Emma tip toed down the stairs as quietly as she could, not wanting to wake anyone up. Honestly, it would have been easier to just use her magic to appear outside, but she couldn't help wanting to get one last look at the loft, at her little brother peacefully sleeping in his crib, her parents sleeping on their bed, unware of anything. The sentimental side of her wanted to cherish this. This place. The only place she felt home.

The last sight of the apartment as she closed the door almost made her stay, but she knew she couldn't. Which is why she had to do this at night, when there was no one to stop her. She knew that it would only take a little convincing to get her to stay. She didn't want to leave. Every bit of her was screaming in protest, but she couldn't stand it anymore.

It had been almost four months since she became the Dark One. Four months of everyone putting forth all their effort searching for Merlin who would have the power to get rid of the darkness forever. But the more they looked, the more pointless it seemed to become.

Ever since it had happened, there were two sides of Emma at war, constantly. Two sides fighting for control. And more times than not, it felt like the darkness was winning, and at any moment it would consume her. It was tiring and terrifying. She couldn't trust anyone, not even herself. Rumpelstiltskin had woken up just a few weeks ago. He had mentioned that maybe the light magic in her didn't want to mix with the dark, which was why she felt like she was going crazy for so long. He said that the darkness had taken him quicker than it was taking her, and it was probably not very long before it would suppress her light magic enough to take control like it did him. Of course, as he pointed out, having people she loved around would help keep her true self to the surface, just like Belle and Baelfire had done for him. And it did help. But it felt like a band aid solution at best some times. Nothing that lasted very long.

There had been times when the darkness would all but take over, and she'd said things, done things that hurt everyone around her. She could tell her parents were apprehensive of her being around Neal. She couldn't blame them. She'd attacked Regina, frightening Henry. It was just better if she left town. That way, the darkness could be put at bay in her mind, easier to control, and everyone could be free from her, until they found a solution. And she could be free of this ongoing torment.

Emma reached the street before she felt that someone was following her. She could sense instantly who it was. She walked to her car, then paused letting him catch up.

"Henry, you need to go back inside." She stated firmly, not turning around.

"Where are you going?" His voice was sad, heartbroken. But she could tell he was trying to sound brave.

Turning around, she saw his face. He was putting on his best poker face, trying to not show emotion. "Henry I have to go. I can't stay here anymore. Not until a solution is found. I hope you can understand."

"Mom, you can't go. We'll find Merlin soon. We'll fix this and everything will be okay."

"And what if it's not? What if Merlin can't do a thing? Every moment I stay here, the closer I am to just letting the darkness take over. It would be easier for me to just give in." Emma was almost shouting at him. It was so easy for her to get angry these days.

"He will be able to help. And even if he doesn't, we'll find another way." Henry said calmly.

Emma sighed. "Leaving town would give us more time to find something. It would give me more time. Henry I have to go."

"Okay. Fine. But I'm going with you." Henry declared, heading to the other side of the car to get into the passenger seat.

"Wait! Kid, no. You can't come. You have to stay here. Storybrooke is where you belong." Emma looked at him, as his eyes met hers over the car.

"It's where you belong too. But if you have to leave, I'm not going to let you be alone." Henry opened the door and slid into the car, and shut the door softly behind him. Emma got into the driver's seat, started the car and looked over at Henry's determined face.

"Are you sure, Henry?"

"Of course I am."

"Okay. Buckle up."