Note – in the near future you will be meeting a new character from outside the OUAT canon – some may think that they recognise this character from another television show – but I can assure you that I have referred to the original mythologies in order to develop the character for reasons which will become clear as the story progresses.

Warning – Potentially very strong triggers ahead.

xoxox

It all was so complicated really, even though the problem seemed so simple. Emma knew that she could no longer deny her feelings towards Regina – beautiful, intelligent, independent Regina. The Regina who had made it abundantly clear as to her own feelings towards Emma, and they were definitely not ones that mirrored Emma's own. Emma knew that kissing Regina had probably been the biggest mistake she had ever made in her entire life. There was no way that she could return to the sleepy town of Storybrooke.

Well, she could but she would have to face down the wrath of Regina who would, no doubt, make it abundantly clear that Emma was no longer welcome in Her town and would persist in making things uncomfortable for Emma until she gave in and fled. Basically stubborn in nature, a trait Emma had developed in childhood in order to survive its ordeals, she could choose to return and try to weather the storm – if not for herself, then for Henry. But when it came to Henry it would probably be kinder to him in the long run if she was to leave now, before Regina decided it would be prudent to hunt her down. It would hurt Henry so much to bear witness to such devastating friction between his two moms. Sure, he would be upset that she had gone without saying goodbye but Emma felt that this solution would be the least painful for her son. Anyway, she had already abandoned him once before so it wasn't as if he would be surprised by it.

Emma sighed heavily, blinking away the tears that threatened to obscure her vision. When push came to shove it came down to selecting one of two possible choices. She could go, cross the boundary around Storybrooke, travel far away, assume a new identity and pretend that these past few years were nothing more than a vague and distorted dream. It was true that she would feel her loss keenly at first but, as she had learnt while trapped within the foster system, such feelings would gradually fade with time and she had the chance of living a relatively happy life even though there would always be that dull ache that would forever nag at her faintly in the back of her mind. A hope to experience happiness but unfortunately not a certainty.

Or she could leave. Once and for all. Forever. Emma awkwardly drew her revolver from its holster where it had been digging into her hip. Holding it in both hands, she examined it closely. It would be so easy, so final but it would solve all her problems and completely still that anguished twisting in her soul. Of course she would have to cross the boundary so nobody would think of following her, and find some secluded spot where nobody would ever be likely to find her. She had run away from difficult situations many times before but this would be the ultimate escape. Nobody would ever be able to hurt her again. She knew it wasn't really the right solution but she had never felt so alone, so unwanted as at this moment in time. She wouldn't really be missed, not for long anyhow, and the one she had come to love probably wouldn't even notice her absence. Perhaps it would be for the best.

The hardest decision in her life. Maybe even the final decision. Emma smiled to herself at the inadvertent black humour. She sat awhile enjoying the warmth of the day and weighed up the pros and cons of both choices. Finally she made her choice and realised that all she had to do now was...

"My dear, you finally answered my summons." A honeyed voice from the edge of the clearing broke Emma's train of thought.

Startled Emma looked up from the gun and saw a tall, lithe woman with long dark hair that hung freely, reaching her waist. This beautiful young woman was carrying a small chest and smiled at Emma as she approached her.

Starting to scramble to her feet, Emma found herself suddenly pressed back against the boulder, as if glued there. "Who are you? What do you want?" Emma was suddenly full of angry questions.

"Emma, Emma, Emma," The woman shook her head, almost condescendingly, as she came over to the rocky outcrop and knelt beside the trapped blonde. Carefully placing the chest on the grass beside her, the woman reached out and pushed a strand of blonde hair back behind Emma's ear. "Did you know," she said, "that they say that if you say something ten times it becomes yours forever. That means I only have to say your name seven more times and you will become mine for all eternity. Do you think I should?"

"Look lady," Emma hissed angrily between gritted teeth, "you haven't answered my questions. Who are you and what the hell do you want with me?"

Smiling beatifically the woman gestured towards the container on the ground beside her. "Isn't it obvious my dear Emma? I'm Pandora."

xoxox

Obvious questions will be answered in the near future.

NB – If you are a person who feels as much despair as Emma does in this chapter, do not fall into the trap that Emma did and think that such a decision is an easy decision. It isn't. If you feel this way talk to someone you can trust about how you feel. If you feel that you can't trust anyone there are plenty of other avenues of help – both by phone and on the internet. Please try these options before even considering robbing this world of your unique and shining light.