I haven't written many stories and my English is not at highest level but I hope you'll enjoy the story anyway.
Chapter 1
"…reaching for something in the distance…"
She turned off the radio. Looking back at the road, she blinked few times, trying to stay awake. Hands in leather gloves gripped steering wheel, the contact caused familiar sound. Person sitting or half lying on a passenger seat was snoring lightly. She looked aside to check on her little son. Little. She hasn't called him that for a very long time. For her he was already big man. She didn't smile, focused on the road before her and sign that she was crossing borders of another small town in this eternal woods.
Small drops of cold water sprayed the windshield. Her eyelids were heavy and she blinked again.
We have to stop. I need a rest. And Henry needs bed.
She speeded up to get to the center fast. Streets were deserted, as her green German fop began his race with darkness. First and the only accommodation she found was bed and breakfast of Granny's. She parked at curb and pulled the handbrake. Leaning against leather of the seat she looked at the sleeping boy again.
She reached with her hand and attempted to shake Henry from his sleep, at least to the level he could walk. But he just mumbled and didn't wake up at all. She tried few more times but no luck. So she got out of the car, taking keys and her bag, walking to the passenger door she opened it. One of her arms slid under his knees, the other wrapped around his shoulders and with slight gasp she picked him up from the seat, shutting the door. Slowly, she approached the door to the diner, managed to open them. It must've looked ridiculous as she was holding the eleven years old but she didn't care. The only thing she cared about in that moment was her son's safe sleep. Once inside, she headed right to the old woman who, as she supposed, was probably the one after whom the diner was named. Her idea about the woman was probably right, as she didn't have to say anything and Granny (with typical glasses on) invited her to the back where there was (or used to be) reception. Spiders find paradise there, their masterpieces went through all shades of white and grey. Her arms screamed with pain but she ordered herself to hold on.
"Can I please take him to the bed first?" She asked the old woman.
Granny offered her look of disagreement with this way of spoiling the child. "So tired?"
Regina almost rolled her eyes but then just nodded, not having enough energy to do more. She followed the owner upstairs and half-listened to the instructions. Finally, warm room and bed for Henry.
Granny looked at her again, not judging, just observing. "Do you want an extra mattress? For extra fee, of course."
But Regina was already with her back to Granny, putting Henry on the bed. "No, thanks." She turned to the older woman.
"We can do the check in now but don't expect me to bring it here." Granny didn't wait for an answer as she turned on her heels and headed down the stairs, quite agile at her age.
Regina had no intention to argue with her, she had to take rest of their stuff from the trunk of her car so the journey downstairs was necessary anyway.
"Okay, you got room 3a with two people, no extra mattress. We take only cash."
Regina didn't protest at that too and gave Granny money for few nights."
"How long are you gonna stay?" Granny smiled at her.
"Don't know. Thank you."
After bringing all their things, which was less than one sports bag, she locked the door and found place on the armchair to sleep because Henry, even if he wasn't that big, was splayed all over the bed.
When sharp blades of sun rays woke her up she shot up from the chair, which was a mistake because her back protested vigorously. When she stretched and her eyes finally adapted to the light in the room, she noticed empty bed.
"Henry?" gasp left her mouth. "Henry!"
She bounced down the stairs in her wrinkled clothes to the diner.
"Where is my son?!" She used her deep, arrogant, highly threatening voice, with hands resolutely at her hips.
Under any other circumstances it would be more than frightening. But as she was standing there barefoot, strange woman looking for her son who she now spotted sitting in the booth drinking hot cocoa, the momentary occupants of the cafe just gave her few worried or quizzical looks.
Anyone else would be embarrassed; they would pull their tail between their legs and crawl in the corner. She didn't show any of that to those people. She walked to her guiltily looking son with grace, taking a seat opposite. Silence turned to usual noise around them.
He had his head ducked and his fingers were tapping nervously warm solid material of the cup. Regina didn't say anything, expecting explanation from her son.
"Sorry, mom," he mumbled under his breath.
As she found her son, she had nothing more to worry about. Not at the moment. She considered that thought and reached out to ruffle his hair.
He looked up from his drink and smiled as Regina did at him.
"How about some breakfast?" She halted the waitress passing their booth. "We would like some pancakes, if it's possible."
The young, long-legged woman smiled at them brightly and nodded, strode off with her new task.
Henry watched Regina as if Christmas came half a year early. "Are we celebrating something, mom?"
Regina smiled at him again, pulling her leg up on the seat and sitting on it in very casual position.
"That we are here and it's a beautiful morning." She put an elbow on the table and leaned to Henry with whisper, "and I want to apologize for the scene," she winked.
"I should do it more often then," Henry deadpanned which found no appreciation in Regina.
She shot him an angry glare. "Don't even think about it, Henry Mills! You scared me to death."
"Here you go." The smiling waitress brought plates with deliciously smelling food. "Are you new in town?"
The young woman with red strands of hair apparently didn't mean to be intrusive, only being nice to new faces.
"Mind your own business." Regina barked at her, while Henry didn't dare to look up from his meal. This wasn't unusual.
After silent breakfast, which Regina didn't eat much of, just pushing pieces around the plate; they went out for a little walk.
The town didn't seem to be that interesting. Maybe except the clock tower. But that couldn't occupy them for long. On their way back to Granny's Henry took his mom's hand and hold it like he used to when he was scared. This time he felt his mother tense and unwell. So like a big gentleman he walked the street with her. Regina moved to offer him a grateful smile when sound of honking car startled them.
They both jumped as goosebumps ran across their skin.
The car seemed to be out of control as it didn't mind even slowing down when approaching the building.
BANG!
Half of the street was outside on the sidewalk, watching as more and more of dark acrid smoke was hissing from what used to be engine.
Regina roused from the shock and loosened her grip when she realized she's holding Henry too tightly in her protective embrace.
"Are you ok, Henry?"
He nodded and slightly pulled away to take a look of the car.
Pavements were crowding with people whose curiosity didn't allow them to stay in place.
"He's moving!" someone screamed. But that was it.
Regina swung around to see what the hell were they talking about, with hands still on Henry's shoulders and head. They were standing relatively close to the car, actually closer than anyone else.
She narrowed her eyes as she tried to see through the thickening curtain of smoke. Was it a child behind the steering wheel? No, just an illusion.
Whoever it was they were moving, trapped, not able to get out of the seat. And everyone just watched.
She didn't need more. Henry found himself standing alone as his mother ran to the car and pulled the door of the car. She yanked it open at fourth attempt. Something caused small explosion in the front and smoke covered them like hell clouds. Everyone yipped at a same time as in a very cheap comedy, or parody on that kind of comedy.
Regina could hear sirens of emergency services cars but they couldn't wait. Crashed car was unpredictable as weather in Caribbean.
The man couldn't get from under the airbag and fastened seatbelt. He was jerking from side to side to get free.
"Hey! It's alright, don't move!" She yelled through the deafening siren screams. She reached with her hand and helped the man with the seatbelt. She could see the problem now. He was trying to unfasten it with horribly broken arm. No wonder he didn't manage. When he was finally free, she slid her arms under his armpits clasping hands at his chest and leaned him against her body.
"What are you doing? You wanna kill me?!" He had to be in maddening pain.
"It's gonna hurt but I have to get you out of here if you want to stay alive."
She was ready.
"Ow, sister, you gonna kill me!"
"Don't move!" She ordered and pulled the best she could, taking the grumpy man with her. After few meters as if hell really broke loose.
"Who is that woman?" someone exclaimed.
Lot of anonymous people in uniforms gathered around them, not paying attention to the woman.
"Ow! You broke me few ribs, sister! How…how can I got to …work like that?!"
Before she couldn't smell it because of the smoke, but now, kneeling beside the man she could feel strong smell of alcohol.
"You are drunk." It was a statement. Her eyes hardened, lips a stern line.
He yanked in pain as paramedics tried to fix his arm.
"Are you even allowed to drive?" She asked when she measured his solid but small figure.
Someone touched her shoulder trying to push her away. "Ma'am?"
"None of your business." He scowled in pain again.
"Take him to the hospital and then call the sheriff." She commanded. Everyone took it as an order even if they knew what to do.
"I ain't owe ya nothing, sister!"
"Ma'am?" Someone put a hand on her shoulder as before but she shrugged it off, remembering she left her son all scared to himself.
She ran back to him, dropping on one knee, hugging him tightly.
Someone caught up to them, she could feel it but more comfortable feeling was of her loving son.
Finally, they pulled away and she stood up to see who was so demanding of her attention.
Blonde woman that was standing before her was wearing fitty black pantsuit with green blouse that was perfectly matching color of the woman's eyes.
"You a'right?" The woman asked worriedly.
"Perfectly fine, thank you," Regina answered with cold politeness.
"That was amazing!" The blonde said with a smile.
"Well," Regina took Henry by hand to indicate it's time to go, "autographs at the airport!"
The woman laughed at her joke.
But that was her goodbye as she turned and almost started her way to the Granny's when a hand on the shoulder managed to stop her this time.
"No, wait! I'm Swan, Emma Swan. Mayor of this town."
Regina snorted, "Congratulations!" turning to leave again.
"Would you be interested in a job here?" Mayor blurted out from behind her.
The brunette paused and took few seconds to think about it. To take a job in a small town and settle? Or run till no end?
She attempted a smile. Failed. Henry was watching the whole scene from down.
"Depends."
Mayor Swan smiled even wider, Regina could recognize hint of pain in her eyes.
"We have free place at sheriff's office," Swan breathed out.
"As a secretary?"
"As a sheriff." Emma stated with desperately pleading look.
Is she realizing that?
Regina raised dark eyebrow in surprise. "And you trust me?"
Mayor shifted a little. "Our sheriff…Graham…died two weeks ago." She didn't want to tell the woman she trust her. She felt it in her guts she could.
Regina frowned. Do I want to put myself and what's more my son's life to danger?
"Heart attack." Mayor explained as if hearing the other woman's thoughts.
Well, probably some old fat idler.
But she knew it wasn't the case. The look in Mayor's yes was very significant. Issues of small town.
"You don't have anyone who can replace him?" She asked with still the same stern tone.
"There is one candidate." Mayor Swan lowered her voice, addressing following words only to Regina. "He might be a good detective but let's face it, he's a scared mouse. You are a woman of action. You ran to that car," she was gesticulating calmly and still passionately somehow, "pulled Leroy out of it and saved his life probably."
Regina stole a look of the car from the corners of her eyes; firefighters were working on ensuring the crash remains. She looked back at the mayor.
"He didn't sound like that," Regina snapped.
Mayor rolled her eyes. "He's always like that. But the whole town could see what you did. They will trust you. You are a hero now."
"Saving a drinker."
Regina pushed some of mayor's buttons.
The blonde almost gritted her teeth. "You gain respect easily." She was sure she could offer more arguments.
Regina hesitated.
"Take it, mom." They completely forgot about the boy. "Take the job, I like it here." He smiled at the kind Mayor.
"It's not very safe here." Regina said as she ducked to him.
Henry just shrugged. "Nowhere is."
"The kid's right."
Regina straightened to be on the same level with the blonde.
"Town hall is just down the road." Mayor pointed to the left. "Come to me tomorrow morning if you're interested."
Emma Swan shoved her hands to the pockets of her pants in the cold wind and walked to the group of witnesses.
Mother and son went back to Granny's finally, spending the rest of the day inside. They both went to bed early, but Regina didn't fell asleep so soon, thinking about the offer. In the morning there was a surprise waiting for her…
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. I welcome any suggestions, ideas and comments!