Hello. This is the first time I have wrote anything like this some I'm interested to see how it'll work out. I hope you enjoy this story and if readers are interested I will add new chapters. I did my best with the grammar so just forgive me and if you have any suggestion I'd be happy to hear them. So without further delay here is the story :) I own nothing except OC's
He tried to peer through the fog before him and all he saw was a long entrench battle field with bodies covered in shadow lying all around. His ears were filled with the sounds of gunfire, explosions and screaming. "Stay near, I'll watch your back," he heard his own voice say.
"Jack, I can't do this," the voice of a young man answered him.
The fog closed and reopened to reveal a large forest. A creature that stood and looked almost like a man was in front of him with glaring eyes. "You don't belong here, dearie," it said to him.
The fog rolled back in.
"You're no hero and you will never get your happy ending," a dark-haired woman in a black smiled at him before quickly dissolving into the fog.
Then he saw a baby lying in a wooden crib. "Even if I never get to get back to her Snow, I'll die happy knowing I helped save your baby girl," his own voice said.
His head began to ache and pound. The pain was almost unbearable then a beautiful woman with raven hair and blue eyes appeared before him. She reached out for him and him for her. He could feel his heart breaking. "Come back to me," she said softly. Jack could feel his own lips moving as he replied, "I promise."
Jack Trench sat straight up in his bed gasping for air. Cold sweat poured down his face and his head pounded. "Oh my god," he said to himself, wearily holding his head in his hands. "Some nightmare. That'll be the last time I get into a drinking contest with Ruby."
His eyes shot wide open.
"Ruby. Granny's diner," he said and looked to his alarm clock. he realized he was fifteen minutes late for work. "Damn it."
He darted out of the bed, quickly grabbing a pair of jeans and a gray shirt from his closet. He got dressed and rushed to the bathroom. His blood shot eyes looked at the unshaven twenty-seven-year-old with messy brown hair in the mirror. He looked at the scar over his left eye. He couldn't remember how he got it or the scar on the left side of his waist but he assumed it happened when he was a kid or that's what his father said. He let out a sigh and turned the tap on the sink. He brushed his teeth and darted for the door, grabbing his flannel jacket and car keys hanging on the wall.
He locked the door, got into his old dented car and turned the key. The engine sputtered and then died out. It did this several more time before finally starting up. Jack gave a little smile as he put the car in drive. At least his small home wasn't too far from town. It was located next to the old train station platform maybe ten minutes away. If he hurried, he could make it in five. He glanced in his rear-view mirror to see his fathers, now his, huge pet project sitting on the tracks covered by a large tarp. "One day," he said to himself.
After his mother died, his father thought a change of scenery would help them both. Jack was just a kid when they both got on a plane to Boston and ended up in Storybrooke, Maine. Now it's just Jack since his father had passed away last spring. He missed him and his mother every day. Sometimes Jack wondered if he should had convinced his father to leave the UK in the first place. If it wasn't for his friend, Mary Margaret, convincing him to stay he would had left a long time ago.
He pulled the car into the parking lot at Granny's, slammed the car door shut and darted to the diner. He pushed the door open and was greeted with Granny standing behind the counter giving him an ugly look.
"Where have you been," she asked. Jack opened his mouth to answer but she cut him off. "You're late. Go get to work."
"Right." he replied and headed to the kitchen.
Nearby he saw Ruby wearing a white button up top and dangerously low red skirt refilling a customer's coffee cup nearby. She was wide awake and hangover free. She smiled and shot him a wink. How do you do it, he thought to himself, remembering their drinking from the night before.
He gave her a lazy smile and continued on. He tossed his coat on a nearby folding chair, took his apron off the wall and started his daily routine of dishes. An hour in he decided the silence was too much. He dried his hands and pulled a quarter from his pocket. He went to the jukebox and looked at the songs listed. "Ah ha," he said and slipped the quarter in. After a second "Lil' Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs began to play.
He saw Ruby look up at him from her note pad of orders. He grinned at her and headed back to the kitchen. Ever since Henry had told him and Ruby that she was Red Riding Hood he played that song to tease her now and again. But of course, that joke was between them only. Plus, it wasn't a bad listen either. He went back his work and sang quietly along with the song. Around eleven thirty the cook fixed him a sandwich and he grabbed a soda for his lunch break outside.
He sat his lunch on the hood of his car and leaned up against it, taking a sip of his drink. He looked around at the town. Everyone and everything moving like clockwork. That's when he saw it. The hands on the old clock tower were moving. He squinted his eyes to make sure and he knew he saw the large and the small hand move. That old clock had never worked. Maybe Mayor Mills was finally putting tax payer dollars to some use.
After he had finished his meal, he pulled a cigarette from the pack in his pocket and lit it. As he puffed on it, he saw Henry walking down the street…with a woman he had never seen before. She was very pretty with blood hair and wearing a red leather jacket. As Henry and the woman drew close Henry saw him. "Hi Jack," he waved at him.
Jack smiled and waved back. He saw Henry say something to the blond woman and they both began to walk his way. He quickly tossed his cigarette on the ground and snuffed it out with his shoe. "How's it going Henry," Jack asked him.
"It's going great now," Henry replied. "There's someone I want you to meet." The blond woman's eyes dropped to the ground. "This…is my mom."
Jack's mouth dropped open. "Mom," he asked.
"My birth mom," Henry smiled.
The woman held out her hand. "Name's Emma Swan. It's ah…good to meet you," she awkwardly said. He took her hand and shook it.
"Jack Trench," he replied.
Out of nowhere Jack could feel his headache coming back and it only intensified. The image of the baby from his dream flashed through is mind and left. He let go of Emma's hand and tried to message his temple. Emma and Henry both looked worried. Damn hangover, he thought.
"Sorry," he apologized as the headache slowly slacked off. "Bit of a rough night."
"No it's ok," she smiled. "I get it. Been there, done that."
"Yea," Jack smirked. "Whatever you do don't try to out drink the red headed waitress. Are you staying in town now?"
"Just for a week," Emma replied. "Just until I can make sure Henry will be ok."
Jack became confused. "So, you find your son and then just leave," he asked. He visually saw that stung Emma a bit.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, feeling stupid. "I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's fine," she said and brushed it off. "Uhm…actually he found me."
"How did that happen?"
"Long story," she smiled.
"You'll have to tell me some time," he said and looked at the clock. "Lunch breaks over. I got to go back. I'll see you Henry. It was nice meeting you Emma."
"You too," she smiled.
"Bye Jack," Henry said as he and Emma walked off. Henry must had thought he was whispering but Jack heard him say to Emma, "See he was starting to remember."
Jack forgot he was in Henry's book too. Apparently, they all were. Ever since he had gotten the book all kinds of crazy ideas have been coming into his head. The stories in the book also seemed to be different from the stories and movies that Jack had heard and seen as a kid. It's part fantasy, part science fiction it seemed. Henry thought that Jack was the 'man out of time' from the book. Kid had a crazy imagination.
Jack walked back into the diner and returned to washing dishes. As he carried on with his work and evening crowd came and went it was closing time. The cook had just left for the night so he quickly cleaned the kitchen. He hung up his apron and grabbed his coat and walked to the door where Granny and Ruby were getting ready to go.
"So, Jack," Ruby said slyly, walking up to him. "Want to try to out drink me again. I got a bottle at home calling our names and maybe-"
Before Jack could say anything, Granny grabbed Ruby's arm and pulled her away. "Certainly not," she said. "You're going home with me and not him or anyone else for that matter."
"You're not my mother, Granny," Ruby snapped. "I can't have a life living with you."
"I know I'm not but I'm the closet thing you got to one and I'll not have my granddaughter become the town drunk too. Out the door and you too," she said pointing her finger and Jack. Infuriated, Ruby stormed out the door and Jack followed behind. Granny locked the diner door behind her.
"Jack, make sure to be here on time from now on. You always seem to be late," she said. "I know I can be harsh but I'm just trying to teach you. I know it's been hard since your father passed-"
"It's ok Granny, I understand," Jack interjected. "Thanks for caring about me enough to give me the lectures."
Granny let out a small chuckle. "You're welcome," she said. "Now if I could only get both of you to listen to me."
Ruby grunted and began to walk away. "Bye Jack, have a good night," Granny said and followed after Ruby.
Jack began to get in his car when he saw Mary Margaret in the light of the street lamp across the street. "Mary Margaret," he called to her.
She looked and saw him. "Jack," she called back. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Need a lift home?"
"Sure," she smiled and walked toward him.
He opened the passenger door for her.
"Such a gentleman," she joked and slid into the passenger's seat.
He closed the door and got in the car himself. He put the key in and sent up a little prayer before turning it. Someone was listening because the car came to life. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road. He pulled the pack of cigarette from his pocket and go one out. Before he could light it, Mary Margaret snatched it from his lips and threw it out of the window.
"How many times have I said you need to quit," he said to him.
"It's hard to quit if you don't want to," he replied honestly.
"It's going to kill you one of these days. You told me you'd try. I'd hate to lose one of the only friends I've got."
"You're not going to lose me," he smiled.
"Just please promise me you'll try," she begged.
He looked at her and he could see the worried and caring look in her eyes. He swears when she looks like that she could bring down a concrete wall. "I promise," he said.
"Good," she replied holding out her hand.
Jack sighed and laid the pack in her hand.
"Thank you," she said happily.
"So why are you out so late," Jack asked.
"Been volunteering at the hospital again," she said. "Late nights sometimes."
"So, you know about Henry's mother? His real one?"
"Who? Emma? Yes, I have. She seems like a good nice person. She's trying to keep an eye on Henry. She definitely doesn't trust Regina."
"Why would anyone no trust the mighty and all-powerful Mayor Mills," Jack laughed.
She giggled. "Yea, especially since she had her arrested."
Jack stopped laughing.
"Arrested? What for," he asked.
"Stealing documents from Dr. Hopper's office about Henry. But I know that isn't true. He gave her those documents. She hasn't been in town a few days and the Mayor already has it in for her. I'm the one that even bailed her out."
"Regina can defiantly be underhanded."
Mary Margaret laughed. "Understatement of the year."
He saw her apartment building up ahead and came to a stop. "Here we are," Jack said.
"Yes, here we are," she repeated. "Well, thank you for the ride Jack."
"Anytime," he replied.
She got out of the car and said to him, "Jack, you know if you ever need someone to talk to about your father I'm here."
"I know," he smiled. "Thank you. You're a good friend Mary Margaret."
She smiled back. "Well be safe and have a good night."
"Same to you," Jack replied. He waited until she made it to the door and he drove off. He always had her back and she had always had his. She was a good woman and he couldn't help but try and look after her. He felt like she needed someone to. A guardian maybe. Jack chuckled to himself. He felt the farthest thing from a guardian angel.
He was almost home free until he remembered he had a stop to make. A stop he really dreaded. He pulled into the parking lot of the old pawn shop and cut the engine. He pulled an envelope from his glove compartment and made his way to the door. The sign had already been switched to closed but Jack knew he was there. He knocked on the door.
"We're closed," a voice said.
"Mr. Gold it's me, Jack," Jack replied.
Jack waited at the door as Mr. Gold came to unlock it. He opened the door and saw the envelope in Jack's hand.
"Well come in," Gold said.
Jack obliged him and went inside. Once inside he looked around. He never could get used to how many various trinkets and strange object's there were in the shop. Gold had an assortment of everything and then some. Jack handed him the envelope and Gold opened it. He pulled the money from it and quickly counted it.
"You're short," he frowned.
"I know…but I can get it to you along with next month rent next time I pay. I promise I'll have it by then," Jack pleaded.
"Listen to me," Gold began. "I let you move into that little shack after your father died because I thought you could be responsible and because I thought you would pay me what's owed every month."
"I try my best. I found odd jobs around town like I always do on top of my regular job but I just didn't get quite enough this time. I promise I will pay it back."
"Yes, you will pay it back," Gold replied. He thought for a moment. "Tell you what. This month I'll let it go in exchange."
"For what?"
"A favor," Gold replied handing Jack the envelope back. "And if you don't do whatever it is…out you go. Understand?"
Jack got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I understand. What is the favor?"
"I don't know yet," Gold snapped. "But when I need you, I'll let you know. Now leave. I wish to go home."
Jack turned to leave and then he saw something in one of the display cases. He had been in the shop countless times to pay Mr. Gold but he never saw that before. In the display case a pair of World War One era British dog tags, a Victoria Cross, and an old faded black and white photo of a woman. He slowly walked up to the display and he could feel Gold's eyes on him.
"Something catch your eye," Gold asked.
Jack was to distracted by mainly the photo to hear him. He looked at it and saw it was a raven-haired woman hearing a white dress with a large smile on her face. His head began to pound again and he remembered the woman he saw in his dreams. Come back to me, her voice echoed in his head.
"Mr. Trench, are you alright?," he heard Gold ask.
Jack's vision began to blur and he dropped to his knees. He could feel blood dripping from his nose as the pain in his head intensified and his temperature began rising. His mind was scrambled and he didn't know why.
Mr. Gold called his name but his voice was muffled.
Jack dropped to his side and everything began to spin. You're no hero, he could hear the woman in black say tauntingly. No hero. No hero.
"Jack," Gold shouted. "I'm calling an ambulance."
Jack could hear the gunshots and screams of dying soldiers in his head again. He could see the muddy rat ridden trenches and the bloody no man's land.
"I-I wa-want to g-go home," he stammered but he didn't realize what he was saying. "I got t-to get ho-home." He gasped for air and his vision went black.