A/N: Hello lovelies,
so, here I am...as I promised...with the second part of chapter 30.
There's something I want to say today - because from what I understood some people are not happy with the development of this story.
I am aware everyone's patience is running thin, because let's face it - it's a bit of a torture right now.
But I announced it at the very beginning of "Take me to Wonderland" - this is a slow burn story.
And I'll stick with it till the end.
Because when you look at the big picture - considering Regina's horrible past and Emma's issues - there's no way for them to just get together and be happy. It could never be that easy for them. And I want to stay true to the characters I've drawn here.
So, if the development of the story is too slow for you - don't keep reading.
I don't want to be rude, but as it is with all stories, you can't meet everyone's expectations, you can't please everyone.
I've put too much time into this story...hell, my whole heart is in that story...to ruin it all by just carelessly throwing them together now.
That would ruin the story - at least for me.
So, for everyone who decides to stick with me and the story - thank you!
Thank you for your patience, for your support, for your understanding...it means so much more than you could ever imagine.
Enough said...
Here comes part two...enjoy!
Much love and have a nice weekend, everyone! xo
Ps.: the next chapter is halfway done already...so it won't take forever for the next update
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 30
Part II
When Henry came back from school he found his mother asleep on the couch.
Tear streaks still evident on her face he decided to let her rest instead of waking her up like he had planned originally and headed ov+er to Emma's penthouse.
The sight that greeted him there was not that much better though and he wondered what had happened this time.
He hoped that his mother and Emma had not gotten into a fight again, but the blonde must have sensed his worries and assured him that she just had a crappy day and did not feel too well.
Of course he had not believed her, he was not stupid.
Something was off, he could tell. He just had no idea what it was, but he would find out.
He had to be careful with his questions, because clearly Emma could not figure out that he was outright interrogating her, but he would get to the bottom of this.
Emma had been crying if her red-rimmed eyes were any indication at all, his mother had been crying as well – so much so that she had obviously worn herself out enough to fall asleep in the middle of the day.
And while Henry figured that his mother's condition had something to do with her feelings for Emma he was not sure what was going on with the blonde.
Of course he had his suspicions, but he had to confirm them before he could continue with his plan, because if he was wrong it would end in a disaster.
Then he would only cause his mother more pain.
And that could not happen.
"Where is Tamo-tsu?" he decided to start with an easy question.
"Still with Mary Margaret. You know I left work early yesterday to check on your mom...and since I did not go into the office today he's still with her", Emma explained.
Henry giggled, "I bet he is home with David...he really loves our big bear."
A smile appeared on Emma's face. The first one today.
Our big bear. Our. Because we are a family.
"I think you are right, kid. I just wondered the other day how long it will take for them to get their own dog..."
Henry giggled even more, "I think you have a point there. Can we cook dinner together?"
"Uhm...sure. What did you have in mind, kid?"
"Chicken curry?" he asked with a grin and Emma could not resist to do the same, "You really love my curry, huh? Well, I have to get changed then...because we need to do some grocery shopping I'm afraid."
"Awesome. I'll drop mom a note", he replied and headed for the door.
"Is she at work? I thought she'd be home", Emma said, more to herself than to the boy, but he caught up on it anyway.
Henry debatted how much to reveal to the blonde for a second before he shrugged, "No, she's home. But she's taking a nap."
"Oh. Okay. Meet you at the elevator in five."
With that Emma disappeared into her bedroom and Henry took a deep breath.
Thank God the blonde had not questioned him further, because if he had mentioned that his mother had been crying Emma would have gotten worried and would have insisted on checking on her, which was usually a good thing, but in this particular situation he was not so sure if it would have helped them.
Both of them.
So he decided to stick to his original plan of evaluating the situation first.
Henry had succeeded in turning the grocery shopping into something fun by chasing Emma through the store and they had picked up Tamotsu on the way home, much to the boy's and the dog's delight.
Emma was just as happy to have the furry monster back, because she had become quite accustomed to his presence and missed the dog dearly when he was not around.
Now that the ingredients were sliced and cooking Henry watched Emma like a hawk while the dog tried to steal some leftover chicken from the kitchen counter.
"I'm sorry that Milah had to go home. I like her...she's nice. And she has a funny accent", Henry stated carefully, waiting for Emma's response.
The blonde only shrugged, "Yeah, she's great. But she has her life in London...she had to go back eventually. She belongs there."
"Don't you miss her? Because I thought you really liked her...like...liked her", he could not stop himself from saying it although he was well aware that it was a bold move.
Emma chuckled, "You really are too smart for your own good. Or at least for mine."
She chuckled again, "I know this has to be a little confusing for you, kid...especially since I told you that I liked Milah...kind of...but here's the thing, Henry...it wasn't meant to be. Milah and I...it doesn't work...because I'm not in love with her...and you should be...in love I mean...if you want to be with someone...do you understand that, kid?"
Henry nodded eagerly, "Yeah. I guess that makes sense...so you are not sad because she went home?"
"No...well, I'm a lil sad...because I like Milah...just not like that..." Emma frowned at her own explanation. She sounded like a dork.
The boy grinned, "Right. Because you are not in love with her. But she is your friend."
"Exactly", Emma agreed.
"So, why aren't you in love with her? She's pretty...she's also nice. And a doctor!"
Emma had to laugh out at Henry's enthusiasm, "Sorry to say that, kid. But you sound like my mother."
They both giggled, but then Emma turned serious again, "I'm sure you know that it's not important where someone comes from or what job they have...that does not automatically make them a good person. Milah is great, but she's not..."
Your mother.
"She's not the one you want", he suggested and Emma nodded, "No, she's not."
Henry eyed her closely.
Uh huh.
"So, whom do you want?"
The blonde's eyes went wide at his question, but she managed to croak out a "No one."
Though it was not very convincing, she had to admit that.
Sure.
"Oh, okay...thought there might be someone else..." Like my mom. "But obviously I misunderstood", he shrugged it off like he had acutally believed her, which he had not. Not even for a second.
"Oh hey, Emma...I think the rice is done."
Dinner had been a weird affair altogether.
Henry had woken up his mother just in time and had told her there was no way she would miss Emma's chicken curry, especially since he had helped to cook it.
He had also pointed out that she looked pale and clearly needed to eat something.
But once Regina had entered the penthouse the tension in the room had started to grow and a heavy silence had fallen over them.
Not even Henry's attempts at conversation had been able to ease the mood, which had been quite surprising, because usually the boy could safe pretty much any situation.
But not this time.
And Henry realized that he had to change his tactic, because there was no way it would work if his mother could barely look at Emma and the other way round.
He had to get them talking too.
Conversation was the key anyway he figured.
If only he had known how right he was.
He was pretty sure that Emma was in love with his mother although he had no idea why he was so convinced by it. It was some sort of a feeling and he had learned to trust his intuition over the years.
"Can I spend the weekend with David and Mary Margaret?" he asked all of a sudden and caught both women by surprise.
"I don't know, Henry...I mean you are going camping with them next week already. Maybe they even have made plans? And I thought we could do something fun this weekend," Regina answered, careful to choose her words wisely, because she did not want to make Henry feel like a burden.
"Okay. I just thought...because David said he wanted to go for a hike before our camping trip...but if you want to spend time together it's fine", Henry replied and grinned.
"You know what", Regina took his hand and squeezed it, "Maybe Emma can call Mary Margaret real quick and ask if it would be okay for you to stay over?"
She looked at Emma, who nodded, "Uh...sure. Give me a second."
The blonde got up and left for her office to make the call.
"It's fine, mom, really. I'd love to hang out with you", he assured her once again.
"I know, sweetheart. I just remembered that I have to work on Saturday. So if David and Mary Margaret have time for that hike you might as well go", she smiled at him.
He nodded in understanding, "Okay, cool. Maybe you and Emma can check out that new burger place she wants to go to all the time...once you are done with work."
Regina sighed heavily, "I don't know if that's such a good idea at the moment...things are...complicated."
"But mom...you are still friends", Henry pointed out, "And we are a family. You always say you want to do something nice for Emma...because she helped us so much. That's your chance...invite her to dinner!"
She wanted to decline, but Henry looked at her with so much determination that she caved after only a second, "You are right, Henry. I'll call for a reservation."
"Awesome."
Right that moment Emma returned with a smile on her face, "Mary Margaret is picking you up Saturday after breakfast...David and her are looking forward to seeing you."
"Yeah!" Henry jumped up and pumped his fist, "Don't make any plans for Saturday evening...mom is taking you to eat burgers."
"Henry!" Regina's face flushed with embarrassment, but it was too late.
Emma looked at her in confusion, eyebrow raised in expectation of an explanation.
"Uh yeah...I thought we could check out that new burger place you can't seem to stop talking about...consider it a small "Thank you"...since you've done so much for me...for us", Regina smiled at her son and then at Emma.
"That's really not necessary...I...", the blonde tried, but Regina stopped her mid-sentence, "I insist."
"Very well", Emma agreed.
"Make sure to be ready at seven", the brunette stated and the blonded nodded in agreement.
"Perfect."
Henry put his hand over his mouth in an attempt to stop himself.
He had not meant to say that out loud.
Both women stared at him in confusion, but he just shrugged and gave them his best innocent grin.
Regina had tried to give her dinner plans with Emma not too much thought, but once she entered the location for the planned photo shoot on Saturday morning the realization hit her with full force.
She would go out with Emma tonight.
Just her.
And Emma.
Henry would not be there to calm her down once she came back from work, he would not be there to do the talking if the conversation would stall once again.
Oh God, how on earth had her son convinced her to go for it in the first place?
This was a stupid idea.
She could cancel.
No.
No, she would not do that. This dinner was supposed to be a "Thank you" for Emma. Just a little something. She would not cancel.
Probably she should invite the others.
Good one, Regina. Invite whom? David and Mary Margaret are hiking with Henry, Killian will work even longer than you and hadn't Emma mentioned the other day that Belle would acompany Robin Locksley to some event this weekend? That would leave Ruby...no. Definitely not.
For Emma's sake of course. It has nothing to do with me.
So, that left Regina.
And Emma.
Great, just great.
"Good morning, love...I brought you coffee. And I wanted to apologize again...for the other day...I...I didn't mean to...you know", Killian entered the room and held the coffee-to-go cup towards her, but Regina did not even blink, too lost in thought.
"Regina..."
No reaction.
He cleared his throat, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. How would he get her attention?
He would not touch her again, that much was certain. He had learned his lesson.
He had learned a lot more than he had wanted to that day.
Because clearly Regina had suffered some massive trauma in the past to react to someone's touch like that.
That realization had given him a sleepless night or two – together with some horrible nightmares.
And his heart had broken for Regina.
The smell of fresh coffee worked its magic on its own and brought Regina out of her stupor and she grabbed the cup out of Killian's hand, startling him in the process.
"The photographer is late...again" he announced with a sigh. "The day he'll be on set on time I'll mark in my calendar...I swear."
The brunette chuckled, "Might take a while for that to happen."
Killian sighed again, "I'm afraid so. Regina, I..."
"Don't. No need to apologize. You couldn't have known...it's okay. Just...don't do it again..." she gave him an apologetic look of her own.
"I won't. I promise."
Regina nodded and took a sip of her coffee, her hand trembling slightly.
"Is everything alright, love? You seem nervous...or aren't you feeling well?"
The brunette shook her head, "No, I'm good. Just a little...I don't know..."
Should she tell Killian? Maybe he could give her some advise?
"I'm...Emma and I...we're going to dinner tonight...and I'm not sure if that's a smart idea..."
"You asked her out?!" Killian clapped his hands excitedly.
"It's not a date", Regina tried to reason, "Henry suggested it...because Emma wants to go to that new burger place since forever...and she's done so much for us...I thought it was time to...you know...do something for her."
The make up artist seemed to think about it for a moment before he concluded, "But Henry is with our charming couple this weekend...so it could be a date."
"And that is were you are wrong", Regina sighed, "It can never be a date. Because Emma is in love with Ruby."
She had never meant to say that, but that was the thing with the truth – sometimes it just came out.
Killian's eyes went wide, "Emma is what?! Why would you think that?"
"Because she said so herself", the brunette's shoulders dropped in defeat.
"Let me get this straight...Emma told you that she is in love with Ruby?" Killian glared at Regina expectantly, but she could not look him in the eye so she dropped her head as well and mumbled, "Well, not quite...she said things with Milah would have never worked out...because she is in love with someone else...that she has been for a while. And that she tried to distract herself because she can never be with that woman."
"But she never mentioned it to be Ruby?" Killian pressed on.
"No, but who else could it be? Think about Milah...leggy, brunette...sounds familiar? And Ruby is her best friend...and she is with Jefferson..." she tried to reason, but her boss and friend stopped her with a gesture of his hand, "I think you got it all wrong, love. Because if I know one thing...for sure...then it's that Emma is not, under no circumstances, in love with Ruby."
Regina scoffed at Killian's comment.
He seemed so certain, so convinced. But if he was right – whom had Emma been talking about?
She was confused.
"Listen, darling...I know you outright despise the idea of telling Swan how you feel about her...but I promise you that you'll feel so much better if you tell her. She's suffering from an unrequited love as well...so she'll understand. If anyone can understand what you are going through...it's Emma. She'd never judge you...you have to know that, Regina...you know her better than most of us..."
"Maybe."
It was barely a whisper, but then Regina looked up, meeting Killian's warm eyes, "Do you know who it is? The woman she's in love with?"
"I'm afraid not, love. But maybe she'll tell you if you'll ask."
Of course he knew exactly who it was and he could barely believe that Regina was too blind to see it. He was so very tempted to spill the beans, but he was not sure if the bruntte could handle the truth. Clearly she was not ready to hear it, but he praid she would be once it happened.
Because he was certain that at least one of the two ladies involved would reveal her secret soon.
"Emma..."
Ruby tried to get the blonde's attention since about five minutes – to no avail.
Emma was pacing her bedroom, clothes spread out all over her bed, "I just don't know what to wear. It's a freaking burger place...so I better not wear one of my fancy dresses or anything...would be totally too much...but I don't want to appear too casual either..."
"Jesus, Emma...it's just a date. Breathe", Ruby tried to calm her down, but the blonde only glared at her, "A date? It's not a date. It's much worse...it's dinner with Regina."
"Oh."
Understanding hit Ruby instantly and for a moment she seemed at a loss of words, but then she slapped Emma on the arm, "Wait...you asked her out and you didn't tell me?!"
"I did no such thing!" the blonde defended herself and rubbed her arm, "She said she wanted to take me there because I've been talking about that place since forever...some kind of "Thanks" because I helped her out a little..."
Ruby beamed, "That's really nice of Regina. But if you don't have a date...why do you stress so much about your outfit...it's not like you dress to impress then, right?"
Emma let herself fall onto the bed and sighed, "It's not that easy, Rubes...I want to look nice...not because I want to get into her pants, but because she invited me...and I want to make the effort to look halfway decent...simply out of respect for Regina..."
"Damn", Ruby fell into the spot next to the blonde, "You really love her, huh?"
"Yeah, I do", Emma admitted and wiped a single tear from her cheek.
"Em, stop worrying...you look great...everything will be fine."
Ruby gave the blonde her best smile while Emma studied herself in the mirror.
She had to admit that her outfit was acceptable and more important – comfortable.
Ruby had convinced her to wear dark blue jeans, a white tank top under a black button down shirt. Her red chucks were completing the outfit nicely, together with the light make up Ruby had applied to her face when her own hands had trembled too much.
A single braid highlighted her ponytail.
Emma almost felt confident – at least as long as she did not think about Regina.
"You can do this...it's going to be alright. Just have fun tonight...enjoy your burgers...you are friends...hell, you practically raise that kid of Regina's together", Ruby tried to encourage her best friend, but all she managed was to make Emma frown.
"Whatever...let's talk about something else before I lose my mind. How are things with Jefferson?"
Ruby laughed bitterly, "I ended things the other night."
"I'm sorry, Rubes. Are you okay? I still think you'd make a great couple", Emma hugged her quickly.
Ruby shook her head, "I'm good...honestly. Did you know he has a kid? Because I sure didn't. And he wants to play house with Grace...and me. But I can't. I never wanted a family...that's not me. You know me, Em...it would never work."
"Yep, I know, Rubes...you'll always be a lonely wolf...but isn't it ironic? You could get it all...the house, the kid, the family...the love...and you don't want it...and I want it sooo bad...and can't have it."
Emma sighed heavily, "God, this is so messed up."
"It really is...but hey, Em...I better get going...I need to help Belle with her dress", Ruby announced with a wink.
"Sure. Thanks for helping me...I'll call you tomorrow."
Ruby laughed, "Definitely. I expect all the details."
That said she hugged Emma once more and left.
Regina had picked her up at seven like she had said she would, the brunette wearing a white flower dress and sandals, her make up light as well.
Her appearance had brought a huge smile to Emma's face and she had not been able to help herself – she felt like a teenager again.
A teenager at a first date.
Now that they were seated at the diner, waiting for their burgers to be served while they enjoyed their milkshakes and the feeling only intensified.
The situation was a bit awkward, tense, but as soon as they started to talk about Henry they found their "safe" topic and things got a bit better from there.
By the time their burgers arrived they were chatting about work, both of them laughing over something that had happened during the photo shoot earlier today.
It involved Killian ending up in the pool by accident and Emma had to use all her willpower not to start crying because she was laughing so very hard – about the imagine her mind had created of Killian looking like a drenched poodle, his eyeliner running over his cheeks.
Regina watched her closely, enjoyed the moment of joy and fun they were able to share.
Maybe this evening would turn out alright.
And maybe she would find the courage to tell Emma one day.
"Gosh, I really feel like a teenager today...with the burgers and milkshakes and all", Emma announced all of a sudden just to close her eyes and wince. She silently cursed herself for the inability to keep her mouth shut, but it was too late.
The words could not be unspoken anymore.
"I agree. Me and my summer dress...and you with your outfit...I feel a bit like...I don't know how to explain it", Regina replied with a shy smile.
"Yeah, know what you mean..." Emma smiled right back at her, "And if I wouldn't know any better I'd say it's a date."
And that brought the awkwardness on once again.
Both of them dropped their eyes, an uncomfortable silence spreading between them.
Emma wanted to smack herself.
Why on earth was she trying to flirt with Regina?
She had to keep silent before she would scare the brunette to death, because she remembered all too well that Regina had told her once how uncomfortable it made her when women tried to hit on her.
Meanhwile Regina was caught up in her own dilemma, trying to fight off the sadness she felt about Emma's comment.
If I wouldn't know any better...
Of course Emma knew better. Of course Emma would not even consider this a date.
When the silence became unbearable Emma decided to approach a different topic – one that would keep the conversation easy.
Or at least she hoped so.
"I...uh...I'll leave on Monday...to go to the cabin...Graham's cabin. I wanna check if everything is alright or if I need to have something repaired...stuff like that."
Regina nodded, "Sounds reasonable. How long will you be gone?"
"Only two or three days. Is it okay if I leave Tamo-tsu with you? Usually I would take him, but it's such a long drive...if I'd stay longer I wouldn't ask. But I don't want to drag him all the way out there for nothing. Because I'll be busy checking the property and come right back afterwards...I can't afford to take off too much time from work at the moment...it's a busy time", Emma smiled apologetically, hoping Regina would buy the excuse.
The truth was that Henry would most likely be focused on nothing, but his camping trip with David and Mary Margaret and Emma did not want Regina to be alone. Or feel alone.
And she knew how much the brunette secretly loved the dog.
"No, it's fine. I'm sure I'll survive."
At that Emma had to chuckle and she remembered how Tamotsu had stolen the chicken leftovers from the kitchen counter the other day – while she had been cooking chicken curry with Henry.
"You might want to keep him away from the kitchen...then you'll have a chance at survival, because I swear...that dog is hungry all day long."
Regina chuckled as well, "One could think he gets that from Henry."
"Well, they are both growing..." Emma fired back, realizing that they had found a second "safe" topic.
Her dog, which was more like their dog anyway.
And so she continued sharing stories about Tamotsu from the office and how he seemed to enjoy stealing stuff and hiding it from Mary Margaret.
They shared a laugh at that and Emma felt immensly relieved.
Maybe the dinner and their evening were not lost yet.
"Oh, and you might want to watch out when you enter the apartment...the fur monster knocked Ruby over earlier today...at least she fell onto the couch...and it was quite funny to watch her lame attempts of getting away from him...he was so excited...he wouldn't let her leave", the memory made Emma laugh even more.
But Regina turned serious all of a sudden.
"Ruby was at your place today?"
No matter what Killian had said – she could not control her jealousy. Especially since she was so sure that it was Ruby whom Emma was in love with.
"Oh yeah...which reminds me...I have to clean up my bedroom once I get home...looks like a mess...and I really should try to check in with her before I leave for the cabin. She ended things with Jefferson...and she said she was okay, but I'm not so sure", Emma sighed, unaware how tense the brunette had gotten.
Regina could not breathe.
She did not even want to know what Emma and Ruby had done in the blonde's bedroom.
And if that was not nightmare enough Ruby had also broken up with Jefferson.
God, she was doomed.
And she could not handle this.
Not for a second longer.
She pulled some bills out of her purse, slammed them onto the table and before Emma could say or react, stormed out of the diner, fighting to keep herself under control.
At least until she was alone.
"Regina, wait!"
When Emma finally caught sight of her Regina was through half of the nearby park already and the blonde took off in a sprint right after the woman, who's behavior became more and more confusing.
"Please, wait..." Emma stated and reached for the brunette's arm, who turned around, eyes sparkling with fury, "Don't touch me!"
Emma took a step back immediately, hands help up in surrender, "I...just...Regina, talk to me. I don't understand..."
"There is nothing to talk about, Miss Swan...this was a stupid idea..."
"What? What was a stupid idea? Us having dinner together? You have to be kidding me! We've had dinner together more times than I can count for months now..." Emma felt the headache coming.
God, this situation became less and less bearable.
"Just let it go, will you?" Regina gave her a challenging look, but Emma shook her head vehemently, "I can't. I can't let it go."
The brunette opened her mouth to fire back a reply, but Emma beat her to it, "I don't know what's going on, but things have been weird...for weeks now. And I can't stand it anymore."
"Oh, so this is all about you now?"
Emma scoffed, "Oh, come on, Regina! As if you would have been happy lately. Don't even try to deny that you're miserable...everyone knows it. First I thought it was Milah...that you somehow thought I'd replace you or some bullshit or something like that, but that can't be it, right? Because Milah is gone and history...and you're still...I don't know...you're just so..."
Regina put her hands on her hips in an attempt to intimidate Emma, "I'm what?"
"Distant...moody...angry I guess...and sad...and I really just want you to be okay. I want us to be okay...I want back what we had...I don't understand what happened..." the blonde explained, her voice filled with sorrow.
Regina's expression softened at the visible desperation and admitted weakly,"I don't know that we can go back there, Emma. I don't know if we can get us back."
"But why? Regina, help me to understand what happened! Because I'll do anything...anything at all...but I can't lose you!" Emma yelled out in frustration and Regina cringed, "I can't...I can't talk about this...don't make me. Please don't make me."
Emma dropped her head, ready to give up, "It's me, isn't it? What did I do? Just tell me what I did, Regina...tell me and I'll try to make it up to you..."
The brunette sighed, "You didn't do anything. At least you did nothing wrong. You've been nothing, but good to me. To me and Henry."
Emma seemed not convinced, "Then I don't understand...if I didn't do anything...then what's wrong? You can tell me...we'll figure it out."
Regina was the one to shake her head this time, "No. This is something I have to figure out for myself..."
"Bullshit! You're hiding something from me...I know it. Just spit it out!" Emma demanded.
"No."
"Regina, just fucking tell me!" the blonde yelled.
"No!" the brunette yelled back.
"What the hell is your problem?!" Emma screamed, her voice breaking.
God, she was so frustrated and desperate. Hurting and scared.
She needed to know.
Everything was better than this. The suspense was killing her.
She was ready to sell her soul over to the devil to fix whatever this was.
"My problem?! You want to know what my problem is?" Regina shouted, clearly too worked up for her own good, "I'm in love with you!"
The words were out of the brunette's mouth before she could stop herself and her eyes grew wide in horror.
She had never meant to say it, Emma should have never found out.
But it was too late.
Emma felt like someone had slapped her right in the face or pulled the rug from under her feet.
She had expected a lot, but that...never.
"I..."
She wanted to tell Regina that she was in love with her as well, she really wanted to, but the words simply did not leave her lips.
She was too stunned, too surpised by the unexpected revelation.
And then all the feelings she had tried to stuff down, the feelings she had tried to fight for so long came crushing down on her, drowning her in a pool of emotions that would bring her to her knees any second.
It was completely and utterly overwhelming and she could not handle it.
It was simply too much.
The desperation and the pain of the last months had a choke hold on her heart and not even the revelation of love could bring her enough relief to breathe again.
Mixed with confusion and surprise it made Emma's mind squirm and dash around in her head, fighting a battle with reason and understanding.
Emma tried with all her might to calm her raging mind, her racing heart, but to no avail.
Ultimately she paniced.
And so she ran.
