Emma Swan and the Cursed Dagger

Chapter 3

The episode of weirdness at the museum had earned Emma and the others the longest punishment ever. She was grounded till well into the summer holidays. Although she was happy school was over, there was no escaping Mrs. Blue, who watched her more closely than ever before. To make matters worse, Tina had joined in. After only a week off, Emma almost longed for the stuffy classrooms and strict teachers again.

School was going to be different this time around, though. She'd go to secondary school with a bunch of the other orphans, but they would all attend different ones. Not that she cared very much about seeing less of some of them. It was Regina who'd she really miss hanging out with. They had always been together. Them against the world, which seemingly had a problem with both of them. She was also worried about Rumple. They had always looked out for him, but he had to go to yet another school. One for children with learning disabilities, which Emma did not fully understand. Rumple did fine in school, despite being bullied. If anyone needed some help studying, it would be her. How often had the principal told Mrs. Blue Emma might have concentration related issues?

"I'm so bored," Emma sighed when Regina flung herself on the couch next to her.

The dark-haired girl sighed too, as if in agreement. "It's so nice outside. It's not fair!"

"Maybe we can convince her to let us play in the yard? If we promise to stay behind the closed gate?"

Regina quirked an eyebrow. "You know Mrs. Blue, right?"

At this, Emma laughed. "Tina might be better."

"I guess we could try. Nothing to lose."

The girls made their way to the hall, determined to search for Miss Green and plead their case. Instead, they froze in their tracks as soon as they entered the spacious main hall of the orphanage. It was a mess. Boxes were stacked everywhere. Mrs. Blue was standing amongst them, the tight bun of her hair slightly unravelling and her cheeks flushed. Next to her was a rather anxious looking man with a clipboard.

"I am so sorry, madam, but I still need you to sign this," he said.

"You've got to be kidding me," she fumed, "Not only did you let me do most of the work, these are the wrong items."

"Just a few of them."

Mrs. Blue glowered at him. "Most of them. I understand it might be confusing to deliver so many different ones to one house, but delivering only one kind is..."

"I get it, madam." The man waved the clipboard helplessly. "You still need to sign. Else I can't do anything to help."

"Fine."

Mrs. Blue signed the paper on the clipboard, turned around and saw the girls. Before they could run off, she recruited them to help the delivery man with loading the boxes back into the truck. Only three of them were left in the hallway. When the truck drove through the gate, Mrs. Blue picked one up and wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the mailman, who Regina had let in.

Emma accepted the mail, as Mrs. Blue had her hands full. It was quite a big stack of letters. The top one was from the delivery service. The director was probably not going to be happy with that one. Gas and electrics, the bank, some flyers... Then she saw it. Three envelopes, thick and heavy, made from yellowish parchment and without stamps. Emma's heart skipped at beat as she stared at the first one. Curly letters in green ink spelled out her name.

No one, ever, in her whole life, had written to her. Who would? She had no parents, most likely no other relatives and her few friends lived right here in Mundi Harborage. She didn't belong to the library so she never got rude notes asking for books back. Yet here it was, a letter, addressed so plainly there could be no mistake:

Emma Swan

Girl's Dormitory

Mundi Harborage

London

Turning the envelope over, her hand trembling, Emma saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'. She could now see that the letter underneath was addressed to Regina. She looked at the third one and gasped. It was for Rumple, his long full name spelled out perfectly in the same strange ink.

"Grab one of the boxes, Emma. I will read the mail later," Mrs. Blue said impatiently.

Emma placed the stack on a box and carried it to the laundry room; an office sized chamber with two washing machines, two dryers and an ironing board. Most of the laundry was done by drycleaners, but in order to not totally run out of towels all the time, Tina had set up this little project. The brand new school uniforms were unceremoniously thrown into one of the laundry baskets.

On the way to the kitchen, Mrs. Blue leading the way at a merciless pace, Emma handed Regina her letter. The girl looked stunned. Emma shrugged and gave all the other mail, except for her own letter, to the director.

They all sat down at the kitchen table. Emma was feeling pretty nervous by now and was burning with curiosity. She had a hard time opening the envelope without destroying it, because her fingers were cold and trembling. Next to here, Regina looked as pale as a ghost as she struggled with the same problem.

Across from them, Mrs. Blue saw Rumple's letter, turned it over to reveal the seal and gasped. She looked up and stared at the girls for a moment, her eyes big. The next moment, she jumped up, pushing her chair over.

"Give me those!"

Emma's heart skipped a beat and thudded wildly to catch up again. She had dropped the letter into her lap.

"What's the matter?" she asked breathlessly.

Mrs. Blue composed herself, straightening her clothes and taking a deep breath, but her mouth was a hard line and her eyes were cool.

"Give me those letters, please."

Emma grabbed her envelope and pressed it against her chest. "But it is mine."

The glare she got in return almost caused physical pain.

Regina handed over her letter, her bottom lip trembling, but Emma felt the familiar burning in her belly and the tension in her jaw. She slowly got up from her chair, ready to run.

"No."

"I am not asking, Miss Swan."

"And I am not giving it. This letter is addressed to me."

With that, she pushed her chair aside, turned her back on a dangerously pale Mrs. Blue and walked out of the room. She had just enough time to break the seal in half as she tried to pry it off of the paper, before she heard the loud footsteps of the director on the tiled floor.

"Come back this instant, Miss Swan!"

Emma hated it when she called her that. Her eyes stung. "Leave me alone!"

Suddenly there was someone in her path. With her heart hammering in her throat she glared at a confused Tina.

"Emma? What's the matter?"

"Don't let her pass, Green."

Tina frowned at the girl in front of her. "What's happened?"

"I got a letter..."

Mrs. Blue interrupted Emma by grabbing her shoulder with an iron grasp. The woman looked like she might breathe fire at some point. For the first time in her life, the girl felt a twinge of fear for the director of Mundi Harborage. She didn't respond when the letter was taken from her. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Come with me, Green."

Tina kept looking at Emma, concern plainly written across her face. "But..."

"Now!"

As the two women walked off at an alarming speed - Tina scrambling to keep up - Emma wiped her face with her sleeve. The unfairness burned like acid. Why was Mrs. Blue so upset? What on Earth was going on? It had something to do with what had happened at the museum. She was sure of it, although she couldn't see a connection. Ever since that afternoon, Mrs. Blue had been different. Upset. If only she knew what was in that letter. Making up her mind, she hurried after the women. Mrs. Blue's office was that way, surely they'd gone there.

Emma's guess turned out to be right. As she put her ear against the cool wood of the door, she heard Tina's voice.

"... just don't understand why you are so upset."

Mrs. Blue's voice was strained, as if she wanted to shriek her words but held back.

"Have you forgotten why we are here?"

"Of course not. But the children don't know anything about it."

"Exactly. I don't need Mr. Potter to change that. He has no idea what trouble could come from it. He's endangering everyone."

"I don't know..." Tina now spoke so softly, Emma had trouble understanding her words. "You saw what happened with the spinning wheel. Maybe Harry is on to something."

"No!" The word was a sharp as a knife. "No, I will not have it. The last thing we need is Rumpelstiltskin pulling more stunts like that. We can't risk it."

"But that is my point. If they learn..."

"I said no. I have not asked you here to give your consent. This is something we just have to do."

The short silence that followed was so heavily charged, Emma could feel it through the door.

Eventually Tina spoke again. "Why can't we just tell Mr. Potter? Explain it to him, so he may understand?"

"He will never understand."

Emma could easily imagine Mrs. Blue's face as she said that. The next moment she jumped, clasping her hands over her mouth. She had not heard Rumple coming, who now stared at her with giant eyes.

"I'm sorry," he squeaked.

Next to Emma, the door opened and she thanked her lucky stars it was Tina who frowned at her.

"I want my letter," Emma demanded, "And Rumple's and Regina's too."

"I can't do that, sweety."

The regret on Tina's face made Emma's anger flare. "This is so unfair!"

"I know."

Rumple, who was clearly confused, grabbed Emma's hand and dragged her away from the office.

"Come on," he said quietly, "We are going to get in trouble."

Emma scoffed. "We already are."

That evening Mrs. Blue did something she'd never done before; she came to Emma after bedtime.

"Where's my letter?" Emma asked as soon as the woman sat down on the bed, "Who's writing to me?"

"That is not important. They won't write again."

The blonde girl sat up and crossed her arms as that familiar buzzing feeling went through her head again. "I don't believe you."

"I will make sure of it."

Emma wanted to yell at her or... something. But she was tired and all around her girls were sleeping soundly.

Mrs. Blue stroked her arm in a soothing gesture, but she pulled away.

"Don't be like that, Emma. I came up here with good news."

Emma had no idea what that could be. All she could think about was that letter with her name on it and the conversation it had caused between her two guardians.

"Who is Harry Potter?"

"Someone I've met long ago," she answered, "But don't you want to hear the good news?"

"Fine."

"I have decided you are no longer grounded."

Emma looked at her for long while. "Why?"

"Don't ask questions." Mrs. Blue stood and walked towards the door. "Sleep well, Miss Swan."

Emma Swan did not sleep well. She felt frustrated and confused. Mrs. Blue had always been like this, but this was bad even for her. Her mind tried to put everything together, grasping at any explanation she could come up with, no matter how unlikely. Around six in the morning she couldn't stand it anymore. She got out of bed and considered waking Regina, but decided against it.

Emma went downstairs as quietly as she could and was surprised to find Tina, who was carrying a huge stack of drinking glasses to the dining room.

"Careful!" she yelled as the woman was startled by her appearance, almost dropping them.

"What are you doing out of bed already?" Tina panted, "Never mind that. Just help me set up breakfast."

About an hour later, people started to come down to the dining room, rubbing the sleep from their eyes and getting something to eat. Rumple looked more tired than Emma felt and avoided eye contact. He didn't say anything and barely ate.

Mrs. Blue, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned and smiled when she sat down at the table. She drank her coffee and went through the mail. Whatever she'd done to make sure there were no more letters, she seemed confident it had worked.

"You look horrible," Regina whispered, leaning in.

Emma chuckled. "Gee, thanks."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Good, because I don't think Mrs. Blue is."

Emma looked up at that. Regina was right. Mrs. Blue had become very pale. Her mouth was a thin line and her shoulders had tensed up. Emma could have sworn there was an actual thundercloud over her head. She was staring at something intently. A letter. The envelope was the same as the others, but this one was thinner.

Emma held her breath as the envelope was opened and the letter unfolded. Mrs. Blue's face drained of even more colour, becoming impossibly pale, as her eyes scanned the contents. She took the package that had been at the bottom of the pile. She hadn't gotten to it yet, but was now glaring at it. As she ripped of the paper, three thick envelopes that looked very familiar fell out. Emma wanted to jump up and dive across the table, but instead stabbed her bacon with her fork, as if to anchor herself.

Mrs. Blue gathered up the letters and left the room, asking a nervous Tina to follow her. The next thing she knew, Emma was packing her bag.

"What's going on?" asked Regina, who closed her suitcase.

Emma simply shrugged.

"Why does she only take us and Rumple? I don't understand," the dark-haired girl continued.

"Me either. But I know one thing; We can't trust her."

"She is our guardian. Practically our mother."

"She is not my mother," Emma said with clenched teeth, "Never."

Tina came over and smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Are you girls ready?"

"Ready for what, exactly?"

"Now Emma, there is no need to be angry. It is only temporary. Blue is doing what's best for you."

Emma rubbed her forehead. "You don't believe that, do you?"

Miss Green looked a little taken aback by that. "Of course I do."

The light electricity kept dancing through Emma's head, so she shook it. "Whatever."

"Mrs. Blue cares about you. Now, the better you listen to her, the sooner you will be back."

Well, the girl thought to herself, at least some truth. She picked up her bag and slung it across her thin shoulder.

"I will go get Rumple..."

Mrs. Blue was waiting outside, next to a white van. There was a man behind the wheel that Emma had never seen before, yet she had the feeling she recognized him from somewhere. When he turned his head and looked out the window, she saw his eyes widen a little as their gazes met. She shrank back behind Tina, feeling self-conscious. He recognized her too, she was sure of it, and for some reason was shocked to see her.

When Tina ushered her, Regina and Rumple into the back of the van, Emma felt like she was being kidnapped. In a way she was, she realized, and everyone she had relied on was in on it.

"Tina, please," she pleaded, "I don't understand. What is going on?"

Tears were stinging behind her eyes, but she resisted them and channelled her emotions in the most defiant look she could muster.

Next to her, Rumple sobbed.

"You are going to be alright," Miss Green said.

Dread washed over Emma as the doors of the van closed and the motor roared to life.

Tina had lied.

They drove for an entire day. Mrs. Blue and the man were silent most of the way. Rumple ran out of tears soon enough, but remained inconsolable. Regina just stared outside, ashen faced and tense. Emma's anger was growing. By the time it got dark, her stomach was hurting and her head was pounding. How could Mrs. Blue do this to them and why did Tina go along with it? What was so horribly important about those letters? And what did it matter? They were theirs.

"I'm so hungry," Rumple squeaked miserably.

"We are almost at the motel," Mrs. Blue snapped. The man glanced at her uncertainly before returning his focus to the road.

Emma noticed the gloomy look in his eyes. He had black hair and a coarse beard. Again she was struck by how familiar he looked. He must have felt her watching, as he returned her stare through the rear view mirror.

"Whatcha looking at, sister?" His voice was a little hoarse.

"You," she snapped.

He guffawed at that. "Haven't changed a bit, I see."

"You know me?" she asked hopeful, sitting up.

The man wanted to say something, but Mrs. Blue turned to him. "Leroy."

He gave Emma an apologetic look and went back to navigating traffic.

As promised, they reached a motel just a few minutes later. The girls had to share a room with Mrs. Blue, while Rumple stayed with a very reluctant Leroy. They all got a few hours of sleep, but Mrs. Blue all woke them before first light and arranged for a cheap breakfast. As they all sat around the brightly coloured table, chewing rubber that was supposed to be bacon, a very sleepy staff member came over to give them a small stack of letters. He threw them on the table, giving Emma time to snatch one. It was addressed with the same strange ink.

Regina Mills

Room 17

Crossroads Motel

She looked over to Regina, wondering how she could get the letter to her without Mrs. Blue intervening, when the heavy envelope was suddenly plucked out of her hand.

"Hand it over," Leroy grumbled.

She'd known him for less than 24 hours now, but it was already clear to Emma he was not a morning person.

The arrival of the letters seemed to stress out Mrs. Blue even more. She had some food packed and hurried everyone back into the van. Leroy drove of with screeching tires and didn't stop till late afternoon, when they had reached a small cottage in the middle of nowhere. Emma was feeling miserable. She was extremely hungry, thirsty and her bladder was about to burst. She looked around as soon as she got out of the van and her heart sank. All she could see were fields, stretching out to the horizon, only broken by a few patches of trees. She only spotted the tiny cottage when she walked around the vehicle.

"Is this where we are going to stay?" Regina asked.

"I think so..."

"Get inside, girls. There is rain coming," said Mrs. Blue as she gave them a small nudge towards the door.

The inside of the cottage was horrible: it smelled strongly of moss, the wind whistled through the rafters and the fireplace was damp and empty. There were only two rooms and a tiny bathroom.

Mrs. Blue had brought rations in the form of packets of crisps and fake hotdogs. She tried to start a fire but the empty crisp packets just smoked and shrivelled up.

"Could do with those letters now, eh?" Leroy remarked with venomous sarcasm.

Mrs. Blue seemed unconcerned with his sour mood. Obviously she thought nobody could deliver letters to the children here. Emma privately agreed, though she wished the sender was more cunning than the director gave him or her credit for.

As night fell, the rain turned into a full-blown storm. Fierce wind rattled the filthy windows. Leroy found some mouldy blankets and made a couple makeshift beds around the place. While Rumple curled up in an oversized armchair, Regina and Emma got to sleep on the dusty sofa. Mrs. Blue claimed the only bed around and Leroy simply sat down on the ground, leaning his head against the wall. He had put an awful looking pillow between the back of his head and the stone.

The storm raged more and more ferociously as the night went on. Emma couldn't sleep. She shivered and fidgeted, trying to get more comfortable. Leroy's snores were drowned by the low rolls of thunder that started near midnight. The lighted dial of Leroy's watch told Emma she'd be eleven in ten minutes' time. She watched her birthday tick nearer, wondering if Mrs. Blue would remember at all, wondering where the letter-writer was now.

Five minutes to go. Emma heard something outside. Something other than the wind trying to tear the ancient structure around her apart. She hoped the roof wasn't going to fall in, although she might be warmer if it did. Four minutes to go. Maybe there were some more letters delivered back at Mundi Harborage. Tina might actually keep them aside.

Three minutes to go. Was that a knock on the door? What idiot would hike around the countryside right now? Was someone looking for shelter?

Two minutes. That knocking sound again. Maybe the wind had taken control of the knocker she'd seen; a lion's head holding a huge ring in its mouth. It looked scary and ridiculous at the same time.

One minute to go and she'd be eleven. Thirty seconds... twenty... ten, nine... Maybe she'd wake Regina up to celebrate. Three... two... one...

BOOM.

The whole cottage shivered and Emma sat bolt upright. Someone was trying to break the door.