A/N: Happy Halloween, OQers! I didn't have this finished in time but please enjoy the start of a spooky Halloween story that hopefully I'll finish before Christmas.
-Mac
The Halloween Curse
MackenzieW
Chapter 1: Welcome to Storybrooke
Storybrooke, Maine.
It was a tiny town that didn't even have a dot on the map of Maine. Robin had found it by accident when looking for a place to live that was as far away from Hyperion Heights as he could get. And Maine certainly was very far from Washington State. He studied the town's website, finding an idyllic small town on the eastern seaboard. The school district had a high rating and the town had a low crime rate. It was surrounded by thick forests as well as a harbor filled with ships, the best of both worlds. After living in the city, it looked like a fairy tale.
When Robin found the perfect house for him and Roland that was also in his price range, he took it as a sign – they were meant to move to Storybrooke. So he managed to buy the house from across the country and then packed up all their belongs before setting off on a cross country trip. Roland was excited for a change in scenery as well as the little vacation Robin turned their road trip into, stopping at different places along the way until they reached the East Coast and eventually, Maine.
"Are we almost home, Papa?" Roland asked from his booster seat. "We've been driving forever!"
Robin chuckled, knowing it had been a few hours since they had left their hotel in New Hampshire that morning. He had hoped to find some place to stop for lunch before they got to Storybrooke but the GPS had taken him through an undeveloped part of Maine with only trees on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
"Almost, my boy," he said, also pleased that Roland already thought of Storybrooke as home. He hoped it meant their transition to living in a small town after years in a big city would be easy.
"There are a lot of trees here, Papa," Roland said. "Can we go camping?"
Robin smiled, wanting to take his son out for a good weekend in nature as well. "Yes, we can. Once we're all settled, we can get a tent and other things and go camping."
"Yay!" Roland cheered. "I can't wait!"
"Neither can I," Robin replied, feeling as if the weight on his shoulders was getting lighter the closer he got to Storybrooke.
It felt like more proof that he had made the right decision.
The road started to bend away from the water and took him deeper into the forest. Quiet and peace surrounded them. Robin watched the sunlight dance as a gentle breeze made the leaves on the trees overhead sway. It felt like something out of a movie or a painting and Robin let out a soft sigh.
He glanced at his phone and smiled. "We're going to be at our new home in about ten minutes, Roland. I think I can see the town sign now."
"Really?" Roland asked, leaning as far forward as the restraints on his booster seat allowed. "Where?"
"To the right," Robin said, pointing to the blue sign with white letting.
Welcome to Storybrooke
Roland cheered as they drove past it and Robin smiled before a shudder went down his spine. It gave him a pause as he wondered what had just happened. Glancing back at his son, Roland seemed to be fine so Robin figured it was just the result of finally reaching their destination after such a long journey.
They were almost home.
He followed the narrow road until he got to a stop light. Robin braked and looked around, taking in their new hometown. To his left he saw the entrance to the state park as well as a ranger station. And to his right, he could see the harbor. Roland let out an excited cry before asking: "Can we see the boats, Papa?"
"Once we're settled at home," Robin told him. "Promise."
Roland cheered again as the light turned green. Putting his foot back on the gas, Robin drove his car down Main Street and took in what he believed was the heart of Storybrooke. He first passed a classic diner named Granny's that had a lot of cars in its parking lot. Robin made note of it, figuring he and Roland could try it that night. After all, he doubted he would be able to make anything today.
He tried to note the different stores and businesses he passed as he continued down Main Street but it was hard while focusing on the road. Robin figured a good stroll through town would help that better than driving. The GPS told him to turn left on Mifflin Street and he did so, passing several houses until his GPS informed him that his destination was on the left.
They were home.
Robin pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. He looked back at his son. "We're here!"
"Can we get out of the car now?" Roland asked. He kicked his little legs. "I need to walk around. My legs are bored."
Chuckling, Robin nodded as he unbuckled himself. "I'll come around and help you out. Be right there."
He climbed out of the car and went to the back door. Once he unbuckled his son, he lifted Roland from the booster seat and placed him on the ground. Robin then took his son's hand. Let's go."
Together they walked onto the front yard and stopped, both looking up at the house that was now theirs. "Wow," Roland said, awestruck. "We have a big house now, Papa."
"Yes, we do," Robin agreed, marveling at the house he had bought for himself and Roland. It was bigger than he had planned on getting but he found himself being drawn over and over to this particular listing.
It was like it was fate.
Their new house was practically a mansion. It was white in color with columns flanking the door as they held up a large balcony that looked out on the street. Several large windows lined the first floor and smaller windows were on the second floor. He wondered if this was how the new president felt when beholding the White House for the first time.
He still didn't understand how he could even afford a place like this but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Can we go inside, Papa?" Roland asked, bouncing by his side.
"Right," Robin said, realization dawning on him that he hadn't called the realtor to let her know if he was arriving in town. She had said she would meet him with the keys and whatever else need to close everything out.
Sighing, he rubbed his neck. "I need to make a call. Let's go get my phone, okay?"
Roland nodded as they walked back to Robin's car. He opened the door and pulled out his phone just as he saw a little green sedan pull in behind the moving trailer he had rented to transport his belongings across the country. Frowning, Robin wondered who would already be visiting him and gently pushed Roland behind him for protection.
The car came to a stop and the door opened as a petite blonde woman stepped out of the car. She leaned against it as she smiled. "Robin Locksley?"
"Yes," he said, trying to place her voice. "And you are?"
"I'm Katrina Bells," she said, closing the door and approaching him with a bag.
It all clicked into place and he relaxed, recognizing his realtor. "Hello. It's nice to meet you in person. I was just about to call you, how did you…?"
"Small town. A new car comes in with out of state license plates, people talk," she said. "Especially Leroy Grump. I think everyone knew within fifteen minutes of you arriving in Storybrooke. So, head's up. We all have very few secrets here."
He chuckled, finding he liked that over the anonymity of the big city. "Good to know."
She opened her bag and pulled out an envelope. Holding it out to him, she smiled. "This is everything you need, including your keys."
"Thank you," he said, opening the envelope. He then motioned to the house. "Would you mind giving us the tour?"
"I would love to," she replied. "Lead the way."
Robin took Roland's hand and introduced him to Katrina. She cheerfully greeted his son and asked him if he was excited about his new house. He told her he was as they walked up to the front door. Robin pulled out the key and slid it into the lock, unlocking the door. Turning the knob, he opened the door and grinned at his son. "Home sweet home."
They stepped into the house and a chill washed over him. He tried not to shiver as he decided that he was going to have to make sure the heat was working. Or maybe it was just a drafty old house. He had grown up in one in England and was used to them. They would just have to stock up on sweaters and blankets ahead of the winter.
"Wow," Roland said, looking up. His back was almost completely arched and Robin reached out, afraid his son would fall over. "It's even bigger on the inside, Papa."
He chuckled before looking up himself. It took a while before he could see the ceiling and as he slowly looked down again, he saw a grand staircase leading up to the second floor. From where he stood, he could see at least part of the upstairs hallway and a few doors up there. Sliding doors were closed on the first floor but Robin knew one side led to a dining room and the other to a living room from pictures on the website.
"I'm sorry," Katrina said. "We had a cleaner in here and we got the place fumigated before you showed up. I had hoped to come in and open everything up but time got away from me."
"That's okay," he said. "We can open them up together."
She nodded, holding out her arms. "Pick a door then."
Robin glanced down at Roland, giving his son's hand a squeeze. "Your choice, my boy. Which room do you want to see first?"
"That one," Roland said, pointing to their right.
"Excellent choice," Katrina replied, walking toward it. "This is going to be your new living room. I'm sure you'll spend a lot of time in here."
Robin chuckled. "I'm sure we will."
Katrina opened the doors and they stepped inside the well-lit room. It seemed almost as big as their apartment in Seattle and Robin's hand went slack, sliding from his son's hold. He let out a low whistle. "Nice."
"Can you imagine the fort we can build in here, Papa?" Roland asked, excited. "It would be huge!"
"It will definitely be bigger than the one in our old place," he replied, knowing he would have to keep his son from turning the entire living room into a pillow and blanket fort.
Katrina nodded. "And it's almost Christmas. Can you imagine how this will look all decorated for the holidays?"
Roland gasped as he looked up at Robin. "Can we get a big Christmas tree, Papa? Please?"
"Let's first get through Halloween," Robin told him. "Then we can start planning Christmas, okay?"
He looked up at Katrina, smiling. "I'm sure Halloween is fun around here, right?"
"Yeah," she said quickly. She motioned to the hallway. "Shall we go check out the other room now?"
"Sure," Robin said, confused by her reaction. Was this town more into Christmas than Halloween? He figured he would find out more once he got better acquainted with the town and the people who called it home.
Katrina showed them the rest of the first floor of the house – the dining room and the kitchen. Robin wasn't sure what he would use such a big dining room for just yet and figured most of their meals would be taken in the kitchen, which was almost as big. She then brought them up to the second floor to show them to their bedrooms. Roland started to run around his, which was much bigger than his old one, and marveled at the fact that he would have his own bathroom. And Robin had to admit it was a big draw as he stood in the master bedroom and looked into the connected bathroom. They certainly had gone from almost no room to more room than they could possibly fill.
"If you follow me, I can show you the basement and the laundry room," Katrina said, heading back to the staircase after showing them a couple guest rooms.
"What about that door?" Roland asked, pointing to a closed door at the end of the hallway. "Where does that go?"
Katrina glanced over to it as the color drained from her face. Robin frowned as she said: "Nowhere."
Roland frowned. "Why have a door if it goes nowhere?"
"I think it's just decorative," Katrina said, waving her hand dismissively. "Come on, let's head downstairs."
She started down the stairs without saying anything more. Roland looked up at Robin, confused. "But why?"
"I don't know," Robin said honestly. Something about their realtor struck him as off and his gut was telling him something was wrong. But he didn't know what it was and didn't want to scare his son, so he said: "This is a pretty fancy house. Sometimes people have things just to be fancy."
"Oh," Roland replied before making a face. "That's weird."
Robin chuckled. "Yeah, I agree. Now come on. Let's see the rest of the house."
They headed downstairs and went into the basement with Katrina. It was not finished and Robin wondered if maybe he would do that, turning it into either a playroom for Roland or a place for him to spend time with any friends he made here in Storybrooke. But anything he did would have to wait until the next year – he needed to save up again after purchasing his house
"Well, that should be it," Katrina said, after showing Robin where the fuse box was as well as the hot water heater. "Is there anything else I can answer for you?"
"Not right now," he replied, starting to roll up his sleeves. "For now, I just need to focus on getting unpacked and learning the town."
She nodded. "Well, don't hesitate to call me if you need any help. I'll be happy to give recommendations."
"Will do," he said. "Thank you, Katrina."
"Please call me Tink," she replied. "Everyone in town does and it always sounds strange to hear Katrina."
He nodded, holding out his right hand to her. "Then thank you, Tink."
She glanced down at his arm and her eyes widened. He thought she muttered something before she took his hand, meeting his eyes again. "Welcome to Storybrooke, Robin. I think you're going to really like it here."
"I hope so," he replied, releasing her hand. He walked her to the door and watched as she stepped outside again.
Tink paused on the porch, looking over the house before smiling. "You know, this was my hardest listing to sell. I think it's fate that you bought it."
"I think so too," he replied, knowing so many factors had to come together for him to purchase this house. "Thank you for all your help."
"No, thank you," she said. She then headed down the stairs, leaving him to ponder what that meant. As she climbed into her car and drove away, he figured it was just gratitude that she finally sold the house.
He closed the door and sighed, looking back to find his son sitting on the stairs. Roland looked up at him with wide eyes. "What now, Papa?"
"Now we start moving everything from the truck to the house and make this place our home," Robin said. "And then we'll go get dinner. Sound good?"
Roland cheered and Robin chuckled, finding his son's enthusiasm catching. As he opened the door again, a chill washed over him. He paused, frowning. It was still warm out and there wasn't much of a breeze out. He recalled the chill he had gotten when he first walked into the house and figured he needed to have someone in to check on possible drafts.
As he started to push that thought aside, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. It felt as if someone was watching him and it glued him to his spot. He held his breath as he waited to see what would happen. Counting to five seconds in her mind, the moment passed and he let out the breath with a soft sigh. Able to move again, he looked behind him and up to the second floor.
No one was there. It was just him and Roland in the house.
It's just your imagination, he told himself. You're probably tired and hungry and so your mind is playing tricks on you.
He shook his head before leaving the house but was unable to shake the feeling lingering inside him. There was something more going on and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was.
Tink pulled up to the gray house at the edge of the town. She parked her car and walked inside, butterflies filling her stomach as she walked straight to one room. Pausing outside the door, she knocked and waited of the person inside to give permission to enter. Once it was granted, she stepped inside and approached the desk.
"The Mills house has sold," she told the person sitting behind the desk. "The new owner…it's him. The one the Mirror showed all those years ago."
She watched as the other woman, a brunette who was older than her, stopped writing and slowly looked up at her. "Are you certain?"
"I am, Mother Superior," Tink said. "He has the tattoo."
Mother Superior leaned back in her chair, looking very thoughtful. "Then the time has come. We're going to need to be ready. She will put up a fight."
Tink nodded. "I know."
"Let the others know," Mother Superior said. "We don't have much time. Halloween will be here before we know it. But maybe this will be the last Halloween we live in fear of her."
"I hope so," Tink said. "I'll go let the others know. We'll await your instructions."
Mother Superior nodded and turned back to her paperwork. Tink left the room and went to talk with the others, wondering what exactly would happen come that Halloween now that the Man with the Lion Tattoo was in Storybrooke.
Robin and Roland settled into life in Storybrooke rather quickly.
He thankfully already had a job lined up before he left Seattle – the only school in town had been looking for a new English teacher and had tentatively offered him the job after a phone interview. All Robin had to do was go through the in-person interview as well as show some examples of his curriculum and the job was his. It was a great start and he was able to enroll Roland there as well.
They also discovered the town library and it became one of their favorite places to visit. Roland loved the programs run there and he was able to meet some of his future classmates who were also participating. And Robin befriended the librarian, Belle French, who was a font of information about the town. She helped him find a pediatrician for Roland as well as a doctor for himself since they both needed to complete physicals before the start of the year. Belle also introduced him to some of best places in town, especially Granny's Diner.
Granny's was clearly the heart of Storybrooke. Everyone ended up there at some point during the day and Robin quickly learned it was the gathering spot for the townspeople, especially on Friday nights. People went there to relax at the end of the week and enjoy the start of the weekend. Belle had brought him there and he started to meet his neighbors, getting to know everyone and laying the foundations for what he hoped would be great friendships.
At Granny's, Robin first noticed that people tended to act a bit strange whenever he mentioned where he lived. They would first look surprised and then get nervous, eyes darting about or playing with whatever was in their hands. After stumbling over a few basic pleasantries regarding having a new house, they would quickly change the subject. Robin would let them but he kept wondering if there was more to his than Tink had told him.
If he was honest, he really had had that suspicion since his first night in the house. He had decided to buy furniture once he got to Storybrooke so he and Roland camped out in the living room that night. Despite the fact that he knew his sleeping bag could keep him warm even on the coldest mornings, he still felt the coldness in the house. The draft never went away, even when he could tell it was warm outside. Or maybe the AC unit was on the fritz. Robin went to check the thermostat but found that it was reading the temperature in the house as in the 70s. He frowned, wondering how that was possible.
Deciding that maybe the AC was on the fritz and the house wasn't drafty after all, Robin made a note to find someone to fix it and then went back to bed. As he turned, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he felt as if he was being watched. He froze in place, looking around the darkened first floor for any signs that someone had broken into his house. But everything was quiet and he was the only one in the room.
You're just not used to sleeping in your own house, he told himself. And you're still used to the noise of the city. The silence is getting to you right now but you'll get used to it soon.
He closed his eyes and took a calming breath. It was likely all in his head. Everything would get better once he got more furniture into the house and they could settle into their own rooms. Though maybe he should also invest in a white noise machine until he got used to living in a small town rather than a big city. It would probably be a big help.
Robin opened his eyes, spotting something white in the mirror across from him. It was one of the few things that had come with the house and he looked at the wall opposite it. There was nothing white there and when he looked back, the white object was gone. He approached the mirror and looked into it, only seeing himself in the reflection.
"You're seeing things," he told himself. "Go back to bed."
He glanced at the mirror one more time before heading back to the living room. Roland slept on, clearly undisturbed, and Robin was grateful for that. Climbing back into his sleeping bag, he made sure to zip it up tightly to keep his body heat trapped inside it before slipping off to sleep again.
After the technician told him that there appeared to be no issue with the AC unit and an engineer was unable to find any drafts, Robin grew even more confused about why his house always felt colder than the thermometer said. Even more baffling, it only appeared to happen in public spaces. Once he and Robin finally moved into their bedrooms, he found those rooms had more normal temperatures. But every so often, he would sometimes feel a chill run through him as well as get the feeling that he was being watched.
Robin kept telling himself that he was just being paranoid and the quiet was getting to him, even though he was using a white noise machine at night, but now he wasn't sure. Now that he had seen how his neighbors had reacted to where he lived, leading him to believe there was something they all knew that he did not.
So one Friday, Robin finally decided to ask Belle after another awkward encounter. He sat down at her table and leaned closer to her. "Okay. What's the deal with my house?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning.
"Everyone acts so weird around me whenever I mention where I live," he told her. "So what gives? Was someone murdered there?"
Belle shook her head. "No one was murdered in your house."
That was a relief to Robin, though he figured that wasn't the case. He was pretty sure Tink would've been obligated to reveal that to him before selling the house. But there was still something, so he asked: "Then what is it?"
"Now's not the time to talk about it," she said, her eyes darting away from him. The color drained from her face and he couldn't help but tell how nervous she was about it. She leaned closer and lowered her voice as she said: "Next time in you come to the library. Promise."
Robin nodded, though he wondered what had spooked her. He then felt someone standing behind him and a chill went down his spine before the person even spoke. "You must be the new person in town," a woman said.
He slowly turned around to find a woman dressed in black pants and a green silk shirt standing there. She had red hair that fell in loose curls around her shoulders and she studied him with icy blue eyes. They seemed to pierce into his very soul, making him feel like she was weighing him in her mind and making a judgment about him.
"I'm Zelena West," she said, folding her hands in front of her. "I am the mayor of this beautiful town and I want to personally welcome you to Storybrooke."
"That's a first. I've never been personally welcomed to town by the mayor before," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm Robin Locksley."
She took his hand and shook it, glancing down at it. Her eyes widened slightly before she asked: "Where are you living again?"
"Mifflin Street," he replied, noting that she was the second person to react to his tattoo like that. "One oh eight."
Her grip on his hand tightened as something flashed in her eyes. The mayor's smile became even more fake as she said: "So you're the one who finally bought that house."
"Yes," he said, now even more convinced there was something about his house. "My son and I love it."
"Your son?" she asked, now intrigued.
He nodded, feeling a familiar weight against his leg. Robin looked down and found his son pressed against it, looking up at the mayor with wide eyes. Pressing his hand to Roland's head, he said: "This is my son, Roland."
"Nice to meet you," Roland mumbled, clinging to Robin's leg. Robin didn't blame his son – there seemed to be something off with the mayor.
Mayor West looked Roland over before smiling again. "It's nice to meet you too. I hope you and your father come to love our town as much as we do."
"I'm sure we will," Robin said, still unnerved. Especially as the mayor was still holding his hand and didn't seem to be ready to let go.
"Good," she said. "I'm sure you'll never want to do anything that could hurt this town. Right?"
That struck him as an odd question to ask but he still replied: "Of course."
"Then you should have no problems here," she said, sounding a little too sweet to him. But she finally let go of his hand as she took a step back. "Once again, welcome to Storybrooke."
She turned around and walked toward the entrance. No one said anything as they watched her pass by. Even after she walked into Granny's, silence continued to fill the courtyard before a baby started crying. It then felt like a spell had been broken and conversations resumed as the air felt lighter.
Robin sat back down with Roland by his side, still unnerved by his encounter with the mayor. He looked up at Belle, who was wide-eyed and pale. So it hadn't just bothered him either and he leaned forward. "What just happened?"
"Not here," Belle hissed, her eyes darting around as if looking for someone. He wondered if the mayor had spies through the town and then told himself he was being paranoid.
But he had a feeling there was definitely something going on in this town.
And he wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was.
"Goodnight, my boy," Robin said, tucking Roland into bed. "Sweet dreams."
"Night, Papa," Roland replied, closing his eyes as he hugged his Teddy to his side. "I love you."
Robin grinned, warmth radiating from his heart. "I love you too, Roland. See you in the morning."
He turned off the lights in his son's room and then closed the door behind him as he stepped into the hallway. Robin rubbed his neck as he headed downstairs, deciding to relax on the couch and watch TV before turning in for the night himself.
But first – a night cap.
With a glass of whiskey in hand, Robin settled onto his couch and started to flip through the channels to find something to watch. He found an old movie and set the remote aside, sipping his whiskey as he felt his body relax. It was a good way to end his day, something he had done for years.
He glanced toward the empty spot on the couch and sighed. For a few years, he used to have someone to unwind with. Robin would wrap his arm around Marian as they watched TV together. She would cuddle next to him, the two just happy to be together before they would go to bed together. Robin missed having someone to share his life with, to laugh with and cry with and to love.
Maybe after he had been in Storybrooke a year. That would give him and Roland time to settle down as well as meet new people. And by then, Roland would be starting first grade and would be okay with Robin going out some nights. Then Robin could start dating and possibly find love again.
If someone was out there for him, that was. He wasn't too sure he would get a second chance at all.
Hello…
I'm here…
Come find me…
Please.
Robin sat up, a haze in his mind. He found he was still on his couch but some infomercial was on, telling him it was already really late at night. Rubbing his neck, he figured he must've fallen asleep. But it was time to move to his bed or his back would hate him in the morning, no matter how comfortable their couch was.
He turned off the TV and then the lights in the living room. Robin checked that the door was locked before heading to the kitchen to wash out his glass. As he left it to dry, he turned off the lights and started to cross the dark foyer to the stairs to head up to his bedroom.
Cold washed over him and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end again. He paused with one leg on one step and the other on the one above it as his hand gripped the banister tightly. Once again, he had the unshakeable feeling that someone was watching him. He continued to stare at the stairs, though, afraid to look anywhere else for what he might see.
Help me.
Robin's heart sped up and he looked up the stairs, certain a voice had come from there. He thought of Roland and worried someone was trying to hurt his boy. "Hello?"
I'm here…
"Who's here?" he asked, now climbing to the second floor. "Where are you?"
Please find me.
"I'm trying," he said, looking down the hallway. There was no one there and he still didn't really know where the voice was coming from.
I'm here…
Robin turned toward the end of the hallway, his eyes drawn to the door supposedly just for decoration. He thought he saw a white light underneath it and he walked toward it, his heart pounding in his chest. Was someone hiding behind it? If so, was it a squatter? Or was it someone who could hurt him and Roland?
But if so, why were they calling for him to find them and help them?
He reached out and tried to turn the knob but nothing happened. And when he pulled, the door did not budge. It seemed Tink was right – it was not real and just there for decoration. Robin backed away, the cold starting to recede as the light under the door was gone. He rubbed his eyes and decided he had just been seeing things. It was definitely time for bed.
He walked back down the hallway to his room. After changing into his pajamas and brushing his teeth, he climbed into bed and wrapped the blankets around him. Resting his head on his pillow, he relaxed his body as his eyes closed. Hopefully sleep would carry him away in short order.
I'm here…
Robin stood in his hallway again, staring at the decorative door. He approached it and this time, the door opened on its own. Standing there, bathed in a white light, was a woman. Robin couldn't make out anything else about her, just that she wore a long dress and had hair that went to her shoulder. She reached out a hand to him as the voice he had been hearing spoke again, now clearly a woman's voice.
Help me.
Sitting up in bed, Robin's shirt stuck to his chest as he realized he had sweated through the night. The first pale rays of sunshine peeked through the curtains, starting to light up his room. He breathed heavily as he pulled up his knees and rested his head in his hands. Now he was dreaming about the voice and that door. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was all real. Something was going on in his house.
Robin just wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was.
Belle was gone.
Robin had gone to the library with Roland the day after he had met the mayor, hoping his new friend could shed some light on everyone's odd behavior. But Belle was not behind the counter. It was a woman who said she had been asked to come from another town to cover for Belle.
"I believe she said she had a family emergency out of town," the woman told him. "She said she would be gone until after Halloween."
"Halloween?" Robin asked, shocked. September was just starting, meaning she would be gone for two months. "Is it that serious?"
The other librarian shrugged. "I suppose so. We're not really friends. We just back each other up when needed. Though I must say, this is the first time I've had to support Belle for this long."
"So it's out of the ordinary for her?" he asked, an uneasy feeling growing inside him. It seemed too coincidental that she had promised to tell him about his house and now she was gone for almost two months.
"Yes," she said. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Robin shook his head, knowing this woman couldn't help him with his questions about his house. "Thank you. I'll just wait until Belle gets back."
She nodded, busying herself with something else as Robin pushed away from the counter. He left the library feeling more confused. It was growing more and more obvious something was off about Storybrooke.
But what?