PROLOGUE: Mists of NYC
The mist hung over Central Park in an impenetrable haze. In the moonlight, the dense fog shone like silver, making the surroundings look surreal; distant landmarks suddenly appearing out of the haze. In the middle of the Park, in the dead of night, there was hardly a sound – a reprieve in the city that never sleeps.
A sudden noise – like the earth ripping open, ending in a crash. The sound of a body slamming against the dirt. A few birds fluttered in their slumbering nests, but no one else noticed the new arrival. After a short muttered swear, a man raised to his feet and began to walk down the closest path, the sound of his boots against the pavement echoing through the trees.
As he headed out of the Park, the lush green trees dissipated to reveal the gleaming city. The tall skyscrapers and the bright and flashing lights screamed out in the dark mist. The city still hummed with a vibrant noise even in the early hour. Suddenly aware of his new surroundings, Killian Jones smiled to himself. Of course Swan would have gone to the blasted City. At least he had been to the City before and might therefore have an easier time to find his way around.
Reaching deep into one of his many pockets, Killian pulled out a ring and held it out at eye level to examine it. It looked the same as before – a simple silver band, but outfitted with a roughly cut sea-green stone, two small diamonds resting on either side.
Killian walked in a circular motion, holding the ring out in front of him, until, suddenly, the stone began to glow, a vibrant and pulsing color in the dense fog. He smiled to himself, thankful that he was able to bargain for a special locator spell before entering the portal. Even in this world without magic, the ring from his world could still work its use. He began walking in the direction of the shining light, with the spring of hope in each step.
Finally he was here. Finally, he was so close to her – he could almost taste it. The memory potion felt like a weight in his pocket. He didn't know in what kind of state he would find Emma. But her family needed her – he needed her. He made it to her world, and his search for her was almost over.
I will find you, Swan – I swear.
And with the tails of his leather jacket unravelling the mist around him, Killian stepped into the city street, disappearing into the dense fog with the glow of the ring in his hand – the light guiding him not only to Emma, but to something else that he had yet to name – hope.