Sometimes running away is for the best
"Emma! Come here now!" a loud, thundering, deep, harsh voice echoed off the leaves of the surrounding trees. Standing in the middle of a dirt path was a young girl around the age of thirteen. She had long blonde hair and jade green eyes. Her hands were shaking and so was the suitcase she clung too. A tall husky man was standing about ten feet away from her.
She shook her head violently," No! " She screamed. Slowly she stepped back and seem to crossed some kind of invisible shield because the man could no longer see her. With no knowledge of this, she turned around and ran off. The man however was thrown back when he collided with the wall. Emma knew not to look back. She knew if she was going to have a new start she had to keep running, she wouldn't stop until she found home.
After about ten minutes of running through the forest, she stopped realizing she lost him and lost her way. She brought the suitcase up to her chest and decided to catch her breath. Slowly she walked over to a tree and climbed up. She often climb trees when she wanted to be alone. It was only way she could escape the pain she felt her whole life. She had only closed her eyes for a second when she heard a soft, sweet voice called up to her.
" Hey..what are you doing up there?" Emma blinked open her eyes to see a women standing below her. The women was about average height, with short black hair, very pale skin, and hazel eyes. She was starring at Emma strangely.
" I..um..I..um.. was just looking around. " She answered. The women crossed her arms, clearly not buying it.
" How about you come down from there as it isn't safe and we could have a chat. " She said with a caring tone. Emma was surprise how sweet the women was toward her. But that was how they always got you to do things. She couldn't trust this women. She shook her head softly.
" No. I am safe here. I am not safe with you. " She said looking at her suitcase. She wanted nothing more than to hold her blanket. It was the only thing that brought her comforter. The women
" Well if you don't come down I will force to get other unsafe adults and they won't be as nice as me. Sweetheart it would be easier on us both if you just came down. I promise I won't hurt you." The women said very calmly. Without a second thought she obeyed the women and made her way down the seconds Emma was right beside the women, looking down at her hands. The women gently cupped Emma's chin making her look directly at her and a silence fell over them. The moment only lasted for a second but somewhere deep inside a connection was made that nether of them could understand. Emma finally blinked," Hey it is okay, you can trust me. My name is Mary Margret by the way. " Mary Margret said releasing Emma's chin.
Emma took a deep breath, " My name is Emma. " She said with a shaky voice.
Mary Margret smiled, " I have never seen you around here before. Do you live close, I could take you home." She said looking at the young girl. Mary could tell the girl had to be around thirteen which was too young to be out here alone. Emma held back tears as she starred at her suitcase.
" I... don't have a home. " She said as a tear fell. She quickly wiped it away as she knew she was stronger than that. Mary frowned slightly. She finally understood what was going on. " I ran... from my foster dad. He isn't nice... please don't make me go back. " Emma begged.
Mary Margret could see the pain behind Emma's eyes and knew she couldn't send the girl to such a harsh place. Slowly she nodded. " Okay so it seems you need a place. I can't send you back there. " She pointed to the path Emma came from" Because they will just find you. You can stay with me until we figure out what to do but first we have to see someone. " She said and held her hand out for her to take. Emma hesitated but slowly took it. As they walked back to Mary's car Emma looked at her.
" Who are we going to see?" She asked. Mary Margret opened her car door to let Emma in before getting in herself. She turned her head and sighed.
" Regina Mills, the mayor of this town. " She spoke almost in a whisper and with that she started the car heading toward Regina's office.
The ride to Regina's was fairly short but with the silence it seemed like a life time. Once they reached the two story white build that was Regina's office, Mary stepped out and opened Emma's door. Emma looked at her nervously. " Is Regina nice?" Emma asked with her head turned slightly to the side. Mary was a bit shock at the question and slightly confused on how to answer. As far as Mary Margret could remember Regina never really spoke to her so she wasn't so sure. But she didn't want to scare Emma away so she simply nodded not saying another word. Emma took a deep breathe and followed behind the older lady. She sorta wished she stayed in the tree because who was to say what she had gotten herself into. As she see it two things could happen, Regina could force her to go back to that horrible man or let her stay until once again a family decided to take her in. It what was expected when it came to her life.
After knocking a few times another women around Mary's age opened the door. She looked over the two people standing before with her sharp brown eyes. Emma stood behind Mary closely afraid to look into the women's eye.
" Hello Regina. " Mary Margret said with a nervous smile. Regina ran a hand through her semi-short brown hair and sighed.
" Mary Margret I am busy what do you want and who is this?" She asked in a tone Emma was very familiar with. Mary Margret looked at Emma who was behind her and sighed. She looked back at Regina. " Can we come inside and talk. " She said softly. Regina stepped aside letting the two in. " Make this quick, I don't have patients to deal with your problems. " She mumbled. Mary Margret walked with Emma behind her until they got to the office. She didn't want the girl to hear them so she turned to her.
" Could you stay out here dear. Adult talk. " She said and Emma simply nodded. She knew this was going to happen. Adult talk. How many times had she heard that. She sighed and sat down waiting
Once the door shut behind them, Regina turned so quick that Mary jumped. " Why did you bring that brat here?" She basically growled at Mary. Mary took in a deep breath and began explaining how she found Emma and what was going on. When she finished she noticed Regina went very still. It took several seconds for her to finally speak. " No! I forbid you! No way Mary Margret. I will not go against the state. They want her so let her go back to where she belongs. "She said in the harshest voice she had. There was no way this outsider would come here and ruin everything. No way. Regina could almost feel the magic failing. She had to stop it. Mary shook her head.
" Regina please! She can't go back. Who knows what they will do. Just give me a chance to find her a home. " She argued. Regina starred at her.
Regina could say no. But now she was curious about how she got here. Why was her curse weakening? Who was this girl? Why was she here? Regina became very nervous for a split second. What if something was weakening her curse and suddenly everything she worked hard for just vanished. She made the best decision she could make. " Fine but you have four months. If she doesn't have a family by then she has to go back. " She said though Regina knew that the girl would have to go back one way or another because she couldn't risk her finding out what was actually going on here. Mary looked very pleased which Regina hated. She just rolled her eyes and let Mary out who grabbed Emma and walked out the door.
Mary Margret turned to face Emma with a smile which Emma shared. " Well looks like you are stuck with me." She said as she grabbed her hand walking her back to the car. Emma wasn't sure how she should felt. Somewhere deep inside she was happy. She never seen someone do what Mary did. She always been unwanted and for once someone wanted her. Emma leaped into car. " Are we going to your place now?" She asked. She watched Mary with longing eyes and all Mary could do was smile as she said. " No, we are going home. " She said so gently. Emma felt for the first time ever tears of joy rolling down her cheeks as she glanced out at the window. As they took off toward home, she could see in the distant the arm of an old clock tower move for the first time in thirteen years.