The whole town felt the loss of Wendy Darling. All the stores closed and the students of Storybrooke High were herded into the auditorium.

"We regret to tell you Wendy Darling has ended her own life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Grief counselors will be available to anyone that needs to talk. The school will also be closing early today."

The students spoke in hushed tones on the way out, shocked and confused. There was no way the caring, helpful eldest Darling was dead. Right?

John, who'd been the one to find her, refused to leave her room. Every time he looked up at the ceiling fan, he pictured her lifeless body hanging there. It was horrifying, but he felt like if he left, he would lose any part of his big sister he once had. He looked through all her stories, imagining her reading them to him. Looked through her camera to see the life she'd built in New York. That hurt more than anything- seeing how happy she'd been in New York. It was as if she didn't miss them at all.

John had also found pictures of her with Pan- he didn't seem a menacing threat in any of them. They seemed like any other happy couple- completely in love. He suddenly felt awful about his and Michael's part in keeping them apart. Would she still be there if they hadn't? Telling them stories and tucking them in at night? It was all just too much, and most nights he just slept on her bed, crying himself to sleep.

Dear John,

I want you to know this isn't your fault. I know you and Michael just wanted to protect me, and I understand. I've run out of people to blame, really. I just need you to remember that I love you and want you to be able to move past this. It's what's best for all of us. Take care of Michael for me- someone's got to make sure he doesn't stay up all night watching The Walking Dead. I missed you too more than anyone else while I was in New York, you know. I wish we could go back to acting out stories in our room, but it seemed fate had other plans. You're a good brother. Goodbye

-Wendy

Michael, for his part, couldn't bear staying in the Darling household. He couldn't take the numb look of his father's face, the tear stains on his mother's, or hearing his brothers muffled sobs at night. Instead, he sat at Wendy's table in the library, reading her favorite books and blaming himself. John had showed him Wendy's pictures from New York. She'd been so happy- he'd never seen her like that, not even when she was telling one of her favorite stories. It'd been him that called Peter- he figured if Wendy loved him that much, he deserved to know.

The conversation with Peter was almost as painful as when John had stumbled into their room, trying to explain what he'd seen in the midst of his own emotional breakdown.

"Hello?"

"Hi. This is John, Wendy's brother."

"What do you want?"

"Look, Peter I know you must be pissed about all of this, but-"

"I don't care what you know. I'm hanging up now."

"Wait! It's- It's about Wendy."

"What about her?" Michael winced at how his tone softened at the mention of Wendy.

"She... She's dead. She hung herself. Sorry, that sounded harsh. The funeral's next week. I know there's a restraining order on you, but I think they'll make an exception. She left you a note."

Peter didn't say anything for a long time. Then, finally, "I'll be there."

"I'm really sorry you had to find out this way," Michael started to say, but the line had gone dead.

Dear Michael,

I'm going to tell you the same thing I told John. This isn't your fault- I understand completely that you felt the need to protect me, and I'm so grateful you love me enough to do so. I'm going to miss you two desperately. You're probably the best little brothers in the world, and I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you longer. I just can't see any other way. Just promise me you'll be good, and read even when I'm not forcing you to. I asked John to take care of you, but you're going to have to take care of him too. You know he likes to bottle things up. Just make sure you're there for him okay? I love you two so much. Goodbye little brother.

-Wendy

Ruby stopped by the Darling house often. Bringing food, making sure everyone was as close to okay as possible. She never stopped moving, stopped trying to take care of anyone that needed it. One day, John stopped her at the door.

"It's okay to grieve, Ruby. We know you loved her- no one's going to think you're weak."

She was absolutely ashamed, but couldn't stop herself from crying into his arms.

"It's okay. Hot cocoa?" he asked after she detached herself and apologized quickly. She nodded weakly and followed him into the kitchen.

Dear Ruby,

Thank you. Thank you so much fro being the big sister I never had. You comforted me when I was upset, sided with me no matter what, and covered fro me even when you probably shouldn't have. I can't tell you how much I missed hanging out with you at Granny's while I was in New York. I don't think I ever told you how much you mean to me or how much I look up to you and admire you. I regret that a lot, but better late than never, I suppose. I just wanted to let you know you've helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and I loved sharing the good ones with you. Goodbye, Ruby. You're my hero (Heroine?).

-Wendy

Grace had never felt worse in her life. Her best friend in the world was gone. And they couldn't have left their relationship in a worse place. She was in such shock, she didn't even cry until she got home and went into her room. Wendy had changed a lot in recent months. It would've been easy to just blame Wendy's boyfriend for all of it, but Grace knew if she'd just tried to be understanding about it, she never would've left in the first place. The only solace she found was in the note Wendy had left fro her.

Dear Grace,

I am so, so sorry for where this leaves us. In a fight. Can you believe it? We never fight! Anyway, I'm not mad at you. You're my best friend. We've shared so much over the years, it just doesn't make sense to leave with any trace of malice towards you in my heart. We'll always have all those sleepovers and nights of staying up late and laughing at everything. Nothing else matters anymore. Keep any eye out for my brothers okay? Hopefully they'll listen to you. Stay gold Ponyboy. I'll miss you.

-Wendy

Henry couldn't believe it. Even when his birth and adoptive mothers sat him down, putting on a united front for the first time, since they'd met, he couldn't believe Wendy was dead. She couldn't be- he'd just seen her, seen the relief on her face when she saw him, felt her arms around him. One of his favorite people in the world couldn't just be gone. There had to be some explanation. Maybe she'd faked her death and ran away with Peter Pan again. The thought made him a little uneasy, but the two of them had seemed so married when he saw them, and it was much better than her being dead. That had to be it.

"I don't believe you," he finally said stubbornly.

"I'm sorry kid, but it's true," Emma said gently wrapping her arm around him.

"Do you want to see the note?" Regina asked softly. All Henry could do was nod.

"Can I go see Dad after this?" he asked.

"Of course," his mothers answered.

He nodded numbly and went outside to read the letter. He knew once he read it, it would be real. The kindhearted, intelligent girl who had looked after him for as long as he could remember would be gone. It was all too much, but finally he read it.

Dear Henry,

This is probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. To leave you permanently. I'm sorry I had to do this- I wish I could just take you and live somewhere completely in peace. Unfortunately, even if I could, your mothers would never let me. I know you must think me terribly selfish for doing this, but I had to. I'm so, so sorry Henry. I love you like one of my brothers, remember that. And no matter what happens, stay you. Keep believing in miracles and the greater good. Someone has to. And remember that no matter what, all of your parents love you. A book is always a good escape from stress, too. Bye Henry.

-Wendy