****Author's Note: Hey, Guys! I just wanted to say I love getting feedback from you all! I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by Saturday evening.I love you all and I hope you have a great day tomorrow!****
The white floor gleams as if not one person has ever even looked at it. It is somewhat soft to the touch, but the material isn't anything like a carpet. It does not comfort me that the room is not what I expected it to be, a jail cell, because here's the thing, there is not one item of furniture to be seen. But maybe it is a jail cell, just one with a different decorative theme. No bed, no chairs, nothing. Everything is white. Maybe it is symbolism or something. I push myself up to my feet and examine every corner, only to find there is not a speck out of place.
I stayed awake all night if my memory is correct. I'm afraid to sleep knowing that I will probably drift back to the other world and I don't want to go back there. All I remember about it is that it wasn't pleasant. And if I remember correctly from the episodes, that world is not pleasant for anyone who enters it. If I had a candle to light maybe I would feel better, seeing how that always seemed to work for Snow, but of course there is not one. So I stay awake and think instead.
I'm not used to it being so quiet all the time. Back in the hospital there was always the beeping of the heart monitor or the sounds of footsteps out in the hall. But here, there is only the sound of my racing heart and my thoughts of family. Belle brought me food this morning and I tried to talk to her but she would not look me in the eye. I have no other visitors other than Belle when she brings me a meal, so I use her as a measurement of what time it is during the day. When what I assume is dinner comes I don't eat, my stomach is in knots and food just doesn't sound appealing. Instead I curl up into a ball, and lay there with this feeling of numbness. I am unable to feel sorry for myself, unable to be angry at Rumple, unable to miss my family; all I feel is the emptiness. I am just numb. And maybe that is me trying to save myself from the pain of feeling all the things I should be feeling.
It's my third day and I know there must be dark circles engraved under my eyes. All I get to do is think in here and it is starting to drive me insane. I wonder if all of this is just in my imagination, while really I'm still in the hospital, or even worse, still back home with the first name Anna. The lack of sleep is not helping. I have no one to protect me, to wake me up when things get bad in there. So I just decided it's not worth it to try.
After Belle brings in lunch I lie on my back and look at the ceiling. I try to imagine I'm looking up at the stars. But all I see is white. And I close my eyes. Maybe if I just went to sleep for a-
The door opens. I immediately sit up and back myself up against the farthest wall. Rumple stands in the doorway his cane in hand his eyes an eerie yellow.
"Well, Dearie, here I am. Looks like you aren't dressed for a guest." I glare at him as he enters my little room.
"Why am I here, Gold? What good do I do for you in this room?" I say it in the bravest voice I can muster but he only laughs at me.
"I see you still have that fire in your eyes. Well, I guess you are Snow White's daughter, so it shouldn't surprise me." He paces back and forth, I eye his black cane and see the flashes of remembering vividly, it repeatedly hitting Belle's father and I can't help but shiver.
"If you aren't going to tell me what I'm doing cooped up in here, then what is the true reason behind your visit?" The face he gives me mirrors Regina's when she visited Mary Margaret in jail. I wanted to see you while I still can…The smile of victory.
"I wanted to see you..." He is so very close now. I tilt my head, waiting. "Well, why don't I just show you," He lifts his cane in the air and I scream. And he just laughs. The door clicks open. "What did you think I was going to do, Dearie? Beat you?" He offers me a hand and I just stare at it for a moment. "Well?" I grab it and he pulls me up.
I follow him down the hall and into another room. There sits on the table a single piece of paper in flowing handwriting:
I tolerate the moon. I can't sit by the sun. Banish me with torchlight, and you will see me run.
"A riddle." He does his little giggle. I knew the answer immediately, "Darkness."
"Indeed, Dearie." Belle walks in and sits down in a chair as Rumple swipes the paper off the table.
"Is that all you wanted me for?" He laughs again and motions for me to sit down and I do, strategically a little behind Belle. Just in case.
"Goodness no! I just wanted to make sure I got you in the right mindset before I ask you the real question."
"Which is?" He looks down at his hands. They are scaly. Not human hands in the purest sense. Belle speaks up.
"As you can see he is fully returning to the form of him that is Rumplestiltskin. All we want is your opinion, do you think that there is any way he can stay human?"
"Don't forget that I want to stay human, but still have my power." Rumple chimes in. Belle shakes her head. Why do they care what I think? I'm just some girl, there is nothing special about my honest opinion other than it actually is honest. But I decide to give it to them. For Belle. I know Rumple probably really doesn't care what he looks like at all anyways.
"I have two theories for you to think about: First off, if I do recall correctly, when Belle kissed you the first time you almost became human again. Now I always wondered why after all this time where you have been together, you never have turned back. Maybe it's because you won't let her turn you back, because you choose power over love. My second point within that is that unless you do choose love over power you probably will change completely back into Rumplestiltskin. My second theory is that magic coming back is finally changing you back to your old self and that there is no possible way you can stop it from happening other than... to die." Belle looks at her hands and Rumple tilts his head at me.
"You are being honest in your theories, I presume. I am thankful for that." He stands up and walks out. So I guess that's it.
"Belle-" She interrupts me by standing up so I trail off until she says,
"Come on, I will take you to your new room." A new room. I feel myself smile. Hopefully this one isn't really a jail cell. She opens a new door. I look in and sigh in relief.
"Thanks, Belle."
"My room is just down the hall if you need anything. You really should try to get some rest, you look exhausted. I will check in later." She shuts the door and I walk over to the plush bed and lay down. It must be sometime in the late afternoon. I put my head on the pillow. Maybe I will just rest my eyes for a few seconds….