Running from Devils

Chapter 1: The Arrival

Ruby looked up from the counter of Granny's Diner when the battered red Ford Ranger parallel parked on the other side of road. That was odd. She knew all of the cars in town and she had never seen that truck before. Ruby continued to watch as the door opened and a petite woman with curly brown hair dressed in a blue shirt, a light scarf covering her neck and jeans stepped out and opened the back door. The stranger leaned in and after a moment she helped a little boy out of the truck. They were smiling at each other while woman closed the doors before taking the boy's hand and went towards the diner.

Sheriff Graham followed Ruby's gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Wonder who that is.." He mused, his accented tone bringing Ruby's attention to him.

"Not sure, Sheriff. She's pretty though. Cute kid." Ruby said lightly.

Graham nodded and they both watched as the new person walked into the diner. She gave them all a polite, if not cautious smile and pulled her son a little closer to her. "Evening." She said in a soft southern drawl before taking her son and sitting in a booth.

Ruby beamed and went over to them. "Good evening. My name's Ruby. What can I get you?" Her eyes were blazing with curiosity as she watched the young woman with her arms around the kid. He had to be her son. The boy looked just like her. Same blue eyes and same curly brown hair.

"I'd like a water, please. What about you, Adam?"

The boy looked up at his mama and smiled some. "Milk."

Ruby giggled. Oh this kid was precious. "Alright, cutie, coming right up."

Adam blushed at the endearment that came from the strange woman's mouth and he put his head in his mom's side to hide.

Belle laughed softly at her son. "Oh now you want to be shy?" She looked up at Ruby. "Thank you."

"Oh he's adorable." Ruby gushed. "We don't get too many strangers in town to be honest. What are your names?"

"Belle. Belle Hayes. And this is Adam." Belle looked down at her son and nudged him some. "Don't be ugly. Say hello to the nice lady."

Ruby could not get over this woman's accent. She had only heard someone sound like that on TV. Granted the Sheriff had an accent too, but she was used to that. This was something new and Ruby was loving every second of it. "Oh he's fine. I understand the shyness."

Graham snorted at that. "Ruby, you've never been shy a day in your life." The comment got Graham a glare and Belle just put a hand over her mouth to politely stifle a laugh. Sheriff Graham got up and went over to join the ladies and the kid.

"Belle is it? Welcome to Storybrooke." He reached out to shake her hand and Belle shook it with surprising firmness. There was a spark in this girl and Graham respected it. "Are you on your way somewhere? Most people just pass through if they come at all."

Belle shrugged some. "I was actually hoping to stick around for awhile. Just trying to find a good place to stay for the night right now."

Ruby perked up even more at that. "Oh there's a bed and breakfast next door." she offered. "Me and my Granny run that place and this one. We've always got free rooms."

"Oh yeah? Well that's mighty nice of you, I just might accept. It's been awhile since either of us have slept in an actual bed." Belle admitted while very gently rubbing her son's arm. A darkness flashed over her features, but it was gone so quick that the pair wasn't even sure that they saw it.

Graham smiled some. "Where are you traveling from?" He asked, still just trying to be friendly. They already gained quite a bit of attention from the locals. New people really were a novelty around there.

Belle shrugged some. "Georgia." She said. Her tone was friendly enough, but there was a subtle hint of something else there. It was a subject she didn't want to talk about.

Ruby didn't catch it. "Where in Georgia? That's not a very big state."

Belle shrugged again and kept her son almost protectively close to her. "Some small town. Nowhere really important. It's only a little bigger than this place."

"Yeah? Why'd you leave?" Ruby lacked tact as well.

The stranger couldn't help but look slightly annoyed at her blatant prying. "Just wanted a change of pace." Belle's voice hardened a little and the sheriff cleared his throat before misunderstandings happened.

"Forgive her. Ruby is nosy sometimes." Graham said. "I'll leave you to rest and eat. Here's my card though if you run into any problems while you're hear. Have a good day." With that, the man left and Belle was left with the waitress.

Ruby blushed once she realized she over stepped. "I'm sorry." She said once the Sheriff was gone. "I really wasn't trying to be rude. It's really not often that we get new comers here. I'll go ahead and get your drinks."

Belle let out a breath when she was alone with her son and allowed herself to relax for the first time since they crossed over the Georgia/South Carolina state line. Her eyes closed and her hand idly rubbed the upper part of her son's arm. They would be safe up here. They had to be. Her eyes opened when Ruby came back with their drinks and she took their orders with practiced ease before she disappeared again. Belle felt bad for snapping at the curious young woman, but her past was something she'd rather not reveal.

"Alright, there you go." Ruby said brightly. "Sorry about that wait."

"Oh it's alright." Belle said and looked up at her. "Look, I'm sorry too. It's just been a long week, but I shouldn't take that out on you."

Ruby smiled and nodded. "I understand. I really hope you do decide to stick around. A new face around here would be good for everyone." With that she left the mother and her son alone to eat.

The bell chimed as the diner door opened again. Ruby's eyes snapped up as if on command and she forced a smile to her face. "Mayor Mills. How are you today? Hello, Henry."

The stranger turned to take in the woman with short black hair and a cold stare. A shiver ran over her body. Years of reading people taught her how to spot power and someone to stay clear from. She was getting that vibe from the mayor. The boy that looked to be her son was Adam's age though and Belle figured it would be good for Adam to have a friend in the new place.

"I'm doing well, Ruby." Regina said easily as her gaze swept over the diner. Belle was reminded of a Queen taking in her subjects. As soon as Regina laid eyes on Belle it was like she went into full blown politician mode. She let Ruby entertain Henry while she went over to Belle and gave a viper smile. "Hello there. My name is Regina Mills. I'm the mayor of Storybrooke. What's your name?" She asked pleasantly.

"Belle Hayes. It's a pleasure, ma'am. I'd shake your hand but…" Belle held out her greasy hands since she was still eating her burger.

"Oh that's quite alright. How do you like the town so far?"

Belle smiled and looked around. "Well from what I've seen of it so far, it's very nice. I only just got here…" She checked her watch. "half an hour ago."

Regina looked taken aback for a moment before she recovered. "Well then forgive me for bothering you so soon. You must be exhausted." The accent gave away the fact that the stranger had come a long way. "Are you going to be with us for long?"

"Hopefully. The people I've met so far are very nice. Maybe if I can find some work and a place to live that will make my decision easier." Belle finished her meal and wiped off her hands before leaning back and watching the Mayor.

"Funny you should mention that. I was just discussing something the other day with one of my associates, perhaps you would be interested it in. May I sit?" Regina asked, giving a smile to both Belle and her little son. "Oh I am so rude. Hello, young man."

Adam just blushed and gave a shy smile before scooting closer to his mother. He saw the other little boy in the diner, but he still felt the need to stay close to his mom. She would keep him safe from anything, including the people in this new place. "Hi." he said softly. His face went back into his mother's side and Belle just laughed softly.

"Of course, Madam Mayor." Belle said, motioning for her to take a seat. "This is Adam. He's not generally this shy. Must be all of the excitement."

"My son is the same age." Regina turned to Henry and called him over. "This is my Henry. Say hello, sweetheart."

"Hello." Henry said lightly. Adam peeked at the boy and smiled a little before relaxing and looking at the other boy. "Do you like dinosaurs?" Henry asked as he pulled a little plastic T-Rex from his pocket to show Adam.

Adam nodded and leaned over to look at it.

Belle smiled softly at the two boys and moved her fingers through Adam's hair. "Baby, why don't you and Henry see if Ruby has coloring books so Mommy can talk to the Mayor." She looked up at Regina to make sure she wasn't overstepping while Henry looked over at his mom too.

"Can we, Mom?" Henry pleaded. Henry was pretty shy so he didn't get along with the kids at school too much. He felt like he would get along this kid nicely though.

Regina gave her son an indulgent smile and kissed the top of his head. "Sure, dear." She nudged her son out of the booth and the two boys went up to the counter so Ruby could keep an eye on them.

"Now what would this deal be?" Belle asked politely. Her eyes were bright with interest, almost desperate. She had to provide for her son somehow. Maybe this town could be the fresh start she craved.

Regina smiled and leaned back, watching Belle in a haughty businesslike manner. "Our town's library has been in disarray for a couple of years now. At first it never really concerned the citizens because we are all very busy people, but lately parents have been coming to me wanting to open up the library so the children could have a place to read and learn outside of school. The only problem is that we don't have anyone that will take the role of librarian."

Belle nodded some and watched the Mayor. "Now why is that?" She figured there had to be a pretty good reason.

The Mayor chuckled a little darkly. "The library is for public use of course, but it is owned by one Mr. Gold. He's quite the fixture and owns the majority of the buildings in this town. No one really desires to work for him seeing as how they already have to pay him rent."

That made sense to Belle, but she needed the work. "I see. So the librarian would be employed by this Mr. Gold person?"

"Technically the librarian works for the town. The salary comes out of the town budget and that would include money for the rent of the library building. Now any other rent money will have to come from you." Regina said simply.

"Other rent?" Belle asked with a tilt of her head.

Regina nodded. "There is an apartment above the library. It would be a win-win for everyone really. You get work and a place to live while the town gets a library. How does that sound to you Ms. Hayes?"

Belle took a breath and let it slowly out before her eyes flickered to her son. She had to do whatever she had to in order to give him a good life. A look of determination and fierce protectiveness played over her features. She already let her son down once in his life. There was no way she was going to let him down again. When she looked back at Regina, Belle saw nothing but understanding in the woman's face. In that moment, they were just two mothers that had an understanding. "Alright." Belle said. "I'll do it. I'll take the job." She laughed a little and shrugged. "I wanted to be a librarian when I was a little girl anyway."

Regina laughed some too and watched the woman. "Well it's a dream come true then. We can work out the details tomorrow. Just come by my office and the place will be yours."

"Thank you, Mayor Mills." Belle said, shaking her hand this time. "I greatly appreciate this."

"As do we, Ms. Hayes. As do we. And please, call me Regina."

Belle nodded. "Thank you, Regina. And it's Belle." She smiled and both women got up before collecting their sons and walking out of the diner. Adam said goodbye to Henry and walked to the truck with his mother so they could get their bags and head to the bed and breakfast for the night.

It only took ten minutes to get signed up and settled into their room for the night. Adam was passed out on the bed almost before his pajamas were on. Belle smiled softly at her son before she tucked him into the bed. His face was peaceful and that was almost enough to make her want to sleep as well. Almost. She moved some strands of hair out of his face before she sighed softly and went to look in her bag. Quietly Belle took off her shirt so she could change into her own night clothes. As always though, her hand went to the jagged scar on her rib cage. Her jaw clenched and she quickly put on her night shirt before she dug to the bottom of her bag and took out an odd shaped object wrapped up in a rag.

Belle took a breath before she slowly pulled the rag off of the .380 revolver. It was a small handgun that fit snugly in the palm of her hand. Her eyes were clouded and troubled before she looked back to her son. He was safe here. He was sleeping peacefully and he trusted his mother with all the trust a child can give. Belle felt tears prick her eyes, but she blinked them back and put the gun into the bag once again. There was no way she was going to allow her son to be harmed again.