ONCE UPON A TIME...
Emma arose to hear the sound of heated debate from down the stairs. Heaving a sigh she rolled in the bed turning to see Killian next to her. He was sound asleep and didn't appear to be waking anytime soon. She didn't want him to wake him. They had stumbled back to her parents loft after the previous night...things had gotten a bit...out of hand. Leaning across Emma placed a gentle kiss to the pirate's cheek, contenting herself to watch him sleep. His dark hair fell over his closed eyes...though as much as she wanted to lay there for hours the heated conversation from down stairs continued. Heaving a sigh Emma slowly slipped out from beneath the blankets. Grabbing a sweater that had been thrown over the end of the bed and a pair of jeans she quickly changed before tip toeing down the stairs.
Descending down the steps Emma pulled her hair back and away from her face twisting it up into a ponytail. Looking up she noted her mother, father and Henry sat in the kitchen eating a form of breakfast. David was sipping on a mug of coffee, Mary Margaret was cradling Neal attempting to soothe the child who was gurgling while Henry poked at a half full bowl of cereal. Judging by the look on Henry's face something must have happened.
David looked up and gave her a faint smile but seemed guarded. "Morning."
"Good morning," Emma smiled. Mary Margaret rocked the baby gently in her arms, back and forth. Emma turned her attention to Henry, "Everything okay here?" She had directed her question to the sulking teen but he seemed to pay no attention. Henry didn't even look up from prodding his cereal bowl. His skin was pale-his eyes distant.
"Yeah...fine," He nodded poking at the cereal again. Emma scowled and cast a glance to David who merely shrugged his shoulders.
"You sure...?" Emma probed again.
"Yes," Henry said firmly, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" The teen rolled his eyes.
"Maybe because you don't look it," David added with raised brows. Henry now turned his eyes to his grandfather and studied him for a long moment.
"I'm going for a walk," Henry heaved sliding off his seat, grabbing his wool coat and quickly vanishing through the door of the apartment. The door shut with a heavy bang. Neal squealed as he awoke. Emma and her parents watched after him before exchanging glances with one another. Mary Margaret growled and began rocking the baby frantically again.
"Something on his mind and he better sort it out before he wakes Neal again," Mary Margaret cooed to the baby again.
"Clearly," Emma sighed, "My guess? Teenager problems."
"What problems could he possibly have that we can't help with?" David scoffed. That was a fair point, there seemed to be no problem that they couldn't fight. However. Charming and Snow hadn't been there when Emma was growing up-they had no idea just how hard it could be. Emma looked to her father and hesitated before a gentle smile crossed her lips.
"Well you know he's a young kid-he's got kid problems."
"Kid problems?" Mary Margaret frowned.
"Well...teen problems. You know you get to that point when you want to be independent...explore the world?"
"We missed out on that part," David sighed. Emma inhaled deeply. Didn't she know it.
"Henry's had his first kiss alright? He's just growing up," Emma shrugged, "It's no big deal." Mary Margaret's jaw dropped and David inhaled his coffee the wrong way.
"He what?!" Mary Margaret gaped.
"I get it now!" David choked.
"It's none of our business-" Emma began.
"Who was it?" Mary Margaret cut in quickly.
"Does it matter?" Emma cocked a brow plucking an apple from the fruit bowl, "Best leave a teenager to their angst. Trust me-I was a moody ass teenager. You guys were lucky you didn't have to deal with me. Whatever's on his mind? He'll talk about it when he's ready."
"Violet?" Henry knocked heavily on the door. No answer. "Violet? It's me? Henry? I got your text." Still no answer. Reaching out Henry tried the handle of the door and slowly pushed it open. The window across the room was ajar. Violet was not at her desk nor in her bed. She was sat in the corner of the room, under the window with her knees pulled close to her chest, her head buried in the gap between her knees and her chest. Henry swiftly shut the door behind him and rounded the bed dropping down in front of her.
"Violet?" He asked softly. There was a moment pause before she very slowly drew her head up and looked at him. "Are you okay?"
"I couldn't sleep," She squeaked.
"What happened? You said something about a man?"
"He was looking for you."
"What? Who was looking for me?"
"He was already waiting when I got here-I'm sure he's been watching me-"
"Violet," Henry reached out taking hold of her arms and forcing her to look at him, "Who was here?"
"He said his name was...Van Helsing. He's looking for Hyde."
Henry drew back. Who? He had never heard of the man..except for in those monster films with Dracula. Man those movies were okay. Henry was half expecting Hugh Jackman to be skulking around. Did that mean that this Van Helsing character was from the same world that Hyde had come from? Henry focused back on Violet. "Violet, I won't ask you to come with me but I need to find him."
"How are you going to find him?" Violet squeaked.
"Dr. Jekyll-if this guy is looking for Hyde, Jekyll might know something."
...
Henry jumped down the step and hit a solid force. Stumbling back he looked up to see David standing in front of him.
"Ah Henry there you are-"
"Sorry granddad I was just heading to-"
"Look Emma mentioned this morning that you're growing up."
"...what?" Henry drew back baffled.
"She said that you were having 'teenage' issues."
"Mom said that? What issues?"
"Well I'm just here to say if you need anything-or any advice..I'm always here."
"Advice? What? You're crazy grandpa-I got to go," Henry pushed past David and quickly sprinted away he couldn't be held up any longer. Violet had opted to sit this one out and remain in her room for that day. She was shaken-as though she had seen a ghost. Even though Henry persisted that someone stay with her she refused. 'I'm alright'. The famous words. None the less Henry had to push on and find out more. Who knows maybe that guy would show up again? Henry ran down the road, past the diner and toward the river. Henry had overheard Granny mentioned that Dr. Jekyll had vanished down in that direction at first light.
...
Henry descended down the grassy bank. Pausing midstride he noted a stooped figure at the water's edge collecting water in small glass vials.
"Dr. Jekyll?" Henry called out. The stooped figure collapsed with fright into the water, flailing like a fish. Henry quickly continued his descent down the bank and ran toward the flailing man. "Dr. Jekyll-sorry I eh-" Henry reached out and grabbed hold of the man, pulling him back onto the bank.
"That's alright! My mistake," Jekyll spluttered jerking the glasses from his face and quickly swiping the water out of his eyes. Swiftly he replaced the spectacles and focused on Henry. Henry attempted to gather the spilled test tubes and equipment. Where had Jekyll get all of this?
"You-your-you are Henry aren't you?" Jekyll stammered.
"Yeah-how did you-"
"Son of the savoir, hard to mistake." Jekyll nodded gathering the equipment Henry handed to him. "Dr. Jekyll I was hoping to ask you a few questions..."
"Is that so? About what?" Jekyll ducked lower to acquire some more samples of soil and water.
"Have you ever heard of a man called...Van Helsing?" Henry asked. Jekyll stopped in his movements-froze like a statue. Had Henry said something wrong? Jekyll slowly looked over his shoulder toward Henry.
"What?"
"Van Helsing-"
"How do you know of him?"
"I think he's here in Storybrooke..."
"No," Jekyll's hands quickly gathered all his equipment and in a swift scoop, collecting it all into a leather satchel. "We shouldn't be here," Jekyll stuttered grasping Henry's shoulder and pulling him toward the bank of the river away from the shade of the forest. Henry frowned.
"What? Why?"
"If that man is here-it can mean nothing good. The best we can do is stay out of his way."
"But he's looking for me."
"He...he is hunting you?"
"Looking for," Henry corrected.
"That demon never looks Henry-he hunts. You have to get back to your mother-it's not safe for you."
"But I want to know where has he come from? Why is he here in Storybrooke?"
"He's from our land-the land of Untold Stories, much like me. I can't be sure how he came to be here but I can tell you this-"
Snap.
A tree branch crunched from somewhere in the woods. Henry and Jekyll silenced themselves and turned their attention to the trees that surrounded them. They seemed to grow darker, the wind picking up a chill wind as it snaked through the tall wooden pillars. The color drained from Jekyll's cheeks and his eyes bulged in his skull.
"It's him," Jekyll hissed. "You have to go. Now. Go quickly-back to the town."
"What about you?" Henry looked back to Jekyll who was pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. Henry was growing worried now-who was this man? Why was he after Henry and what on earth did he want in Storybrooke? Violet said he had wanted to help? Yet Jekyll quivered at the mention of him. Why?
"Don't worry about me. Get back to your home and make sure there's someone with you. You'll need help if he comes for you."
Snap.
"How do we fight him?" Henry asked quickly-the man was only human a bullet or cut would make him bleed wouldn't it?
"He's a demon in the shadows-magic boy. Magic."
Snap.
"Run!" Jekyll himself fled, taking to a sprint away from the trees back toward the town. Henry turned his eyes around the forest and noted a black figure watching him from the depth of the woods. Henry's heart dropped and raced, he felt sick. Quickly he spun and fled, scrambling up the bank of the river back toward the road. He stumbled to his knees, gashing them on the gravel as he met the road. Standing Henry pushed forward his sneakers hammering on the roads surface. Ducking low he snatched up the handle bars of his bike. Daring a last glance over his shoulder Henry saw the dark figure striding through the trees. Henry swung his leg over the bike and began to pedal. He wouldn't remain here. He had to get back to his mom's. He'd need their help.
...
"Mom's?" Henry gasped throwing the door of the apartment open. The wooden door crashed open. He heaved loudly, his heart was throbbing a mile a minute. The apartment however was empty only one woman was present within and she was not happy at his sudden entrance. Mary Margaret was sat on the sofa, Neal was sound asleep in his crib and only twisted at the sound of Henry's entrance. Mary Margaret gasped.
"Henry? What are you doing?" She hissed but then the realization donned on her face. Henry was sweat covered, filthy, knees skinned. She sat forward and a gentle frown crossed her brow. "Henry what is it?" Henry inhaled a long deep breath before allowing all to spill from his mouth.
Regina thrust the door of the diner open. She was angry, raging at the thought of someone looking for Henry-why? What could they possibly want? She had already lost Robin...Daniel. She would simply not loose anyone else. Stepping into the diner she noticed Leroy and the other dwarfs at the counter getting their daily lunch, babbling loudly. She saw Emma sat near the rear of the diner in one of the booths. Regina, held her head high and marched forward.
"What the hell if going on?" Regina demanded, "Where's Henry?"
"Regina, it's fine. Just calm down." Emma attempted to reassure her. The time for reassurance was long past.
"To hell with calming down where's my son?"
"He's my son too remember? He's at the town hall, in your office. No one can get to him in there."
"What did you even mean? Some shadowy man following him about?"
"I believe I can answer that," A meek voice squeaked. Regina looked to her left and it was only then that she noticed Dr. Jekyll sat on the other side of the booth. He was sucking strongly on the end of a straw, attempting to sup the last of the milkshake from the pit of the tall glass. The noise grinded on Regina's nerves, she was ready to slap the straw from his mouth. He looked up, pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose and gave a faint uneasy smile. Good. She was seconds from slapping him.
"What? So everyone else knows about this and I'm the last person to find out?" Regina growled. Jekyll quickly returned his attentions to the straw and sucked. That noise...
Emma sighed heavily. "Regina I didn't know until Mary Margaret called me-same as you. Now do you want to hear what Dr. Jekyll has to say or not?"
Regina opened her mouth to speak, quickly rethought her words before going to speak again. She then noticed the daring glare Emma was presenting her with. Regina decided against speaking her mind. In that moment anyway. Inhaling deeply she sat down on one of the seats and calmly folded her arms across the table. She looked up to Jekyll.
"I want every detail."
"Of course-"
"Don't leave a thing out."
"Yes-yes of course."
"Then talk."
"Why didn't you say something?" David asked. Henry stared at the desk bobbing in the heavy leather chair within the mayor's office. He had always loved this chair when he was younger, before everything had become so complicated, before when nobody believed him that the stories were real. How much simpler had times been back then...what would it be like to time travel back to those days...
"I didn't really know what to say." Henry muttered.
"Okay...how about 'Violet was approached by a madman last night and he was looking for me'?" David offered. Henry was brimming-nearly on the verge of exploding. How old did David think he was? He wasn't a child anymore. Whenever anyone had a problem they would go about solving it themselves and yet when Henry decided not to burden anyone he was at fault? All he wanted to do was not make a fuss over something that may have not been a big deal. Heaving a sigh he looked at the clock in the office. David threw his arms in the air-he was done lecturing now. The man slumped down into a chair that sat in front of the desk rubbing his temples with a hand. Henry waited a long moment before slipping out of the chair and making his way across the office to the door. David looked up.
"Where are you going?"
"Can I not even go to the bathroom in peace? I don't need you to follow me," Henry growled. David withdrew and Henry quickly left the office to the bathroom. He didn't really need the bathroom but he needed breathing space a minute to clear his head. Perhaps Henry had been a little harsh now that he had time to mull things over-he knew his grandfather was right, he knew that he should have just gone to his moms for help to begin with. Instead he had allowed pride to get in his way and only cause more problems. Heaving a sigh he ran a hand through his hair and ran through his apology for his grandfather again. Reaching out he pushed the door to the office open.
"Look Grandpa I'm sorry about-" Henry began but never finished. David was lying on the floor next to the chair he had been sat on. A small trail of blood was oozing from his nose, bruising was sprouting across his cheek. Henry bolted forward. "Grandpa?"
"He won't wake," A voice sounded behind him. Henry jumped and spun turning to see the door of the office swinging closed. A dark figure stood behind the door-clad in black, with pale gold hair and a heavily scarred face. One eye blue the other an unseeing silver. He was blind in one eye.
"What have you done to him?" Henry snarled.
"A knock to the head-he's not dead," The man shrugged pushing off the wall and stepped forward. Henry felt his knees quake in the man's presence.
"Doesn't look so gentle to me," Henry hissed, "How'd you even get in here? My mom's protected this place."
"From demons, monster, witches...I know. Not me. I saw the warding symbols, powerful magic," The man looked about the office, studying the white horse on the mantle to the left. The man's attention then drew to the decor of the room, the black and white monochrome that made up the office. Henry looked around the office-what could the man see that he couldn't? Warding symbols? What did that mean? The man reached into the pocket of his leather waistcoat and produced a pocket watch, peered briefly at the time before flipping it closed and returning his one eyed gaze to Henry.
"You're Van Helsing aren't you?"
"Yes. That is my name and you are Henry Mills, son of Emma Swan, grandson to Prince Charming and Snow White. My linage pales in comparison...greatly."
"What do you want from me?" Henry demanded daring a look at his unconscious grandfather.
"I want nothing more than to talk with you," Van Helsing continued to wonder about the office, peering at the pictures within. The man paused as he rounded the desk and looked down to a picture of Regina and a much younger Henry. "This is your other mother-the Evil Queen?"
"Not anymore-she's changed."
"Believe what you will...I know evil is not easily snuffed out, however," Van Helsing set the picture back down. Did he...know Regina? "I shan't mince words further Henry. I know all about you, you're the Author and I need you to help me find Mr. Hyde."
"Why are you looking for Mr. Hyde?"
"He and I have a hefty score to settle and as I believe he is on his way to claim this town of yours which puts you and your family in peril. We both have something to gain from this venture. Are you willing to help me?"
Henry hesitated.
"Use your powers if you don't believe me. I won't hurt you, I have no quarrel with you-unless you provide reason."
Henry had a hard time believing that, he was sure he had seen the handle of a pistol beneath the cover of the man's trench coat, maybe two guns. There were no obvious signs of weapons but Henry could only imagine this man was armed. Henry almost felt inclined to take the man up on his offer...
"Yeah...I think I can help you," Henry nodded. He watched Van Helsing closely. The man made no move to smile but his eyes lit up with a spark of excitement.
The wood from the flaming fire crackled against the loud noise from the many men that occupied the inn drinking their fill, talking at the loudest possible volume they could without the need to shout. Some in fact did shout. How tiring. He sat motionless one leg propped up on a stool as he watched the goings on from the shadow of his wide brimmed hat. His grey eyes looked to every man, every drunk that may try to pick a fight with him because of who he was. What he was. He was a man who was more at home in the woods then in a large crowd of people, a man who preferred to remained solitary unless absolutely necessary. People tended to avoid him and he avoided them. Some thought him odd, others dangerous. Abraham Van Helsing was a solitary shadow, tucked away in the corner of the inn. Leaning forward he carefully lifted the tankard and supped on the liquid before setting it back down and reclining back in the harsh wooden bench. He had been summoned here by a man by the name of Jack Seward, the owner of that Asylum among the trees. Seward was currently having issues with an unknown person within the asylum who was threatening him. After Van Helsing was finished with that no doubt Jack would want help with his female love, Lucy Westenra. Van Helsing wasn't sure where his aid was meant to come into being-he was simply a hunter of evil, a sheriff of sorts he supposed. His eyes looked up when the door of the inn cracked open once more. A tall man stepped through the door-narrowed eyed and dark haired with a round face. The unmistakable frame of Jack. Abraham rose his hand and lifted the hat from a top his head setting it down on the table. Jack quickly swept through the inn, sweeping the rain from off the shoulders of his wax riding coat.
"Abraham!" He nodded falling into one of the seats. Lifting his top hat off he shook his head, the rain running down his face.
"For what purpose have you called me here?"
"Of urgent need, my friend-I cannot remain long though, my dear Lucy has fallen ill."
"To matters then?"
"Ay. I've been receiving threats from a mysterious man claiming to be a Mr. Hyde."
"Hyde?"
"He threatens to take my asylum Abraham."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure but his threats are getting worse."
"How so?"
"He's threatened my life, not only mine but that of my dear Lucy!" Jack heaved. Abraham remained somewhat unmoved by the man's plight. However Van Helsing felt the thrill of the hunt rising in the pit of his stomach. Jack could see the man's expression had remained unchanged and quickly he scrambled. He wasn't unchanged he was eager now. Mr. Hyde. It had been years since they had crossed each other's path-their last engagement ending in an all out war which left destruction and chaos.
"Please Abraham, I beg of you! Lend me your aid in such a matter, I would not dare ask if I was not desperate."
Van Helsing looked Jack directly in the eyes. What need would he have to lie...? Breathing in deeply Van Helsing sat forward, twisted the tankard and lifted it up inhaling the scent of the ale within. He hesitated before taking a long swig of the ale and setting the tankard down again.
"Tell me more about this monster of yours Jack," Van Helsing nodded.
"Ow," David hissed.
"Well, sit still then," Mary Margaret scolded dabbing the rest of the dried blood away from his nose. "Always cleaning up after you."
"So tell me again what you actually saw," Regina pressed looking at Henry. Henry gave a heaving sigh and looked back up to his mother.
"He just wants my help-to stop Hyde. I think we're all in the same boat here."
"He probably just wants you to think that Henry," Mary Margaret sighed. Henry looked to the woman as she finished clearing away the remainder of the blood from her husband's face.
"Can everyone please just trust me?" Henry growled.
"Whatever you say kid-if you think this guy can help us well then I say we see what happens," Emma pushed off the counter top and nodded to Henry. The teen gave her a faint smile.
"Thanks mom."
"Ay love-enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that eh?" Killian nodded. Henry gave a relieved sigh.
"Alright then," David nodded, standing and rubbing the bridge of his bruised nose. "But I'm not happy about it."
"Just because he dented your pride?" Regina snorted, "Looks broke by the way." David instantly crossed the room to the nearest mirror and looked at his reflection. Now that Regina mentioned it...his nose did look a little bent in the wrong way. Maybe David did need to see a doctor about that.
"He dented a bit more than that," Mary Margaret smirked. David shot her a glance. Quickly the woman returned to washing the cloth beneath the running tap.
"Did this Van Helsing happen to mention anything about how to stop Hyde?" Regina looked back to Henry.
"No..." Henry muttered, "But he said he would find us when he finished his investigating."
"'Investigating'? Hopefully he'll turn up with something useful then. Then we'll know if he's really willing to help." Killian muttered.
Abraham stepped through the dark corridors of the asylum. It was quiet. All he could hear were the muffled mumblings of the patients from within their cells. Some would scream and then fall deathly silent before screaming once more, some would remain in total silence in the corners of the cells while others had been sedated so heavily they were only husks of the people they had once been. Others laughed manically. Van Helsing paused briefly to peer in the window of one of the cell doors. A girl was huddled near the far wall beneath the window, dressed in the clinical white gown, her hair has been hacked at by a rusty scissors, her eyes shadowed and her pale face gaunt. She giggled, her shoulders wagging at the effort of trying to hold the laughs in. What a waste of life. Why not simply put the demons out of their misery? Was there really need to have them locked away like this? What had they done anyway? Every human was a bit mad...no? He moved on, stepping back from the door and creeping along the hall-he had left Jack back in his office tightly locked within. The man would only hinder Van Helsing. So far he had combed through the entirety of the east wing of the building and found nothing-now he had moved to the west and after almost an entire two hours of searching...still nothing. Was Jack telling the truth or had his nervous consciousness gotten to him again? There was no monster here. Van Helsing had not travelled for days to be met with nothing, he had left a more important affair to be here. One of the patients crashed their fists on the door as he passed. He paid no heed. The further Van Helsing got the more he was beginning to think this was a fool's errand. Rounding the corner he noted an empty room at the end of the hallway-a set of glass doors to his left led to one of the testing labs, another set of heavy wooden doors led to, no doubt, a morgue of sorts. Every floor had one in case any patent should slip from all reason and end their own suffering. Continuing onward he heard a crash from behind. He stopped and slowly peered over his shoulder. That had come from the lab. It was after hours-no one should be in the labs. Reaching down he flipped the lip of his coat back exposing the pistol holster on his leg and the silver revolver engraved with gold. Drawing the weapon slowly from its sleep he took it into his right hand and began back the way he has come. He could hear voices now, one a low rasping breath the other a relaxed soothing tone. He quietened his steps. Perhaps Jack had not been lying after all...stepping up against the wall he gently poked his head around the corner to the doors which remained ajar. Twisting his body he positioned himself and peered through the crack. There were two men within the room. One a tall man and dark of skin dressed in the garb of an asylum guard, the other in a heavy leather trench coat, though it was shredded. The man in the trench coat was rumbling a thought to the dark skinned man.
"I want him gone Poole,"
"Of course Warden."
Warden? There was only one warden of this asylum and that was Jack Seward. Poole? In all the names that Van Helsing had seen on Jack's roster of employees...Poole was not one of them.
"May I remind you this task was due to be accomplished by now?"
"I understand that Warden but we need a little more time-"
"Forgive me-I'm sure you said 'we'?"
The dark skinned man retreated a step. Van Helsing's eyes narrowed. "I meant 'I'..."
"That would be more suited." The 'warden' nodded before spinning and throwing the back of his fist out hitting the man hard across the jaw sending him to his knees. Van Helsing waited...not yet. He took in the man's features; pale skinned, dark haired, a square jaw and the most intriguing eyes Van Helsing had ever seen. Black and bloodshot filled with bloodlust. This was Hyde. To anyone else it would have been terrifying. His grip instinctively tightened on the pistol in his hand. So it was true. That bastard had finally reared his head again. Perhaps Van Helsing had been right to leave his current assignment.
"I'm sorry," the man now on his knees said quickly.
"That is not good enough." Hyde hissed, "This was to be finished before that man arrived."
"I will find out more about him," The dark skinned man nodded quickly.
"Don't waste your time, Mr. Poole. I want this sorted." There was an awkward silence from both men within the lab. Van Helsing tightened his grip on the pistol. Hyde was after him. It seemed nothing had changed.
"I believe I said I want this sorted..." Hyde growled. Mr. Poole quickly found his feet and fled the lab. Throwing the door open Poole stepped out into the hall-he paused. Turning his eyes about the hallway he found it empty. Poole could swear he was being watched. Turning he ran the back of his hand over his cracked lip and hurried forward to carry out the warden's request.
"Are you sure this was where he said?" Emma looked to Henry. Henry peered around the empty clearing in the woods.
"He said by the well," Henry nodded.
"Well he's late," Regina huffed looking down to the watch on her wrist. Nearly 11 o'clock. Looking up she heaved another sigh and pushed her gloved hands down into the pockets of her wool coat.
"I see you brought company," A voice sounded. Henry, Emma and Regina spun to see the shadow melting from the trees. Emma instinctively braced herself, pushing Henry behind her. Regina instantly moved on the defensive and twisted her wrists.
"You're late," She hissed.
"Correction. You were early," Van Helsing cocked a brow fully emerging from the trees and looking to the woman before glancing to his pocket watch and flipping it closed. Regina allowed her guard to drop...for now. Early?
"Did you find anything?" Henry asked jumping from behind Emma and looking to the man.
"Mr. Hyde has masterfully hidden himself away. This town is not big and there are few places for him to go and yet...he's vanished."
"That's not very helpful. You spent all day investigating just to find that out?" Regina hissed.
Van Helsing turned his eye to her. "It proves one thing."
"What's that?" Emma piped.
"That he has had help."
"Help? Who in Storybrooke would help Mr. Hyde?" Regina scowled. "I think you're lying."
"Lying? I'm a man of many trades Miss. Mills but being a liar had never been one of them."
"Prove it," Emma said.
"I'll prove it for him-" Regina said hastily taking a daring step forward and moving to grab hold of the heart with Van Helsing's chest. His blind eye looked sharply to her and quickly the woman was thrown back off her feet by an unknown force.
"Regina!"
"Mom!" Henry and Emma leapt forward as Regina hit the floor.
"What was that?" Emma demanded.
"If you wish to trust me then allow me to trust you," Van Helsing scolded, folding his arm across his chest now. Regina gritted her teeth and lifted herself from the dirt.
"Do you have magic?" Henry looked to Van Helsing.
"I never have nor ever will possess magic," Van Helsing shook his head. "However in my line of work certain precautions must be taken. Such as protection from witches."
"That was unexpected," Regina hissed dusting herself down now. They couldn't get close to Van Helsing-not even Regina could harm him. Not by magic anyway. Had Jekyll lied?
"You wish to investigate my intentions by looking and studying my heart. Do really believe that aid can't be so readily given?" Van Helsing looked to Regina now. He was irritated-his voice had raised slightly, his words sharper. Emma looked to Regina and both exchanged glances before looking back to Van Helsing.
"I guess we can go out on a limb..." Emma said slowly.
"So...you think Mr. Hyde has an accomplice?" Henry looked back to the man before them.
"Indeed he does."
"We need to find out who that is," Emma nodded.
"No. I believe I already know who it is."
"Who?" Regina growled. This would be interesting.
"I believe it is your other half Miss. Mills."
Regina was taken aback. Her other half? She didn't have one. Daniel was dead, Robin was now dead. "My other half?" Regina cocked her brow.
"Your worse half. I believe you call her The Evil Queen?" Van Helsing looked to Regina. Regina's expression dropped, her face paled. Looking to Emma and Henry she sought comfort from their expressions but she found there was none to be had. Her eyes turned back to Van Helsing. He however seemed unmoved. The night had just grown colder.