Chapter 5: Into the Night
The mob rushes up the wide circular stair, racing to lay hands on the one who took away all their happiness. Regina cowers by the window steeling herself as the first shuttering blows rain against the locked door. She hears David yell, "Again!" They will not stop until they have blood. Her blood!
Regina closes her eyes, her hands splayed in a fan before her. She summons the magic. A dark fire tingles at her fingertips but it is not enough, the spark fades then sputters out. She sighs, the magic is not strong enough yet for her to manifest what she needs. But it will be.
Another crashing blow resounds and the door to Henry's room explodes in a splinter of wood. David rushes forth his hands tightening around Regina's neck. The color drains from her face as she gasps for air, David's murderous eyes fill with rage and he presses his thumbs into her throat. The clamor of the mob's jeers mount. Then a soft voice whispers, "This is not right," Mary Margret lays her hand on David's arm and his grasp weakens just enough for Regina to gulp a rasping breath of air.
"She's right, you know, dearie," says Mr. Gold entering the room. With him comes a strange thickness that fills the air making each movement, each gesture feel strained. "Let her go," he commands, waving his fingers. Slowly, trance-like David loosens his grip. Regina staggers but Gold has her arm. He leads her silently down the stairs past the mob who appear to be trapped, suspended in thick air, their voiced "no" and outstretched arms unable to touch the two as they descend. A cold breeze chills the night on the street and Regina pulls her arm free of Gold's grasp.
"That went well," he mutters, his stick tapping the pavement as he turns to leave.
But Regina grabs his arm pressing her face close to his. "You almost had me killed!"
"Almost, dearie, but not quite," Gold snorts.
"That was not part of the plan!" she says, trembling with rage.
A wide smile cracks Gold's face. "Maybe not part of your plan," he whispers, turning away. "Remember, I'm the one with the power here!" his laugh echoes through the dark as he walks away, "Run!"
Just then the mob pours out of Regina's mansion onto the street. "There she is!" some one cries, but Regina's doesn't hear as she slips away, swallowed by the blackness of the night.
The elevator hits bottom with a jarring clang and I am thrown against the golden scrollwork that decorates the elevator door. It slides open easily against my weight and I stumble out into a world I've never seen before. "What is the place?" I murmur. Stars sparkle all around me twinkling a bright message that causes me to explore further. There seems to be something gleaming, glowing up ahead. A sudden intuitive fear chills me but the glowing object holds an attraction all its own. Disregarding the warning echoing in my mind I step forth towards this prize and whatever treasure it holds.