Chapter 5
The Curse
"Her NAME!" He yells, holding tight onto the bars. "You promised!" Rumpel feels that he loses his cool. It must have something to do with his imprisonment. A promise is a promise. "It's not her, it's a boy." Prince Charming says while guiding Snow white out. "He missy, you know I'm right." He tries to restore himself again and hit the right feeling. "Tell me: What's her name?" He could see the woman close her eyes. Doubting if she should brake a deal with the biggest dealmakers of all. "Emma." She says finally. "Her name is Emma." As she turns he feels at ease. He needed this for his plan. He needed her name and now, the curse could begin. He made a savoir, the one who'd break the curse. Just a few more weeks and he would have a way to get to his son. Just a little more patience.
I see them walking in and out. It didn't last that long – this meeting I mean. Two guards were standing outside. I hope this is not going to be too hard. They look like they fall asleep any time now. I clap my wings and took off high in the sky. When I feel I am at a good height I duck down, speeding towards the ground. Just when I reach the ground I pull up and speed towards the cave. I fly so fast they didn't even notice me entering the prison.
The next part I haven't thought through… The part where I break. With a loud thud I crash into the wall and land onto the hard cold floor. Looking around to see if anyone has heard me, I change myself back into my human form. The magic was draining me as I can feel my head pound and my limbs go heavy.
"Why – Hello!" I hear him say as I turn the corner. "You just couldn't let it go, could you?" He says with a playful tone. "I came here to rescue you. It seems like you need it." I say, pointing at the bars that kept him from a free world. "But dear – What makes you think I don't want to be here. I am right where I belong." My eyes widen. "You must be getting sick. Now let me see. How to –" He giggles and took my hand when I tried break the bars. "Stop it dear, you will hut those delicate hands of yours." He rubs my hand with his thumbs and continues: "You need to prepare yourself. A curse is coming. It will take us to a land without magic. I'll be there and you will be there; We all will be there!" Madness overcomes him and he giggles like a maniac. Never have I seen such madness within him – wait let me think… - nope never seen it.
I feel stupid. Here I stand, trying to free him. To free my friend. And all he can think of is a stupid curse. He must be delusional for wanting to stay here in this horrid place. "In a month or two nobody will remember who they are and we all have a new start." I see his face go calm again and Rumpel squeezes my hands once more. "This land… Is it safe?" I ask, feeling more curious by the moment. "Oh birdy, of course not. What would be the fun in that?" Okay he is still the same, always trying to get on my nerve. "I've practiced my magic. I can fly a whole lot longer." I try to change the subject – try to not show him my fear. "You will not be alone, dearie…" – He kisses the palms of my hand – how very old fashioned of him – "I'll be there for you in this new land. Even though you will not remember me." - "What! What kind of curse is this? That's ridiculous!" Rumpel giggles at my reaction. "It's madness. I know. I invented it." He smiles but then his expression turns serious. "I want you to practice your magic even more. You need to focus on your memory. Build a capsule inside you mind where you keep all your most valuable memories of your time here."
"How do I do that? Is there a curse?" He reaches inside the pocket of his dragon leather coat. "Keep this. It will help. Just focus on the memories, love." He fastens it around my wrist again. I looked at it and then squeeze my eyes suspiciously at him. "What do you need in return." I ask, remembering the countless of times people went in for his deals. "Let's say dearie. You wearing this has benefits for me in the future." His hand raises to my cheeks. "Now you must go. Go and practice. I will see you in the other land." His thumb strokes my cheek for the last time.
I could only feel my heart go heavier by the second. Not only am I going to be alone again. In two months this all will be gone and forgotten. Only to be replace with a horrid place without magic and filled with fear. Letting out a sigh - I look at him for the last time, smile lightly and turn around. "Goodbye, Rumpel." I say and fly away.
Here I sit – on a rock in the middle of the forest a few days later. A dove decides to sit next to me and keeping me company. My arms hug my legs as I rest my chin on my knees. Think Sarah – Think! I tell myself over and over again in my head. What do you want to remember? I go over my entire life. What was that important I need to know in this … - well – next life? I can remember I used to pick flowers with my twin sister and sell them at the market. The flowers were magnificent. That is a memory I want to keep.
I focus on the nice blue Bellflower I sold back then. It reminds me of the water near the lake I used to swim when mother had told us to go to the market again. That is for sure something I like to keep. I smile at the memory. Back then I loved my sister. Now I don't even know where she lives. The next memory was hard to pick. There wasn't more to be happy or even sad about. Just a monotonously life of waking up and go to work.
Untill the night of course of the dream. The one that let me to Rumpel. I was so confused back then. I chuckle when I think of that memory. And after that the night he took me to his castle. That was something to remember. He locked me up in a dungeon for Merlin's sake! I remember counting the stone walls, feeling like no one would miss me. No one would come and search for me. Maybe at that moment I decided that fate had chosen the right way. Fate had been kind and given me the opportunity to let me have some adventure!
I keep myself busy remembering all of this while the sky becomes dark and the stars are shining brightly upon me. In the days next to my visit to Rumpel I have built myself a nice little home made out of leaves and twigs. When I turn into my swallow form I can fit perfectly. It took me over three days, but ey – I'm a bird in training. And I'm learning fast. I can fly, chirp, build my own house and even catch a bug or two! Am I the only one who is excited about it?
My dreams are filled with the memories that I store into the back of my mind. They are well hidden – untouchable for magic. After a month they even seep through when I'm washing myself in the river. Every moment when I'm not thinking about surviving – that's when they come out of their shell. I think that's a good thing. I mean they are really stuck inside my head.
I feel lonely at times. The only company I have are the crows on the other branch and sometimes the badger that lives underneath the roots of my tree. It is a safe place away from humans and other creatures that want to hurt or eat me. I mean – crows are fun, but animals are just – well animals. Sometimes I fly towards the village, to watch the market or to steal some bread. But that is pretty much how close I get to human beings.
Today will be different, though. As I watch the baker get some pastries out of a box - planning on how to steal a piece - I hear shouting and yelling. It distracted me and made me look around. There – far away – but coming rapidly close – came a thick purple cloud. One could feel the dark magic in it as it feels heavily in the air. In that instant I just know it had something to do with the curse Rumpel talked about. The one that would give him something he had lost long ago.
Still - it frightens me enough to flee for it. I spread my wings and fly as hard as I could. But it was no use. The cloud was consuming everything on its way and with that – I came along…
So I hear you thinking. What is next? I really don't remember what happened next. I can only tell you I feel this wind blow through my feathers and turn me into human form again. That's all I can remember. Well – that's all what Sarah can remember…
Storybrooke…
I open my eyes and look at the alarm clock. Three in the morning! Ever since I can remember I have these dreams. Something weird. It looks like something I remember, but at the same time I don't. weird. Anyhow I have four hours left until my shift a Granny's start. Which gives me enough time to shower and take a decent breakfast. As I get out of bed my feet touches the cold tiles. Every morning I tell myself to stop at Mr. Gold's place to get a rug or something – but I never stop by. I search for my bunny slippers as I find them under my bed. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and proceed to take a shower.
The water is cold and then warm. In other words – I take short showers. I need to remember to call Marco to get it checked out. I often do this though, making a long list of things I need to do and remember – but very often I find myself forgetting the list or even making one. So yeah – I'm kind of clumsy. When I finish my breakfast I start walking down the road to Granny's greeting Archie on my way. When I almost reach the diner I spot Marco talking to Mr. Gold. I have this inwardly battle with myself – trying to gain as much confident to walk up and interrupt them. When I agreed with myself to nicely ask Marco to stop by later, I walk up to them – planting a sweet smile on my face.
"Good morning. I'm sorry to interrupt you." I look at any signs for them to look annoyed, but when I see Marco's face relieved and Mr. Gold's face curious I continue. "Marco, could you please stop by my apartment later and check the shower. It's been shifting temperatures every two seconds." He smiles warmly and replies: "Sure. What time are you home?" – "Around five-ish." – "Okay. I'll stop by around six then." I nodded and before turning around I say: "Thanks! I'll see you around. Good day." I nodded my head to Mr. Gold who gave me this little smile.
The bell of the diner rings and Granny looks up and greets me. "Hazel, dear. When you've changed, will you check the buns in the oven?" I nod and walk to the back to get my apron. It is Monday, making it a slow start today. I get the buns out of the oven and place some doughnuts inside. "Do you already need them, Granny?" I say while popping my head around the corner. When I do I see Mr. Gold sitting at the bar sipping some orange juice. I find it odd – never ever had I see him here. "Oh, hello." I say with this stupid smile on my face. Why can't I be normal. Hiding my shame I went back into the kitchen, making sure the color that rises in my cheeks is fading.
I don't know what makes me react the way I do. It is – it is – weird. Must be the lack of sleep. I'm sure it must be the lack of sleep. "Hazel, can you take over the bar for a moment? I need to check the order that came in today." Granny asks me a while later when I had just finished all the pastries that could go in the display. "That's fine. Do you have the key of the display. I will get all the pastries in." I say while finishing off the icing on a cupcake. "Sure." She says while rattling her keys in front of me.
The display is ordered in this commercial way. You see, small children cry over their favorite snack because it is at their eye level. So for that reason I put the small cupcakes with chocolate fondant on the lower shelf and the apple pies on the top shelves. Everything in between goes on the middle shelf.
"Miss Black." Not expecting the sound at least I bump my head on the frame of the display. "Oh, Mr. Gold. I thought you had left. I'm sorry, how can I help you." I babble while hiding away the shame – for the second time today – because of my clumsiness. "I would like to pay. Would you be so kind to get the check?" His smile is pleasant – yet demanding. "Sure. I just…" I babble again and walk over to the cash register. "That will be – let me see – six dollars please." He lays ten dollars on the counter and walks away. Opening the door he looks one more time over his shoulder and smiles that – that – little gentle smile.
When I lay in my bed I can only think of that little smile on his. It made this awkward side in me come out of his hiding place. The hair twirling – even more clumsy girl. In my head I try to figure this out. Maybe it was because he owns this place or maybe it was because I barley have enough money to pay my rent. I can't seem to figure it out.
At Friday night after my shift I sit down at the bar ordering myself a mint tea. "Thank you, Hazel." Granny says while serving me the warm beverage. Looking outside I see a yellow car outside which I didn't recognize – and in this town change is something rare. "Is there a stranger in town?" I ask the white haired woman.
"Haven't you heard, dear. You know the Miller's kid – Henry. He brought his biological mother in town." My eyebrows knit together. "What? I didn't know he wasn't her kid." On the other side of the street I see this woman with golden hair strode over to her car – her hands into tight fists. "I think she is trouble." I say while turning my attention back to my tea again. "Mayor Mills isn't easy on her though. I wanted to rent a room, but she threatened me to take away my license if I kept renting the room to her."
Okay – I know this woman has her own way of getting what she wants. Once I gave her a strawberry tea instead of a apple one. She threatened me to get me fired for being a lousy waitress. I was so scared to lose my job. I pleaded my ass off to make her change my mind. Ever - since then – I try to avoid her as best as I can.
The son though – Henry – he is a cute face. Always, after his session with his shrink Archie, he stops by for a hot coco with cinnamon. Ruby and I really like the little boy. Always telling his fantasy stories about how we are storybook characters. Henry never told me who I was though.
"Well, I wouldn't be too happy if I had a son who would adore his birth mother. I mean – she raised him. The way I see it – she is just threatened. Scared maybe for losing her son to her?" I shrug my shoulders. "But what do I know about it. I don't have any children as far as I know." I joke – earning a displeased look from Granny. "I'm sorry. I get nervous when new people are around." Getting the tea I walk outside to get some fresh air. The car is gone when I take out my phone and check the time. Soon it will be mid night. Luckily I have a weekend off – Finally! Photography is one of my favorite hobby, so I tend to walk around town and take pictures of everything I think is interesting. I once shot a picture of a swallow. It was so peaceful and free. I brought it over to the supermarket to get it printed and gave it a place in my bedroom. In that way I can look at it every morning when I wake up.
"I'm closing, dear. See you on Monday?" Nodding – I hand over the empty mug and tell her goodbye. "See you on Monday." The bag I brought with me hangs around my shoulder as I walk back to my apartment. This town always has something gloomy. As if something is happening right beneath our backs and we never see it. I spot the yellow car at the end of the street right across the entrance of my apartment. This is none of my business so I enter my building giving the bug one final look.
She was sleeping inside her car, her legs up the dashboard. Nope – I don't want to get in trouble with the mayor ever again. Not in the mood of being a hero today…
