AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated and vital.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr.
For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Baratta Jennifer: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I hope you had a good Thanksgiving too!
Saberius Prime: It was intense for sure! Glad you enjoyed it!
Naomi Blue: I'm glad Tamara is gone too. Yep, Regina is finally seeing the light so to speak. Glad you're enjoying.
Theinferno1536: Not all guys are seen as pedos and rapists. Leopold is and with good reason. But I can agree to disagree on Leopold. What I can't stomach is you admitting you would read your own sister's diary. That is disrespectful to her and an egregious invasion of privacy. How gross and offensive. I don't think I want to talk to someone who would do something like that.
Grace5231973: Yes, anytime David punches Hook is awesome, so you're welcome. Yes, Greg and Eli's rage is very understandable and I'll be exploring that a bit now with Eli. He is basically becoming what Hades became. I brush on that a bit with Hades in this chapter and how it wasn't all Persephone as the reason why he became a monster. He does something very surprising in this chapter that I think will shock everyone. I know, I think it was a shock when Circe killed her own mother, but it's clear she's beyond redemption. Yep, no one is going to miss Tamara. Brainwashed idiots are hard to take and I have to say, there might be more like Greg and Tamara. You'll see why in this chapter. I think it's going to be good though. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Number Ten: Not over yet, no...but it's not Pan. He will probably come into play later, but I'm doing something different with the Home Office story line right now. Yeah, Rumple was definitely quicker. She had a bit of gruesome death here. But you're right, it was deserved for going after a pregnant woman. They never really explained why she hated magic. I may brush on it posthumously, maybe we'll learn why from her "friend" Cali, who is really Calypso. We shall see. Yep, August had a huge moment and those horrible people are locked up for now...
mrhawkprime: I haven't ruled out Robin making an entrance, but I haven't decided one way or another yet. Time will tell.
Beth1980: I agree, the world could use more magical babies. Especially magical Snowing babies. Yes, Neal has had a change of heart on magic. In this chapter, he and Emma have a huge moment. Yep, it has always been my head canon that Cora knew before Snow spilled the secret. She should listen Henry and hopefully she can begin to do just that. Yeah, Leopold and Eli give off a squirmish feeling. Yeah, I had to get that punch in by David, lol. Glad you like my version of the Home Office. It's about to heat up in a big way in this chapter. Nope, no one is sorry to see Tamara go. August had a huge moment and finally did the right thing. Yeah, having friendship has really helped Rumple be a better person. I like it. The show never really explained why she hated magic. I didn't either, but I may give it a mention somewhere posthumously. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving too! :)
izzypirelli: Glad you like that I title my chapters. I feel that I need to, but I'll let you in on a little secret. It's the very last thing I do when writing a chapter, unless it's a chapter that has an obvious title, like one from the show when it fits. Sometimes the titles are really hard for me to come up with, believe it or not, and that's why I usually am scrolling my playlists for ideas. Yes, it's my favorite Fall Out Boy song and I finally found a chapter where it was appropriate to use. :)
Yes, I definitely wanted to continue to weave Greek Mythology into this fic. I'm glad you like it and that it comes off as more real that way. Yep, that's exactly what Greg is like at this point. Dying for some cause that will kill others. Lol, I know, Snow's legs are probably burning, because she's being dragged down the street. I remember that commentary. Even in dangerous and tense moments, I like to poke those little romantic nuances in for Snowing. Yeah, I was trying to give the Home Office that kind of feel. They're not just people that hate magic. It's more they hate what they don't understand and anyone they don't understand, which is basically real life. And that's where that comment from Snow came from. Their peace isn't really peace. No, do not mess with her Charming. She will take you out. Yeah, she killed her own mother. It was brutal, but I wanted to show how far gone and evil Circe really is. Yeah, David may have gotten Henry to go with Neal, but he should know that Snow would never go anywhere without him. Haha, I know, we need to know what happened with Hades. We get a bit closer in this chapter and he does something really unexpected. Oh yeah, this bitch needs to die. Your wish is my command, lol. Yeah, Baby Snowflake is okay too. Yep, she died and it was painful. I enjoyed it. Glad you liked the descriptions of the town being consumed by the forest. It was kind of just dropped like a giant house right on Maine. This chapter has more on Circe's plan B. Yeah, I needed that small little Snowing moment at the end. So glad you're enjoying the story so much!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 72: I'll Make it Up To You
Outside the entrance to the cave, David put up crime scene tape and then went back to holding Snow close, as Doc arrived with the Medical Examiner's van and two orderlies. Tamara's body was loaded into a body bag and zipped up, before they loaded her into the van.
"I'm not sure if there is much need for an autopsy, but I'll perform one anyhow," Doc said. David nodded.
"Emma wants to go by the book, so we'll need it for the report," he said. Doc nodded, before getting into the van and driving off. Snow rested her head on his shoulder, as August and the man they had heard referred to as the Dragon emerged from the mines. The latter looked forlorn, as he held a box, most likely containing Hecate's ashes and they exchanged a glance.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced...but we're very sorry for your loss," Snow offered.
"Thank you...Your Majesties," he replied, bowing respectfully to them, which surprised them a bit.
"Uh...he's from our land too, but you probably figured that out since he's Circe's father," August explained.
"Then...I know this is a difficult time, but do you know what Circe meant when she talked about a backup plan?" David questioned. He shook his head regrettably.
"I wish I did...but I am afraid Hecate was much better at keeping tabs on her all these years. I chose instead to put half a world between us," he said sadly.
"Is that what she meant when she said this Home Office thing goes deeper than we can imagine?" Snow asked. He nodded.
"I know there are many more like Greg and Tamara. We could all still be in great danger," he warned.
"If Circe gave them Storybrooke's location...then that could mean there are more on their way here now," August realized.
"We need to get a barrier up…" David said, as he turned to Regina, who stood nearby with Henry.
"Can you do it?" he asked. She nodded.
"I put one up around the town after...after Owen escaped. I can do so again," Regina replied.
"Can you take us to the town line?" Snow asked. Regina met her gaze and nodded simply, as all of them disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.
"I want to be taken to the place where my father is buried! You promised me that!" Greg spat, as they filed their prisoners into the basement ward of the hospital through the service entry.
"Yeah...that was before you again conspired to blow us all up!" Emma shot back.
"This whole town owes me that! My father is dead! The Queen killed him and as usual, you're not going to punish her for her crimes," he growled.
"My parents and this town had nothing to do with that! And yet you still came after everyone, so you don't get any sympathy from me!" Emma growled back.
"You should get it...more than anyone!" he shouted.
"I do get it, you moron! I get it more than anyone! But making Regina pay won't bring your Dad back! Making her pay won't reverse anything I went through as a child!" she shouted in return, before lowering her voice.
"But I'm not going to be like you. I have my parents and my son...we lost a lot of time, but I refuse to keep dwelling on the past and lose more. I'm moving on...and you should have too," she retorted.
"Except I don't have parents, like you...nor a family of any kind, because of her," he spat.
"But you could have! Maybe not parents, but you could have let go of this hate and made a family of your own. But you chose revenge instead and this is where it got you," Emma responded, as she placed him in the cell.
"Don't worry, Mr. Mendell...this captivity will not stand," the imposing man that was leader of the team of mercenaries interjected.
"Yeah...and just what the hell does that mean?" Emma questioned, as she got in his face. He smirked and Neal put his hand out to pull her back, but she swatted it away. He rolled his eyes at that.
"This town will not go unpunished...retribution is coming," he promised. She glowered at him and shoved him in the cell.
"Not as long as I'm Sheriff," she countered, as the rest of his team was locked up as well. She and Neal walked side by side, back toward the nurse's desk.
"I hope you plan to hire some more security and staff with all these extra people, Sheriff," Nurse Ratched commented.
"I'll take care of hiring more security, but more staff is up to the hospital," Emma responded, as they exited back through the service entry.
"So...I was hoping we could talk?" he asked. She sighed.
"Look...you thought you were dying so I'm not going to hold you to anything you said earlier," she replied.
"No Emma...you're not going to brush me off," he retorted, as they faced each other.
"Especially since I meant every word of what I said," he added, as he swallowed thickly.
"I did too...I forgive you," she replied.
"It's more than that I'm sorry though, Emma. I...I never got over you," he admitted. She lowered her head.
"I guess I never really got over you either," she muttered.
"Yeah...so where do we go from here?" he asked. She sighed.
"I don't know...I mean, it's risky," she replied.
"Risky how?" he asked.
"Well...if we start this whole dating thing and it doesn't work out, that's going to be pretty awkward for Henry. I just don't want to get his hopes up," she replied.
"I get that...he'll be pretty stoked when he finds out," he agreed.
"Yeah...and he already tries to compare every relationship to my parent's marriage," she added.
"Okay...so let's be upfront with him. He's a smart kid. We tell him that we're exploring this whole thing, but we're taking it really slow and that he needs to have realistic expectations. Like Land Without Magic expectations," he suggested. She cocked her head to the side.
"That actually makes sense...that might work, for Henry anyway," she said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Oh come on...the minute my Mom finds out we're trying this, she's going to start planning our wedding," she replied. He chuckled.
"Maybe...but she's also pregnant so maybe she'll be distracted by that," he said.
"Oh you do not know my mother the way I do. She's the Queen of multitasking," she lamented.
"But your Mom means well and is nice and sweet most of the time. Just wait till my Dad finds out. That will be insufferable," he countered.
"He's not as bad as he tries to be, you know," she reminded.
"Oh no...the minute he finds out, it won't be congratulations. It will be I knew it all along, blah blah blah, I'm the Dark One," he complained, with an eye roll and she snickered.
"Well...to be fair, he kind of did call it that you and Tamara were a no go," she reminded.
"Don't encourage him," he scoffed.
"Um...seriously though, are you okay?" she asked. He shrugged.
"With what?" he asked. She looked at him incredulously.
"You were engaged to this woman...you must have loved her. And now she's dead," she reminded. He nodded.
"Yeah...I loved her, but my eyes are wide open now, Em," he explained.
"I loved her...but never the way I loved you," he added, as he looked at her and she blushed.
"And whatever feelings I had for her died pretty quickly when she shot me and threatened to shoot you. Not to mention how she threatened to kill your parents, including your pregnant mother. I actually really like your parents, you know," he mentioned. She smiled fondly.
"They like you too," she offered. He side-eyed her.
"With your Mom, I buy that...but your Dad?" he asked.
"Okay...Dad didn't like you at first. But he sees how much you adore Henry and how protective you were of me when Tamara went psycho on us with the gun. Believe me...he respects you for that and he actually likes your Dad, so I think he likes you now more than you think," she replied.
"Yeah...there's not many people that like my Dad," he quipped, as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"So...how do we do this dating thing? Like do we go have dinner or something?" he asked.
"Is that really us?" she asked in return. He shrugged.
"I dunno...but it's not like we can do the things we used to do on dates," he reminded. She laughed.
"Yeah...I guess dine and dash with a side of convenience store theft is out of the question," she joked.
"Yeah...and there's no theaters in Storybrooke even if we wanted to sneak into one," he joked back.
"All right...let's start with dinner that's not Granny's and then ice cream. Dopey's shop has like the best Rocky Road I've ever had," she mentioned.
"Still Rocky Road…" he teased.
"They have really good mint chip too," she tempted.
"Sold...then maybe a nightcap at the Rabbit Hole?" he asked. She smiled.
"It's a date," she agreed, as he looked at her and then grinned, as they headed back to the station.
Hades followed Persephone deeper into the mines and used his blue fire to light the way.
"You know, you didn't have to come with me," she mentioned.
"I created the monster you have locked up. It's only right that I make sure the town's near implosion didn't weaken the integrity of Prometheus' chains," he said. She stopped and turned to look at him.
"You know, I haven't told my family you are no longer King of the Underworld. There was a lot going on, but if they remember that little tidbit you revealed...they're going to want to know why. I want to know why," she told him. He sighed.
"I know...and I know I need to tell you. It's just hard...and it's going to be hard for you to hear," he responded. They walked in silence for a moment.
"You know, there was a time when we knew everything about each other. A time where our marriage was amiable…" she mentioned. It had been centuries ago, before things between them devolved into indifference. Ruling the Underworld was not easy. There was a time in their reign together that he had listened to her and didn't punish souls for trivial offenses. But with the struggles in their relationship and the strain came frustration. He had begun lashing out at their subjects and giving unjust punishments. That had led to fiery anger between them when she protested his actions and then she had met Eli at her loneliest and saddest time.
"I know...but I grew bitter about my station and how my brothers got the much better deal. I took it out on you and everyone around me. You weren't getting what you needed from me...and then Eli came along," he admitted. She was floored by that admission. Never could she have ever imagined he'd actually take the blame for that entire situation. It was so unlike him and she wanted to know exactly what had opened his eyes to such an incredible degree. But that would have to wait, for they were suddenly face to face with Deimos, who was still confined by Prometheus' chains in an alcove of the mine walls…
Regina reappeared at the town line, with Henry and his grandparents in tow. The boy smiled gently at her, as she looked at her hands.
"I'm glad you're using your magic for something good," he offered. She managed a genuine smile at that.
"Me too," she agreed, as Snow and David exchanged a smile. Regina used her magic and cast the spell. The barrier started at the town line and began to cover the town, until it suddenly and unexpectedly fizzled out. Regina frowned at that.
"What happened?" Snow asked.
"I...I don't know," she replied, as she tried it again. It started out the same as last time and then fizzled again.
"It's not working," Regina said.
"How is that possible?" David questioned.
"I don't know!" she snapped, as he pushed a button his phone.
"Yeah...it's me. Can you come to the town line? I think we have a problem," David stated. In a puff of red smoke, Rumple and Belle appeared beside them.
"What's going on?" Belle asked.
"My barrier spell...it's not working," Regina replied.
"Do you think the cuff might still be suppressing some of her magic?" Snow asked curiously
"Not likely...perhaps you just need a professional to handle this," Rumple said, as he stepped forward and used his spell. It started out the same as Regina's and she rolled her eyes at the smug look on his face. However, his fizzled out too at the same point that hers did and he frowned deeply. She shot him her own smug look.
"So it's not just me…" she shot back.
"This doesn't make any sense…" he uttered, as he waved his hand over the town line and a look of disbelief marred his features.
"What is it?" David asked.
"Something is preventing us from putting up a barrier," he replied.
"Is it magic? A spell that we can perhaps figure out how to break?" Belle asked.
"We perhaps could...if it were magic. But this is not magic…I don't know what this is," Rumple growled in frustration. David's eyes widened.
"Is this what Circe meant? When she said she had a backup plan?" he wondered. Snow's eyes widened.
"If we can't get a barrier up...then there is nothing protecting the town from more outsiders," she realized.
"That's what she meant by a new era," Belle said.
"Storybrooke will now be exposed...like a vein," Rumple added.
"We have to do something," David said.
"Well, without magic...I don't see how that's possible," Regina retorted.
"We should tell my mother. Maybe she'll know something else we can try," Snow said, as she texted her to meet them at the diner.
"Let's head back to town and figure out a plan then. Because if there is no way to keep people out...then Circe was right. It's going to change everything," David said, as they all shared a grim look.
"My Lord...you have finally come," Deimos hissed, as he glared at Persephone.
"I can only assume that you brought this wench here so I can witness you make her pay for betraying you," he added.
"That's where you would be wrong, though I know why you would assume that," Hades replied, making Deimos frowned.
"You see...I am not here to punish my wife. I'm here to right a wrong," Hades responded, as she looked at him in question.
"And I would love to help you right all those wrongs, My Lord. I just need you to free me from this prison," Deimos said.
"You're not getting it," Hades snapped. Deimos looked at him in question.
"The wrong I need to right is your existence," Hades spat.
"What?" he questioned in confusion.
"You heard me," Hades replied.
"But you created me! You brought me back to life so I could make Snow White suffer and thus make your treacherous wife suffer! What is this?" Deimos questioned.
"You're right...I did all those things. I was a monster, but unlike you, I didn't start out as a monster," he said.
"I can never make up for all the hurt and pain I have caused you...but I can end the monster I unleashed on your daughter," he told her.
"Who the hell are you?" Deimos growled.
"That is no longer your concern...because your time is up," Hades said. Deimos chuckled.
"Even if you wanted to kill me...you can't. I can only be killed during a blood moon!" he boasted.
"He's right...and there won't be one of those until fall," Persephone said regrettably.
"Which I promise you that I'll find a way out of here before that time...and then nothing will stop me. Snow will be mine…" he promised. Persephone extended her hand and tried to use magic to choke him, but he only laughed at her feeble attempt.
"Even bound by these chains, you cannot hurt me! My strength cannot be bested by your pitiful attempt at magic," he claimed.
"Except there is one way besides a blood moon to get rid of you. Two ways actually, but I was unable to retrieve the Olympian crystal before leaving the Underworld. So we'll use the next best thing…" Hades said, as he pulled a vial out of his jacket pocket.
"Is that what I think it is?" Persephone asked.
"Yes...water from the river of lost souls. Waters that not even an immortal can survive," Hades replied.
"You wouldn't…I don't understand this! You created me to make her pay for her betrayal. You tasked me with making her daughter and her family suffer!" He reminded.
"And I've changed since then. I have come to realize that my feelings for my wife never faded and that my revenge had caused her incredible pain and suffering already," he said. Deimos glared at him.
"No...I know you. You always have an agenda! And now for some reason, I don't fit into that now so you need to be rid of me!" Deimos protested.
"That does sound like you," Persephone mentioned.
"It does...and I know that I still have a long way to go before I prove to you that I don't mean you or your family harm. This is the first step," Hades said.
"You're a fool if you believe he really means to protect your family!" Deimos shouted at her.
"Enough…" Hades hissed, as he splashed the small bit of water on the God of Terror. He screamed a horrible shriek, as they watched him dissolve into nothing.
"He's in the Underworld now...he won't be able to come after Snow again," Hades said, as he turned to her.
"I...I still don't understand any of this. He wasn't wrong about you. What is your agenda? What happened to you? I need to understand this," she replied. He sighed.
"I know...you deserve an explanation. You deserve to know what happened to me...and I shall tell you. But it will not be easy for you to hear. Some of it will hurt you," he warned.
"You know me better than that. You know I'm not some fragile waif," she spat in return.
"I know...you're stronger than any woman I know. Snow takes after you like that, you know," he offered. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"This has something to do with Eli, doesn't it?" She asked. He nodded, as her phone chimed.
"It does...he's part of it at least. What is it?" He asked, as she checked her phone.
"It's Snow...she says there was a problem at the town line. She wants us to meet them at the diner," she replied. He nodded.
"Then we had better go," he said.
"This isn't over...you're telling me everything, regardless of whatever else might be going on," she replied. He nodded.
"You have my word," he promised. She gave him a weary look and he knew his word didn't mean much to her yet, but he was determined to change that.
New York City
The large warehouse bustled with activity, as the people inside mobilized. Their leaders had been detained, but that did not stop them from following the chain of command and their operations continued. They knew it was finally time to make the move that they had all been waiting for.
"How are we going to proceed without Madam Keres?" one subordinated asked.
"She planned for everything," a woman said.
"Yes...Madam Keres recruited us almost twenty-fives years ago and one set back such as this will not be stopping us," the man next to her added. They appeared to be a couple and were in their fifties, though still healthy and fit for their age.
"He's right...over twenty-eight years ago, some very dangerous people that are not like us were deposited in a land where they do no belong," the woman stated.
"They were brought here by dark magic...an incredible amount of it and it is dangerous to our way of life if left uncontrolled," the man added.
"For all these years, Storybrooke, as it is known, has enjoyed anonymity, but that is about to change. The world will soon know all about this place and its people. They must be made to conform with the rest of our society," she continued.
"Allowing them to keep existing with no governing and order will eventually spell doom for us all. Only Madam Keres can control the magic they use for their savagery and own selfish means," he said.
"It's time, these people abide by our rules and laws of this land...not the unruly one they hail from," she added. One subordinate raised their hand then.
"Yes?" the man asked.
"You both seem to know more about these people than most...is that why Madam Keres chose you to lead us in her absence?" the female subordinate asked.
"That is correct...Madam Keres chose us, because we encountered one of these people from that land," the woman said.
"A little girl...she came to us through the foster system and for a time, things were good, until strange things began to occur around us. She made things happen. Light bulbs would explode around her and electronics would short out. Neither Jessica nor I knew what to make of it," he informed.
"She was very unruly as well, with a host of psychological issues. She refused to call us Mommy and Daddy, for she claimed, even at the tender age of three that she saw her real parents in her dreams. Parents that she claimed were Snow White and Prince Charming," Jessica continued.
"Kevin and I were at a loss as to what to do with her and naturally sought therapy for the little girl. None of the therapists knew what to do with her either and just when we were about to put her on medication, we met Madam Keres," she said.
"Yes...and she opened our eyes to everything and exactly what this little girl was. That's when we gave her back to the foster system, at Madam Keres suggestion. She said that one day, this little girl would lead us to this great evil that had infected our world and allow us to right all the wrongs they had caused," Kevin added.
"And just who is this little girl, Mr. Swan? Surely someone that disturbed would have been institutionalized," one of the more skeptical operatives questioned.
"You would think, but little Emma slipped through all the cracks and managed to go unchecked. But that is about to change," Kevin responded.
"We are asking to you to suspend your reality in this quest and enter a world that will make little sense to any of us. But this is mission is important...the most important mission that any of us will embark on," Jessica informed, as they exchanged a glance.
"It's time for order and peace...and there can be neither with magic going unchecked in the hands of those that use it so frivolously. There will be battles ahead, but we are strong and they will be made to submit to Madam Keres' order," he stated. She nodded.
"It's time to begin," she added, as they prepared to commence with the mobilization.
Snow looked at her phone and then put it away.
"Okay...Mom says they're on the way here," she mentioned. Gold and Belle had opted to return to the shop to do some research, while Regina and Emma were sitting at the counter with Henry, getting him a snack. Snow shifted restlessly and he reached for her hand.
"Snow…" he whispered.
"Who are these people, Charming? And what could they possibly want with us?" she wondered. She wasn't expecting him to have an answer, but more just thinking out loud, which he knew right away.
"I don't know...I honestly wish I did. The unknown is scarier than anything. I'm so used to there being a clear evil we're facing. It's hard to say what Circe has told these people, given what we now know about Greg and Tamara," he offered. The trepidation was clear on her face and he gently pulled her into his arms.
"David...what if we can't keep these people out?" she asked, as she pulled back and then saw his expression.
"You don't think we can," she realized. He sighed.
"I hope we can...but if Regina and Gold can't do it...I don't know. I know your mother is powerful, but so is this Circe," he mentioned.
"You know, I don't have curse memories like everyone else so sometimes the science is lost on me, but it appears that it actually can match magic," he added. She nodded.
"And sometimes it can surpass it…" she lamented.
"Hey...even if we can't keep them out, I am not letting anyone hurt this family," he promised, as he held her face in his hands and then kissed her passionately. Snow mewled into his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing herself to be lost in him for those few moments. As their lips parted, she rested her head on his shoulder and he put his hand on her belly. It was still flat, but a slight swell was evident to his touch and only because he knew her body so well. She felt comfort at that too. When she had been pregnant with Emma, he would always give their baby the most loving caresses. He would talk and sing to her as well and she couldn't wait for him to start doing it again with this one. But once again, her pregnancy would be filled with the unknown and uncertainty. She had feared losing him during the first one and found herself fearing the same again. She knew he would protect them, but she worried about him putting himself in danger to do so.
"I've almost lost you so many times...I did lose you to the curse. I know we had the dreamscape...but I want you all the time," she said.
"Hey…and you have me. Nothing is taking me away from you, my darling. Not this time," he promised.
"No matter who they are, this is still our town," he added, as he kissed her again, just as Hades and Persephone entered the diner. It was time to discuss what they were up against, especially if they couldn't figure out a way to seal the town off from the outside world...