Goldilocks approached the ramshackle hut with caution. They told her she could find her solution here. There had long been tales of the sorceress that lived here, but they were stories her friends told around fires at night. She had never believed that the woman existed. The fire that flickered inside, shining out through the holes in the walls, said otherwise.
"Who's there?" a voice called, and Goldilocks almost turned and fled.
The curtain that covered the doorway was pushed aside, and Goldilocks squinted against the firelight. "I'm Goldilocks," she stammered.
"And why are you here?" the woman inquired with a mad cackle.
"I need your help. I've been told you can help me with a problem. I brought you some food." Goldilocks lifted the cloth draped over the heaping basket of bread and dried meat.
A smile spread on the woman's face, pushing wrinkles out of its way like a curtain. "Smart girl. Come in."
Goldilocks sat on the stool the woman indicated and handed her the basket.
"So, what do you need?" the woman questioned. She tore off a piece of the bread and tossed it in her mouth.
"I need to make some people stop bothering me," she replied.
"Ah. Death or transformation?"
Goldilocks frowned as she thought. "Transformation. I'm no killer."
"Of course not," the woman smiled. She pulled a vial off one of the shelves on the wall and handed it to Goldilocks. "Here you are, darling. Have them drink this and they won't bother you ever again. Just remember, magic can be dangerous. Make sure this is what you really want to do."
Goldilocks nodded.
The next morning, Goldilocks waited outside the wizards' house again. The vial was clenched in her fist. She held her breath as they left, laughing and pushing each other. She waited for what felt like hours, though it was probably only ten minutes. Once she thought they were far enough, she snuck into their house.
It was dim. Dim just like yesterday, and it no longer smelled sweet. She looked around, wondering what she was going to do with the vial. It was then she saw what was bubbling in the cauldron over the fire. It was white, sticky porridge. Bowls were stacked, spoons still resting inside them, and they weren't yet washed. She'd found it. She emptied the vial into the pot, stepping back as dark smoke began to roll from the porridge. She ran as soon as the smoke cleared.
The roaring started sometime during the night. Goldilocks shook as she listened. She didn't know what they were transforming into, but she didn't think she'd like it. They sounded like something that could eat her.
When the noise stopped, she peered out her window. Bears were lumbering out of the wizards' house. She turned, her back sliding down the wall until she was a little ball, her knees pulled against her chest. She tried to quiet her breathing, but it wasn't easy. This wasn't what she wanted.
"You turned your enemies into bears? Nice plan, Goldie," Regina quips, crossing her arms.
"Not on purpose!" Goldilocks insisted. "I didn't know what that vial would do. I just hoped it would be better than their terror."
"Well it sounds like it wasn't," Regina quips back.
"Actually," Goldilocks mutters, "it was. At first, at least. They disappeared into the woods and left me alone. I thought I was rid of them until I woke up here." She turns to Rumple, perplexed. "Are you saying Calcifer wasn't transformed?"
"Afraid not, dearie," Rumple replied.
Goldilocks let her face fall into her hands, letting out a long groan. "No. No, No, No, No, No. This can't be happening. Did he come here with me?" She glanced up at Rumple, eyes wide, hoping he could answer.
"I don't know," he replies.
"We should send people out to sweep the forest. If there's an angry wizard in my town, I'd like to know," Regina says, a hard edge in her voice.
"Over here," Hook yells. "I've found footprints."
Emma jogs over with Goldilocks on her heels.
"Did the chap have a penchant for pointed toed boots?" he quips with a grin.
Goldilocks' face falls. "Yes," she breathes.
"Can we follow them?" Emma asks.
Instead of replying, Hook trots off between the trees. Goldilocks gathers up her skirt and runs after him. Emma is close behind, gun drawn. After a few moments, Hook comes to a stop in front of a small cave.
"He's in here," he says, gesturing toward the hole with his hook.
Leading the way with a flashlight, Emma heads into the cave. Goldilocks follows hesitantly, and Hook brings up the rear. The group treads softly. They reach the back of the cave, and Emma lets out a small gasp. Goldilocks peers around her, and gasps as well. Calcifer is lying in a ball on the ground. His deep red coat is laid over him like a blanket. The little bits of noise cause him to stir. He blinks blearily, blue-green eyes shining out eerily underneath his dark curly mop of hair.
"Who goes there," he rumbles, his deep voice echoing against the walls in the small room.
"I'm Emma Swan. Do you know where you are?" she questions. Goldilocks presses her back to Emma's. The barrier is the only thing helping her hold her ground. Killian stands at the mouth of the room, pistol drawn.
Calcifer sneers, inhaling deeply. He stares through Emma. "My Golden Doll, why don't you come out? You know you can't hide from me."
Goldilocks' eyes widen, crumpling her skirt in her trembling fists. Chills run down her arms, and her chest constricts. Her heart has turned to lead, and she doesn't know what to do.
"Back off, Calcifer," Emma warns.
Calcifer's lips quirk into a smile. "So she's told you about me. I'm sure I'm the villain of her little story. Did she tell you, though, that she turned my brothers into bears?" Calcifer finishes with gusto. His reveal is met with a lack of enthusiasm, and that seems to perplex him.
"Actually, yes, she did," Killian deadpans, "and I don't blame her." He offers Goldilocks a smile, which she meekly returns.
"Turn around," says Emma as she extracts a pair of handcuffs that glow with light magic. Calcifer complies, wearing a mask of haughty smugness. Emma pushes him past Goldilocks, and he looms towards her. Killian steps between them, however, cutting off the antagonization. Once Emma and Calcifer are out of sight, he motions to her.
"Come along, love; let's get you back to Granny's Diner."