Months earlier...
Lina barged into Granny's Diner, earning looks of confusion, surprise and irritation. She scanned every face within the room, and swept past all of the tables, searching for a certain intelligent brown haired, green eyed boy. Everyone shied away from her as she searched rampantly. Normally, this would have irritated Lina, but right now, she was thankful for it. It prevented distractions from arising.
There were just as many perks as there were drawbacks to being the mayor's daughter. First off, no one messed with Lina in fear of upsetting the mayor. Although Lina wasn't sure whether this was considered good thing or a bad thing, it allowed her to get away with a lot. Sure, Lina didn't have many friends because of it, but it honestly didn't bother her in the slightest. Lina considered herself a loner anyways. If anything, being the mayor's daughter allowed her to dress the part it entailed, overdramatizing her posture, clothing, hair and even makeup to be more intimidating and regal.
There were times that Lina enjoyed the effect she had on people. She was tall, pretty and walked with a confidence that only came with being the mayor's kid. Yet, technically speaking, Lina wasn't Regina Mills' daughter. Not by blood. Regina had taken Lina in just as she had adopted Henry a few years after Lina had lived with her. Initially, Lina had been offended with the idea of another child living under the same roof, but she soon had warmed to the idea upon observing how badly Regina longed to raise a child of her own.
Lina shook these thoughts from her head as she continued to sweep across the diner. No one dared question nor even approach her. That is, no one apart from Ruby Lucas.
"Woah Lina! Slow down! What's going on?"
"Has Henry been in here this afternoon?" Lina snapped quickly, eyes still grazing the facility.
"No, why?" Ruby frowned. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find him," Lina supplied shortly.
"Well there are only so many places he can go. I'm sure he's around here somewh—"
"But he's NOT, Ruby!" Lina hissed frantically, looking the waitress in the eyes for the first time since entering the diner. Lina's eyes were pooled with fear, uncertainty and urgency. "I've been looking everywhere all afternoon. He's nowhere to be found! If something happened to him I don't know what I'll do..."
Lina froze as thoughts of harm towards her younger brother manifested in her mind. It made her nauseous, and her knees began to buckle. Ruby was well aware that Lina looked like she was going to be sick, and gently took hold of her wrists.
"Why don't you sit for a while and regroup?" she suggested, guiding her over to a stool at the bar. "Here. Sit down and I will get you something warm to drink. My treat. Your skin feels like ice."
Lina nodded numbly, not really listening, but feeling as though the waitress was talking sense. She plopped down onto the stool and took a deep breath. "She is going to kill me," Lina groaned to herself as she buried her head into her arms upon the countertop.
"She will not," Ruby reassured, pouring a steaming mug of black tea and gently pushing it towards Lina.
Angelina lifted her head and met the scantily clad form of Ruby, offering her the tea. "Thanks Rubes," she supplied with a small grateful smile. Because the pair were relatively close in age, Ruby and Lina got along great. In fact, Lina considered Ruby one of her only friends. Ruby didn't shy away from Lina as others did. Other than a few risqué details, the two were eerily identical.
"You don't know her like I do though," Lina sighed, testing the temperature of the tea by hovering her palm over the steam of the mug. "She's so overprotective of Henry. When she's not around, I'm held one hundred percent accountable for anything that ever happens to him. He's missing, and I'm so beyond dead. Cheers," she toasted dryly. Lina let the liquid scald her throat and tongue, downing the drink as an adult would a shot of whiskey. She could feel a major migraine coming on. Regina was going to flat out die.
"You're overreacting," Ruby said, pouring more tea into her friend's mug. "He's around somewhere. Maybe you're just missing him."
"Maybe..." Lina didn't sound convinced.
"Where all have you looked?"
"Literally everywhere," Lina shook her head in disbelief. "He didn't meet me where usually meet to walk home from school. He wasn't at the park. He wasn't at Dr. Hopper's office. He's not at home... I even snuck around Regina's office in the off chance that he went there!"
"What about the arcade? Library? Movie theatre?"
"Everywhere," Lina confirmed with a nod.
"Does he have a secret hideout or some place that he ever sneaks off to?" Ruby asked.
"Hell if I know!" Lina shrugged.
Henry had been very distant in the recent weeks. While he still included Lina in his shenanigans, a borderline form of hostility had manifested towards their mom ever since he had received a book of fairy tales from an unknown source. Lina had her theories of how he had received it, Mary Margret, his school teacher, being at the top of the list. The book had influenced her brother in such a way that was quite puzzling to Lina. He had it embedded into his brain that everyone living in Storybrooke, Maine were characters in this book of fairy tales. Angelina sensed that Regina Mills, mayor of Storybrooke, and adoptive mother to both Lina and Henry, partially blamed her daughter for the sudden obsession Henry had developed with his newly found book of fairytales. Regina hadn't actually said it, but Lina could tell that her mother disapproved of her lack of involvement to stop Henry's overactive imagination when it came to the fairytales. When it had gotten to the point where Henry actually believed that each and every person in Storybrooke was a character from one of the fairytales presented in the book, Regina insisted that Henry attended sessions of therapy with Doctor Archie Hopper, the town therapist.
However ridiculous it sounded, Lina didn't dare speak of Henry's theories of fairytale nonsense aloud. It was already bad enough that he hauled the book around with him everywhere he went. It would only make it worse if she vocalized that he believed the book was truth rather than fiction. In fact, she was surprised that their mother had not snatched the book away a long time ago. Surely the reason why Henry had suddenly formed such a barrier between he and his mother spoke as a testament to what implications of Regina's character supposedly lay within the binds of the book. Maybe Lina should talk to Henry about what he had read. Perhaps talk some sense into him. He would open up to her if she took the initiative, right?
"So what are you going to do?" Ruby questioned sympathetically, drawing Lina out of her thoughts.
"I guess I have to tell Regina..." Lina cringed at the thought as she sipped at her tea. "But I think I'd like to search a bit more before going home."
"So...if Regina were here right now... Would you tell her the truth?" Ruby pressed with a sly smirk.
"I guess so," Lina's brows furrowed at the question. "I mean, I have to if I don't find him at some point."
"Good," Ruby nodded in approval. "Because here's your chance."
"Lina?" a silky smooth voice spoke behind Angelina, making the hair on the back of her neck stand straight on end. Lina's ears perked and her face fell as she processed the distinct, recognizable voice that most feared to hear speak their name. She watched in bewilderment as Ruby winked and turned away to tend to the other customers within the diner.
Thanks for the warning. Lina rolled her eyes
Lina's expression softened as she put on a noteworthy facade. She turned with an expression of surprise. "Mom?" Regina Mills stood at Lina's side, looking intimidating and as beautiful as ever. "What are you doing here?"
"I think that I should be the one asking the questions," Regina spoke sternly, taking a seat next to Lina. "Where's Henry?"
Lina had to restrain herself from gulping. Regina had a way of cutting straight to the chase. However, unbeknownst to her, Lina was the only person Regina could never distinguish a lie from. So, Regina had no idea that Lina was lying her ass off and buzzing on the inside when she spoke her next set of words.
"He's with Archie. Where else?" Lina shrugged, suppressing her nerves as she took another swig of her hot tea.
Regina frowned and looked at her wristwatch. "Shouldn't he be getting out about now?"
"Usually, yes," Lina nodded. "But we got there a tad late today. He won't be getting out for at least another thirty minutes." Giving me thirty minutes of looking for Henry.
"Why were you late?" Regina demanded, a quizzical expression donning her features.
"Henry and I got caught up talking to Miss Margret about Henry's progress," Lina responded quickly.
At this, Regina's nostrils momentarily flared and her eyes narrowed. It was no secret that Regina hated Mary Margret with a passion, but for what no one knew. As far as everyone was concerned, Mary Margret had never done anything to Regina, apart from take the crap the mayor threw at her constantly.
"I am running to the store to grab ingredients for Lasagna," Regina ignored Lina's last explanation. "As soon as Henry's finished, come straight home."
"Absolutely," Lina flashed as sincere of a smile as she could manage to indicate she understood.
Regina eyed Lina for a few seconds before giving a curt nod and standing to leave. She stroked Lina's cheek lovingly, and cupped her chin, giving the younger girl a genuine smile before departing from Granny's. As soon as Lina heard the door close, she released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding.
"Way to go, champ," Ruby chuckled sarcastically as she swept past, carrying a tray of food to a family seated at the corner of the diner.
"God am I dead," Lina deadpanned, collapsing onto the countertop once again as she allowed fear, apprehension and anxiety to consume her. "They're going to have to do DNA testing to identify the body," she griped beneath her breath as she gathered her belongings and rushed out of the diner.
When the cold, frigid air bit at her skin, she began walking at a quicker pace, determined to find Henry. If only Lina had but known that he was miles away in Boston, Massachusetts, as determined as she to find someone by the name of Emma Swan...
...
Lina stood before her home, a sinking feeling pulling at her gut. It was almost dark outside, and she could feel the anxiety tingling beneath her skin and the fear making her face flush. As expected, Lina had not located Henry. She had searched everywhere, even venturing into Mr. Gold's shop in the off chance that Henry would actually be there. She was worried of what Regina would do, think and say, but she was more concerned for Henry's safety. Her desire to keep her brother out of harm's way was what gave her the courage to take the steps up to the door and enter the threshold of what was sure to be a releasing of hell.
As soon as she entered the house, she wanted to run back out. But perseverance drove her on. She had to ensure Henry's safety. Unfortunately, this entailed informing her mother that he was missing.
The aroma of tomato sauce, cheese, garlic and other Italian spices guided Lina to the kitchen. Sure enough, there stood Regina, bustling away in an apron as she hurriedly tried to put a meal together.
"Dinner's almost ready," she announced as she tossed the side salad she was preparing with some tongs. Lina leaned against the door frame, watching her mom make dinner. It was at times like this that Regina looked normal and not so superhuman. It was at times like this that Lina wished the townspeople could see her mom in the kitchen, completing daily chores just like everyone else. Maybe they wouldn't see her solely as the resilient mayor of Storybrooke, but as a normal human being who just wanted a sense of peaceful serenity in her life.
"Don't forget the red pepper flakes," Lina reminded softly, a heartfelt grin that touched her eyes gracing her features.
For the first time since she entered the room, Regina acknowledged her daughter with an admiring smirk prying at her lips. "Never!" she teased with a small chuckle. "Is Henry upstairs?"
"Uh—" the tender moment passed and the severity of what was to take place ripped through Lina's gut like a raging hurricane.
"Tell him to wash up," Regina instructed, consumed by the preparation of food. "It'll be ready in about five minutes."
Lina wished with all her heart that she didn't have to break the news to her mother, shattering whatever was left of the normalcy in her life, but she had no choice.
"Mom...I...um..." Lina fumbled for the right words to say. However, nothing she said would ease the blow. "Dinner shouldn't be your biggest concern right now."
Regina stopped what she was doing and looked her daughter dead in the eyes. "Why? What's wrong? Where's -?" Regina paused upon looking at Lina's face. Lina didn't even try to put up a steely front. She was scared and wasn't going to even try to hide it.
"Angelina," Regina adopted a threatening voice and Lina cringed. Regina only used her full name the when a serious circumstance called for it. "Where's Henry?" she spoke as her voice threatened to crack.
Lina held Regina's worried gaze with unshed tears. "He's missing."
"But, he was just with Doctor Hopper. How far could he have gone?" Regina shook her head, denying what Lina was implying. Angelina's eyes darted guiltily, and she massaged her temple in response. Regina caught on quickly. "You lied to me," she accused with so much betrayal in her voice that it was amazing Lina didn't collapse into a pool of messy sobs then and there.
"Why didn't you call the sheriff's station?" Regina's raised her voice and strode over to Lina, all thoughts of preparing dinner forgotten.
"I thought I could find him," Lina explained desperately. "When he didn't meet me after school, I searched everywhere."
"If that's the case, then what in the world were you doing at Granny's?" Regina roared, ripping her apron from her body.
"I went to Granny's looking for Henry," Lina explained. "Then I figured I might as well regroup. I had been trying to figure out where he was for at least an hour by that point."
"Angelina, you promised me you would take care of him when I'm not around," Regina pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, forehead creased in worry.
"And I've never broken that promise until now! Please don't play the guilt card on me! I already feel bad enough as it is," Lina interrupted, momentarily befuddled that Regina would even feel the need to remind her of this promise.
"Lina, do you realize that if something happened to him—"
"You aren't the only one hurting!" Lina practically screeched, tears finally spilling down her cheeks, even through the furious glare she gave Regina. "Who's the one who takes care of him almost every single day? Who's the one that helps him with his homework, makes sure he gets to bed at a decent hour, watches movies with him and takes him to his therapy sessions? Who's the one that is actually there for him when he needs it? If I recall correctly, that's me! So don't you dare suggest that I am indifferent to his disappearance."
Regina opened her mouth to retaliate, then closed it abruptly. If looks could kill, the glare Regina gave Lina in that moment would have slaughtered her on the spot.
"Look," Lina said more calmly, unsuccessfully trying to diffuse the tension. "We're wasting time. You should call Sheriff Graham and report that Henry's missing."
Regina, still flustered at Lina's outburst, clenched her jaw and swallowed thickly. She didn't so much as acknowledge Lina as she brushed past her. Lina sighed and hurried after her mom. The two didn't notice nor care that the lasagna was burning as they dialed the sheriff's office in a silence that spoke more clearly that the police sirens that sounded outside.
...
Angelina sat quietly on the living room couch, nervously bouncing her legs up and down as she worried. Sheriff Graham had arrived shortly after Regina had contacted him. He had asked Lina a series of questions, mainly pertaining to when and where she had searched for Henry. Graham had contacted some authorities in surrounding areas in an attempt to locate Henry, but they had run into a dead end.
Regina was now pacing about the room, on the verge of a mental breakdown. She still hadn't said a word to Lina since their altercation. In many ways, Lina felt one hundred percent responsible for everything that had transpired over the past few hours. But the thing she felt the most guilty about was Regina's mental state.
"Now, where was the last place you saw Henry?" Graham asked for the umpteenth time.
"At the bus stop on his way to school," Lina replied as if she was a recording on repeat.
"Are you sure he made it there?" Graham continued.
"To school? Yes. His teacher said that he left in a hurry as soon as class was released," Lina explained.
"So it can be assumed that he knew what he was doing when he left town," Graham concluded.
Regina continued to pace, a hand over her mouth as she strained to keep her composure. Graham continued to take notes and write a report. Lina continued to stare into space, willing the conflicting emotions within herself to correspond.
"Did you hear that?" Regina spoke suddenly. Both Lina and Graham's heads snapped up just in time to see Regina rushing out of the living room to the front door. Lina and Graham shared a look of uncertainty before hurrying after her.
Regina threw open the door in a haste, and almost collapsed when she spotted her son standing on the walkway leading to the front door. Lina caught up shortly after, and instantly felt a huge wave of relief overcome her. She beamed as a few unwanted tears of joy slipped down her cheeks.
Regina rushed to Henry, overcome with emotion and the need to embrace him. "Henry!" she exclaimed as she ran to meet him. As Regina closed him into a firm hug, she sighed his name in relief. "Henry." A warm feeling filled her heart and compelled her to ask many questions. "Are you ok? Where have you been? What happened?" she pulled back and held his shoulders, concerned and joyous all in one.
However, Henry's answer put a damper on things. "I found my real mom!" he cried indignantly. It was then that Regina and Lina noticed another woman standing nearby Henry. A tall, blonde, attractive looking woman who looked on at the scene with uncertainty and hesitation. Releasing himself from his adoptive mother's grip, Henry jerked away from Regina and ran through the door, roughly pushing past Graham and Lina. He swept upstairs to his room without another word.
A moment of silence between the remaining ensued.
Lina decided to depart the awkward situation and pursue Henry. When she reached his door, she didn't even bother knocking.
"Henry!" Lina called in exasperation as she barged through the door. She calmed a bit upon seeing him slumped over his bed in exhaustion.
"Hey Lina," he greeted in a tired tone. "What's up?"
Lina's jaw just about hit the floor. "What's up?!" she cried. "You had me worried sick for the past few hours! That's what's up!"
At Henry's guilty expression, Lina softened and crashed beside him onto her brother's bed. "Despite that, I believe a welcome home is in order. Mind telling me where you've been all this time?"
"Boston," Henry shrugged as if it was no big deal.
"You went all the way to Boston on your own?!" Lina exclaimed. Henry nodded slowly. Lina debated the idea for a few seconds. She considered chastising him for all the danger he put himself in, but quickly figured that he would get enough of that from Regina. Instead, she playfully nudged Henry in the shoulder and smiled. "Nice! But seriously, you know how dangerous that was right?"
"Yeah... I'm sorry," Henry relented.
"Ha! You should be," Lina barked, though less aggressively than she felt. "Do you know how much trouble I'm in? I thought Mom was just about to murder me! God, I've never seen her so worried..."
"I'm sorry," Henry repeated. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"You should have thought of that before you ran off," Lina snapped. "I mean, why didn't you just tell me? I might have been inclined to help you if you had just told me!"
"Yeah right! You wouldn't have helped!" Henry protested.
"What makes you say that?"
"You're too scared of her..."
"Who? Mom?" Lina pressed. Henry nodded solemnly, staring his sister in the eyes. "Am not!" she protested.
"Whatever you say..." Henry rolled his eyes, dropping the topic though not convinced in the slightest. "Was mom really worried?" he asked skeptically.
"Of course!" Lina responded defensively. "You should've seen her. She was on the verge of a mental breakdown." Lina watched Henry absorb her words. His brows furrowed as if he didn't really believe it, and his mouth drew into a small pout.
"Is that woman down there really your birth mother?" Lina questioned curiously.
Henry nodded with more enthusiasm than Lina had ever seen him have. "Yeah! Her name's Emma Swan," he added for emphasis.
"How'd you manage to find her?" Lina continued, but was interrupted.
"Angelina," Regina spoke from Henry's doorway, arms crossed and head tilted to one side. "I suggest the both of you get to bed. It's late and you both have school tomorrow."
"Yeah, alright," Lina responded without looking back, ignoring the tension in the air and instead smiling sadly at Henry. "See you in the morning," she ruffled his hair playfully.
"Hey," Henry giggled, pushing her hand off.
"Sleep tight, squirt," Lina chuckled, leaning in and crushing him in a tight hug. "I'm glad you're safe." She then left Henry's room, sweeping past Regina and crossing the hallway to her own room.
Shutting the door behind her, she released the biggest sigh of relief that she ever had in her life. Apart from being in the dog house with Regina, Henry was safe. At least Henry didn't have to endure their mother's wrath alone. Regina was just as upset, if not more upset, with Angelina. Not only had Lina failed to keep Henry in her sights, but she had also gone off on Regina in such a way that likely had hurt her more deeply than anything.
But Lina couldn't think about that now. That was a problem for tomorrow. Now, the only thing Lina was concerned about was sleep. She didn't even feel her head hit the pillows when she crashed onto her mattress.
...
"Do you always make an effort to visit your prisoners, your majesty?" Angelina smiled wryly in spite of herself. She had known that the Queen had been lurking around the corner for some time now, watching and calculating. She just hadn't made her presence known.
Regina, instead of acting surprised that the girl had known she had been there the whole time, casually emerged from the darkness of the dungeon and replied coolly, "Only those worth interest to me."
"And of what interest am I to you?" Angelina made eye contact with the piercing brown eyes of the Evil Queen.
"I haven't decided yet," the regal Queen admitted with a small smirk. "You invaded my palace, killed or snuck past all of my armed guards, and succeeded in raiding my chambers with the single intent to kill me. AND, you did all of this alone," the queen paced about. She neared closer to the cell keeping Angelina locked up and eased her face closer to the bars. "What could have driven you to do this?" she smiled in semi-admiration.
"You killed my brother," Angelina hissed with so much venom that Regina had to restrain herself from laughing with amusement.
"Ah, yes! Revenge!" she smiled. "Such a powerful thing. Such an invigoration of rage, passion and determination. I, for one, understand exactly how you feel."
"Then you'll understand why I'm not leaving without carving your heart out of your chest," Angelina retorted. She neared the bars of the cage and clutched onto them with a tight grip. "I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do," she growled.
Regina's smile wiped off her face in an instant and was replaced with a glare that had so much intensity that it could kill. Angelina, however, met her stare with equal ferocity.
"I wish I remembered where I've seen your face before," Regina stated after a brief period of silence.
"Is that so?" Angelina played dumb, slightly unnerved.
"Yes," Regina mused, studying Angelina with such scrutiny.
"Feel free to juggle the possibilities," Angelina quipped dryly, taking a few steps back from the bars of the cell.
The Evil Queen eyed Angelina curiously before speaking."You must have been planning this for a long time," she continued, searching Angelina's eyes with a desperate expression. "The look in your eyes is jaded by such hatred that only solidifies with the passing of time. How young were you when you began fantasizing your revenge, dear?"
"Regardless of what you think," Angelina snapped. "It was never my sole purpose to kill you. At least not initially... Unlike you, I wasn't born with evil intentions lodged in my heart."
"Ah, my dear," the Queen crooned. "You have much to learn about the ways of the world." She leaned forward so that her face was only inches away from Angelina's. "Evil isn't born," she whispered in her ear, sending shivers down Angelina's spine. "It's made."
"Then what drove you to kill my brother?" Angelina retorted.
The Queen smirked softly, without as much enthusiasm as before. "Many men have lost their lives under my reign, dear. Your brother just happened to fall during my rise."
"That's where you're wrong," Angelina spoke firmly, but with a sense of vulnerability. "This is different."
For once, the Queen had nothing to say other than, "How so?"
"My brother died before you became queen."
"Is that so?" Regina sneered, turning away from the young girl. "And what was your brother's name?" she called over her shoulder while pursing her lips.
Angelina took a deep breath before speaking his name. It never ceased to amaze her how hard it was to utter these two syllables. And while she tried to keep her voice steady and strong, it came out in a choked sigh.
"Daniel. Your stable boy."
Regina froze dead in her tracks, much to Angelina's amazement. Angelina watched curiously as the Queen slowly arched her neck to glance at her. The Queen's facial expression was contorted, not in anger or fear, but in despair. Her eyes glistened in the torchlight as her forehead creased after given the painful reminder of her first love's murder. Her true love. A slaughter not committed by her own hand, but by her mother's. Regina's eyes locked with that of the young girl's. Angelina was frozen in shock at the queen's reaction. The Queen looked sorrowful and vulnerable. It didn't suit her very well, but made her all the more human. But before Angelina could ask her another question, or even speak, the Queen adopted an indifferent expression and stormed out of the dungeon without another word, leaving Angelina with a foreboding feeling that she may have just witnessed a piece of Regina's heart flare to life.
...
Lina shot out of bed without warning. Her head felt as if there were sharp pins jabbing into her skull. Blinking the blurriness from her vision, Lina caught sight of a shadow moving swiftly, right outside her doorway. Hauling herself up, she chased after the unknown presence. She peered outside her room to see Henry creeping down the stairs as quietly as he could.
"Henry!" Lina hissed, and Henry jumped. "Where're you going?"
"Out," Henry whispered, treading over a few more steps.
Lina rolled her eyes when she realized that it was only the early hours of morning. The sun hadn't even appeared and Henry was leaving! "Well hold on! I'm coming with you," Lina spoke.
Henry stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face Lina full on. "Really? You aren't going to tell mom?"
"Are you serious?" Lina scoffed. "We're both in the dog house, remember?" Henry grinned widely and shrugged in agreeance. "Besides," Lina added. "I have a Calculus test today that I haven't even studied for. I'd much rather spend time with you. Now hang on. Let me grab my coat."
And with that, side by side, brother and sister, Lina and Henry snuck out of their home.
...
Lina stood atop Henry's secret playhouse castle, watching the waves roll over each other in the distant waters and crash onto the sand as the sun peered over the horizon. Apparently, Ruby was right. Henry did indeed have a secret hideout.
"This is awesome!" Lina laughed joyously. "Why haven't you told me about this place before? It's like a secret fort!"
"Honestly?" Henry stood beside Lina and leaned over the railing. "I was afraid you'd tell mom. You know how she freaks out about my safety..."
"Oh believe me when I say I do," Lina bit her lip and rolled her eyes. "Last night was the perfect example." Henry sat in a reflective silence whilst the two just stood and enjoyed each other's company.
"Guess what I have?" Henry spoke excitedly, running over to his backpack to retrieve something from it. He pulled out two packages of Starburst candies from the outer pocket.
"No way!" Lina exclaimed as she snatched one of the packages from Henry's grasp. "I used to sneak these to you all the time when you were younger!"
"I know," Henry nodded enthusiastically. "That's why I got them."
Lina grinned widely, quickly and effectively unwrapping a tightly packaged red candy before popping it into her mouth. "I forgot how good these were," Lina hummed.
Henry and Lina continued to stand and chew on the sweet, savoring candies, once again falling into a reflective silence, consumed by the need to devour the sugar-filled taffy.
"So..." Lina started awkwardly after swallowing another taffy candy. "I've been thinking. You know how you think that everyone in Storybrooke are fairytale characters?"
"Oh I don't think. I know," Henry quipped cockily.
"Okay," Lina drawled. "So, if that's true, then what character am I?"
Henry wrinkled his nose and pursed his lips. "I haven't figured that out yet. You're... Different. Maybe even an exception."
Lina narrowed her eyes in puzzlement. "What character is mom?"
Henry gave Lina a dubious look. "I don't think you're ready for that yet."
Lina gave Henry an odd look, then shrugged and continued her interrogation. "What character are you?"
"I'm not a character," Henry corrected her. "I'm the son of the savior."
"Savior? Your birth mother?"
Henry nodded. "She's the one that will lift the curse. Then you'll all remember who you are."
"Right," Lina responded warily. "You do realize how crazy this sounds, don't you?"
"Do you think I'm crazy?" Henry whispered fearfully.
"No," Lina reassured. "No, I don't think you're crazy. But I do think you have an overactive imagination."
"Then why do you think the clock in the town square hasn't ever moved?" Henry protested.
"Squirt," Lina sighed. "That thing hasn't moved for as long as I can remember."
"Exactly!" Henry exclaimed. "It's because time is frozen here! Why else do you think no one has aged in this town apart from me?"
"I've aged!" Lina protested defensively.
"No you haven't," Henry scoffed. "You don't look any different now than you did eight years ago when I was a toddler!"
Lina paused and thought it over while Henry continued.
"You've been in high school for ten years. No one seems to remember anything about their lives before they lived in Storybrooke, AND everyone does the same thing, over and over, day after day! Don't you find that weird?"
Lina was at a lost for words. Henry did have some valid points, but his theory still seemed too far fetched. "Well, I have noticed that everyone has the same routines. I'm not going to deny that Storybrooke is an odd place. But, Henry," she turned to fully face him and kneeled down to his level. "What you're saying is complete fantasy! It's just not possible."
Henry didn't seem the least bit bothered by Lina's denial. "That's just the curse acting within you."
"What is this curse you keep talking about," Lina shook her head in confusion.
Henry sighed and smiled at Lina much like a parent would to a child when he or she was doing something cute and memorable. "You really need to read the book."
"Ok," Lina agreed. "I will. Give it to me now so I can start."
"Can't do that," Henry said.
"Why not?"
"I left it with Emma."
"Your birth mother?" Lina replied skeptically. Henry nodded. "I'm willing to bet that wasn't an accident," Lina chuckled.
"You know me so well," Henry recited dramatically. Lina laughed as she sat down on the wood of the playground floor.
The two spent the whole day up there, enjoying the views the beach presented and basking in each others' company. They caught up with each other and joked as all brothers and sisters do. They chased each other around the beach, reminisced over old times and even slept on the cold, mushy sand. It was the best day either had had in a long time. That is, until a woman made her way over to the castle.
Lina and Henry didn't even notice she was there until she began climbing the wooden ladder at the base of the structure. Once she reached the top platform, the young blonde stood there, uncertainly staring between Henry and Lina while clutching a hardback golden book to her chest. After a few moments of awkward silence, she decided to sit at Henry's right side, throwing her legs over the edge, allowing them to dangle.
"You left this in my car," she spoke to Henry as she handed him the book. Across the cover read Once Upon a Time. Lina smiled sullenly as she watched Henry inspect to binding and cover.
"Hey, I don't think we met," the woman added, turning her attention to Lina.
Lina responded courteously and held out her hand to the woman. "I know. I'm Lina," Lina smiled as warmly as she could manage.
The woman took the young girl's hand and responded with her own name. "Emma. Emma Swan. I'm..." she trailed off, looking to Henry for an explanation of who she was.
"The woman who gave birth to Henry?" Lina offered sheepishly.
"Yeah," Emma nodded. "Let's go with that."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Miss Swan," Lina chuckled, shaking the woman's hand.
Emma nodded and withdrew her hand. She gazed across the scene before her, spotting the town square clock sticking out amongst the horizon of buildings. "It still hasn't moved, huh?" Emma asked, directing her question at Henry.
"I was hoping that when I brought you back, that things would change here," Henry explained. "That the final battle would begin." Lina listened in on the conversation curiously, but forced herself to look out at the sand and ocean indifferently as to not seem overly intrusive.
"I'm not fighting any battles, kid," Emma responded despondently.
"Yes you are," Henry spoke with so much conviction "You're here because its your destiny. You're gonna bring back the happy endings."
"Can you cut it with the book crap?" Emma snapped in exasperation, emulating Lina's own feelings toward the subject.
"You don't have to be hostile," Henry spoke softly. "I know you like me," he smiled delicately. "I can tell. You're just pushing me away because I make you feel guilty."
"Henry!" Lina snapped, breaking her indifference by lightly shoving him. He hardly knew this woman. Even if she did give birth to him, nothing gave Henry the authority or right to make references to Emma giving up her son.
"It's ok," Henry continued, ignoring Lina's warning. "I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance."
An awkward pause in the conversation ensued. Lina dared a glance at Emma. Her jaw was clenched and her eyes reflected the sorrow she felt for herself and her son.
"How do you know that?" her voice came out in a choked whisper.
"Its the same reason Snow White gave you away," Henry answered as if it was obvious.
"Listen, kid," Emma sighed. "I'm not in any book. I'm a real person. I'm no savior." She paused as she took a deep breath. "You were right about one thing," Emma stared affectionately at Henry. "I wanted you to have your best chance," a tear slipped down her cheek. "But it's not with me," she added looking back at Angelina with a guilty expression.
"C'mon, let's go you two," Emma wiped at her face and leaped down from the playground.
"Please don't take me back there!" Henry protested, running after Emma. Lina lingered behind just enough to hear the conversation and not get in the way. "Just stay with me for one week; that's all I ask. One week and you'll see I'm not crazy," Henry cried.
"I have to get you back to your mom!" Emma exclaimed.
"You don't know what it's like with her! My life sucks!" Henry rebutted. Lina couldn't help but feel a piece of her heart break. Henry's life wasn't that bad...was it?
"Do you want to know what sucking is?" Emma challenged. "Being abandoned on the side of a freeway. My parents didn't even bother dropping me off at a hospital! Ended up in the foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own kid so they sent me back!" Emma took a deep breath to calm herself. "Look, your mom is trying her best," Emma reassured Henry as he listened intently. "I know its hard. And I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you."
"Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway," Henry spoke confidently, ignoring all else that was said. "That's just where you came through."
"What?" Emma's brows furrowed.
"The wardrobe," Henry explained. "When you went through the wardrobe, you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."
"Sure they were," Emma laughed in amusement. "C'mon Henry," she took his hand into hers. Emma looked back over her shoulder and spotted Lina staring off into the ocean's distance, arms crossed and an eerily pensive look planted across her face. "Coming Lina?" she called. Lina snapped out of her daze and resolutely followed Emma and Henry back home, mind still focused on every word Henry had said.
...
Henry and Lina approached the front door, heads bowed sheepishly as Emma followed close behind. Regina stood at the doorway, arms crossed and a cold expression hardening her features as she looked at Emma with a scrutinizing expression. Henry slipped past her and into the house as quickly as possible to prevent a scolding. And while Angelina tried to do the same, she was stopped by Regina placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Angelina, would you please watch the pasta on the stove?" she asked coolly, gaze still fixed upon Emma.
"Umm... Yeah, sure," Lina mumbled, realizing that her mother was dismissing her. So, uncertainly, she left as she felt the growing tension build between her mother and Emma Swan.
Lina drummed her fingers on the kitchen countertop impatiently while eyeing the boiling water on the stove. As she stood there, a heated conversation taking place at the front door carried its way to her ears. Curious as to what was going on between Emma and her mom, Lina snatched an apple from a stash of her mother's homegrown apples and silently rounded the corner out of the kitchen to eavesdrop on the ensuing conversation.
"So I suggest you get in your car and leave this town. Because if you don't, I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do," Lina heard Regina threaten. She frowned. She had never heard her mother sound this hostile. Lina peered around the corner to survey the scene. Regina and Emma were facing each other, less than a foot apart. While Regina's back was facing Lina, she was able to make out Emma's face, which wore an expression of bewilderment. "Goodbye Miss Swan," Regina spoke with a tone that indicated that the conversation was over. She turned to leave Emma but was stopped short.
"Do you love him?" Emma asked in a hard tone.
"Excuse me?" Regina snapped, whipping her head back around to face Emma.
"Henry. Do you love him?" Emma repeated.
"Of course I love him," Regina sneered with no sliver of affection. And with that, she turned on her heels and slammed the door behind her. Lina quickly ducked back into the kitchen as she heard her mom stomping in to check on her. She leaned casually over the island countertop, staring at the apple she had dug her nails into while listening to the intense conversation between her mom and Emma.
She had only heard half of it, but if she had to place bets, her mom had been the one to initiate the argument. Why did Regina have to be so abrasive and possessive?
I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do. That sounded a bit over the top. But Regina had meant every single word she said. After ten years of living with the woman, to Lina that much was certain. But that didn't explain why the phrase sounded so familiar. Or why it felt like a stab in her chest when she even thought about it.
Regina entered the room in a huff, heading straight for the coffee pot. Might need something a little stronger than that, Angelina thought to herself as she bit into the apple.
I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do. Lina coughed as the phrase repeated in her brain. Her eyes widened when she began convulsively gagging and choking as she tried to spit the apple out of her mouth. As she choked on the apple, a series of visions flew through her head.
Angelina leaped up to grab the most ripe, ruby red, mouth watering apple that she had seen in her entire life. Once plucked from the tree branch, she took a vigorous bite, suddenly feeling light headed and woozy. Against her will, she fell to the floor in a heap, submerging into a deep state of unconsciousness.
When she awoke, she was in a jail cell, dumped to the floor in a heap. Beside her sat the deadly apple with a large bite taken out of it. Angelina laughed dryly and humorlessly. She should've seen that one coming. The Queen did have a certain fetish for the fruit. The apple had knocked her unconscious. And Angelina had fallen into her trap, perhaps willingly. Angelina was about to hurl the fruit across the cell, but was momentarily postponed by a multitude of stomps approaching her cell door. Not wishing to be in the presence of any of the Queen's minions, or the queen herself, Angelina shoved half the apple into her mouth and forced herself to swallow it all, hoping and praying that the more she got down, the longer she would stay unconscious. The last image she saw was the Queen approaching her convulsing body, a dangerously annoyed look on her face. That much gave Angelina pleasure.
Then, it was later. Much later. Angelina stood at the bars of her jail cell, glaring at the Evil Queen in all her regal glory. Angelina studied the woman's facial features, lingering on the blood red hue of her lips, to the smokey rims of her eyes. She was beautiful, and could easily see why her brother had fallen in love with her at one time.
"You killed my brother," Angelina hissed, remembering who she was speaking to.
"Ah, yes! Revenge!" The queen smiled and began pacing lightly outside the barred door. "Such a powerful thing. Such an invigoration of rage, passion and determination. I, for one, understand exactly how you feel."
"Then you'll understand why I'm not leaving here without carving your heart out of your chest," Angelina glowered and gave the Queen her best death glare. "I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do."
Angelina finally came to, finding herself gasping loudly for breath and gripping the sides of the countertop so tightly that her knuckles were white. The apple had long ago fallen to the floor, a solo bite taken from the fruit. As Angelina's senses came billowing back, she could hear her mother calling her name frantically.
"Angelina!" Regina cried for the umpteenth time, soothing her hacking form by rubbing her back. "Lina! Are you ok?"
Angelina paused and coughed a few more times, wiping apple juice from the corners of her mouth. She vaguely wondered how long Regina had been trying to get her attention and soothe her coughing.
"Daniel..?" she whispered in an awestruck voice. She hadn't meant to say it, but it came out regardless. While she didn't believe she had said the name loudly, Regina had heard it. She heard it loud and clear. It couldn't have been any clearer than if Lina had screamed it to the whole world.
Regina involuntarily tensed at the name and slowly released Lina from her hold. She tilted her head a little in confusion. "What was that, dear?" Regina searched for confirmation of what she had witnessed. Did Angelina... Remember?
"Um..nothing," Lina wiped some sweat from her brow. "I...I'm fine," she forced herself to face Regina and attempted giving her a reassuring grin. Without a second thought, Lina rushed out of the kitchen, running her hands through her hair.
Regina started going after her, but stopped at the doorway. Her eyes chased after Lina as she sprinted up the stairs in a hurry. Regina wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she was curious and concerned. She stayed glued to the spot until she heard Lina's door come to a close. Sighing and rubbing her temples, Regina allowed her two children some privacy. God only knew she needed it too...
Angelina spent the rest of the light hours of the day cooped up in her room, reflecting on everything that had transpired within the past few days. She didn't know how she felt about Emma Swan, or how she felt about her mother for that matter. Perhaps she and Regina owed it to Henry to allow him to spend some time with his birth mother. She scoffed to herself when she thought about how well that would go over with Regina.
"Angelina! I told you!" Henry bursted into the room, a triumphant look on his face.
"Told me what?" Lina jumped at his unannounced presence. Henry lurched over to Lina and tugged her arm, urging her to get out of bed.
"The clock moved. Time is continuing! Look!"
Curious, Lina crept over to her window and looked out to the dark horizon. Sure enough, the town clock, which had always read 8:15, now read 8:16. And the tiniest hand continued to tick off the seconds passing by.
"See?" Henry cried excitedly. "Emma stayed! The final battle's begun!"
"Maybe there is something to your fairytale theory, Henry..." Lina drawled as a shiver ran up her spine.
You know he's right, the innermost tendrils of her heart spoke. Follow his lead, and then you'll see all that you're capable of...
A/N: If you made it through this entire chapter...I applaud you. Please let me know what you thought by reviewing. Remember: Reviews fuel me to keep posting, so please don't hesitate. This hasn't deviated too far from the original story... but it will at some point. Thank you to those that have taken an interest. Until next update!