A short story about the aftermath of Emma receiving her darkness. This is not based on any spoilers.

It was nearly 3am. For two days sleep was not something she did. Two days ago the darkness had entered her. All this time she hid from her family. It wasn't because she feared their reaction to her image. She hadn't even changed that much. Except for the fact that she looked extremely tired. Yet even with this tired look Emma could feel the new surging power within.

Emma was still scared. Insecurities and rejections were not new to her. In the last two years she had gained trust and optimism, but that was all withered away now. All she felt was loneliness and sadness.

She knew that her family was probably worried about her, wondering where she was but she couldn't risk a rejection. What if they pushed her away immediately. They wouldn't want her near. They'd be scared she'd do something evil. There's that insecurity again she thought. Lately it seemed like she was fighting with herself.

A part deep inside was the old Emma and the old Emma missed her family. She looked at her phone. She had only just turned it on today. Messages and voicemails flooded in but she ignored them all. She didn't want to know what they said. She clicked the photos app. Swiping through the albums she stared at the smiling faces of her family before all this mess. She sighed. She just wanted to be with them normally like they had been before.

Looking at the photos made her even sadder than before. She went to turn off her phone until she caught a glance at her homescreen. It was a picture of her and Henry grinning with hot cocoa mugs raised in the air. Her vision fogged as tears welled up in her eyes.

Her wonderful son. How much she missed him. He was probably the one initiating the search parties to find her.

Emma thought for a moment. Henry wouldn't be afraid. When she lost control of her powers he was the one who hadn't given up and had found her first. Maybe she should visit him just to see him. Yes. That's what she was going to do.

Emma stood up. She had hid in the forest all this time but moving constantly. She started walking towards what she knew was back to the road when she realized she was the dark one now. That meant magic came easily to her now. With a a wave she could appear anywhere. So with a flick she was gone in a black fog.

She reappeared in her room by Henry's bed. However the bed was empty.

Of course, Emma thought. He was probably staying with Regina. As she turned to get ready to disappear to Henry's bedroom at Regina's she noticed the boy laying down on the other bed.

He had fallen asleep on her bed. In his hand he held his brown book that read "Once Upon A time"

The tears came back to her eyes as she watched Henry sleeping. She walked over and took the book from his hand and placed it on the night table. She then kissed his head. Sweet Henry. He deserved better. He didn't deserve to live in this messy world where he had been kidnapped, lost his father, ripped away from his family again and again. And now his mother was the dark one.

Henry always put on a brave face but Emma knew this wasn't easy for a child his age.

He looked so peaceful sleeping. She almost didn't want to wake him. She swallowed the lump she felt in her throat and shook Henry gently.

"Henry." She whispered.

Henry slowly raised his head and rubbed his eyes.

"Mom?" His eyes adjusted to the dim light and broke into a smile when he realized it really was her.

"Mom!" He said happily falling into her arms.

Emma smiled and held him tightly.

"I've missed you." He said into her shoulder.

"I missed you too, kid." She said still hugging him and not wanting to let go.

Henry leaned back and smiled at her.

"Come on. We have to wake up grandma and grandpa to tell them you're here and okay. They've been-"

Emma interrupted him.

"Henry wait. No. I only came to see you."

He was confused. "But why? Mom. They love you. They want to see you."

"I know."

"They won't say anything bad. You're their daughter."

Emma sighed. Of course Henry would try to convince her otherwise.

"Henry I'm scared."

Henry stared at her with sympathetic eyes suddenly realizing how tired she looked.

He laid his head on her shoulder.

"Alright Mom. I won't tell them you're here. I guess you probably need some time."

Emma nodded. "Thanks."

Henry stayed on her shoulder then said.

"I know there's someone out there that is going crazy without you though. More than grandma and grandpa."

Emma raised her eyebrow.

Henry continued. "I'm pretty sure he hasn't slept since you left."

Killian.

"Yeah." Emma said.

"You should visit him too."

"Yeah." Emma said again as it was all she could say.

"Mom. You look really tired. Maybe you should get some sleep."

Emma shook her head. "I can't sleep. I feel torment when I close my eyes."

Henry made her lay down on the bed and held her hand.

"We can deal with everything else in the morning. Just try and sleep."

Emma nodded and squeezed Henry's hand. Being here with him did make her feel a lot safer. Henry wrapped his arms around her and she placed his head on her shoulder. She put an arm around him and held him like she would have held him when he was younger if she hadn't given him up. This thought made her a bit sad but knowing that right now it was just Henry and her in the world, made her feel a lot better. She closed her eyes and slept.

The next morning Henry got up quickly.

"Mom!" He looked around the room.

But Emma was already gone.

Hey! Thanks for reading. Hope you liked it as I might continue this.