Emma couldn't focus as Mr Hopper discussed the topic of the day. Her mind unable to be put at ease, worried about Elsa. Emma knew she wouldn't feel ok again until she got to the bottom of it. Wanting to at least message her but Emma's phone was in her locker. Going over, in her head again and again. Where the words Elsa had said a little to bluntly, about Emma complaining about having her parents in her life instead of embracing it. It wasn't as easy as everyone assumed including Emma as imagining finding her family going very differently. Some part of her was still wondering if she truly knew them, trusted them. It was like Killian had said, Emma was willing to accept that she loved them, but to believe they would love her back as much was proving harder.
As Emma thought that Mary Margret walked by the room looking a bit confused and lost. Her hand stroked across the glass window, and she peered in. Looking right past Emma, like she couldn't even see her. Taking in a deep breath she smiled making her way to the door. Bursting in with a little too much gumption, causing Mr Hopper who hadn't noticed her making her to the door jump a bit.
"Sorry to, bother you I need Emma" The witch said doing her best impression of Mary Margret.
"Sure, clearly wasn't teaching anything interesting anyway" Mr hopper said sarcastically noticing Emma mind was elsewhere.
"Great" The blind witch said waving Emma over somewhat frantically from the front of the room.
"Coming" Emma moaned quickly packing up her things noticing that Mary Margret had already left the room in a rush. That meant something was wrong. That someone was hurt.
"What's going on?" Emma asked jogging to catch up.
"I'll explain on the way" The witch said very dismissive.
"To where?" Emma asked in the most sarcastic tone she could.
"And old friends place" The witch answered a smile in her voice.
"Do we at least have time to stop at my locker" Emma said thinking of Elsa, hoping this meant she could at least get her phone and check on her.
"No, come on" The witch said grabbing her hand. Not just leading Emma forward she was pulling her.
"I just thought, David was picking me up" Emma mumbled confused.
"We'll plans change" The witch answered her frustration growing as she wanted this done quickly.
The walked along mostly in silence, Emma stopped asking questions as she wasn't getting many answers. It seemed like The Blind witch was just doing her best avoiding getting caught in a lie knowing Emma would see right through her. Emma had no idea she was really been led away to danger, feeling safe and secure with her mother's hand in hers. They made their way speed walking into town and with no signs of slowing. Until they were all but stopped by Grumpy. Whom the witch all but ignored until he caught up with them.
"Didn't you hear me calling ya" Leroy said visibly annoyed.
"What" The witch said with disgusted look, composing herself quickly remembering she was wearing Mary Margaret's face.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear, in a hurry, catch up later" The witch replied trying her best at a calm tone.
"Well that what I'm here about, we were supposed to meet up, I've been calling you "Grumpy started going on getting more aggravated at this dismissal.
"I left my phone at the office" The witch replied quickly.
There was an awkward silence as Leroy looked at Mary Margret trying to understand why she was acting so strange. Realizing this the witch let out a deep breath composing herself with a sickly-sweet smile her best way to impersonate Mary Margret.
"Do you need something?" The witch asked smiling.
"I was about to ask you that didn't you hear from David, about the mob?" Leroy said showing the flyer which Emma quickly grabbed from his hand. It read fight for freedom, not very inspired Emma thought.
"Yes actually" The witch replied almost laughing knowing it was her who set the whole thing up as a diversion.
"The queen was there, I heard she was led off in handcuffs" Leroy said phrasing like a question wondering if they knew more than he did through whispers.
"Really, is everyone ok?" Emma said concerned looking up at her mother for reassurance, but she barley acknowledge Emma had said anything.
"Wait, there gone?" Mary Margret proclaimed in surprise.
Before Leroy could even give her an answer she ran off. Faster than before the grip she had around Emma's wrist tightening. Then she smiled, something about her smile was off, it was too sly not soft and calming like it usually was. Emma was beginning to question if she was ok. Questioning the conversation she had with Regina, that she was wrong about how well Emma knew her parents, right now Mary Margret was acting like a stranger.
"Nice talking to you" Leroy yelled out sarcastically as they walked off.
"Has something happened, is someone hurt?" Emma asked she never blew of any of her proclaimed brothers before. But she just kept walking ignoring Emma's questions and concerns.
"Mary Margret" Emma yelled trying to get her attention, stopping in her tracks.
"It's nothing we just need to hurry, come on" The witch said trying to get Emma to move but she was getting anxious. Knowing that her diversion wouldn't keep David occupied for long and he would come for his daughter. Now closer to their destination the anticipation overwhelmed the witch and she let go of Emma's hand walking further down the street.
"Emma follow me" The blind witch instructed as Emma stood still.
"No, tell me what's going on" Emma said her tone getting angrier. After all the emotions today returning to school making up with Killian and then fighting with Elsa, she was feeling the strain on her mental health. Now it seemed clear something was very wrong with Mary Margaret.
The witch stopped out the front of a big white house so close and yet still so far away from her goal. There was one last ace up her sleeve to get Emma to do what she wanted. Right now, Emma was refusing to move even an inch further without explanation of what they were doing. Emma could feel herself about to breakdown, usually Mary Margret would have noticed this change in her demeanour an offered comfort. But this imposter had not a maternal bone in her body.
Cracking her knuckles readying herself for plan B. If she couldn't make Emma do what she wanted with kindness, there was always the tough love approach. With a fast and steady pace, the witch marched over to where Emma still stood at the corner of the street. The silence became awkward noticeably, the blind witch breathing in through her nose and out. Turning to Emma with a forced smiled trying her best to comfort her, but she couldn't. It wasn't enough to have Mary Margaret's face.
"You're asking a lot of questions today" The witch said.
"Well, your usually more upfront, what aren't you telling me?" Emma said her voice breaking into only a whisper came out.
Fearing the worst picturing someone dead or injured. Emma was still yet to have inkling of what was really going on. All the scenarios running through her mind none of them where even close to the truth.
"I told you I need something it's in there" The blind witch said gesturing towards the house she stopped at her tone angry.
"Well do I have to come, because I need to check on Elsa" Emma said her mind still focused on that not able to see how odd her current situation was. "It's important" Emma pleaded.
"Not right now sweetie" The blind witch said sternly.
The witch reached for Emma's hand, but she pulled away, not wanting to move without explanation. The blind witches expression determined knowing she still held the power and could manipulate Emma. The witch kneeled to Emma's eye level deciding the niceties were getting her nowhere.
"You'll do what I tell you to do" The witch said placing her hand sternly on Emma's chin getting her t look at her. "Stop throwing a tantrum, and come with me now"
Emma gulped suddenly feeling sick to her stomach, never had Mary Margaret's touch been so cold and never had she disregarded Emma's feeling's like this.
"Or you can stay out here, alone" The witch finished letting go.
Walking away from Emma knowing her history that this would cause her pain. The witch strolled ahead through the small gate and up the path to porch. Emma hesitated only for a moment before following quietly behind her. Emma's head hung low slowly making her way up the path, the witch couldn't help but smile seeing her manipulation worked. There was still one little problem the reason she went all this trouble in the first place, this house had a barrier stopping anyone from getting inside.
"Come on, open the door" The blind witch asked smiling trying her best to stay calm but there was an anticipation growing in her about to explode.
Frustrated and confused Emma reached for the handle because she trusted her, knowing her mother would never lead her to danger. Clearly noticing the translucent barrier, the wrapped around the entirety of the house. Emma could feel it tingling through her palm, but it didn't stop her from putting her hand right through it. Fading away as Emma hand gripped the handle. The door opened with ease, seeming to have been left unlocked by the untrained eye. Truthfully, it was only closed to certain people.
"Knew it" The blind witch mumbled bitterly under her breath.
"What?" Emma said wondering how she knew that Emma would be able to open the door.
"Nothing, come on" The witch said as she walked in quickly practically pushing Emma through as she went past.
"Whose house is this?" Emma asked frustrated as the witch burst through the door into the foyer with no regard for Emma now, she was in she'd won.
However, Emma could answer that question herself looking around the foyer there was no mistaking who lived here. A large mirror identical to the one seen in the Storybook hung on the entranceway wall. This was Regina Mills house very lush and large with an ivory and black colour scheme.
"I don't think we should be in here" Emma said her voice shaky unsettled by the blind witch's behaviour thinking it was still Mary Margaret. However, she didn't respond, so Emma called for her again. There was still no response, just silence.
Emma heart started thumping, any sense safety previously felt in the presence of Mary Margret washed away. As she stood alone in the entrance of Regina's house Emma could feel in her heart how wrong this all was. She noticed something was off the moment she saw Mary Margret in the window at school. It was subconscious until now as Emma peered into the evil queens mirror it was clear she had been led astray by an imposter. Quickly Emma looked for a weapon something, she had to do something, anything. Anxiety rising knowing something bad must have happened to Mary Margret. Emma's anger overtaking that fear wondering why people kept trying to hurt her and those she cared about.
Picking up the poker from the fireplace she started to search for the person strolling around with her mother's face. Emma always believed they'd have more time to heal, realising now that could be gone. For a moment thinking of another world, one where everything was simple. If Emma were in that world right now, she'd be riding home from school telling her father about her day. Realising David must know by now she's missing, that he'd come find her. Emma found her strength and picked up the poker from the fireplace ready to swing.
"Emma come here" The witch instructed having no clue Emma had already figured out her rouse.
After Emma failed to respond the witch called out again "Emma listen to your mother" the witch finished in an almost mocking tone.
"You're not my mother" Emma said enraged as she walked into the dining room.
"What, Emma stop messing about, put that down" The witch said frustrated as she barley looked up. Rummaging through the room desperately for something.
"Where is she, what did you do to her?" Emma said with certainty, her fears regarding not knowing those closest to her gone. Now she was just angry looking at the person who took Mary Margret's form, to manipulate Emma.
"Clever girl" The witch said smashing a small totem she just found in one of Regina's cabinets.
"Yeah, and now, I'm pissed" Emma said.
Emma felt sick seeing her mother's eyes so hollow as they looked back at Emma. The totem released a green glowing energy that encompassed her sinking into the witch chest. It looked like she had grown taller holding herself more confidently then ever now her magic had returned.
"You know your mother so well, yet you insist on calling her Mary Margret" The witch paused "why not mom"
When she said that word Emma jumped back hesitating to attack. Looking at the witch still residing in the form of Mary Margret, this stranger looking at Emma with her mothers' eyes. For the first time knowing what it was like to love someone with all her heart and have them look back at you as though you were a stranger. However, Mary Margret and David weren't strangers at all they were everything Emma's home her family. While Emma processed the witch noticed her stunned silence and took this opportunity to take another dig at her.
"Come on you can practice saying it, on me" The witch said with a sly smile as Emma creeped closer still silent raising the poker up to strike.
Emma finally took a step forward poker in hand, just looking for a place to strike. Trying her best to ignore the witches teasing. Even if she was right the witch was only saying all these things to hurt Emma.
"Ok then I guess there no point in me wearing this face anymore" The witch said in disgust.
With Emma knowing the truth there was no need to keep up this rouse and with a click of her fingers the façade was gone. Fading away in a glow of green light revealing the blind witch. Padding herself down glad to be back in her true form. The totem she found hidden on top Regina's house, the reason she was so desperate to enter the mansion. It was a curse put upon her now broken. Used as leverage by Regina to get the witches assistance before betraying her. Never intending on returning that power in fact Regina like Emma had forgotten all about the blind witch but she had certainly not forgotten them. Now the totem was broken her power had returned and she was about to get her revenge.
Emma smiled though not just because she was ready to throw a few punches, but because she was right. Cementing one thing, that she knew her family there was no more fear of that connection being lost. No matter what, she just believed it she wasn't alone, they would find her. With belief that strong it was as if they were standing by her side, always. That knowledge gave a strength she had never had before, and Emma could face anything knowing she was never truly alone. The witch had no idea the fight she had just started. Emma came closer confident and swung the poker at the Witches shoulder.
Notes: Thanks for the reviews, next chapter David and Killian work to find Emma