Chapter 6

January 8, Evening, Gold's Pawn Shop

Rosie never went straight home from school. She always hung around the schoolyard, observing people, or went to the library. This particular day, she hung around the school waiting out Killian's detention. She liked to watch her victims suffer. She never saw him leave the school though, and, assuming he had gone home, just strolled around town. The boring old town of Storybrooke. She knew there was magic in the town. Everyone knew it, they just kept it hidden. She knew her father was the 'dark one' and could perform powerful dark magic. But he never did. Rosie knew he was putting his 'dark days' behind him, but she just wished he could use his power at least a little bit. Just to keep the town alive. Alive and interesting. Emma Swan, now Emma Jones, could use the magic given to her when she became the Saviour. Regina Mills had magic too. But they all tucked away only willing to pull it out if someone or something attacked the town, which in Rosie's fourteen years of living, never happened. She knew if she had magical abilities she would, well, she would do too many things to even name, and they weren't all exactly nice things either.

She finally had nothing to do but go home. When she got back to the pawn shop, she went inside and dropped her backpack by the door. When she looked up, she saw both her parents standing behind the counter. Belle's arms were folded, and Mr. Gold leaned on the counter top. They didn't say anything. Just looked at her. Her seventeen-year-old brother, Gideon, could be heard cleaning in the back room of the shop.

"Can I help you?" Rosie asked slowly. When her parents didn't answer, she began to walk towards the back of the shop to the house.

"Don't leave this room, Rosebelle," Belle commanded.

Rosie stopped and turned back. "Rosebelle hmm? This must be pretty serious." She obviously not at all concerned about what her mother and father were gonna say to her.

"How many times," Gold said. "Have I told you NOT to touch anything you're not supposed to?"

"I don't know, I don't count really," Rosie answered absentmindedly.

"Don't be smart with me." Gold continued, annoyed. "I never told you about that writing pen, which means you would have had to have found it while you were poking around in places you're not supposed to be!"

"What pen?" Rosie pretended she didn't have a clue what they were talking about.

Belle unfolded her arms. "I received a call from Emma earlier today. She told me all about how you tricked Killian Jr. into doing that horrible thing to Mary Margaret."

Rosie's poker face broke. "The little snitch!"

Gold stood up straight. "Oh don't worry, the pirate's getting his punishment, but it won't be half as severe as yours, dearie."

Rosie froze a moment. She didn't know why, but when her father said 'dearie' like that, it sent a small chill down her spine. It was unsettling, but her face remained confident. "Alright," She nodded. "Do your worst."

Belle looked slightly doubtful of her husband's ability to effectively punish Rosie since there wasn't a whole lot they could take away from her or make her do.

"I want you working for me in the shop, in the morning before school, and all day after school."

Rosie gave a small chuckle. Was that the best he's got?

"And you can't check out any books from the library for a month." Gold added.

Rosie's smirk faded and her stare grew more intense. "What?" She said, almost in a whisper.

"And you have to return the ones you currently have, immediately. In fact, you can give them to your mother right now."

For the first time ever Rosie actually looked...helpless. Gold smiled. He had won.

"Uh, Rumple?" Belle turned to Mr. Gold. "Don't you think that's a little harsh? She can work in the store, but I don't think you need to-"

Gold shook his head. "She can't do those kinds of things and get away with it. I don't think she'll learn any other way."

Belle sighed and turned to Rosie. "He's right." She said. "This is the only way. Bring me your books."

Rosie's eyes narrowed and she clenched her fists. "No."

"What?"

"No." Rosie repeated, her tone darkening.

"Rosie, you go get those books right now, or you won't see ANY books for an entire YEAR!" Gold thought she'd do what he asked after that threat, but she didn't. It only seemed to make her madder.

"No!" She yelled. "I am tired of having to do what you tell me to! I'm done doing what Mrs. Nolan tells me too! I hate all these rules and restrictions I have to follow, that we ALL have to follow! If everyone wasn't so damn scared of endangering each other all the time, we could actually use the magic we have here! It's like you don't even understand all the POWER you have!"

"Oh trust me, I know how much power I have." Gold told her. "And if you're dying to see it so badly, then I'll give you a small demonstration." He snapped his fingers, and a stack of library books flew out of Rosie and Gideon's room and into his arms. He handed the books to Belle.

"Rosie, all you've done is lie to us and it needs to stop," Belle said.

"Are you gonna make me?" Rosie asked, impertinently. "How do you know Emma wasn't lying when she talked to you on the phone? How do you know Killian didn't lie to Emma, how-"

"Because people like Emma and Killian don't lie."

"Well actually-" Gold began but stopped when Belle shot him a look.

Rosie was furious. "Oh, so I guess I'm not one of those 'people' like Emma and Killian. I guess you like people like Emma and Killian more than me huh? Well, next time I see that snitching pirate, he's gonna wish he was never born! Now give me my books!" As Rosie lunged for her books, jets of dark purple magic shot out of her palms.

"Belle!" Gold grabbed Belle and moved her out of the way, just in time. The blast hit the shelves behind them, shattering all the glass. Gold and Belle stared at their daughter's hands. Rosie stared at them too, then she smiled a very evil smile.