Wow, the response to just the first chapter was amazing. Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favourites! I smiled the whole day like an idiot.
I sat down and wrote the second chapter. Here it is :)
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Once upon a Time, just the ideas in my head that I incorporated in this story.
Chapter 2
It was still dark when I reached a hilltop in the middle of the Enchanted Forest. I didn't even know if I was walking towards my destination or running around in circles. I let out a sigh and slid to the ground. My long golden hair was annoying me, so I picked out all the leaves and moss that was stuck and braided it. Like mother would.
Everything that led to my new life of running away and finding people happend mere hours ago. I had lost everything that mattered to me. The powerful Evil Queen, who had ripped out and crushed my mother's heart, was still looking for me. She would use me. Kill me. No, I would not let her find me. I needed to find a safe place. But first I had to meet Killian Jones.
'Mother, what about my bedtime story?' I asked.
With my small hands I held up a big book. Some pages were already missing, the book was falling apart, but my mother didn't actually need the book to read to me. She knew the story by heart. She simply rolled her eyes.
'Little one, isn't it tiresome to hear the same story night after night? I think it's time to put that book away and forget about it.' She reached for the book.
'No! Please, mother. I was good all day, I helped you in the garden, I cleaned my room. I promise, this is the last time I ask. Please?' I handed her the book and a hairbrush.
It was part of my rountine before I fell asleep. Beg mother to read me my bedtime story, convince her I would never ask again, let her brush and braid my long hair, ask questions, listen to my mother's voice and drift into my dreams.
Mother wanted to say something, but she decided not to. Her blue eyes shot me a meaningful look. Whatever she wanted to say was important, she was not telling me something.
But I did not dwell on that. Mother didn't tell me many things, like who my father was, that's why reading bedtime stories was important to me. She would concentrate on braiding my hair and if I was lucky, an answer to my countless questions would slip from her lips.
I sat down by the fire in my nightdress and soon after, mother started brushing my hair and began with the bedtime story.
'Once upon a time, there was a boy who had nobody. A green fairy, let's call her Tinkerbell, felt empathy for the lost boy, and brought him to Neverland...'
Somewhere in the middle of her story-telling, I interrupted her with a question.
'Mother, why did you call me Aura?'
'Well, dear child, your name means 'bright light' and 'golden'. The day you were born, I had seen the most beautiful and brightest sunrise. And your hair, well, it's golden. It is your halo. Sometimes I believe you were an angel sent from heaven. My Aura. I love you, dear one.' She responded.
'I love you too, Mother.'
Sunbeams were shining on my face. I had fallen asleep, again. Yawning, I rubbed my eyes, while they adjusted to the bright light. Your name means bright light. Unknowingly, I touched my braid. And your hair, well it's golden.
'Hello dearie, what marvelous hair you have!' I heard a high-pitched voice behind me. It sounded like a child.
Startled, I quickly turned around. The voice did not fit the man standing in front of me. He was hideous, his skin was green-gold. His suit was made of snake or crocodile like skin. His dark amber eyes were full of curiosity. I did not like that look.
Then I remembered. He was the Monster. He was the Crocodile. He was the Dark One, someone not to be messed with.
Reviews are always appreciated. I'll try my best to update sooner, love you all :)
aureaborealis