"Neal, we've been looking for months. David has turned away everyone else that has gone before him, who's to say we'll find the one."
"We don't have to fine the one," Neal said, sipping from his frosted glass of beer while thinking about the shawl back at the room. "We have the shawl, so it doesn't matter who we find. He'll see that and will believe it in an instant. Then, you and I will take our reward money."
August looked at his friend, speculation marring his fine features. "Neal."
"August, it's going to be fine. Now, let's go to these auditions and find our Emma." Neal's heart swelled when he said her name. He'd grown up with her for eight years and then lost her. Maybe they hadn't been best friends but they sure as heck had been friends, of which he didn't have many. In fact, his only friend now was August. He'd always hoped he'd find the real Emma but had given up on that feat when ten years passed. Now he was desperate for funds and was willing to do anything to get them, even if that meant betraying the one man who helped keep him alive when he was a boy.
"I got you a job as an ice worker. You go straight down this path till you get to the fork in the road. Go left-"
"Bye!" Emma called behind her, already missing all the kids she'd gotten to know so well over the last several years.
The woman in grey standing in front of her grunted. "Are you listen-"
"Bye!" Emma called one more time before focusing on the woman in front of her. The grey and white streaked hair along with the wrinkles were definitely from years working at the orphanage and Emma smiled knowing she definitely played a part in that. "I'm listening."
"You've been a thorn in my since you were brought here," she said, dragging Emma down the path. Emma's shoes slipped on a patch of ice but she'd taught herself how to play on ice several years ago. The perks of growing up in Arendelle apparently. "Acting like the Queen of Sheeba, instead of the nameless no-account you are! For the last ten years, I've fed you, I've clothed, I've kept-"
"A roof over my head," Emma mumbled under hear breath.
The woman inhaled a quick sharp breath. "How is it you don't have a clue as to who you were before you came to us, but you can remember all that?"
"I do have a clue-"
"I will always find you," the woman said, her tone mocking the only thing Emma knew. "The Enchanted Forest is quite a long trip and you have no money, how do you think you're going to get there to find your family?" When Emma stayed silent the woman scoffed. "Exactly. Now go, take you place in life. And be grateful! I will always find you." The woman ended mocking Emma one last time before shoving Emma out of the gates and onto her own.
Emma wandered aimlessly down the path, talking to herself while playing with the ring that hung from a chain around her neck. "Be grateful." Emma was now mocking the woman, she'd done it enough to her. "I am grateful. Grateful to get away! Go left she says. Well, I know what's to the left. I'll be Emma the orphan forever. But if I go right, maybe I could find…" Emma slumped down on a snow covered rock, her coat and pants keeping the cold away, for the most part. "Whoever gave me this necklace must have loved me. But to go to the Enchanted Forest without any knowledge is crazy! Send me a sign! A hint! Anything!"
There was a yip behind her and then her scarf was being taken from around her neck. A black and white spotted pup played with her scarf. "Hey! I don't have time to play right now, okay? I'm waiting for a sign. Give me that! Would you please leave me alo-" The dog took off to the right and Emma stood up tall. "Oh, great. A dog wants me to go to Arendelle. Okay. I can take a hint."
Emma followed the dog, who she immediately called Pongo. She didn't know why it felt right, but it did. She passed through small towns before coming into the big city of Arendelle. It was a beautiful city, she thought. She could just stay here. At least she could find work here and knew that she wouldn't end up lost at sea or the Enchanted Forest.
"You've come this far Emma," she said aloud. "Don't give up now."
Emma walked to the station. "Is this for the Enchanted Forest?"
"Yeah," the voice was rough, gravelly. "You got a ticket?"
"Ticket?"
"No ticket, no train."
Emma scoffed as the whistle blew and the train left the station. Where was she supposed to find a ticket? She had no money.
"Psst," a crotchety old woman, hunched over poked her arm. "See Neal. He can help."
"Where can I find him?"
"At the old castle. But you didn't hear it from me."
"Oh," Emma sighed. "Thank you." She rushed off the platform, she was not going to miss another train.
"That's it Neal. Game over." August threw the papers in the trash.
"We'll find her. She's here somewhere, right under our noses. Now let's get back to the shed."
