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~Emma~
When we bring Andromeda in to Mr. Gold's shop, he turns pale as a sheet. Rushing over, he passes a glowing hand over her body, then grimly tells us to bring her to the back. Regina steps forward with Perdix floating in front of her, but he motions for her to wait.
Now we sit anxiously in the back of his pawn shop, looking wide-eyed at him, who is more agitated then I have ever seen him. His lips are drawn into a pale, thin line, and his pacing back and forth is making me fidgety. Finally, he stills, and looks at us. Our attention is drawn to the slight hissing sound coming from Andromeda as another part of her snow-white hair becomes brown.
"This...this is very bad." Mr. Gold mumbles.
Part of me wants to go, Really? I had no idea! I thought it was just natural for people to go into a magical coma as their hair turns different color, but another part of me turns cold with fear. If even he was worried...
"Bring the boy over here." Mr. Gold says, snapping his fingers.
Regina complies, floating Perdix's still body over. He passes a hand over his body, and sighs. Killian leans forward, gripping the chair so hard his knuckles turn white.
"He," Rumpelstiltskin starts, pointing at Perdix, "Has a frozen heart. The cure is currently unknown. She," the finger shifts to Andromeda. My gaze flicks to Killian. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows. Mr. Gold continues. "Is burning up from the inside. The raging inferno is centered, incidentally, also around her heart. This cure is also unknown. They may last a month, they may last a day. What I do know is that they won't last long." He looks at Killian with somber eyes. "I'm sorry."
Killian releases a breath and slumps back into his chair, deflated. The little boy, Liam, cries out and buries his face into Regina's stomach. She hugs him back tenderly. After a moment, he looks up again, his gaze locked on Andromeda. He moves closer to her, and holds her hand. Tears stream down his face. I frown. A 6-year-old should not have to go through this. Killian stands up and walks over to the boy. He puts a hand on Liam's shoulder.
Then it happens. Almost imperceptibly, Andromeda's fingers tighten. At the same time, Perdix takes a longer breath. Their eyelids flutter open concurrently. Rumpelstiltskin's head tilts slightly to the side, as if he is intrigued in spite of himself.
"How strange. They seem to be inexplicably linked." Leaning over, he pinches Perdix's arm. Andromeda exclaims and slaps her own arm just as Perdix gives Mr. Gold a dirty look. At that moment, they both seem to notice what had just happened and gape at each other.
"No." Andromeda breathes. "I can't be linked to..him." She says the word with utter disgust and loathing. Liam tugs on her shirt. She looks down, and smile brightens her countenance. He places a hand over her heart, feeling the heat coming off it.
"Does it hurt?" he asks quietly. I start as I realize that this kid is very mature for his age. Too mature. His childhood was probably torn away from him. I remember another girl who's childhood was torn away from her. Me. I look at the kid worriedly.
"Well, it's not...comfortable." Andromeda grimaces. Her eyes drift up to meet Killian's. Eyes clouding over, she suddenly darts forward, and hugs him. "Oh! I've missed you so much, big brother." Tears hover at the edge of her voice. Killian grasps her like he'll never let go.
"Annie. Oh god, you have no idea." he said into her hair. I suddenly avert my eyes. I feel like I've intruded into something private. I concentrate on helping Perdix walk. He looks at the scene with an almost hungry look.
"He...loves her." he says, as if it were the most astonishing thing in the world. I look at him, puzzled.
"Well, yeah. She's his sister. Why wouldn't he?"
"My parents didn't love me. No one did." he responds simply. No emotions color his tone. He isn't fishing for pity, as I've seen other people do. He states as if it were a fact of life. It probably is, for him.
A quiet psst! catches my attention. Elsa waves, trying to get my attention. After making sure Perdix was steady, I walk over to her.
"I know the cure." she hisses. My breath catches.
"What? Why aren't you telling anybody?"
"I'm telling you, if you'll just listen for a moment." she says dryly. "I only know the cure for a frozen heart. But something about the way they are linked...something's different about this one. I can feel it." Her hands grasp mine. I'm not surprised to find that they are icy cold. "It's a special case somehow. And the boy's fire magic is strange."
Her voice drops until she is speaking under her breath and I have to lean forward to listen. "I think he's not from here." When she sees my face, she hastens to explain. "Not the Enchanted Forest, and not this world, either. Some kind of Elsewhere." I glance over at Perdix, who's head is ducked down. Regina walks over and sits next to him and says something. He smiles, and responds. I grin to myself. I get the feeling he needs a friend. Regina needs one, too. I'm not quite ready to call her my friend yet, and I doubt anyone else is.
But another thought runs through my mind, and I frown. Andromeda seems to hate this Perdix with a passion. He has done something that warrants detestation.
What, exactly, is that something?
Grumpy runs in, panting.
"I come from the border. We're trapped. No one can get in or out of Storybrooke."
I make a face. This is probably bad.
