Leaning against the wall at the entrance of the school was Emily quite visibly frustrated having a heated discussion on the phone with an unknown caller. Emily had thought Emma would have left with her by now, putting Storybroke main in her review mirror.
"I didn't lose them, it's under control" Emily yelled there was silence for a moment as she listened pursing her lips trying to stop herself from interrupting the loud overbearing voice coming through the phone.
"Who cares about the rest of them, none of the magic here can be used outside the town limits, they won't follow, everything is going as planned" Emily said her eyes wide excitement.
The person on the other end however wasn't taking that as a sufficient response and continued to yell for another minute.
"I've seen it myself remember, both of them will be with us soon" Emily replied shortly after hanging up with a sigh, checking her watch like she was on a schedule and the impending doom that was swallowing this town whole was a minor inconvenience.
What she didn't realise was that a certain prince and princess where heading her way, armed for a showdown. Their anger rising after everything they just found out about Regina and Emma's past. Now, they no longer had the abstract idea of the suffering Emma endured in their absence but the truly knew the facts, making it impossible to ignore the pain they all felt.
They saw a figure standing by the entrance of the school exactly where the thought Emma would be it was only as they got closer, they realised who it was. The picked up there pace the anger surging no longer concerned with being stealthy as they charged towards Emily.
"I thought you were gone" Mary Margret said frustrated off course the one person left in town was the one person they were relieved, may have been taken by the creature.
"Thanks for that by the way, my "colleges" where kind of getting in the way" Emily replied with a sly smile.
"Of your obsession with our daughter" David yelled his emotions taking over still picturing Regina with his little girl.
"Your daughter, that's strange thing to say, I don't remember you at her first day off school or any birthday parties, now why is that?" Emily answered her smirk growing.
David gripped his sword getting more angrier by the moment, like she knew about the conversation they just had with Emma. Like she knew how much they were hurting and enjoyed this, throwing fuel onto the fire that was burning inside them.
"Where is she?" David yelled coming closer holding the sword to Emily's throat. She paused for a moment taken aback by his gumption but quickly found her resolve.
"You're are the first though" Emily responded completely ignoring the question and the threat.
"The first to what?" Mary Margret asked looking around for any sign of Emma's presence.
"To come after her" Emily replied as if it was obvious.
There was silence for a moment as that sunk in and they realised Emma must be inside the school and they were wasting their time talking with Emily for even a moment longer. They started to walk into the building resisting the urge to knock the smirk of her face as they quickly walked past Emily into the halls. Emily had played this game many times before, a master manipulator and she knew just what to say to get them to turn around.
"Tell me has Emma even said it to you yet?" Emily asked getting closer to them.
"Said what?" Mary Margret asked turning around to face her.
"Mum" Emily chuckled "I heard it once, when she was just five, sort of slipped out, she was so cute at that age" Emily finished telling the story like it was a sweet.
"That's it" David yelled coming over to her.
"You two look very upset" Emily said almost bored with this confrontation.
"You think" Mary Margret said the look in her eyes on match by satin himself.
"That's not good" Emily said slowly backing away from them with a smile like this was all playing out perfectly.
"Not for you" David replied leaping forward he managed to swipe his sword at her just slicing her cheek a warning to shut up. There was something more there an anger he'd never had before rising in him thinking of the injustice of everything that had happened to his family.
"Oh no I'll be ok, but the creature does like to snuff out the light and all that, now that its free and you two are about to show your dark side, well it will be ravenous" Emily said as the entrance to the school started to shake and the lights went out. Even though she no longer controlled the creature Emily knew just how to draw it out.
"No" Mary Margret gasped out realising in that split second that it was coming for them.
They reached for each other, but the comfort of their lovers' hand in theirs was just out of reach so they just looked into each other's eyes. Even with as hopeless as their situation was, they had only love in their hearts at that moment and a glimmer of hope. Knowing they would see each other again. This look was promise, I will find you, I will always find you.
"Gezz," Emily said rolling her eyes "those two really are dramatic" Emily finished walking out to the carpark not a hint of remorse or empathy for the family she had just seen get torn apart.
It took longer than planned to organise themselves the ritual called for a bit of space and they had to stand in a circle formation, marked with the fairy dust. Everything was in the centre of the circle holding hands everything had to be placed down with precision hard to accomplish as your hands shook with fear and anticipation.
"You couldn't have done anything" Killian said to Emma as she tried to place a candle down, but her hand was shaking, and she knocked down a whole bunch of candles like dominos. Killian gracefully took her hand into his rubbing his thumb on her palm trying get Emma to stay calm.
"How do you know?" Emma asked frustrated with herself referring to what happened to Elsa and what was inevitably happening to everyone else as they scrambled to stop it.
"I was there" Killian paused remembering how helpless he felt "we couldn't save her" Killian finished standing up and pulling Emma to her feet.
They leaned into each other both desperately trying to calm there breathing. In and out, In and out Emma said to herself as her head rested on Kilian's chest for moment before the rest of the gang joined them. All of a sudden she felt a great loss and was desperate for comfort.
Slowly all five of them the last chance that this town had at stopping this menace formed a circle. The storm that was been brewing for some time, had well and truly arrived and with every passing moment more and more people were getting sucked into oblivion.
The five of them stood in place trying their best to keep their composure as they looked around at each other. The absence of Elsa's face from the group, only stirring them on. Reaching for each other's hands remembering that their love for each other was the best defence they had against this beast a concept still so foreign to them all, they idea that love could be a shield or source of power.
Emma looked over into Kilian's eyes as they started the spell trying to keep her mind on the one thing she could count on, but Anna barley got two syllables out before the creature appeared.
Bursting into the library, even though it could easily make its way through walls without a shutter out of place its rage caused it to enter with aggression. The whole building shook, the glass shattering as it roared inside. The circle of fairy dust already blown away. Along with all the paperwork fluttering around like a raging indoor tornado the glass pieces from the windows blown back with such force the tiny pieces sliced across there arms and faces.
First it took Anna as she was closest to the creature, she almost welcomed it, wondering if this meant she would at least see Elsa again. Then in a blink of their eyes almost like she was never there, Anna faded away. Emma's heart sank as she stood frozen, unable to accept what was about to happen.
"Run" Mulan yelled at them realising that they would not be able to complete the spell like this.
"Grab my hand" Red called to Mulan reaching for her hopelessly.
It was much too late Red could see Mulan already visibly turning to dust as she got sucked into the black void. The creature was furious like it knew exactly what they were trying to do, and it would not let itself be stopped again.
"No" Emma called out shocked. More of her friends now gone in an instant they had failed it was over.
"Emma run" Killian said pushing her forward.
The three of them started making their way to the door but it was hopeless, they had barricaded themselves in, a decision that upon reflection was a serious mistake. They frantically tried to move the couch from the doorway. This was made extremely difficult by the winds and debris flying around them still, pushing them back.
In a moment of sheer stupidly and bravery Red decided to grab the candle beside her using the flame to shun away the beast waving her arm about, knowing this would only buy Killian and Emma a few more precious seconds. Red waved the flame back and forth trying to shoo the beast, but the light inevitably went out and she too, was gone.
Emma screamed out to Red, but she had already vanished, and Emma was just screaming into the void. As they continued to push the large piece of furniture blocking the exit. Emma's arms felt like thousand-pound dumbbells feeling more and more helpless while everyone was getting taken one by one.
Suddenly Killian stopped pushing, he could feel it the darkness creeping up on him. Killian was about to be taken, but he still believed in Emma. A tear slid down his check taking on last glance at the girl he loved.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked frantic, noticing he had stopped pushing. Emma knew what was happening though why he stopped trying. Emma could seem him fading away just like the others.
"Emma it's going to be ok, you can save us" Killian said looking over to her, smiling as he vanished before her eyes.
"What no, no stay with me, we promised" Emma screamed forward.
"I know" Killian replied devastated by the look of despair in Emma's eyes. But it was too late he was gone. As Emma reached for him, she caught the air his absence causing her to fall forward slightly.
"Killian" Emma gasped out tears streaming down her face.
They were all gone Emma was alone the room got darker and darker until Emma couldn't even see her hand in front of her face, she was distraught, hopeless. Slowly Emma slumped to the ground onto her knees. Waiting for the creature to take her.
In the commotion some of the structure had come lose, a pipe from the ceiling was dripping on Emma's face ever so lightly but it felt like a down poor, getting louder until it was all she could hear. Then suddenly a memory surfaced in Emma's thoughts taking her out of this moment, almost transporting her. It was someplace nice, where she wasn't alone. Standing in the rain when her mother came over to her offering Emma an umbrella. Warding off the girls bullying her and for the first-time inviting her inside the loft making them some hot chocolate with cinnamon.
Emma suddenly felt her heart ache a little less as these moments with her mother flooded through her mind, giving Emma her dress for the dance, watching movies and making dinner. Emma placed her hand on the floor trying to push herself up when another memory surfaced. Her father calling out her name that day at the bridge when he finally awoke from his coma. Giving her another surge of strength that got Emma to her feet. Thinking of him goofing around with her as they searched for clues at the campsite and bandaging her up her wounds. Then another flashing by faster now, this time. It was Killian bumping into her and ever so carefully placing the storybook in her schoolbag. Fixing her broken strap, by tying it together with a clever use of his mouth to tie the knot.
Then as quickly as the memories came, they were replaced with another, there Killian was again smiling as he picked Emma for the school dance, he made her feel so beautiful. The room became brighter and Emma could picture her friends beside her in this very library. All the late-night discussions, staying awake with coffee and donuts. It felt like there were still here standing beside Emma as she looked upon the creature before her. Suddenly this monster this darkness that took everything from her seemed so small.
Emma had no idea what to do, but she was no longer filled with sadness and anger or fear. Just love clueless as to what to do with this power now surging through every part of her body, bringing a tingling sensation. Emma stepped back trying to figure out where to go from here. Looking at the creature square in the eyes she thought of everyone she loved trapped. Knowing she had to get them free, she couldn't let them go.
With that thought the tingling that was all over her body surged to her hands and they were glowing a blinding white light she raised them up bawling her hands into fists. Emma could feel it that she had some sort of grip over the creature and it wasn't going anywhere.
"Lonely spirit let this spell take you beyond, and on to where you belong" Emma said remembering the words Anna was supposed to say earlier with a smile.
It felt like she had thrown each and every one of them a lifeline and Emma felt an enormous sense of relief knowing they were all there. The love Emma felt for all the people she had lost today giving her the strength she needed lighting up the beast like a Christmas tree.
The creature threw its head back, letting out a loud screech as it exploded with a thundering blowback. Shoving Emma to the ground flat on her back, her head slammed into the ground. With the wind knocked out of her it took a few minutes to get up. Feeling exhausted every ounce of energy she had used in the spell; it drained her dry. Emma wouldn't let herself pass out though, not until she knew they were ok.
"Killian" Emma called out exasperated as she sat up looking at the spot, he was standing just minutes ago but the room remained empty silent. So, she tried again louder this time.
"Killian" Emma said again her heart was pounding now the adrenaline the only thing keeping her conscious. If the creature was gone where was everyone, what if they were wrong. What if they were all gone and destroying the creature only cemented that fact.
"Killian, Red, Mulan, Anna" Emma called out their names hoping to hear a response, but she was alone.
"No, no you have to be here, no" Emma stood up putting her weight on a nearby desk she called for her friends again. Emma couldn't believe it she almost laughed at the irony she finally let them in, let them all really into her heart, and now they where gone.
Emma was again meet with silence her heart sunk tears pouring down her checks as it got harder and harder to stay awake. Emma placed her hand on the back of her throbbing head it was wet with blood.
"Ughh" Emma cried out in pain, the pressure of her hand on her wound caused a stinging sensation.
There was nobody there to comfort her and bind her wounds now, she was truly alone. Emma couldn't take it much longer. Stumbling out of the Library with all the strength she had left, pushing the couch out of the way. Stumbling out to the empty hallway.
"Somebody" Emma paused as she gasped out the last word" Anybody" but the only sound was her own words echoing through the empty halls.
After a few more moments of silence Emma decided to keep moving and made her way to the exit. Maybe they were just outside, maybe they just couldn't hear her. That is why the hadn't come to her aid, she told herself.
Emma walked down the hall towards the exit, towards where she last heard her parents hoping they might still be there. Just before she reached the doors Emma heard footsteps outside and she burst through the double doors trying to see who it was in the moonlight.
"Mum, Dad" Emma called out, the first time she ever said the words. Emma had done it without even thinking but they were not there to answer her call for help. Emma's heart sunk it wasn't her parents at all, it was Emily.
"Emma" Emily said with relief "Thank goodness you're alright" Emily said a sly smile.
Emma looked at her with such disgust mostly because, Emily for a longest time had been the only constant person in Emma's life, but Emma realised now. That was only because she made it that way.
"You" Emma said through gritted teeth. However, Emma was in no condition to fight and she was starting to lose balance as the world was spinning around her.
"Hey, it's ok, it's ok" Emily said coming over closer. "I got you".
"What are you doing?" Emma mumbled almost losing her footing trying to move away from her.
"Emily took Emma's arm and put her weight on her shoulder taking her away from the school towards her car. Emma was barely conscious and let Emily take her weight before she fell to the ground.
"You're the only one the creature didn't take" Emma said frowning putting the final pieces together as Emily sat Emma down in the back-passenger seat putting her seatbelt on.
"Unlike my colleagues I come prepared" Emily grinned showing off a particularly hideous necklace big and bulky it smelt like rotten wood, the symbol was noticeable though the same as the creatures in the book. Some sort of protection charm.
"You, you did all this for what?" Emma mumbled.
"It was a test" Emily smirked as Emma frowned realising Emily was waiting outside for her this whole time while everyone, she loved was taken including her parents.
"One you passed superbly" Emily grinned slamming the door shut, she jumped into the driver's side quickly pulling away.
"You're not from there, are you?" Emma asked realising Emily planned to take Emma out of town and defiantly wasn't part of the curse.
"No off course not" Emily grimaced at the thought.
"Then how?" Emma started to ask but she was finding it almost impossible to stay awake.
"Contrary to what you might be thinking right now, I'm here to help and I am a real social worker" Emily replied explaining.
"What's that got to do with this, how did you know about this place about me?" Emma asked getting frustrated trying to grab the door handle, but the door was child locked she was stuck.
"One of my cases a young boy, everyone thought he just had a vivid imagination he told an impossible story about a princess, an evil queens curse and a saviour but I listened" Emily continued to explain.
"Who, I don't understand" Emma was getting frustrated trying to think, but her head was throbbing.
"The boy who found you or the way he told it came through the wardrobe with you, I believe he goes by Pinocchio," Emily finished her story with an excited smile like she'd been waiting to tell it all this time.
"What did you do to him?" Emma asked concerned remembering the boy from the newspaper article.
"I don't know what happened to him, I was always more interested in you" Emily replied.
"Why me?" Emma replied.
"Get some rest now, you'll need it" Emily said looking in the rear-view mirror at Emma with a smile.
Emily turned on the radio humming along to an upbeat tune as Emma drifted off further into sleep in the back seat. It wouldn't be long, and she would be out town limits. There was no sign anyone was going to follow even if they were alive, they would lose any memory they had of Emma when the crossed over the barrier.
Hey hope you like, been building up to this for a while and hope it's not to overdramatic. I Apricate all the follows and reviews wanted to make sure this chapter was worth keeping up with the story.
