yes," she replied. "I did." I stared at her, saying nothing. Suddenly, Blue returned, gasping when she realized what Regina had done.
"Why are you provoking her!" Blue exclaimed, walking between us. "She is not your student, Regina." I glanced between them.
"You're right," Regina replied, meeting her challenge. "And she is not your daughter." I held back a gasp. "You know she doesn't belong here, Blue. She may hold magic, but she isn't a fairy."
"Regina," I said. "I chose to go. I chose to continue my training."
"Your father actually forced you to," Regina replied. "He ordered you to. Have you visited him?" I shook my head.
"I haven't had much time," I said softly. Regina glanced back at Blue, almost threateningly.
"You don't want her to leave, don't you?" Regina asked.
"She could leave whenever she wants."
"Then why the constant training?" Regina asked. "She's at least as powerful as me. She needs to learn on her own. That's an important way to learn how your magic grows." She met my gaze.
"Regina," I said. "I want to stay."
"Are you sure?" Regina questioned. I stared in silence, saying nothing more. My gaze met the floor. Regina's gaze snapped back to Blue's. "She's lost her purpose," she continued. "The youngest heir, Henry, can't be protected anymore. Not from here. Her oath is useless and you know this, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Blue snapped. "Why are you all of a sudden defending her? Is she your student?" Regina shook her head.
"No," she replied, eyes moving up to mine. "She's family." My eyes widened in shock as Regina teleported away without another word.
I sat down on the floorboards of my room, the room Snow provided when I made my oath to her family...although, it technically wasn't the room I had left. It was in Regina's castle, not Snow's.
The room was simple, but comfortable. A large bed with a curtain that could cover the sides stood, a lavender and white color, swirling around with golden pillow, much like the bed I had left behind. My cloak hung in the corner, next to the balcony. I had a closet with many dresses and boots as well as leather for combat.
They really overdid themselves.
The only touch I added were the dreamcatchers. They decorated my room, each holding all the memories I had of each person I've ever met. I still remember them in my head, but these duplicates will make me feel as if I was there.
It reminded me of home.
I pulled the one decorated with beads that spelled the name 'Henry' at the bottom. Each person was decorated individually. Each person had their unique names in different ways. I walked and sat on my bed, legs crossed as I stared down at the dreamcatcher, the holder of my memories with Henry.
Summoning my magic, a random memory played out in front of me.
—Then—
I pushed into my middle splits, folding over to do my Algebra homework. I wrote hard, scribbling down numbers. I played the music louder, a simple soundtrack that my father had left—at least who the curse told me was my father.
In those memories, my parents died in a car wreck.
I jumped as I heard a knock at the door. Granny had allowed me to stay in one of her rooms as long as I helped at the inn and I had. I turned off the music, standing up from my splits and yoga mat.
It was strange. Before the curse, I used to go in the forest alone and mediate. Faith Wood, my curse name, would do yoga. I was as flexible as a rubber band.
I walked to the door, opening it, expecting to see Granny, asking me to work another shift, but it wasn't. It was Madame Mayor.
I gasped. "Madame Mayor," I said. "This is a pleasant surprise." Her eyes looked bloodshot as she carried around a car seat with...Henry inside, fast asleep.
"Faith," she said. "May I come in?" I nodded, leading her with my hand.
"Of course," I replied, closing the door. She paused, looking down at the mat and then at me, staring at my yoga pants and halter top.
"You do yoga?" She asked. I nodded again.
"It soothes me," I replied. She set the car seat on the mat, turning to me.
"I need a favor," she said as I twisted my hair into a bun behind me. "You're one of the only teenagers in this town, one of the only girl ones to be exact." I smirked.
"That's true."
"I was wondering if you would be willing to be Henry's babysitter for a few hours," she said. I stared at her for a second.
"You trust me with your son?" I asked. "I'm a mess."
"You're better than you think," Regina replied, almost in a sarcastic voice. I stared down at Henry, kneeling as he slept.
"I can," I replied. "You look like you need some rest, Madame Mayor." She smirked, nodding.
"Thank you," she said. "I'll be back at nine. Is that alright?"
I nodded. "I'll call if there's any trouble." With that, she took a sharp breath and walked out of my room.
That was the first time I met Henry.
It was the first time I held him.
The first time he saw me.
The first time he smiled at me, that warm, innocent smile.
The first time I hoped for a family, even though mine was torn and broken.
The first time in my life I had truly felt something else, something that wasn't anger or disgust or fear or happiness.
I had felt love.
—Now—
"Still awake?"
I jumped, seeing Snow standing in the doorway. I brought my hand to my chest, sliding off the bed, leaving the dreamcatcher.
I shrugged. "Can't sleep." She smiled warmly as she walked into my room, closing the door behind her. She noticed the dreamcatchers and stared as they decorated the walls, each with a name.
"What are all these for?" She asked. I smiled.
"They hold memories," I replied. "Memories of each person I...remember." I swallowed. "I watch them a lot. It just reminds me of home, of Emma and…" my voice trailed off. "Henry." Snow walked to me calmly, draping an arm over my shoulder.
"I miss them too," she replied. I swallowed.
"But they don't miss us," I said, choking. "They don't remember us." Snow smiled gently, squeezing my shoulder.
"They do in stories," Snow said. "You should get some sleep, Kaleen." I nodded.
"I know," I replied. Snow squeezed my shoulder before she nodded and left the room. I turned to the bed and stared at it in silence before I walked outside, opening the doors to the balcony. I leaned on the barrier around the edges, allowing the wind to gently blow threw my hair to my side, almost falling out of my bun.
I took in a sharp breath, closing my eyes as I heard nothing but silence. Soon, as my brain traveled in thought, I ended up crawling into bed, curling up and staring at moon as I was devoured in darkness.
I was inches from being lifted off the ground by a creature that looked like a monkey, but had wings and fangs. It screeched, whipping around. I don't think it was targeting me. As I turned, there was a boy, small, no older than three.
I threw myself in front of him, the creature digging its talons in my sides, lifting me up in the air. Screaming, I failed my arms, trying to push it off me. As I shot a wave of magic, it dropped me. I tumbled in the grass and leaves, blood oozing out of me. I gasped, climbing out of the forest and onto the road, asphalt and black. As I turned to look up, a car swerved around me. I curled up in a ball as it haunted, turning back at me.
The driver got out, mortified. It was Regina. She ran over, helping me to my feet. I gasped, clutching my stomach, the puncture wounds. I waved my hand over the wounds, but they didn't heal.
She got me in the car, laying me down in the back seat. She turned to me, facing me and speaking softly.
"You're going to be alright," she said. I gasped, moaning. I shook my head. That's when I heard another voice. When I looked in the passenger seat, Snow sat there.
"What's wrong with her?" She asked frantically.
"I've been stabbed!" I exclaimed. "I'm bleeding! Do you not see them!"
"Kaleen, can you hear us?" Regina asked. I glared at her, moaning in pain.
"Get me to the hospital, Regina," I hissed. "Before I bleed out."
I felt a hand. I turned my head sharply as Blue was gripping onto my arm. I gasped, holding myself together as I almost doubled over in pain. "Help me!" I screamed. "Please!"
"Regina," Blue said. "I need you to do something for me. If I strike out, pull me away from Kaleen."
"I will."
"Why would you strike out!" I asked, barely speaking at all, more like a moan. Suddenly, Blue gripped my arm tighter and I gasped again, suddenly appearing in the middle of Storybrooke. I could see the creatures ripping things apart, picking people be lifted up in the sky, screaming.
"Kaleen?"
I whipped my head around. Henry stood, frozen. He couldn't move.
"Help me!" Henry screamed. I bolted, full force to him, throwing myself at him when another creature charged him.
Then, everything flashed white.
I jolted to my senses, sitting straight up. Blue was on the ground. Regina gripped my arm. I could feel sweat dripping down my forehead.
Snow was over Blue, checking her pulse. "Still strong." I stared at her and then looked around the room, soon bringing my hands to my mouth in horror. I choked tears.
"Kaleen," Regina said. "You're fine." I shook my head.
"I thought I had learned to control those," I replied. Snow stood up, meeting my gaze.
"Control what?"
"My visions," I said. "When I have them, I sometimes act out in my sleep. I almost killed Blue when I was younger." I swallowed. "She broke the vision. I could have died." I shuddered.
"You act out?" Snow asked. I nodded.
"I have them before a big event," I said. "When I was in Storybrooke, before the curse, I had a vision and created a storm cloud over my father's ship. When I was younger, when Blue tried to stop them, I…" my voice trailed off again. "...I almost ripped out her heart." I sniffed. "I can't hurt anyone anymore."
"I have a solution," Blue said, standing up. I turned to her. "I saw your vision. It was strong. If I hadn't pulled you out of it, you may have died." She cleared her throat.
"Blue, I'm sorry," I said, swallowing. "I didn't mean—"
"Each one who posses magic had one particular one that is strong. Your's is the future," she said. "Sometimes it can me Empathy or teleportation." I took another shuddering breath, seeing how the sun peeked over the horizon.
"Your gift is strong, Kaleen," she said. "You need to be where magic is not as strong so you can learn to control it. You need to go and not use more difficult spells." I stared at her, saying nothing.
"What's the solution?" Regina asked. "We can't just send her on her own."
"I won't send her on her own," Blue said. "I'm going to send her to her father."