Chapter 14: Spark

I walk out into the bright morning sun, feeling refreshed and on top of the world. At least as much as I can be after being dumped.

I go to my car and check my phone, nothing. Nothing from Mason. I do have a few frantic texts from Alisa and I texted her back that I was fine and that Mason dumped me. I told her I needed some time to get away and think things through. I can tell she's reluctant to believe me, but she accepts my decision. I tell her I took a road trip, but I don't tell her where... Not fully sure myself if this is real or not.

If I'm honest with myself, I finally feel like I belong and that I'm loved. I feel like I have a family and ever since I came, I've discovered new things about my powers, that they can be good and due to my most recent discovery. I can teleport!

I found this out one day when I was walking out by the troll bridge, admiring the beautiful forest and I realized I didn't bring a camera at all. I shut my eyes and picture it in my room on the oak desk. Suddenly, the ground beneath me disappeared and my stomach became weak. I open my eyes and I'm in my hotel room, in front of the desk. I'm stunned, but I pick up my camera and this time, I snap my fingers. Instantly, I'm back in the woods.

"That will save a lot of time getting places," I said to myself. "I could even sell my car."

Of course, it wasn't easy at first, sometimes I overshoot and end up too far away from where I want to be. I realize that it is all based on how strong my will to go was and how accurate the image in my mind is. Regardless, I'm practicing when no one is around.

I finish the fairy tale book, intrigued by the many tales interwoven together and often a common link...Rumpelstiltskin. Some of the deals he makes are sickening and how he gets what he wants makes my stomach turn. I did learn that he has pulled the "abandoning the one he loves" thing before. I learn that I have a half-brother named Baelfire. He was extremely embarrassed by his father's cruelty and wished to be free of it. Bael, like my mother, acquired a magic bean to go into the world with no magic and Rumple betrayed him at the last moment, abandoning his only son to keep the power.

I can't believe how selfish he is and more importantly, how much of a coward he is. He hardly seems remotely human, I can understand why Baelfire wanted out. The thing is, I haven't seen my half brother in town or my father. I start to wonder if Baelfire and I would get along, be able to relate and everything.

There is still the one thing that bugs me the most, my story is missing. My mother and I must have meant something, I mean it's not every day the infamous Dark One conceives a child with another woman. I also learned through its pages that Rumple did move on, he met, enslaved, but secretly loved a girl named Belle French. I haven't seen her either and I feel slight anguish towards her, replacing my mother...I never saw my mother date, ever, which made it clear that she never moved on from him...

I figure the only way I'm going to find my story is to go to the library, under the infamous clock tower.

...

I teleport up to the clock tower, practically in front of the door, meaning I'm getting a lot better at teleporting. I stare at its face, knowing that it holds many secrets of its own.

"Hello, anyone here?" I call into the bookstore.

A bright and cheery face peeks around a shelf of books. Her hair is long and dark brown, her brown eyes seem to have genuine kindness in them. She's dressed in a blue top with a black skirt and lavish heels.

"Good morning," she chirps happily in a French/British accent. "How can I help you?"

My vision scans over her and she's pure blue energy and a lively beating heart. She's part of a fairy tale, the question is which one. Something else catches my eye. I squint for a moment. In her lower abdomen, I see a tiny splotch of red. It looks like a heart and it beats wildly. There is an aura around this red dot and it glows a bright white.

I blink a little and my vision goes back to normal, I don't know what that was, but I'll ignore it for now.

"I'm looking for some good reads." I shrug, not really planning this all the way through.

"Well, what kind of stories are you into?" she asks cheerfully.

"Anything fantasy, just keep away from Twilight or Nicholas Sparks," I say.

"Whatever those are," she says in confusion. "Never heard of those ones."

"Don't bother, they're not worth the read," I smirk.

She smiles too and begins looking through the book shelves. I do the same, searching for something else. I let my magic take over and use it as a guide. If Henry's book has missing pages I'm going to find them. My story is missing.

I start scanning through the different titles through the shelves and shelves of books. None of the titles stand out to me. I start using my magic to see if it matches any of the books on the shelves, or giving off a similar energy.

I find the fairy tale section and move my hand along the titles.

My hand is suddenly pulled forward like a magnet to a book with no visible title. My magic starts to get excited when I make contact

I open the large book covered in gold. The book suddenly flips open on its own and

There are three words highlighted on the page...

The next chapter...

"The next chapter...?" I say quietly to myself.

"What was that?"

"Nothing..." I lie. "Just found a book I like."

"Okay, I'll find some more and then you can pick your favourites."

"Thank you..." I say.

I look at the page that the book opened to. Like magic ink, words and pictures materialize across the pages, as if changing the story completely.

I recognize the photo of Rumpelstiltskin, with his devil-like grin, glowing eyes and amber brown skin. I become angered when I see him. There are many reasons for this, one being that he selfishly refused to help my mother and give up magic for her. Another is that he never tried to find us and finally...making me who I am. I'm certain that my powers come from him and I've hurt people that I love because of it. I can feel myself tear up and my hands glow slightly. I start turning the pages and an image of my mother appears, dressed in medieval clothing of a peasant. My heart beats quickly...this is it... This is my story!

I scan through until I reach the climatic throw down between my mother and the troll, confronting him about his plans for me. I discover that the reason he wanted to re-consume my heart was to fulfill his powers to full capacity as they had weakened when I was conceived and the magic was passed through the blood.

Rumple realized his mistake and persuaded my mother to try and give me up. And we all know how it ends.

I put the book under my arm and start looking through the shelves again. I peer over at the woman searching the bookshelves for me. I see her side profile and notice that the woman's hips are wider and her front is a bit rounder than normal. I immediately suspect she is pregnant and that light/energy around her middle is the baby. I also notice a silver ring around her finger, indicating marriage. She continues to hum to herself, enjoying every minute of working here.

I slowly realize that this woman must be Belle, from Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. if she's the beauty where's the beast? Is she the Belle that loved my Father? I have a hunch I might find out.

"Will these do?" Belle says, coming up to me with an armful of books.

I look at the titles, classics in every sense, all about fantasy lands. I take the pile from her.

"Perfect thank you." I smile genuinely. You can't hate this girl.

"I've never seen you before." she says.

"I'm new in town," I explain. I struggle to hold out a hand from the pile of books. "Crystal Miller."

"Belle..." she says.

"That's a beautiful name," I say smiling, trying no to seem obvious that I already guessed her name.

"Thank you yours too."

Belle and I talk for a bit. I tell her about my travels and she says she envies me, explaining she's always wanted to go out and see the world. She hopes that her husband will plan a special trip for them someday, she especially wants to go to France. We chat as she re-stocks shelves and she tells me about her favourite books and how they appeal to her. I even jokingly suggest that she could become an English teacher. She laughs.

The day begins to fade and Belle says she has to go and I ask if she has to go home and make dinner for her husband. Her grin fades slightly and she merely nods. She gives me a library card and I check out the books, shoving them into my bag. I walk out with Belle onto the street as she locks up the library.

"Nice to meet you," I say earnestly.

"You too, enjoy the books," Belle says, walking away.

Henry waves to me and runs over. I keep watch on Belle and half listen to his conversation.

I watch Belle walk along the street until she meets a man leaning on a cane. His dark amber eyes look lovingly over the girl and he brushes Belle's dark hair out of her face. He smiles, showing the dimples and wrinkles, indicating that he is much older than she. His long hair is a shade lighter than mine and his smile...I can't describe it well...so wicked. You add in the shiny bronze skin and you've got him...

My breath catches in my throat and I can feel tears in my eyes. It's as if I've seen a ghost. I can feel my powers beginning to bubble to the surface. It's as if the face from the locket has materialized in front of me. I clench my fist in anger, trying to hide the powers that have been activated. I let this new vision ability take over to confirm my suspicions. His body energy is strong, yellow in some ways, but the heart is what gets me... a faded heart, slightly red but undeniably black...as the soul...as the magic

"What's wrong?" Henry asks, noticing my sudden mood change. He looks in the direction of my glare.

I don't respond at first, overwhelmed with all the emotions of seeing him. My fists are shaking and I know I can't keep a cork on it forever. I take in a few breaths, but I know what will happen next.

"Who...is...that?" I ask in a strangled breath.

"Who him?" Henry says. "That's Mister Gold."

"Gold is it?" I mutter, what a convenient name for him...

"Are you okay Crystal? You're...OW!" he yelps when he touches my arm. "You're hot, what's your problem?!"

I don't answer and take a step closer to where Mr. Gold stands.

He looks over Belle's shoulder and meets my death stare. He squints at me in confusion...I can't tell if he can recognize me...or rather the image of my mother standing in front of him. It's more likely is that he's confused that this total stranger is glaring at him with such malice and hatred.

"Crystal..."

"Henry," I warn him. "You might want to take a few steps back this is going to get ugly really fast."

"What are you... do you know Mr. Gold?"

"Oh, way more than you know." I hiss.

Gold is looking over at me.

"Belle dearie, who is that...person over there...?"

That's it!

I feel my hands open and the built up energy explodes outwards in a shock wave, blasting people backward and setting off car alarms. Gold falls to the ground since I knocked off his support stick. Belle is not knocked over in the blast, which is fine because I wasn't aiming for her and I definitely don't want to harm her baby, who might be my step-sibling now. She continues to stare at me in sudden horror.

I've embraced my inner darkness again, the power expanding outwards faster than an elastic band.

Belle tried to help Rumple up. I raise my hand and shatter the pavement in front of them.

Finally. I think to myself, what I've been waiting for so long.

I take a step towards them.