Mary Margaret was in the arms of David sleeping soundly in their bed for the first time since they found one another. Minutes pass until David woke to hear his wife screaming and crying in fear. He opened his eyes alert, ready to fight or protect Snow, but nothing was there. Instead, Snow laid beside him, whimpering. "Charming- I'm sorry I woke you. I had a nightmare."
"You never have nightmares. What's going on, Snow?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks as he leaned over and held her tightly in his grasp. "The dream was horrible, Charming. I was at the house. I was tied to a chair and he took a knife and he started cutting me. It was like it was happening all over again."
"All over again?" He tried catching his breath.
Snow nodded with tears flooding down her eyes.
"I'm here, Snow. You're safe. I got you. He can't hurt you anymore." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she buried her head in his chest, both silently trying to fall back to sleep.
David could hear her last words which felt as if it shattered his heart into a million pieces. "I just want the pain to be over."
~
Day 31:
Snow White tried to convince her daughter that leaving wasn't a good idea but Emma didn't listen. "Come on!" Emma told them as she ran to the table, grabbing the keys. She then Regina helped Regina from her chair. "Let's go!" Snow stood gazing at Emma who ushered Regina to go to the back door of the mansion. Emma pushed her mother up from her chair as well and led her to go with them. As Regina quickly tried each key for the door near the kitchen, Emma boldly took one of the keys and unlocked the door instantly. Regina and Snow only stared shocked how fast Emma could open it. Emma shrugged. "I was bored. It's pretty easy keeping up which key is with what door." She now grabbed Regina and her mother's hands. The three ran through the abandoned area as fast as they could until they got to the very back door. "This must be it." Emma said as she saw sunlight beaming from the door window. She tried each one until the right one jammed into the lock. Snow sighed in relief as Emma turned the key in the lock. We're finally getting out of here! I'll finally find Charming! I just pray Jefferson doesn't find us.
Emma opened the door and the three peered at the beautiful scenery outside of the home. They smiled as they saw the grass, the trees, and sunlight gleaming down upon the yard. They smiled with contentment as they saw the brightness of the light they hadn't felt or seen in a month. Then, both Emma and Regina ran out of the doorway together outside. "He let us go! We are out, mom." Emma exclaimed as she looked back at her mother.
All of a sudden, Snow White felt a gun to her head and sensed Jefferson behind her. Snow began having a panic attack, sweating and breathing rapidly, feeling overwhelming fear. "I'm disappointed. Did you really think escaping would be this easy? I was testing you to see if you would stay, if you would listen to me."
"No! Mom!" Emma's tears formed as she ran back inside toward her mother.
"Jefferson, let her go." Regina replied as she glared back at her friend.
"Then get in here! If you leave now, Snow White will die."
Tears streaked Regina's face as she glared at the door frame. "Just don't hurt her."
He chuckled loudly as she stepped back into the house. Emma now threw the keys to him, catching them with one of his hands.
"We don't want any trouble, Jefferson. We'll do what you want. Just put the gun down." He put the gun in his pocket as he listened to Emma. He then grabbed Mary Margaret and forced her back into the dining room with the other two following. As the man left them in the room, Mary Margaret gasped for breath as Emma and Regina both asked. "Are you alright?"
"I think I'm okay." Snow replied but she instantly started panicking again once she saw Jefferson return with a large sharp knife and rope.
"What are you doing?" Emma screamed, worried, and totally stunned on what was happening.
He only grabbed Mary Margaret by her hair. "Get in the chair!" He screamed as he pushed her down on one of the dining room chairs.
"No! Don't hurt her!" Emma yelled in anger as she bolted herself toward Jefferson, knocking both of them into the table and on the ground.
"Emma!" Snow yelled. Oh please, Emma. Don't get hurt. Don't test him. It will only lead to something worse.
He then pushed her away, as she tried reaching the gun. He grabbed it again just in time, dropping the rope in front of him, as he held the pistol and knife. "I tried to tell you to stay, but you wouldn't listen." He now glared back at Regina. "Tie Mary Margaret up."
"Regina, it's okay." Snow was teary eyed as she gazed back at her.
"No! I won't!" Regina screamed in fury as she raced toward him about to knock him up down again.
He then pointed the gun toward her which stopped her in her tracks. "I'll shoot you."
"You won't!"
"I won't?" He mocked as he then pulled the trigger. Regina jumped as she heard a bang and found a bullet through the floor an inch from her feet. "Tie her up or I will shoot you and Snow."
Regina gulped as she slowly moved toward Mary Margaret. "I'm sorry." She said as she tied her up with the rope against the chair. As Jefferson watched Regina tie the woman up, he heard Emma's voice.
"Please, Jefferson. What ever you are going to do don't." Emma's eyes met Jefferson's as he now sighed.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I got to show that you can't leave. If you and Regina try to leave, they will be consequences." Emma's eyes watered as she glared back at her mother, who breathed heavily, fear filling her eyes.
He then took the sharp knife and placed it against Snow's skin.