Chapter 1: Long Night
"It's been a long day and I just want to go home" said the great Bigby wolf the sheriff of Fabletown. Bigby was an average heighted man, which did not make him any less fearful, his attitude, his appearance, the scruff on his face indicated he had not groomed for at least a few days, as did the light brown hair on his head, it looked neatly tussled if that made any sense but it was a tad long and ever so slightly wavy.
"I realize that Bigby but the man is causing a ruckus, can't you just... I don't know roughen him up a bit? Do your job perhaps?" Toad said arms crossed scowling at the him. Toad was one of the loudest of the fables according to Bigby; he would call Bigby whenever anything happened…anything. Of course that is to be expected, if a situation occurs what could a 3 foot toad do?
Sheriff Bigby said nothing which could be said about his facial expressions as well, as they remained neutral while he stood there staring at the 3 foot toad. He took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled it into the air not minding the angry toad standing in front him
"What is it this time toad?" Bigby said obviously annoyed by the situation
"The apartment is supposed to be empty, I hear someone bashing around in there, I go up to see what's going and I find a bloke in there tearing up the place. I ask who he is but the fella just walks past me like I don't exist. He was looking for something Bigby I just know it" The toad explained
"Is he there now?" Bigby asked calmly
"Didn't I just say he walked past me? No he's not!" The toad said throwing his arms up in frustration
"Then what's the problem?" Bigby asked peacefully
"The problem? The problem is there's been a break in" Toad's arms were now on his hips as he waited for the big man to do something.
Bigby let out a low growl and headed upstairs to where the apartment room was. He opened the door and went inside only to find the apartment perfectly neat and tidy, nothing broken and nothing out of place. As he looked around toad found his way into the room as well.
"This can't be… I swear the place was a mess, broken glass and furniture everywhere" The toad said mouth open shocked at the sight of the perfectly clean room. Bigby glared at the toad for a second before sniffing the area.
"Toad…" Bigby said stretching the word causing toad to look his way, guilty expression all over his face. "Toad, have you been drinking?" He said staring blankly at the creature standing before him.
"I might have had a drink or two, what of it?" Toad replied defensively.
Bigby exhaled again wiping his face with his hand.
"I'm out of here… My number is for real emergencies only" He said walking past the toad and heading outside the building not before putting his cigarette out on the floor.
"Damn toad, bringing me all this way for nothing…" He began speaking to himself on his walk back to the Luxury apartments, it was 2am and he had gotten little sleep the past few days, Ichabod Crane was doing his best to keep him busy with mundane work. But it was worth it because he got the chance to see Snow. Snow White the fairest in the lands, at least she used to be; now she has to settle with being amongst the fairest in Fabletown New York. Every time Ichabod assigned Bigby a case was a chance for him to see Snow which he didn't mind, he didn't mind at all. He arrived at the building tired and exhausted all he wanted to do was sit down, have a drink and nap the rest of the night. He walked in the lobby and as expected the security officer was laid back hat covering his eyes sleeping.
"At least someone's getting a good night's rest" Bigby said to himself.
He noticed a couple boxes labeled 'Plants' on it. He assumed someone was just moving in, there were still vacant rooms in the apartment so he didn't think twice.
The rugged man made his way to the elevators pressing the button as the wait for the elevator commenced. He stood there following each floor until it finally reached the ground. The doors opened and he went inside pressing the second floor. As the door closed slowly he heard the sound of something crashing on the floor followed by a woman's voice
"Shit!" The woman said
He quickly placed his hand prying open the elevator door as he recognized the sound of the woman's voice.
"Irina?" He said stunned approaching the woman who was picking up the pieces of the broken pot that was in the box along with the security guard that was woken by the sound.
"I'm so sorry" She said to the security guard before the voice of the sheriff registered in her mind. She dropped the remains of the pot and quickly turned to see him there standing behind her, his eyes wide and face confused.
"Oh hello Bigby" She said trying to return her composure. "What are you doing here?" She asked sincerely
"I uh…" He trailed off looking at the red haired beauty standing before him, her hair long half way down her back and was the shade of deep red, her eyes green as emeralds that lit perfectly in the light, her lips full, soft and pink, her skin pale and flawless. Her shirt was green, two buttons short on the top revealing a little bit of cleavage and a black pencil skirt with a small slit on the side, she paired it with a set of ruby red pumps that elongated her legs as Bigby noticed. He shook his head trying to regain his thoughts "I live here"
"Right" She said as they now fell in this awkward silence that was broken by the sound of the security guard hissing in pain as one of the pot shards cut his finger. Irina turned quickly to check on the security guard as Bigby stood there his mind still in disbelief.
"I'm sorry… does it hurt?" She asked grabbing the man's hand gently, looking at his wound.
"It's quite alright Ma'am" He said smiling at her "It's nothing" He said.
"It's my fault I should have been more careful" She looked around the lobby for a second once noticing that no one else was there, of course except for Bigby a small green light appeared from her slender fingers, it looked like she was sprinkling light green glitter on the man's wound and then poof, the wound was gone.
"There" She said sending the guard an assuring smile.
"You can't use magic here Irina…" Bigby pressed nervously looking around
"No one saw Bigby, relax" She said packing the last piece of the pot back inside the box of dirt.
"Someone could have" He replied more sternly
She looked at him for a second at first she was a bit irritated, they haven't spoken in centuries and when they finally do he acts like this? Then she realized he was only concerned about people seeing her using magic. One could never be too careful those days, at any time a mundy could get lost and end up there.
"It won't happen again…" She said coldly grabbing the box and pushing past him and pressing the elevator button and waiting for it to open.
"I didn't mean to…" Bigby Began as he made his way to Irina but was quickly interrupted by her
"It's fine Bigby… I understand, rules are rules" She said stepping into the elevator, adjusting her box so she could free one hand and pressed level 3
Bigby stepped in with her. They waited there both staring straight out the doors at the security guard who was on his feet waving goodbye to the redhead who returned his waving with a wide smile. The doors of the elevator closed and now it was her and Bigby alone in the elevator.
"Let me help you with that" Bigby said trying to grab the box from her hands but she stepped away quickly
"No, it's fine… it's not heavy" She said looking down at her belongings.
They stood there awkwardly waiting for the elevator to reach. Bigby opened his mouth to say something but at the sound of the elevator beep she stepped off as it reached the third floor.
"See ya Bigby" She said taking a few steps away from the elevator before turning around "You might want to press the floor button" She smirked as he looked at the buttons to find he forgot to press it. He pressed the button allowing the doors to close but not before smiling at her. He stood in that elevator for a while thinking about the last time he saw her.
Tears rolling down her beautiful face, bruises on her neck, clothes shredded, scratch marks covered her body
"Don't leave Bigby, please… I know it was an accident… you didn't mean to!" Irina yelled trying to pull him away from the door
"Irina… I am an animal… I will hurt you again, I can't control it… I'm sorry" He turned and placed a hand on her cheek. He pulled her in closer until his lips touched hers for one last kiss goodbye. He left her there that night, cold, battered … alone.