Chapter 2

"Hey what do you think you are doing!" yelled Maya.

"What what?" said Riley.

"What is it?" said Henry.

"I went to sleep earlier, so I got up earlier and was bored and look what I found", said Maya. She is holding up a copy of a book that says "Once Upon A Time" on the cover.

"Yes, what is that?" said Riley.

"Henry, can you answer that for us?" said Maya.

"It's a book of the stories of my family", said Henry.

"No tell us what it really is. How you claimed these stories were real but you got them from this book. Gee, I at least thought you were creative and made them up. You are not even that!" exclaimed Maya.

"That's not true. These are their stories yes, but I didn't take them from the book. They really happened", said Henry.

"Is what Maya is saying correct? Did you claim these stories were real but got them from this book?" said Riley.

"It's not like that. Let me explain", said Henry.

"Please do", said Riley.

"I brought this book with me because it reminded me of my family. I thought I was coming on this journey alone, so when I became worried and alone, I could look at this book and think of them", said Henry.

"Sounds convenient", said Maya.

"Let him explain more", said Riley.

"This book is how I found out my family existed in the first place", said Henry.

"That makes no sense", said Maya.

"How so?" said Riley.

"My grandmother, well I thought she was my teacher at the time", said Henry.

"You mean Snow White?" said Riley.

"Yes. She gave me the book. I guess she noticed I was a little lost and thought the book would give me some comfort. I felt unloved by my mother Regina and felt bad my birth mother gave me up", said Henry.

"Oh. That must have been tough", said Riley.

"Don't do that. Don't play on Riley's emotions", said Maya.

"I'm not. This is what really happened", said Henry.

"What happened next?" said Riley.

"I was reading the book and realized the characters were real and that the people in my town, Storybrooke, were the characters in this book", said Henry. "My mom thought was crazy, so she had me see a therapist. Little did I realize that she was scared that I really knew some of the truth and was afraid that I would learn more. I found out my birth mom was the savior and I stole my teacher's credit card (Snow White that is) to track her down. She was considered the savior because she was the one to break the curse. I found out her name is Emma Swan and I went to visit her in Boston where she was living at the time. I don't know how I did it but I convinced her to come back with me instead of calling the police on me".

"She didn't think you were insane either?" said Maya.

"She probably did. But maybe she thought me harmless because I was a kid", said Henry. "Anyhow, I didn't admit where I lived in town and I ran into my therapist, who incidentally was Jiminy Cricket, Archie in this world and he asked me why I missed my session. I explained to my mother Emma, that Archie is Jiminy Cricket and everyone is under the Evil Queen's curse. Now let me tell you about this curse. Remember when I told you how my mother, Regina, the Evil Queen came to my grandparents wedding and said I will ruin your happiness if its the last thing I do?" said Henry.

"It's in the book", said Maya.

Ignoring Maya, Henry said, "Well she got the idea for the curse. She got the idea from Rumplestilskin. Now of course if Rumple is trying to help you, he is doing it because it will help himself. The curse was to take everyone to a land without magic and forget who they are. Rumplestilskin was looking for his son, which I didn't know at the time was my father and he knew that his son was in the land without magic, so he could go there and find her too. The stipulation was that he would also be able to keep his memories along with Regina. Of course Regina did not know about his plan to find his son, she was just so happy that there would be a way to get it to work. She would have to do some unsavory things to make this curse work, but I won't go into them here".

"Why not?" said Maya.

Henry ignored her again and continued, "Regina, the Evil Queen made everyone, especially my grandparents aware of her plan. Snow White and Charming were worried for their unborn baby but they were made aware of the prophecy that their child was to be the savior once she became 28. They developed a plan for pregnant Snow to be transported to our world in a wardrobe. This was a magic wardrobe made from an enchanted tree. She was told that only one person could be transferred but in reality two could but Snow was lied to. Geppetto had a plan for Pinocchio to be transferred to our world too unbeknownst to Snow and Charming, he made a deal with the Blue Fairy, because he was going to create the wardrobe. So the original plan was for pregnant Snow to be separated from Charming but to go to our world. When Emma was born early, the Blue Fairy begged Geppetto to let Snow go with Emma instead of Pinocchio. Geppetto didn't listen except to say that Pinocchio would protect the baby, Emma. So everyone else thought that Emma had to go in the wardrobe herself. Pinocchio and Emma ended up in foster care together but Pinocchio did not keep his promise to watch out for Emma and she ended up alone".

"How sad", said Riley. "To think she was alone in the world and no one wanted her".

"You're good but I don't believe your story", said Maya.

"I'm telling the truth", said Henry.

"I want proof", said Maya.

"Be careful what you wish for", said Henry.

"Do you have a cell phone? We can see photos of your family and see if they look like the people in the book", said Maya.

"I was rushing to leave I forgot it, plus I would have no need for it here", said Henry.

"Yet you had time to take the book", said Maya.

"Let's not antagonize him", whispered Riley to Maya.

"I need to talk to Maya privately for a second", said Riley.

"Ok", said Henry.

Maya and Riley walked over to the back of a tree. Riley said, "If we want to leave him, that's fine, but you don't have the knife any longer".

"Not true", said Maya as she carefully and discreetly took out the knife.

"Um ok, I guess", said Riley. "Let's tell Henry our decision".

They walked over to Henry and Maya said, "I don't know what you are up to but we don't want any part in it, so we are off".

Riley said, "What she meant to say was, I think we need to part ways here but thank you for the food, drink and blanket".

Maya said, "I didn't mean to say that. But we are off".

Henry said, "It's dangerous out there, you should take my knife". He went to grab it from the backpack and when he didn't see it, he gave a puzzled look and then stared at Maya and said, "I'll guess you'll be okay after all".

The two girls were off on their own. Things seemed fine for a while until they heard a loud noise.

"That's another squirrel, right Maya?", said Riley.

"Sure, yes that's it", said Maya unconvinced.

The noise, which was footsteps got louder when all the sudden a big ogre was in their faces. Maya started to panic and as she grabbed the mace, the ogre knocked her over. Riley started to scream but then the ogre fell down in front of her and she saw Henry with his sword behind it.

"You saved us. You are a hero", exclaimed Riley.

"Glad I practiced", said Henry. "Is she ok?"

"I'm okay. Just embarrassed but ok", said Maya. "I guess I got my proof".

"At least we are closer to the village right?" said Riley.

"Actually no, you guys were going in the wrong direction", said Henry.

"I told you we were going the wrong way", said Riley.

"Anyhow, so it means it will take us longer to get to the village you wanted to go to", said Maya.

"Yes but not the original village we went to. It should not be far from here", said Henry.

They walked for about 30 minutes and arrived at the village. But when they arrived, they saw a horrible and unexpected site. The village was burnt to the ground and no one was around. Riley, Maya and Henry were all silent, in shock. Finally Henry spoke. "I guess the ogre made a stop here", said Henry.

"Is it the ogre's way to attack villages and then burn them down?" said Maya.

Riley nudged Maya and said, "I'm sure it is".

"Right", said Henry unconvinced. "Or it could be the work of someone.."

"Sure there are thieves and bad guys out there", said Maya. "It could be one of them".

"It could also be, my mother", said Henry.

"Regina, the Evil Queen?" said Maya.

"No, Emma the Dark one", said Henry.

"Now you said the Dark one is a person who has darkness inside of them, so they are evil?" said Riley. "And Rumplestilskin was one of them?"

"He burnt down villages and killed people?" said Maya.

"That was not really his style, although he might have. But it was more the Evil Queen's style", said Henry.

"So why can't it be her?" said Maya.

"Will you just be quiet. We don't know who it was, it could be a thief or some other evil person as you said before", said Riley.

"Sorry, I'm just stuck on the Evil Queen now", said Maya.

"Let's get out of here", said Henry.

They walked for a while until they got to a clearing. Henry said, "Listen I thought about it. I don't think my mother Emma did that to the village, but in case she did, it's probably not a good idea for me to go into the next village, in case they know who I am".

"I don't know if we should be separated", said Riley.

"It's a good idea Henry had", said Maya. They walked further and were close to the next village. Henry gave them detailed instructions. "Don't talk any more than is necessary, but if you want to kind of find out anything about what happened in the village, you can do so, discreetly. Make sure you keep the mace and knife close to you", said Henry.

They walked the little bit to get to the village. They took a deep breath and went in.

The village looked untouched. Riley and Maya decided to stick together to look for a pub to get some food. Finally they found one. There were a few creepy looking guys there and Maya and Riley made sure not to make any eye contact with anyone. When they asked to order food, Maya decided to subtly ask about what happened in the other village. The bartender replied, "I heard about the attack on the other village. Not sure exactly who did it. Rumor has it that it was an ogre attack or the new Dark One..I think Emma is her name did it".

"But no one knows for sure right?" said Maya.

"Yes but we are worried we could be next. There was one other attack but it was on a lone cabin not a village. Things are not as bad as when the Evil Queen was in charge but its not great either. Emma, the Dark one doesn't call herself Queen asks to be called Your Darkness, but no one has because no one has seen her. A person or two have claimed to met her but I think they were lying. She rules but she mainly has Mulan and Merida in charge. I might have already said too much. No one knows who they can trust here", said the bartender. "Rumor also has it that the Dark one's son is here and he is also the grandson of the previous Dark One".

"We do not wish to cause any harm. We are passing through and just wish to protect ourselves too", said Riley.

"Great. Here's your food and drink", said the bartender.

Riley gave him the gold coins that Henry gave her. They also got some more clothes in another store and went back to Henry. As they were walking Riley said, "Should we tell Henry what we heard?"

Maya said, "As tempting as it is, I don't think it is in his best interest to know. We don't know him that well and don't know how he will react".

Riley said, "But he deserves to know and he should know to protect himself too"

Maya said, "I hate to say it but you have a point".

Riley said, "As difficult as it is, please let me be the one to tell him. I think I can break it down to him easier".

Maya said, "Fine".

They walked back and split up the food. They were silent for a bit and while eating. But as soon as they were done, Henry asked the girls if they heard any news about the other village, when they were in the current village.

Riley said, "Maya, you were saying you wanted to take a bath. I know we are near a river. Now is a good time". Maya took the hint and left. "Henry, listen, what I am going to tell you might be difficult to hear".

"Ok...should I stop you here and say I don't want to know?" said Henry. "No I should know, no matter what".

"Well let me first state I did not find anything definitive. But it is a possibility that your mother Emma could have burnt down the village. No one knows for sure and they are all worried and there are rumors that you are around and they are worried about you too. We need to be careful", said Riley.

Henry is quiet for a bit and then says, "Ok. Thanks for telling me. When Maya comes back, I think I will go take a bath too". They are both silent until Maya comes back. Maya attempts to make a joke but no one laughs. Henry says, "I'm off to take a bath. See you guys in a bit".

Maya says to Riley as Henry leaves, "Is he ok?"

Riley said, "I'm worried. I don't think so. Should I follow him?"

Maya said jokingly, "If you want to see him take a bath, sure!"

Riley said, "Nice attempt at being funny, but I'm serious right now".

Maya said, "I think he needs some time to himself. Let's give it to him".

Riley said, "I hope its not true that his mother Emma did it".

Maya said, "Me either. What do you think Henry has planned?"

Riley said, "I don't know and that worries me too".

About an hour later, Henry returns. No one says a word for about a few minutes. Finally Riley breaks the silence and said, "Listen, you are aware how dangerous it is to be here".

Henry said, "That is why I didn't listen when Mom Regina said not to come here".

Riley said, "What were you planning to do here?"

Henry said, "I want to help rescue my mom Emma from the darkness".

Maya said, "How do you plan on doing that?"

Henry said, "I don't know. I was thinking of talking to her first..."

Maya interrupted and exclaimed, "That is a terrible idea! Do you know how dangerous that is? Exciting yes, but dangerous. Out of the question. We'll just have to find your mom Regina, the Evil Queen. You said she is here?"

Henry said, "I guess we will eventually but I think we should see my mom Emma first".

Riley joked, "I think Maya just wants you to find Regina because she wants to meet her".

Maya said, "True but I really think its the best idea".

Henry said, "I'm not sure".

Riley said, "How do you plan on finding them anyhow?"

Henry said, "I learned how to do a tracker spell. I have something of both my moms to use".

Riley said, "What did you bring?"

Henry said, "A scarf from Mom Emma and an earring from Mom Regina".

Maya said, "It's late now. Let's not make any decisions now".

Riley said, "I'm tired and I am sure we all are after the day we had. Let's try to get some sleep".