A/N Not that this took forever or anything. Guess who's terrible at time management! But, here is the second installment of 'A Loss of Control which you will hopefully enjoy, and I will hopefully update on a reasonable schedule!

As last time, I don't own OUAT, all characters belong to Adam and Eddie, Disney, and whoever wrote the various fairy tales first!

(And not to make this beginning really long, but most (if not all) the chapters will be from the point of view of one person, and will probably cover the events of one chapter only. P.o.v. will alternate across chapters, and I have edited certain events (and inserted certain characters) for my own convenience.)

Whoever's p.o.v. it is will be at the start of the chapter in bold italics, because I know that was confusing last time :) This first one's more for context.

Anyway.

Chapter 1!

Gathering intel

Henry

Storybrooke, Maine, was that kind of town in rural America where everybody under the age of 20 had big dreams, were going to leave and make it out there in the great wide world, and everyone over the age of 20 had finally accepted that they were never going to move anywhere else. Some things in town were basic facts. Everyone knew everyone else, and everyone else's business, and everyone else's schedule. It was the sort of place where gossip made it from one side of the town to the other in the space of an hour, passing lips in hushed whispers and rushed texts over breakfast. The people in charge had been for years, and the newspaper headline on most days was about Mrs so-and-so's cat in a tree, or the third grade spelling bee that what's-his-face won, just like his older sister did two years ago, do you remember that?

All of these things had become a regular part of Henry Mills' short life; he lived on a precise schedule, which was shaped around the town's schedule, which was as predictable as it was dull. People smiled at him on the street, and Ruby at the diner snuck him hot chocolates over the counter as Granny warded off Mr Gold with promises of tea, if he'd just give her a moment. But as a ten year old, young Henry had yet to realise that life wasn't as easy as it was in his story books. Nor was it as black and white.

All he knew was that it was dull.

But recently, he had learned something else.

When Henry was a child (since now, of course, he was all grown up), he never noticed that everyday was exactly the same, the only variation being his mother's activities. He didn't notice that Miss Rachel, the vet, said the same thing to him the same day with the same smile and the same clothes. Everyday Principal Berrin patted him on the head as he walked down the hallways. Penny was always sent to stand by Miss Caprice's side at exactly 1:17 every lunch because she threw her sandwiches (which were never right) at Donnie. He did notice that he was friends with her one year and she forgot him the next, but all his friends were like that; he didn't mind. That much. But now he was more grown up, being ten, Henry could tell you exactly what would happen everyday, and when.

On weekdays, at 6:30, his mom - Regina Mills (or 'Madame Mayor') - would wake him up for school. He would shower and dress, and trudge down the great, winding staircase for a breakfast of whole-wheat toast and low fat butter, and as many strawberries as he could get away with before his mom smacked his hand away and made him take apple slices too. Then it's upstairs to brush his teeth and check his backpack, and then a mad dash out the door before his mom can lecture him. This year he walks to the school-bus with Paige, a girl in his grade (who's really pretty), and they make it to school at 7:45, ready for lessons to begin at 8:15. He has five lessons every day, each an hour long. First he has Miss Blanchard, who teaches Math and English in the first two sessions, and an artsy, let's-make-a-birdhouse, session in the afternoon. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays is Science third with Mr Francesco and then History with Mr Wesel. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Science was replaced with Art, as taught by Miss Bijou. Fourth was sport (usually baseball or dodge-ball, depending on the weather), led by Mr Knight. Lunch lasted an hour, from 1 until 2, between lessons 4 and 5, and everyday he sat with Paige, eating his healthy sandwiches and watching Penny throw food at Donnie.

After school Henry would walk with Paige as far as Widow's Way, where she would make the turn to head home, and he would head to the diner. He'd order grilled cheese, and then be off to the park to guard over his castle, after suffering though Mad Old Mr Colin commenting on just how much he'd grown. Archie would walk Pongo past the castle at exactly 7, and that was Henry's cue to head home. Dinner was usually lasagna, and then he'd scuttle off to hide in his room and read. Fridays were different because his mom would make him an early dinner (of lasagna), and then drive him to therapy sessions with Archie (or Doctor Hopper, as she would insist he call him), and then it was back home and a strained car ride where she would try to discuss therapy, after which he would escape upstairs at last.

Weekends only brought the slight variation of no school, and diner food for breakfast. Mom still worked from 9 'till 5 (or later, usually), and he still spent most of the day at the castle to avoid the empty silence of the Mayoral Manor.

From several years of routines like this, Henry could tell you several things about the town and its inhabitants. Ten stick out as necessary knowledge:

First, Regina Mills was in charge of everything, and if you weren't afraid of her it was because you were probably crazy. Only five people weren't afraid of her:

One was Mr Gold, a humble man who owned a Pawn Shop and didn't have any logical reason not to fear her (besides aforementioned madness, which was entirely possible).

Another was Miss Bouquin, who matched Regina in power, as where the Mayor controlled everything, Bouquin owned it.

The third was Mad Colin, but that wasn't a surprise.

Fourth was Granny, from the diner, but she threatened everyone with her imaginary crossbow on a daily basis, even Bouquin.

Fifth was Mr Madden, who was definitely mad, often followed Paige home, and was to be avoided 'at all costs, I want you to listen to me on this Henry!'.

Second, Miss Bouquin was not to be double crossed or lied to, because she would find out, and then you'd be evicted. She seemed sweet, but this was really only skin deep. Lurking below the surface was a darkness she hid well.

Third, Gold didn't seem threatening, but word was even Bouquin minded his temper. He was to be avoided too.

Fourth, Granny probably does have a crossbow, so watch what you say about her.

Fifth, watch what you say around her granddaughter, Ruby, too. She hears everything, and spreads it across town quick as a whip. Between her and Miss Blanchard (a surprisingly devoted gossiper), everyone will know your secrets in no time at all.

Sixth, if any of these secrets come within earshot of Sidney Glass, they'll be front page news in no time at all.

Seventh, nobody leaves town no matter what, and approaching the town's borders makes you want to go home.

Eighth, a creepy Danish man named Reitzel lives on Anders Street, and usually sits in front of his window, whilst naked, waving at passers-by.

Ninth, the man who has been in the coma 'for eight months' has been in said coma since before anyone can really remember, which is definitely more than eight months.

Tenth, everyone in town is a fairy tale character under a dark and terrible curse, and Henry is going to set them free.

That last one is the 'something new'. And that's really all you need to know.