Drucilla awoke the next morning very confused. She had no idea which way she had come and which way would lead her out of the forest. She spent half an hour just spinning in circles as she thought of which way to go. Eventually she fell to the ground sprawled out on her back with her eyes closed, thinking about her next move. She was rudely snapped out of her thoughts when something poked her. Thinking they would go away if she didn't move, she stayed as still as she could.

The poking continued and soon someone spoke. "Is the child dead?"

When Drucilla couldn't take the poking any longer, she sat up with an irritated sigh. "Stop that. I'm not dead."

The person before her was not one she was expecting, he had curly hair, but what caught her eye the most was his skin. It was green and appeared to shimmer.

"What is a child doing out in the forest so alone? You can't be more than six or seven."

"I'm eight. And it's none of your concern why I'm in the forest."

Drucilla started walking in one direction. She only took a few steps before she stopped, looked around her, then began walking in a different direction. Again, she only took a few steps before glancing around.

The man watched her with amusement. "You're lost, aren't you?"

Drucilla ignored him as she continued walking around, trying to figure out which way to go. Not wanting to walk around all day, she decided to just choose a direction and hope for the best.

"Are you sure that's the right way?"

"You don't even know where I'm going." Drucilla replied without looking back at him.

"Trying to find your way out of the forest would be my guess."

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not."

The person continued to follow her. "So where are your parents?"

"You're more curious than a child."

"It's in my nature."

Drucilla turned to say something to him, but he was gone. She glanced around and not seeing him, shrugged her shoulders and continued walking.

The sun had set by the time Drucilla found another food source. She was thankful that she hadn't run into any more people. As she ate, she thought back to a time when things were easier.

Drucilla and her mother lived in a small village. There wasn't much excitement, but Drucilla usually played with the other children often causing trouble. She had lost count on how many times her mother and the other adults lectured her.

On this day her mother was teaching her about the different herbs and their uses…or at least trying to. Drucilla kept glancing over at the other children who were playing a game of tag.

"Drucilla, pay attention. You need to know the different herbs."

Drucilla looked at her mother. "Why must I know this? You said before that it's dangerous if anyone ever found out we were-"

"I know." Her mother cut her off. "But just because no one can know doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn this. It's part of who you are."

"Father said that I shouldn't hide who I am."

Her mother's look hardened. "Your father never understood. I have told you what people do to our kind."

"Then wouldn't it be better not to do any magic at all?"

Her mother sighed. "I know you don't understand now, but in time you will."

There was no understanding for Drucilla. Magic caused nothing but trouble.

When Drucilla awoke the next morning, she noticed three apples in front of her. Sitting up, she glanced around but did not see anyone. She looked back at the apples then picked one up for a closer look.

"They aren't poisoned if that's what you think."

Drucilla looked up to where the voice came from and saw the man she had met yesterday. He sat with his legs dangling from the branch with a smirk on his face. Looking back at the apple, she realized she was too hungry to care and took a bite. It wasn't long before she had finished all three.

"If I die from poison, I'm coming back to haunt you." Drucilla said as she stood up.

"You believe people can come back from the dead?"

Drucilla shrugged. "Maybe."

Drucilla began walking, but it wasn't long before the man leaped next to her, grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her in a different direction.

"This way will lead you out and to the nearest village."

"Why are you helping me? You don't even know me."

This time it was the man's turn to shrug. "Why indeed." He said more to himself. Then he told her, "I'm just trying to do a nice deed."

He took his hands off her shoulders, but when Drucilla turned around he was gone. She knew that no ordinary person could just disappear so he had to have magic. She wanted to know more about him, but at the same time she reminded herself that she can't trust anyone even if they did have magic.

Drucilla's mind was filled with so many questions about the mysterious man that she paid no attention to where she was going or how long she had been walking. It wasn't until her surroundings got brighter that she glanced around, realizing that she was finally out of the forest.

When her eyes landed on the village before her half of her wanted to run back into the forest. She didn't do well around other people and being in big crowds frightened her. If she was to continue her journey, however, she needed to get food and the only place to get that was in the village.

Taking a deep breath, Drucilla made her way to the village.

Not many people paid her much attention when she arrived. It wasn't unusual to see kids wondering around. It didn't bother her though. Drucilla preferred to be left alone.

As she walked through the village, her eyes darted around for an easy steal. Her father had always taught her that stealing was wrong, but if it was the only way to survive then she had to do it.

Soon Drucilla came upon a group of people. They all stood as they watched a street performance. This would be the perfect place to steal some money since everyone's attention would be on the performers. Drucilla learned that if people's attention were elsewhere then they never noticed anything else that was going on around them.

Drucilla stood a few feet away as she hid behind a box. She peered around, and when she knew no one was looking, she raised her hand. She concentrated on lifting a pouch from one of the villager's waist. He would notice if she tried to take the whole pouch so she only tried to open it to get the money.

A few minutes had passed and Drucilla could not get the pouch to open. She sighed as she slummed against the box.

I was born with magic, but I can't do it all the time. How did it come so easy with mother?

Of course, she knew the answer to that. Her mother was not only older than her, but also she had more practice. After the night, Drucilla had stopped practicing her magic. It only came to her when she was angry or scared.

Sighing, Drucilla knew the only way she was going to get anything was if she got close to the people. Her fear rose as she imagined herself being caught. Even if she was only a child they would still punish her. Drucilla closed her eyes as she shook her head, getting rid of the images. Then she opened her eyes and stood up.

Drucilla slowly made her way to the crowd, flinching whenever someone came too close to her. She summed up all the courage she had as she took the last few steps towards the crowd. People cheered for whatever they were watching giving Drucilla the opportunity to get some money.

Quickly taking once last look, making sure no one was watching her; she opened the pouch, grabbed a handful of money, and then left the crowd before anyone could catch her. She hid behind the box to count how much she had. It wasn't much, but at least it would get her some food.

Drucilla waited a few minutes to make sure no one was coming after her. When she knew she was safe, she stood up then wandered around to find some good food. After a few minutes of browsing the stands, she bought two loafs of bread, and a couple of carrots. Once she put the food in her bag, she headed out of the village. When she made it to the edge of the village, she realized she didn't know which way to go. She didn't even know where she was.

She looked back, knowing she would have to ask someone.

What if they ask where my parents are? What if they try to get me to stay? What if they won't tell me?

Drucilla hesitated before she decided to go ask someone. She walked around for a while as she looked at the people, trying to figure out which one would be best to ask. Finally, she came upon and old woman who was sitting by herself.

Old people aren't that bad.

"Excuse me, but can you tell me where I am?"

"Have you lost your memory?"

Drucilla glared at her. "No, I haven't. I just don't know what village this is."

"I meant no offence. You are in Sirra."

Drucilla stared at the woman with a blank stare for a moment. Then she said, "I have no idea where that is. Do you know which way it is to the swamp lands?"

The woman's eyes widened. "Why do you want to go there? It's very dangerous."

"Do you know which way?"

Reluctantly, the woman pointed south. "It is that way, but I warn you against going. No good can come from there."

Drucilla said nothing as she began walking in the direction the woman pointed. She wasn't sure how long it was, but it will be worth it in the end.

That night, Drucilla sat staring at the fire as she thought about many things. She had hoped to reach the swamp lands that day, but that didn't happen and she didn't know how far it was. Yes, she had heard of the dangers and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't at all scared.

"Is the fire really that interesting, dearie?"

Drucilla let out a scream as she fell back. She then looked up and saw the man standing across from her with a smirk. Drucilla sat up.

"It's not nice to sneak up on people. Why do you keep bothering me?"

"You intrigue me."

Drucilla gave him a puzzled look. "What's that mean?"

He chuckled. "I'm curious about you."

"Why? I'm nothing special."

He sat down. "You have magic. Powerful magic at that from what I saw and you're only eight."

"I can't do it all the time." Drucilla looked down.

"Surely your mother can help with that."

Drucilla said nothing as she continued staring at the ground. Nothing was said as the minutes passed and when Drucilla glanced up she was expecting the man to be gone, but to her surprise he was still there.

"I don't know your name."

"It's Rumpelstiltskin. And what's yours, dearie?"

"Drucilla."

"That's a beautiful name. Now, I must be off. Until the next time we meet, little one." Then he was gone.

That name was familiar to her. Her mother spoke about him, though Drucilla herself had never met him. He was famous for making deals.

"Maybe he can help me if my plan fails."

Drucilla fell asleep soon after that.

Rumpelstiltskin stood a few feet away from the child. He didn't understand why he had come to visit her. Or why he had even given her apples to eat. It was every person for themselves and a child is no different. There was something about this child that set her apart from other children and it wasn't because she had magic.

He didn't deny that her having magic is what sparked his curiosity about her. He had just been wandering through the woods when he happened upon her and the three men. Staying a good distance away, he watched what was going on. What happened was nothing like what he expected. With a flick of her wrist, the child sent the men flying.

Shaking his head of the thoughts, Rumpelstiltskin left the child.