Chapter 7 MAD AS RABBITS
"
He took the days for pageants
Became as mad as rabbits
With bushels of bad habits
Who could ask for anymore?
Yea who could have more."
- Panic at the disco
Chapter 7 : mad as rabbits
Elijah sat in one of the cells ringing Her hands she hated being trapped it made her feel out of control and out of the loop. How was she supposed to think of a way out of this whole mess if she wasn't with them? Them being Regina and Emma in the sheriff's office talking or something like that. All she knew was that she had no way out she was gonna go to the dungeons and the darkness would suffocate her just as it had in her memory.
Laying on the floor she took a deep breath it wouldn't help to think of it now regina probably wouldn't bother to calm her down if she had a panic attack. But she couldn't help what had happened she had to protect the woman some instinct told her she had to and not having doubted the voice before she did as she was told though now she wasn't so sure. Rubbing her eyes she glanced towards emma's office one last time.
"I'm so screwed"
….
Emma felt like she had no idea who elijah dawson really was after seeing the girl wale on gold like that she swore she never would have guessed the girl could even do that kind of damage. She and regina were currently trying to think of a way to get the girl they had come to befriend out of her current situation but all of it seemed a waste.
"I cant believe that basterad pressed charges"
"well he is entitled to after the beating he got " muttered regina her arms crossed glaring at emma's desk.
"were gonna have to do it "
"isn't there something you can do?" asked emma
"sadly no or I would have done it already " huffed regina turinig away from the distraught sheriff.
"I guess im gonna have to file it" sighed emma walking to the cabinet she went through her files trying to find the blank ones in the back, stopping when she spotted something. Taking the file out of the cabinet she re-read the name twice before pulling it out.
"Regina you need to look at this"
Regina was about to snap at the blonde but seeing the shocked look on her face she had to admit she was curious. Joining the blonde she saw the name on the file and her jaw dropped. There on the manila folder was the faded name Elijah Dawson.
"she's a citizen of story brooke" said emma
"no she cant be I know everyone here and I have never in my life seen or heard of Elijah dawson till three weeks ago " protested Regina taking the file she cleared Emma's desk opening the folder they both took a seat splitting up the folders contents. If they hadn't been sitting they would have needed to find a chair.
"this can't be right " said emma standing from her chair.
"it has to be these are on elijah it has her exact description " said Regina still in a state of shock.
"no I cant- she isn't – she wouldn't –"
"we don't know that emma " Regina set down her half leaning back in her chair.
Emma shook her head grabbing her jacket she couldn't and wouldn't believe it she needed proof. Regina didn't even ask where she was going she sat where she was. Looking to the door she watched Elijah just lay there on the floor of the cell. The girl was simply waiting for her fate to be decided. How could she be so calm?
Rising from her chair regina slowly walked towards the cell Elijah didn't even open her eyes she just lay there.
"ask away now's the time to ask while I still have it" Elijah didn't even sound bothered by the fact that she was in a cell.
"why did you do it?" she asked the first thing that came to mind.
"I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting you " Elijah replied rolling on to her stomach resting her chin on her crossed arms. Taking a moment to think Regina felt it would be best to not beat around the bush.
"why didn't you tell me you were from here?"
Elijah thought for a moment her brows furrowed in concentration.
"would you want others to know of your past or would you rather go somewhere else where no one knew you were "insane"? "
Regina swallowed she had done a similar thing with the curse but Elijah had somehow left without her memory being taken.
" why did you leave?" Regina demanded.
"we best wait till Emma gets back I wouldn't want to repeat myself and I know I only have a short time before they come to take me away back to the dungeons where I once lay " Elijah's voice was barely a whisper.
Sadness filled Regina at the defeated look in Elijah's eyes. She was about to speak when the doors to the flew open and a panting Emma swan graced them with her presence a small book in one hand a bottle of what looked like pills in the other. Coming to a stop in front of Elijah's cell she stood panting holding out the bottle of pills she shook it.
"do you know what these are?" panted Emma
Looking up Elijah got to her feet pushing her hand into her back pockets eyeing the pills she arched a brow.
"those would be my meds, you know its rude to-"
"why is it full?" demanded emma not caring that she had interrupted the girl.
"because it isn't required that I take more than two-"
"a day Elijah you haven't been taking your meds " said emma
Regina turned to Emma uncrossing her arms she stared at the blonde in shock. Turning her gaze to Elijah she saw nothing but a blank stare.
"don't you have anything to say?" asked regina
"no "
"why did you stop taking them?" demanded Regina she was pissed now how could she not know that Elijah not only needed medication but she also wasn't taking them.
Elijah tilted her head to the side pursing her lips seeming to weigh her options.
"if I tell you then you'll really think I'm crazy"
"just tell us!" demanded regina
"Jefferson told me not to take them anymore"
Regina and Emma stared, Emma's jaw dropped .
"what ?" asked Regina
Elijah groaned rubbing her eyes.
"I felt I was being watched so I went to see who it was that was watching me when I met him I swear I knew him from somewhere I just couldn't place him" Elijah said more to herself then them.
"I started having one of my head aches and I told him I had to go so I could take them, my meds, but he told me that they would just make remembering it all harder so I stopped taking them"
The two women stood in shock they couldn't believe this, they just couldn't believe it.
"I actually have started to have less headaches and things are a lot better but the memories are coming faster now "
"Elijah you can't just take the word of a man who isn't all there " said Emma
"what do you mean memories?" Regina was curious now sure she was still pissed that Elijah hadn't told her all this but the subject of memories had caught her interest.
"ever since I got here I've been remembering things, when I was little they thought I was making them up but as I got older they tried to tell me none of it could have happened, but the back of my mind told me otherwise " Elijah explained shrugging at the look Emma gave her.
"Elijah they gave you these to make the voice go away "
"yes but when the voice helps you is it bad? Because when I was all alone it was the only thing offering me comfort "
"of course it was " muttered emma
Elijah eyed her standing to her full height she took her hands out of her pockets.
"you didn't read the whole thing did you?"
"yes I di-"
"no you stopped reading after you read the words schizophrenic" Elijah's words silenced them for a whole minute before the questions burning in their minds became too much.
"what happened ?" asked Regina ignoring Emma's glare.
"the reason I was in that excuse for a hospital was because my parents were killed in a car accident and no one else was willing to take in the kid who heard voices " Elijah spat the word hospital like a curse ringing her hands as she felt her nerves starting to get to her.
"it was hell and I couldn't stand it I had to get out "
"so you escaped" said Emma it wasn't a question but a statement.
Elijah nodded touching her wrist she met Emma's gaze for a moment before looking away.
This wasn't lost on either woman it was odd that she never wore something without sleeves or her jacket. Stepping closer to the cell Regina held out her hand she wanted to see it. Elijah paused looking from Regina's hand to her face she didn't want them to see yet she knew her time was running out. Hesitantly she stepped forward rolling up her sleeves showing them her scared wrists. Regina's eyes took in every detail of the scares they weren't the marks of a cutter or self-harm no these were from fighting restraints of some kind they were deep the scars stood out on her skin. Regina traced the scares, Elijah flinched but let her continue. Emma watched horrified that this had happened to the girl that they had both come to think of as a friend. Swallowing she stood beside Regina she watched as the older woman trace Elijah's scarred wrists.
"how did this happen?" Emma whispered
Elijah pulled her wrists away pushing her sleeves back down. Not meeting their concerned eyes she started ringing her hands again as ever her nervous habit. Licking her lips she took a deep breath and spoke.
"I wouldn't agree to the "treatments " they were giving me, they told me I wouldn't get better unless I took the meds and stopped listening to the voice but the voice was warning me other wise it told me it was all a trick and if I listened I would end up just like them ignorant and blind to the truth behind their madness, to see with eyes unclouded " she murmured
"I was being "uncooperative" and I pushed one of the nurses away she said I was showing signs of being violent and aggressive so they put me in a solitary "room" when they tried to give me my meds I would push them away till I had to be restrained "
Regina clenched her jaw her hands balled in to tight fists her finger nails dug in to her palms. Emma wasn't any better her rage and disgust wasn't hidden. She was about ready to join Regina on a raid of the asylum to find those doctors and nurses and beat the shit out of them. Seeing this Elijah reached through the bars taking both their hands giving them a light squeeze smiling sadly.
"it was the day I escaped that I finally broke through the restraints but after weeks of working to get out of them the memory of them will forever mar my flesh"
"Elijah…"
Regina had no words yet she wished to any deity that would listen that she did. The pain and loneliness of being forced into such a life and place would have destroyed anyone else but Elijah was strong and fought through it gaining her escape.
"we cant let this happen" said Emma determination in her eyes.
"its too late I already blew my own cover, I've kept just below the radar for all these years but this … I'm right where they want me there's no way out emma "
"don't just give up" protested emma
"its true emma even if we could get her out she would be considered a threat to the public and with Golds charges against her it would prove her to be violent" muttered regina hating how powerless she felt.
Helplessness was not something either woman could deal with and right now they felt it. They were stuck there was nothing that could be done for the girl. She seemed to have already accepted this. Regina shook her head her eyes lit up as she remembered a minor detail.
"wait your nineteen that makes you an adult, they cant legally hold you unless you check yourself in" looking from Emma to Elijah she saw the girl shake her head.
"you might as well show her Emma"
"show me what ?"
Emma opened her free hand revealing three licenses all of them had different ages on them and were from different states. Taking them Regina looked them over they were obviously fake but they were good fakes. Looking to Elijah for an answer the girl sighed.
"I'm not nineteen Regina I'm seventeen "
Stepping away Regina shook her head this was all too much dropping the I.D's she turned away she needed a moment. Emma watched Regina it was nerve-racking to see the usually composed mayor practically falling apart at the seams. Elijah didn't say anything she knew it wouldn't help and they both needed time. Leaning against the bars Elijah watched the women glancing at the clock she rubbed her eyes it was only a matter of time she knew they would be here soon.
"Emma I think you should put those someplace cause they're gonna get here soon" murmured elijah
"fine "
Scooping up the I.D'S emma went back to her office the sound of a draw opening and closing. Regina finally turned back to Elijah her lips were a tight frown it was obvious she wanted to say something but she didn't her eyes spoke volumes hurt, confusion, and fear. It was an odd combination but understandable Elijah had lied to them , to Regina , her friend and yet to learn all this must be a great shock.
The doors of the station opened and two men came in both in the white hospital uniforms. Emma and regina watched them as they came in one had a clipboard the other had a pair of Velcro handcuffs. Coming to a stop in front of the pair the one with the clipboard handed emma the clip board.
"sign there , there and there to sign one Elijah dawson into our custody"
Looking from the paper to the man emma was about to give this guy a hell no! when regina stopped her placing a hand on her shoulder.
"just do it at least the asylum is in town she'll be close by" assured Regina
Huffing she took the pen that was attached to it signing the papers shoving the clipboard in the man's chest. Turning to the cell Emma gave Elijah an apologetic look the girl only shrugged in response. Unlocking it the man with the Velcro cuffs was quick to grab her wrist yanking her forward strapping the cuffs on tightly keeping a tight grip on her wrist and her shoulder he started walking her out. Emma and regina shook their heads they couldn't believe the treatment that she was subject to.
"don't worry ladies we have everything under control " assured the man
Emma clenched her hands trying not to blow up on this guy. Regina wasn't any better she just hid her anger better keeping her face blank her anger shown in her eyes. They left the two standing there in the middle of the station rage coming off them in waves. Emma spun around kicking the closest object , which was an unfortunate trashcan, sending the metal can crashing in to the wall the papers that were inside it flew everywhere.
"this is bullshit!" growled emma
"I agree miss swan "
Emma stood panting trying in vain to get her anger under control it wouldn't help Elijah. Regina crossed her arms sighing it was going to be a long couple of weeks till they could even visit Elijah. It was only because she had been "visiting "belle for years that she was able to check on her little insurance. Emma turned to Regina.
"when can we see her?"
"not for a week or two it depends on how well she transitions and knowing what little we do about Elijah she wont give in so easily, she is very much an independent person"
"got that right" muttered emma
"well just have to see "
…
Hospitals had always made Elijah uncomfortable and to be back in one wasn't helping. She had been processed and was being lead to her new "room" but the more hallways they went down the worse the knots in her stomach got. Going down some stairs one hand on either shoulder she saw a single nurse at the station she looked up from her magazine smiling at the two "gentlemen".
"hello boys do we have a new guest?" she asked looking Elijah up and down.
"yup she's a little aggressive but she won't be much trouble" chuckled the nurse
Elijah rolled her eyes silently taking in the place it was a prison just like it was the first time she had went there. The giant metal doors with the tiny slot at the top yep home sweet home. Pushing her forward they took her through the halls of empty rooms stopping one of the nurses tightened his hold on her while the other took his keys unlocking the door. Seeing how small the room was she tensioned pulling away.
"hey now this is your new home" grunted the one still holding her his attempts were usless there was no way she was going to go in a room that small.
"bill give me a hand here" grunted the nurse.
"fine, fine"
It took the two of them to push her into the room slamming the door closed behind her. Sitting on the floor she looked around the tiny room her it was so small. It only took a few moments for the walls to start moving, slowly closing in on her she was trapped in the dungeon there was no escape. She was all alone again there was no one there no one to save her. Her heart started racing, her lungs were trying and failing to grasp the breath that was entering them. Crawling backwards into the closest corner she could only hear her heart pounding in her ears, wringing her hands she felt the urge to scream but she didn't have the breath to speak how she could scream.
"hey your alright "
Looking around the room she found only darkness the voice in her head didn't sound like that, heck she didn't even sound like that maybe she was crazy.
"hey, hey just take deep breaths your fine "
Following the voice she found a single blue eye jumping back her panic only grew.
"hey now your fine nothing is wrong just breath , just breath,"
the voice had a slight accent to it yet it was familiar and soothing almost as soothing as Regina's her heart finally stopped trying to bust through her rib cage and her lungs caught the air she was trying to give them. Holding her head Elijah finally got her body under control opening her eyes she met the blue eye with her own leaning forward she saw it was a large break in the cement wall leaving a space just big enough for someone to peak through.
"who are you?" asked the voice
Swallowing Elijah ran a hand through her hair hating how naked she felt with out her jacket.
"I'm Elijah"
"don't worry Elijah you'll be ok just try and stay calm " assured the voice
"who are you?" asked Elijah
"I .. I believe my name is belle"
"what'd you mean you believe your name is belle?"
The voice sighed " I've been here so long I tend to forget things now but its nice to have a new face down here"
"that's nice I guess " murmured elijah going rigid when she heard someone walk by.
"I wouldn't worry too much the nurses only come down here to give us food and taking us to the bathing facilities" said belle
"good "
Elijah leaned back against the wall all she could think of was regina, emma, and henry. They must be so worried.
if they cared at all.
"don't think things like that " Elijah muttered to herself.
"you ok?" asked belle
"yeah the voice is just making me doubt my friends caring nature and I'm trying to prove it wrong " Elijah said casually seeing no point in lying.
"that's rude it shouldn't say things like that about your friends" said belle not put off in the slightest
"that's what I said but for once it seems to be lost, usually it's the one assuring me not the other way around"
"well at least you can assure yourself that someone cares, as far as I know no one even knows im here besides that woman that comes occasionally to check on me"
"what woman?"
"this woman with dark brown hair and eyes she comes once a month , she doesn't speak to me she just peaks in sometimes smirking other times frowning"
"you mean regina?"
"I don't know "
"she isn't all that sinister unusually "
"you know her?"
"yes she was my friend I'm not so sure about now but if she needs my friendship or help I would give it too her"
"you sound quite loyal Elijah"
"its because I am, but not with out it being earned"
"tell me about her"
"who? regina?"
"yes "
"ok well she has an ever present smirk that tends to act like the Mona Lisa's smile, she always seems to know something you don't…."
…
Bolting up Luci gasped for air, her eyes darted everywhere last she remembered she had been in the stable with Regina then the shadows pulled her away. taking in her surroundings Luci found herself in a jungle of some sorts. The jungle floor was covered in leaves biting her lip she cried silent tears she had no clue where she was , Daniel was dead and Regina would have to marry that wretched king.
Taking in the entire situation she couldn't hold back her sobs anymore full on crying, pulling her knees to her chest she cried. The sound of footsteps made her stop, listening carefully she stood pulling out her hunting knife. Her eyes darted to the trees all around her till they met dark green ones crouching she sniffled watching the eyes of the shadowed figure. From behind the tree came a boy dressed in a dark green tunic leather boots like her own and tan trousers a bag hung from his neck.
They watched each other his expression was one of wonder and confusion he stepped closer making her raise her knife he eyed it and chuckled. A playful smirk on his lips he shook his head.
"what are you gonna do with that?"
"you don't want to know " she growled
"no I'm curious tell me what would you do ?" he challenged smirking as she glared at him.
"I'm not gonna hurt you just because you're an idiot "
"me an idiot? Preposterous" he laughed kicking dirt and leaves at her.
"hey stop it"
"not till you show me what you think your gonna do with that knife" by then he was close giving her a hard shove luci grunted as her back hit the ground.
"you asked for it "
Misting behind him she held her knife to his throat she felt him tension then start to laugh, confused she pushed the knife closer to his jugular.
"what are you laughing at?"
"you "
Pulling her knife away she shoved the boy forward glaring at him she didn't take kindly to being teased unless it was Regina. Another wave of sadness hit her fresh tears filling her eyes the boys laughter stopped looking up she saw him frowning feeling self conscious she wiped away her tears.
"why are you crying ?"
"Its none of your business and I wasn't crying " huffed Luci even though she knew she had in fact been crying but he didn't need to know that.
"yes you were I saw you "
"so what? "
"so why were you crying?" asked the boy
Sighing Luci looked at the jungles leaf covered floor not caring that her tears ran freely now.
"I lost my two best friends in the world "
"so?"
"so? What do you mean so? They were in love I was helping them escape so they could be together I would do anything for them and now they're gone" shouted Luci
"your probably better off with out them" said the boy shrugging
Staring at the nameless boy she felt such a rage build up in her all of her hopes and dreams along with Regina's and Daniels had been crushed in a single instant and all he could say was she was better off with out them? Her blood boiled her magic crackled startling the boy roaring she misted attacking the boy he was just as quick as her dodging and appearing behind a tree not far off she was quick to follow him slicing through the tree after he had disappeared. This continued for hours till the anger faded away slowly replaced with the thrill of the chase. They pushed each other into bushes , mud puddles and bird nests all around the jungle till she couldn't stand it anymore misting past him she caught his arm as he went to run past her slamming him into the tree in front of her both of them panting.
"got you!"
Staring at the mud stained boy she couldn't help laughing at the smeared mud on his face and the leaves clinging to his tunic. In turn he laughed at how half the jungle had ended up in her hair her white peasant top and loose trousers were caked with mud and grass stains. They were both quite the sight falling over laughing and from exhaustion. Once her laughter had tapered off she watched him as she caught her breath this boy wasn't much older than her maybe fifteen or sixteen she herself was going to be fourteen soon.
"whats your name ?"she asked
The boy eyed her his playful smirk slipping back into place leaning back on his hands he raised a brow.
"peter pan and yours?"
Her own mischievous smile finding its way on to her lips her blue cat eyes twinkled a little not as bright as they once had but still.
"Luciana "
"that's a bit long for a girl so short isn't it?" peter teased
"well if you think you're up to the challenge of earning my friendship than I might tell you my nickname "Luci challenged seeing his eyes light up at the challenge she smirked.
"I think I might just do that "
"your welcome to try peter "
"I'll do more than try " peters smirk matched her own.
"well since you're here why don't you tell me where we are?"
"your currently on the island of Never land, where the young stay young and the likes of you and me have our fun " peter winked making luci roll her eyes at him.
"really and what does this fun consist of?"
"Causing mayhem, setting traps, and best of all me"
"you sound a little full of yourself pan"
"well with how incredibly amazing I am how can I not be"
"if your not carful your head might tip over with how big its getting "teased Luci
It was odd the more she talked to peter the less she thought about Regina and Daniel and how their lives took such a terrible turn. Regina. Luci frowned how could she almost forget her best friend.
"peter I have to ask you something"
"go a head"
"how do I leave the island of never land"?
peters smile fell a darkness flashed in his eyes shaking his head he scratched the back of his head meeting her eyes a sadness filled them.
"I'm sorry but once you come here you can't leave"
"what? Why not?" Luci asked she couldn't leave? How would she get back to Regina?
"if you leave … you lose all your memories, then it wouldn't be worth leaving the island if you cant remember why you left in the first place"
Luci leaned against the tree behind her defeat written all over her face. Sighing peter sat next to her nudging her with his shoulder.
"It's not that bad I'm here there are sailors and Indians to fight, traps to set, treasure to find and games to play"
"but my friend is all alone now, I was all she had" whispered Luci.
"what about your family ?" peter spat the word family like a curse she had heard the men in the taverns shout.
"no they disappeared when I was really little …. I'm an orphan "
Peter smiled "well just your luck so am I "
Smiling again she playfully punched his arm the both laughed eventually talking about their adventures before their first meeting till she couldn't fight sleep any longer. Laying down she used her arm as her pillow letting her eyes droop letting herself rest.
...
Peter sat watching the strange girl that had come to his island.
Luciana, that was far too long a name for a girl so young then again he wasn't really so young himself. Years on the island had given him powers some couldn't even imagine and yet this girl had some of her own that could almost match him. No one had ever caught him in the chase or come that close to his throat with a blade before. He smiled at the fun they could the sailors and Indians wouldn't stand a chance now that there were two players of great power instead of just one.
Looking at the girl now he studied her face and hair she had cleaned herself up as best she could which was surprisingly well, only a few feathers were in her hair and they seemed perfect for her. When he had been walking through the jungle bored as always he was surprised to hear crying upon finding her the first thing he noticed was her eyes. Those piercing blue eyes were not just valuable sapphires but they were cat eyes reminding him of a story he had heard long ago. When she had mentioned leaving the island he could feel something screaming at him to make her stay and he had, lying was the only way and she believed him. Shaking his head he turned away staring at the ground his will power gave out, he turned back to her he couldn't help it she was the first person on the entire island to keep up with him and crack jokes with him not even his lost boys could do that what could she be then?
His first real friend maybe?
…..
The days in the basement with belle seemed to lose all sense of time, hours of being in the same room for days on end was very disorientating. Luckily for Elijah she had belle to tell her stories and talk with. It was very interesting to talk to a fellow "patient" about the world that they had both been part of. The time Elijah had spent at the very same hospital was much worse than it was this time around. The nurses left her alone and as belle had told her they only came to take them to the showers and give them food.
Just like the dungeons just no chains
Elijah clutched her head that was another thing ever since she had gotten there she had started hear the voice a lot more and it was as cynical as serious as she was childish. She had told belle about the voice and of the conversations they would have sometimes even having conversations between the three of them as odd as it sounded. The only doctor who came was whale and she didn't like the look of him she felt like he had done something but she just couldn't remember why she disliked him.
He did something he shouldn't of and I wanted to make him suffer after I figured it out but now I'm stuck here .
Shaking her head Elijah tapped the floor she didn't sit on the bed she slept on it sometimes but for some reason she didn't feel comfortable on it so she slept on the cold floor. Strangely enough it was the voice that started to make sense of this.
We wouldn't be comfortable unless we knew the others were and they aren't and wont be till I am back at her side.
"what'd you mean by that ?" murmured Elijah
Just that, she needs me, you , us whatever we need to get back to her side the voice persisted
"I still don't see how we could do that, besides I don't think she would trust us any more" muttered Elijah drawing her knees to her chest. She hated the hospital gowns but it was all she was allowed to have besides her under garments. Running her hands up her arms she sat for a moment a familiar clicking of heels on tile caught her attention.
Regina.
The sound of the slot opening made her look up and sure enough there was that pair of sad eyes. They stared for a moment not saying a word waiting to see who said what. Feeling the need to at least try and mend their friendship Elijah gave a small wave.
"long time no see" her voice was small.
She knew she must seem quite pitiful if Regina's sad eyes were blinking that fast. She was trying to blink away the tears. Giving a sad smile she didn't look away waiting for Regina to compose herself the mayor finally met her gaze. At the sound of rustling fabric she could almost see the way Regina crossed her arms as if to keep herself together. Tilting her head she waited for an answer or hoped she would get one, something.
"Elijah I…"
She waited the best thing to do would be to give Regina space, "fugitively" of course cause she was in a cell or room. Not liking the rift that was slowly growing between them Elijah felt the need to say something.
"how are you Regina?"
Regina's eyes went to the floor in shame.
"I'm well"
I hate it when she lies, fix this before she pulls away murmured the voice
"Regina I value honesty every now and then and you're not being honest I don't want to see you blaming yourself for this its partially my own fault , besides from what I heard Gold had it coming anyway " Elijah shrugged off the seriousness.
Regina gave her a grateful look clearing her throat.
"Elijah I was told by Emma and a persistent henry to tell you that they miss you and hope you're doing well"
"good I haven't caused any problems besides the fact that I won't stop talking to myself but that's what happens when you have a renter up stairs" Elijah smiled mischievously lightly tapping her temple.
"Elijah .. i-"
Elijah frowned she didn't like that tone it was filled with sadness and a hint of pity. Elijah dawson and the voice in her head didn't do pity.
"Don't "
Regina sighed running a hand through her hair not meeting Elijah's gaze. Pushing off the wall Elijah stopped a few feet from the door gaining the mayors attention.
"I don't want pity or apologies they won't do us any good "
"but this whole mess wouldn't have happened if-"
"if what?"
Regina was silent.
Rolling her eyes Elijah spoke for once seriously.
"if I had told you? Then I would have ended up here a lot sooner, if I hadn't bashed in golds face? Eh he had it coming for being a creeper and touching you period"
"you could have gone a little easier on him then he wouldn't have been so mad" muttered regina
"naw he was just looking for a way to either get me out of town or arrested there was no other answer as to why he would stalk me like that or try and find out about me even though all he had to do was look in the towns records " Elijah pursed her lips thinking about it all smiling at the memory of his shocked face when she had kicked the cane out of his hands.
"that reminds me when you did that … why didn't you stop when Emma told you to? It would have saved you a lot of trouble"
Elijah wrung her hands trying to think of a way to explain it all.
Just tell her the truth it will help her, if she starts to remember now instead of later when we aren't with her advised the voice.
"well I couldn't, stop I mean I honestly have never felt so … out of control in my life , I felt like something snapped in me when he grabbed you like that " Elijah stopped ringing her hands clenching them into tight fists.
"Elijah" regina's soft plea urged her to continue.
"when I saw him do that I just lost it, the voice was telling me to protect you so I did I literally beat his face in and no matter how hard I tried to stop I couldn't.. not till you asked me to " regina looked surprised even through the tiny slot her confusion was evident.
"that doesn't make any sense we haven't met before"
"yes we have or maybe that's just the crazy in me" Elijah shrugged
"fine how have we met?" asked regina still skeptical.
"well since im already in a mental institution I guess I can speak freely, the reason I started acting "weird" was because I was having memory or dreams that had you and me in them "
"you do realize how strange that sounds yes?"
"yeah but in these dream, memories, whatever you want to call them we were friends, then something happened I just cant remember what" Elijah muttered, that last part she might admit she was lying since she did know what happened but she wanted to see regina's reaction.
Regina was silent her brows furrowed she was obviously confused slowly shaking her head.
"Elijah we haven't met before I doubt I would ever be able to forget someone like you"
"really ?"
"yes"
"you cant be serious?"
Ok now regina was confused. "serious about what?"
"not remembering me it all adds up I don't see why but it does"
"Elijah your not making sense "
"yes I am I'm proving henrys curse theory "
"oh god he told you? He really shouldn't have its not help your mental stability" muttered regina running a hand through her hair.
"believe it or not it helped more than he could ever know it made me realize that the hallucinations weren't just in my head they were from the stories" Elijah explained
"so you mean to tell me that you were having hallucinations because henry showed you that book?"
"no I was having them long before he showed me the book, he was just helping me put names to faces"
"Elijah… you shouldn't put such focus on a child's book" regina whispered not meeting the girls gaze.
Elijah froze turning slowly to look at Regina.
"no.."
"what?"
"no , no ,no " Elijah stepped a bit closer pressing her palms to the sides of the door so she wouldn't hit them her fingers ached from digging into the walls.
"No! you are not giving up on me Regina, you can't please, if you do then there isn't any hope for it and then I'll finally be lost to the darkness please" Elijah's voice was barely above a whisper her blue eyes stung with unshed tears if Regina called her crazy then there was no deigning it , she was crazy.
"elijah..."
"No! I can't Regina, if I accept it then who will be there to believe it ? henry and Jefferson do why can't you? I know one is mad and the others a child but they can see with eyes unclouded " Elijah backed away her piecing blue eyes speared Regina in place.
"and so do you"
Regina's eyes shot up wide and speechless her mouth kept opening and closing but she found no words. Elijah knew about the curse and what's more she was trying to prove it was real. Regina had to be quick the girl may be in a cell but that wouldn't stop her, she had escaped from the hospital before what was to stop her from escaping again.
"elijah-"
"Leave" elijah cut her off, the girls hands were clenched so tightly she was shaking her eyes were so hard Regina took a step back.
"leave and don't come back till you stop lying " hissed elijah
Shakily regina closed the slot Elijah couldn't hold back any more she fell to her knees tears falling freely from her eyes. Wrapping her arms around herself she sobbed not caring who heard. Regina had lied and was trying to make her think she was lying to herself but Elijah knew herself and she thought she knew Regina but it seemed she was just seeing the dream version of the woman she had come to think of as a friend. Betrayal burned in her chest, she could stand a lot of things abandonment, ridicule, people questioning her sanity, even a heated argument every now and then since she wasn't prone to starting them. But betrayal that was something she couldn't just brush off.
"elijah whats wrong?" asked belle her worried voice filled her ears.
"I have felt a great betrayal and my trust and faith are broken" whispered elijah not lifting her eyes from the cement floor.
"Im sorry elijah but you shouldn't lose faith"
"belle I'm in a mental institution, in a tiny room, and the one person I thought was my friend, who a gave my loyalty and trust to, just told me that I'm insane, please forgive my pessimism but there is little for me to have faith in at the moment" elijah winced at her scratchy voice hoarse from crying.
"I don't know what to tell you but I know from what you have told me that Regina wouldn't lie to you unless she had a good reason to " belle sighed feeling helpless she wanted to comfort her new friend but the wall between them wasn't about to budge and Elijah didn't look any better. Elijah sniffled wiping away her tears she glanced to the hole in the wall.
"belle.."
"yeah?"
"would you tell me a story?"
"of course … once upon a time there was a little boy who didn't want to grow up…."
….
Things only grew darker since Regina's visit the cell only got smaller as the days dragged on the only thing saving her was belle's stories. The girl she still has yet to see had saved her many a time from her panic attacks. Belle was kind enough to assure her that it wasn't a problem and she was happy to help.
The only thing was she was starting to forget how long she had been there and the loss of time was getting to her. The lack of time seemed to make her feel even more alone the nurses only brought her food but they wouldn't tell her the date or what month it was. The voice in her head was freaking out after the last visit with Regina it seemed even more pessimistic which didn't help Elijah feel any better.
The headaches had started to get worse she could barely stay conscious some times when they hit her. When she called for help none of the nurses came leaving her to suffer her headaches alone. Poor belle would call out to her but there was nothing either one could do. As the headaches increased in number her eyes had started hurting as well sometimes she would get double vision or see things as if they were under a microscope but a few blinks and it would fade. A sense of dread filled her something was going to happen she just knew it. The air had grown colder and the small spark she had once felt was gone.
Whatever she had been feeling must have already happened or was going to any moment now. She sat on the floor of her cell in silence the cold floor was the only thing that greeted her when she woke up. The massive head ache was still there, rubbing her head she sat up taking a short breath hoping to relieve some of the pain. Leaning against the back wall of her cell she heard the familiar clicking of heels but something was off the heels stopped and started going the other way fading a bit till they stopped again only to come back stopping right in front of her cell.
Elijah sat starring at the door she knew who was on the other side, she only hoped they were ready to talk. The slot opened and blank brown eyes stared at her Elijah blinked wincing when her head ached again. A spark of worry flashed in those brown eyes before they went blank again.
"hello Regina what brings you to my humble abode?"
Regina looked away debating on something.
"I… things have fallen apart elijah, beyond repair and I couldn't think of anyone else to go to "
"I'm all ears since that's all I can do, though my advice however unwanted, may not be credible I am insane you know" Elijah chuckled humorlessly knowing she had no real spirit, not after Regina's betrayal.
"your not insane" said Regina
"are you so sure?"
"you gave me the scissors and I cut you out just like you said, the only thing was I didn't cut you out right and still have to trim the edges" said Regina her eyes pleaded for forgiveness.
She was truly lost and needed help noone would speak to her and she didn't trust anyone else yet something told her to go to Elijah. The girl had been right of course but the possibility of her happy ending coming to an end was too much sadly it didn't matter what she wanted it was already ending and there was nothing she could do about it. Actually there was something she could do but she wanted, no needed a second opinion.
"well that changes things doesn't it " Elijah tilted her head silently telling Regina she would help.
"it does"
"then tell me regina what seems to be the problem?"
"all of it is falling apart and I don't know what to do" regina swallowed knowing she probably wasn't making sense.
"then do what you can to save what you want cause when it all falls apart all you have left is family"
"but that's what's causing all this-this mess, Emma is causing my world to end and I want her gone"
"but henry would never forgive you and neither would you, even if you won't admit it" said Elijah a damned voice of reason seeing through Regina's rage.
"she would be a small price to pay if I want to keep my son"
"is he your son?"
Regina glared at the girl only for it to soften when she saw the state she was in. The spirited and sarcastic Elijah seemed to be only a memory, for the girl in the cell was solemn and withdrawn. She should have swallowed her fears and come to see her more often but her fears about the unraveling of the curse were keeping her busy. If the curse wasn't enough then the words that they had traded last time, Elijah knew more and was trying to tell her yet she brushed it off chucking it up to the girls "insanity". If Elijah was insane then so was she and everyone else in town.
"yes "
"really? I thought he was a shared son, I mean he has two mothers in his life how could he not "
"as of now miss swan isn't my family and will never be as far as I'm concerned " growled regina
"don't hold such hate for the one who gave you your son if you do something to her henry will never forgive you" warned Elijah
"she might have birthed him but she gave up all rights to him she doesn't deserve him and if she threatens me then I have to do what's right for him"
Elijah's head shot up she had heard those words before and judging by the look in Regina's eyes her retaliation wasn't anything good.
"regina are you really saying those words?"
"what?" regina was too angry to see the incredulous look on Elijah's face.
"are you seriously going to be like her?" elijah asked coldly
"like who?"
"you know who Regina, there was only one woman, if you could even call her that, to ever speak such sick and twisted words and I would pray to whatever deity that would listen that you didn't just say those words" Elijah stood her hands clenched painfully digging into her palms.
"who are you talking about?" Demanded Regina
"your mother Regina!" elijah growled she didn't even recognize her own voice but she had to be clear how could Regina forget that thing she called a mother?
"what did you say?" Regina was staring at the girl in complete disbelief.
"you heard me she said the same thing the night she killed him and for you to use the same ones its just wrong" growled elijah
"you don't know what your talking about!" snapped regina
"yes I do we were both there, I saw him die! I saw us all die maybe not like he did but close enough! "
Regina shook her head "I came here for the wrong reason good bye miss Dawson"
The slot closed and Elijah punched the door as hard as she could the resounding "clang " filled the air.
"don't do this Regina! you'll only regret it please!" Elijah shouted knowing it was useless the sound of running heels was all that met her plea. Sliding down the door she rested her head on the cool steel squeezing her eyes shut to hold back the tears as well as the pain they had as of late.
"don't do it Regina"
…
Jefferson walked through the hospital as if he actually worked there it was easy enough he jogged down the stairs a coffee in his hand. The whole place needed better security if he could just waltz in there with no problems what so ever. He had planned every possible outcome and now he was here to keep his promise to Luci even if she didn't quite remember him.
The day of the festival he had been watching her he just knew something was going to happen and sure enough it did. To see the look on Regina and gold's faces when Elijah let loose on the dark one was priceless. Jefferson enjoyed the moment while he could knowing that it would be short lived rumple would retaliate and Regina would try to defend her friend along with Emma. The way things fell apart surprised many of the town's people.
Regina fell back into her habits of snapping at people and the arguments with Emma resumed as if nothing had changed. Actually that was a lie their fights got worse more and more were about Emma over staying her usefulness and Regina's past abuse of power but the one that did it was henry. The boy saw things for what they really were and when he tried to prove it the two women snapped and now the boy was in the hospital. Out of everything that had happened Jefferson knew things would work out emma was the savior after all , the white knight and all that, the daughter of snow white would save the day and regina , the evil queen, would be the bad guy as always.
When the curse broke Regina would need all the help she could get and who better to help her than her commander and best friend than luci? Looking down the hall he saw the nurse at her station flipping through a magazine, again this place need real security.
"hello" said Jefferson offering a disarming smile.
"hello "
"late shift kills am I right?"
"got that right" muttered the nurse
"good cause I thought you might need this" Jefferson offered her the coffee
"thanks I needed this"
As she took a sip he kept smiling till her eyes rolled back and her head hit the desk. Shaking his head he grabbed the keys off her desk glancing at the chart he saw Elijah's cell number. Grabbing a coat from the coat rack he started walking down the hall he looked from door to door finding the right one he went through the keys trying to find the right one. Suddenly there was screaming he looked around only to realize it was coming from inside the cell, quickly jamming the key in the lock he flung the door open.
Elijah was on her knees her hands covered her eyes she was screaming in agony , caused by some kind of pain in her head or her eyes he couldn't tell just yet. Kneeling beside her he wrapped the coat around her hugging her looking down he saw what looked like tears on the ground. Squinting he saw that it wasn't tears but some blue liquid looking back to Luci he saw it stained her palms it was coming from her eyes. Trying his best to comfort the girl he kept shushing her and rubbing her back till her screams came to a stop pulling back he watched her carefully.
Luci sat panting her hands still covered her eyes blue liquid stained her hands taking a shaky breath she lowered her hands. Her eyes were squeezed shut but blue stained under her eyes and cheeks it was an odd blue the same color as her eyes the last time he had seen them. Taking a shaky breath she blinked several times as she opened her eyes he smiled slowly he would know those eyes anywhere instead of the simple blue he saw piercing blue cat eyes.
"hey luci " he murmured
She tilted her head as her eyes adjusted before that familiar mischievous smirk graced her lips.
"why Jefferson it has been quite some time since I've seen you in person I must apologize for my lack of memory as of late I've only been a renter not a driver and that curse was quite strong"
"good to hear Luci now we have to get you out of here, Regina's about to get herself into some trouble that only you can help her get out of" Jefferson explained.
"I figured as much when she came to see Elijah the last few times but eh what can you do? Regina is a worse trouble maker than me" pulling the coat on she stood with Jefferson's help he started leading her out of the cell when she stopped jerking him back.
"what?"
"we have to get her out to " Luci nodded to the cell next to hers.
"why?"
"trust me this will solve some problems later" Luci promised.
Sighing Jefferson took the keys out of the door quickly opening the second cell door when he opened the door he hadn't expected to see Belle in there. The girl was in a hospital gown like Luci her hair was a mess but her eyes held nothing but curiosity. Luci was quick to take Belle's hand.
"come on we have to leave before they realize were gone"
Nodding slowly Belle followed Luci and Jefferson grabbing a second coat from the rack Luci gave it to belle making sure she was warm. Jefferson was the lookout keeping an eye out for trouble leading them down this way and that till they reached an exit. He turned to Luci rubbing her arms.
"you know what your gonna do now?"
"yeah I gotta get her some place but first I need clothes"
"I think Red is still up she wont remember you as anyone but Elijah"
"good otherwise she would kill me "
"need any help?"
"naw I got it from here hatter"
Giving her a tight hug he pulled away nodding to the door. Luci gave him a dangerous smirk before pulling belle out in to the cold night air.
….
Luci pulled belle down the frost covered sidewalks of storybrooke it wasn't hard she already knew the way to Grannies because of Elijah's memories. It had been a painful yet strangely fulfilling process of merging the two people that occupied this body. Elijah and Luci were two completely different people and now they were one and it was odd to think about Red as an enemy then scold herself saying the wolf was her friend. There were too many conflicting emotions to properly function but she had to keep moving it would be dawn soon and then all hell would break loose and she fully intended to be at regina's side by then.
Stopping for belle's sake outside the dinner she saw Red in an actually practical outfit jeans and a fluffy red jacket as she locked up the dinner. Swallowing she pulled belle closer noticing the way she trembled from the cold. Pulling her forward they came up behind the wolf clearing her throat Luci coughed the night air had made her throat dry and her teeth chattered.
"Rub-by"
The wolf spun around her eyes widened at the sight of the two shivering girls.
"oh my god Elijah! what are you doing here?"
"rub-by please w-we had t-to get out of t-there "Luci said coughing again it was getting colder and Belle needed a nice fire, like rumples castle used to have, to get warm.
"come on lets get you guys a room"
Red lead them to the bed and breakfast looking around biting her lip she motioned for them to follow her. Just walking in to the hotel was warmer looking around Luci followed belle coming to a stop by the front desk as Red grabbed a room key. Leading them to the room Red kept watch as they slipped inside pulling belle to the bed she pulled all the blankets off it wrapping them around the shivering girl. Sitting Belle on the bed she made sure she was cocooned in the blankets reaching under the bed she pulled out the extra blanket adding that to the cocoon.
"there you get warm and don't worry I plan on taking care of you " assured Luci
"t-thank-k yo-you" chattered belle
"no problem belle"
Red smiled at belle.
"can I talk to you for a minute Elijah?"
"of course Ruby "
Pulling her to the door Red looked between Bell and Luci whispering in a fury.
"Elijah what the hell are you doing out of the hospital? Emma told us you were sent there because you have.. issues so what are you doing out of it?"
"Ruby if you had seen the place you would think that a guy on death row had a luxury hotel I wasn't getting help they were just leaving me in a tiny room with no meds or human contact. if it hadn't been for belle I would have truly been insane " Luci kept an eye on Belle not wanting the girl to fall ill on her watch and she seemed to be improving she had stopped shivering at least.
"Elijah you can't stay here-"
"I know and I don't intend to, I don't want you to be in more trouble than you already are I just need you to watch her for a for now and I promise to come back for her in one hour"
"Elijah-"
"Ruby please, I have to get her out of here and to do that I need to talk to some people now please watch her"
Red huffed "fine but you better come back"
"I promise I will"
…
Standing outside the pawnshop Luci glared at the building she didn't care that she was freezing. In all her existence here, in the enchanted forest and … other realms she had never liked the dark one in fact he had been the cause of a great deal of her troubles and pain at one point she swore she would get him back. Out of all the twists and turns she never thought she would find herself here about to do what she was going to do. Taking a deep breath she walked to the door testing the handle she found it locked the lights were still on and she could feel his presence he was her he just didn't want to deal with any one. How funny.
Rolling her eyes she wrapped her hand in the sleeve of her borrowed jacket and punched through the glass. Grabbing the handle she unlocked the door stepping inside she found the front half of the shop empty following the lights she found the dark one in the back at a table. Rumple looked up in surprise he still had a single cut on his cheek this made her smirk in pride, to leave a mark on the dark one was quite a feat.
"what are you doing here?" growled rumple
"easy Rumple I came to make a deal " she saw his entire body go rigid he stared at her.
"this isn't possible you shouldn't remember yet "
"oh but you see I have always been quick to catch on and when I do " Luci chuckled giving rumple her dangerous smirk. "I make it a point to shove it right back I your face "
"fine Luciana what kind of deal ?" growled rumple his accent coming out more than usual. The dark one was trapped he couldn't beat her physically she had proven that but now, oh now she was Luci again and she was a solider, a killer, a predator.
"what kind of deal? Well let me think"
ok so I'm evil I ended on a cliff hanger oh well you'll just have to wait till the sequel comes out and then you'll see how things go yay! by the way I have decided that the title of the sequel that you should keep an eye out for is called BROKEN CURSES, CRUSHED DREAMS so keep a look out for it and thanks for following or favoriting this story I promise there will be plenty more sarcastic comebacks and more adventure when the sequel is up till then leave comments or reviews you want to leave.
- echoxknox out
