Emma sat feet on the dash of the cruiser yawning as she scrolled through her phone or more refreshing, waiting to see if Killian would message her. Still so wrapped up in worry about there small fight last night, she hadn't even noticed David's frustrated demeanour as he drove her to school. However, she was about to. As the car slowed to the curb, he couldn't resit so tired of being afraid that the fragile bond they have will crumble with the slightest bit of pushback. Not to mention the fact Emma was clearly still dealing with some post-traumatic stress regarding the incident last time she was on school grounds. So as Emma waved goodbye and grabbed the handle to step out David felt the need to express his concerns.
"Do you want me to walk you in?" David asked Emma as they got closer thinking her need for distraction had to do with anxieties regarding the last time was on school grounds.
"What?" Emma replied confused before realising why he would ask "No I think I'm ok" Emma replied stuttering her words. Not too sure of her answer as she looked up and saw the steps leading into the halls of Storybroke high. The glow of the morning sun fading away as Emma recalled the last time she was there alone in the darkness.
"Right off course" David replied.
Emma quickly grabbed her bag ready to step out of the car and begin a new semester hopefully one less dangerous then the last.
"Emma before you go" David said with a bit of a smirk knowing Emma had no idea this was coming.
"What it is?" Emma asked wondering what else he had to say.
"I heard you, sneaking in last night" David announced still smiling at a surprised Emma
"I wasn't sneaking, you knew I went out" Emma replied but it came out very angry, knowing she was caught wondering how David would react if he knew who gave her a ride home.
"You failed to mention 'going out', included the woods and a keg" David shot back.
"How did you know?" Emma replied then quickly gasped realising she just confirmed what had been a suspicion up until now.
"Graham mentioned that he broke up a party, almost on the outskirts of town" David explained his tone disappointed and worried. The world outside Storybroke still unknown
"Oh, that'll do it" Emma exhaled somewhat laughing it of and so was David but regained his composure trying his best to do what he promised himself he would.
"Your, a what do they call it" David said trying to remember something only his cursed self would understand.
"Grounded?" Emma said annoyed rolling her eyes.
"Yes, that's it" David said pleased that the word on the tip of his tongue had surfaced.
"I wasn't planning on going anywhere anyway" Emma said back her frustration growing.
"Well, be here three fifteen on the dot, I'll pick you up" David replied with a sarcastic smile
"Sure" Emma said.
Emma could feel her frustration surfacing sick and tired of being bossed around treated like a naive child. Finally getting out of the car before the parents behind starting honking due to the holdup caused by this discussion. The new school year was already off to a bad start Emma thought making her up the steps.
However, as she swung her bag over her shoulder and took her first steps alone a faint feeling washed over her. Realizing her father's presence would have been the better option as now Emma heart started to race, it was all she could hear pounding in her ears. She pictured her hand in his giving her the strength to push through the door. Picturing the quiet darkness that awaited her. When the doors opened there was and abundance of light and life, as her fellow students made there way through the halls chatting with the friends. Noticing Emma was standing in the doorway Red made her way over putting her arm around her shoulder pushing Emma forwards out og the doorway.
"There you are what happened last night" Red said surprising Emma a little.
"Nothing crazy, just had to get out of their" Emma replied.
"Yeah, I heard, your fight" Red said not letting Emma off the hook.
"You did?" Emma said worried " How upset is he?" Emma asked.
"Hard to tell guy is always pretty broody" Red said pondering it.
"I know but we never gone this long without talking" Emma replied concerned
"It's barley been twelve hours" Red replied genuinely confused.
Emma continued to ramble on about what Killian had said and how stupid it was to choose that time to talk about how she felt about Liam. Stopping in her tracks as Killian approached them walking over quickly. He had a rose in hand, and he brought it over to Emma silently handing it to her.
"I'm sorry" The pair said in unison.
"I shouldn't've walked off" Killian said apologetic.
"I was out of line" Emma added they smiled getting closer to each other until they where inches away and they embraced slowly kissing.
"You guys are idiots" Red said laughing as she walked off wondering how they even managed a whole night before they made up.
Killian started to laugh now realising his abruptness was because deep down he knows Emma was just telling it to him straight, that kind of honesty is why he loved her. They held each other for a moment. Emma felt so relieved they had made in through their first fight, they he hadn't abandoned her. Finally starting to feel better getting back into routine they grabbed their things from the same old lockers discussing the day ahead. Killian leaned against the wall sliding his hand through his hair.
Then Emma was brought out of her daydream when she heard her name being called from down the hall. The twins called out to her and for a moment she didn't recognise them. No longer the thin sticks they were, no bruises or cuts across there faces but smiles. Like the trauma they experienced had been wiped away.
"Hey" Emma said a little awkward not having seen them in a while.
"We need to talk" Hansel said his tone series.
"What's happened" Emma asked concerned.
"I saw her today, she's up to something was handing out flyers, stirring up a crowd" Gretel said almost in a whisper terrified if she spoke any louder
"Who, who was it" Killian asked confused.
"The blind witch, she's back" Hansel said like he was planning for this inevitability.
"I guess we kind of forgot about her with everything that's been going on" Emma replied apologetic.
"Yeah figured, we have all been through a lot" Hansel said.
Then Emma saw it that fear was still there the idea that this was only temporary, and they could be back in that cage any minute. Even with there wounds healed and there tummies now full they where still just as scared as they were that day in the woods.
"Well talk to the Sherriff, he'll sort it out" Emma said trying to reassure them that everything would be ok. Surprised they came to her first with this not used to people coming to her for help.
"He needs something better to occupy his time with" Killian said rolling his eyes still frustrated about the recent change of the status quo.
"If not, I'm sure we can find another shovel" Emma said not to concerned. After what they have faced, the blind witch coming back for round two didn't seem to be a huge concern.
"Yeah, I mean after taking on the creature that almost destroyed the whole town and wining, one witch must seem like easy pickings" Gretel said her spirits slightly lifted believing in Emma ability to save them once more.
"Yeah exactly" Emma said pretending to laugh luckily for her the bell rang masking how fake it was because in truth she couldn't handle another run in with any dangerous for a while.
"We'll see you around" Hansel said as they walked off the class together.
"Seems like a lifetime ago" Killian said remembering how he had planned to just talk to Emma that day get her to believe. Nothing ever seemed to go as planned of course everything turned out better then ever imagined the path of revenge lead him to love and happiness.
"Look how far we've come" Emma said putting her mind back in the thought process she was in back then just trying to survive that was before she believed.
They both smiled holding hands as they headed in to there first class glad to be back to somewhat normal, even boring day. Finding their usual seats in the second row felt peaceful greeting the rest of their classmates before beginning. The day went as normal eventually the stress of being back fading away. Still whenever Emma blinked part of her thought, she would open her eyes to see the light had gone and she would be alone. Every time she was relieved to see Killian and the rest of her friends around her by the lockers in the courtyard. Just an ordinary day at Storybroke high.
Just when it was about to be an uneventful day, Emma felt sudden drop in temperature while sitting through her last class. As Elsa wasn't in the room it seemed quite strange. Looking about Emma saw her best friend storming past the room, literally. Swiftly getting up and going after even though it was meet with protest from her teacher.
"Elsa hey, what's wrong" Emma called out before Elsa exited the school.
"Just got into it with Anna, I need a to be somewhere else" Elsa said, and her eyes glanced toward the exit.
"Not always the best thing to do that alone" Emma said trying to be helpful. Somewhat aware of the current situation, knowing Anna wanted nothing more then return to Arendelle and Elsa was reluctant.
"You're going to lecture me about pushing people away" Elsa snapped back clearly frustrated.
Emma recoiled realising Elsa was more upset than she realised, that she needed a moment to relax. Not sure what exactly what topic her and Anna could possibly be fighting about had Emma concerned though. It had certainly rattled her best friend.
"Sorry" Elsa said realising she was being too harsh "We can catch up after school"
"Can't, I'm grounded" Emma said frustrated rolling her eyes.
"Well you and Red, probably should have stayed clear of the keg last night" Elsa said
"Seriously I wish they'd just back off" Emma blurted out, still frustrated about her talk with David this morning.
"Emma, I know you haven't had it easy but you're talking to an orphan, about how annoying it is that your parents are overprotective" Elsa said practically teering up.
"Elsa, what's this really about?" Emma asked annoyed Elsa was taking her frustration out on Emma.
"I miss them, I need to explain to them" Elsa said trailing off feeling so guilty she couldn't say it out loud.
"Explain what?" Emma asked getting more concerned.
"Hey, you two need to schedule this for later" Mr hopper said bursting into the hallway, and they noticed the whole class was starring at them through the glass window.
"Sure, I'll pencil it in" Elsa said storming off Emma went to follow when Mr Hopper stood in front pointing back towards the classroom not very impressed.
Emma hesitated before making her way back to class but Elsa was already out of sight and Mr hopper looked like he was about to have a breakdown. The first day back was causing everyone some stress. Emma slumped back down behind her desk trying her best to ignore the silent class starring at her like she was their entertainment. Emma felt so frustrated having just settled things with Killian now she had a blow out with Elsa.
Further down the hall Mary Margret was feeling accomplished as she finalised the schedule for the term. It was relief after all the chaos to have some familiarity back in her days, hoping that this structure would bring some peace to their lives. That thought quickly vanished as she looked up hearing a sudden loud noise out in the hall. Heading out to investigate only to find and empty almost eerily quiet hallway. There didn't seem to be anything of concern so Mary Margret heading back taking a sip of her hot chocolate and letting out a deep breath trying to relax. However just like Emma and most of the other students being back here brought on a certain anxiety. The image of the blackened sky and the creature that ripped them from this world still there like an echo. Out of the shadows in the corner the blind witch appeared. Immediately Mary Margret recognised the witch as the women who had hansel and Gretel locked away until Emma saved them. Seeing her standing there brought her back to that moment even then without her memories there was an unmistakable connection to Emma. Mary Margret recalled it was the first time she hugged her daughter she couldn't help seeing her afraid and alone. Feeling that need to get to Emma, to wrap her arms around her, washed over Mary Margret once more. Realising even though they had forgotten the blind witch she hadn't forgotten them. Shocked by her sudden reappearance she dropped the beverage on ground with a loud thud.
"Yeah, I realised you'd forgotten about me" The witch said breathing in deep smelling the chocolate beverage that now coated the floor.
"Been busy, what do you want?" Mary Margret said realising she was right they had completely forgotten the witch was still in town. Quickly Mary Margret scanned the room for a weapon.
"I need your daughters assistance" The witch proclaimed.
"Well, you won't be getting it" Mary Margret said walking over to her ready to fight.
"Wasn't asking" The witch said with a sly smile.
"You can't get near her anyway" Mary Margret said confident Emma could protect herself.
"Right, I heard about the shield, must put a parent at ease" The witch said with a smile. Taking in a deep breath she quickly stepped forward and struck Mary Margret with a pin. Drawing a drop off blood and placing it in a small glowing vile.
"Owe, what?" Mary Margret said confused but she couldn't get the words out starting to feel lightheaded.
"The shield does complicate matters, but all I really need is a trusting face" The witch said quickly downing the contents of the vile.
Before Mary Margaret's eyes she transformed suddenly for a moment Mary Margret thought she was looking in a mirror, but this was no reflection. A more dangerous adversary. Done putting up any façade that she was composed or had a plan Mary Margret focused on taking her down and getting help. Adrenaline overtaking her thinking of this women disguised as her getting close to Emma. Further traumatising and destroying Emma's trust her belief in people. However, as she moved forward to take a swing at the witch, she felt her heartbeat slowing her legs fell out from underneath as she lost consciousness.
"Given your history you'd think be more careful with what you put in your mouth" The witch smirked as Mary Margret lost consciousness.
The witch smiled grabbing her jumper and bag to complete her new look. The only problem with this plan being that even though she now had Mary Margret's eyes it was only cosmetic. The witch was still blind. Having to rely on her other senses to guide her would be harder than ever. Putting on this act was going to be difficult. However if all went as planned worth it, after all revenge is sweet.
Notes: Next chapter Regina sets herself on a mission of redemption