12.
They arrive at the shore under a gray cloudy sky, the atmosphere charged with the possibility of rain and words left unspoken. The silence that lingers, is interrupted only by the wind as it whistles melancholically, causing turmoil in the waters that wash the coast.
Whether the tension is the fruit of the journey itself or from all the heavy baggage they've been carrying since they've left the ship, it's hard to say.
In all these years Emma has dreamed of finding a way out of this hell and now that they seem to have found the key to it, she is surprised by how bittersweet it feels to leave all behind, walking into the unknown.
With her bare feet sinking into dark sand, the former sheriff allows herself only the briefest moment of reflection before raising her chin and embracing the challenge they have ahead.
"It's time." She announces to the rest of the group, her eyes fixed on the path they're supposed to take through the woods as an indecipherable expression shapes her features, one that seems determined and unwavering, but that doesn't quite hide the tension she feels in the stiffness of her shoulders.
Closely following her footsteps, one by one the members of the group step out of the small cockboat that's brought them to the shore, and with Hook's assistance, Henry turns it upside down, immediately taking a bunch of tools out of his backpack. Part of the plan they developed was prioritizing safe transportation for everyone to the well, especially considering the limitations offered by Ruby's advanced pregnancy, as well as Evan's young age.
With a skill that Regina can't recall her son possessing, Henry quickly installs the wheels that, when attached to the bottom of the boat, are supposed to turn it into an improvised wagon.
It is an ingenious plan and, honestly, something that hadn't quite occurred to her up to this moment.
"Whose idea was that?" She asks sounding surprised, and without looking away from the task at hand, Henry replies, pushing his too-long bangs away from his eyes.
"It was a joint effort. I designed the structure, but Leroy was the one who helped me put it together."
The mention of one of the members who's deliberately chosen to stay behind is a wound still too fresh, and immediately the uncomfortable silence returns with full force. But Regina doesn't let it get in the way of her admiration.
"It's remarkable." She says not quite referring to the plan, but rather to this new and unknown facet of her son.
Her tone doesn't go unnoticed by Henry, who, doing his best to ignore the creeping blush that spreads up his neck, focuses his attention once again on the work in progress.
Emma watches the whole scene while pretending to be engaged in the organizing and checking of the weapons that each member must carry with them during their journey. But as she takes a step back, the blonde ends up bumping into her little brother's stealthy figure. Looking rather small in his adventurer's outfit - which pretty much consists of one of Henry's old T-shirts that is still too big for his skinny frame and a hat Emma's gotten for him while scouting, she can tell right away there's something off.
"Hey, buddy, what's up?" She asks offering him a smile she hopes is reassuring enough and kneeling in front of him, to make sure he can look directly into her eyes.
Hugging his raggedy stuffed bunny, Evan's big green eyes say more than he can express in words.
Emma's smile falters, like a flame, memories of sunny afternoons shared by the two of them on the same beach, with Evan running against the waves and screaming with excitement as his feet got wet by the cold water, a striking contrast to the expression she finds on his face now.
However, the former sheriff doesn't flinch from it. In fact, she's almost glad for the reminder. Even so young, Evan already sports the marks of a kid who's seen too much.
Now, for so long Emma has made it her priority to protect him from the horrors of this world, and even with all her efforts, Evan's innocence couldn't be preserved.
So, this is it. This is why. And it's all she needs to know going back is not an option.
"Hey, remember all those stories Henry's told you? About heroes, battles, and all those adventures?" The boy nods, a serious expression framing his childish face. "So, today we are going to write our own. We're about to embark on this big adventure together."
Evan's eyes widen, torn between excitement and trepidation. Emma strokes his cheek softly, a promise on her lips. One she has every intention of fulfilling. "Don't be afraid, little brother. I won't let anything bad happen to you. In fact, I'll be by your side all the way through, got it?"
The boy bites his bottom lip but nods in agreement. All the faith he has in his older sister speaking louder than his traumas and fears.
Ruby, who's watching the scene not far from where both stand, holds out her hand to him. "Come, Evan, I need your help. I saw a beautiful shell that would look amazing in my collection, but I can't catch it with this huge belly on the way."
Gladly, Evan carries out her request and with a knowing expression, Ruby steps away from the group taking him with her.
Emma lets out a long breath, immediately seeking a distraction to fend off her ever-growing anxiety. Making sure to distribute the weapons in her small and eclectic weaponry set will have to do.
"Hook, take this automatic; But remember to only use it as a last resort, okay? The last thing we need is giving a reason for the walkers to come sniffing our trail."
"Don't worry Swan, when it comes to first-degree encounters, I've got all that I need right here," He wields his hook, offering a confident smile, and Emma would love to trust his skills as much as Hook does. Oh, to have the confidence of a white dude.
"Fine. Consider yourself warned…" She picks up a rather small ax and hands it to Henry. "Don't let them get too close, kid."
Beside Henry, Regina purses her lips, dissatisfied with the fact that her son needs to use a weapon, whatever it may be. But still carrying fresh memories of the first and last time she's been with Henry in these woods, she keeps her mouth shut and her objections to herself.
"Ruby already has her set of knives, so she spared this dagger for you, Regina," Emma explains, holding out the weapon, but the brunette makes no movement to take it off her hands.
Weapons have never been her preference in a fight and not even the zombie apocalypse has changed that.
"Honestly, I don't see why I can't use my skills to defend myself." She comments when accepting the dagger, a noticeable frown revealing her discomfort.
Emma rolls her eyes impatiently. "Save your skills for when the time is right, okay?"
And before Regina can argue, Emma turns her back to her, announcing to the rest of the group, "Everyone, time to hit the road."
.::.
The group's progress towards the well is slow.
While the distance to be covered is not overwhelmingly extensive, the path presents some serious obstacles such as uneven terrain – which doesn't work too well with the improvised wagon where Ruby and Evan are in – and the rather poor visibility provided by the vast canopy of trees; The air smells like imminent rain and Emma doesn't like their odds if the storm that's in the making reaches them before they can get to their destination, which keeps her focused on keeping them moving as fast as possible.
The line-up is as previously established in their planning: Emma first, opening the way with the swings of her sword, followed by Henry and Hook who pull together the boat with Ruby and Evan in it, and Regina, the last in line, watching over their backs. This way they are more likely to be aware of any possible attacks no matter where it comes from.
Pongo, on the other hand, darts freely around the group, never straying far, but always sniffing the path, his agitation keeping Emma constantly alert.
"It's been a while since I've been on dry land, but I have to say, this is not quite what I expected." Hook comments to no one in particular. There's sweat running down his forehead with the effort of pulling their wagon, but otherwise, he looks fairly unimpressed. "Where are all those wretched creatures anyway?"
Doing her best to curb her temper, Emma replies dryly. "The less we talk, the less likely they are to be attracted by the sound of our voices."
The suggestion, while far from subtle, seems to be effective, and a few more minutes of walking pass by with no conversation or anything other than dutiful steps.
As much as it pains her to admit, Hook does have a point though; There is no sign of any creepy zombies in sight, and although some might consider it a fluke, Emma can't quite ignore her tingling sixth sense. Something about all this quiet smells rotten.
And apparently, she is not the only one to think so. In one of their brief stops, Regina approaches her.
"Listen, it's not to my liking, but I have to agree with the pirate. Where are those creatures that chased us last time? Isn't it strange that we haven't crossed paths with any of them yet?" Regina's voice is veiled, so as not to spread her suspicions through the air and get the attention of others, and Emma finds herself compelled to agree.
"I know. There is definitely something weird here. But there isn't much we can do either. Normally I would suggest taking a different route, but this one is already hard as it is."
"What do you think it means?" The question leaves Regina's lips and hangs in the air until Emma is ready to answer it.
"I don't know." She grudgingly admits it, confessing to her fears. "Nothing good, I'm sure."
.::.
Halfway into the journey, their advance comes to a halt.
They come across a huge fallen tree trunk, in addition to a bunch of branches and rocks. And to top it all, a gelid drizzle begins to fall making the already difficult terrain worse; mud and wet leaves make the journey even more challenging, especially when their wagon gets stuck along the way.
The only option then – aside from a magic one, once again offered by Regina only to be rejected by everyone else – is for Ruby and Evan to abandon the vehicle so that Emma, Hook, and Henry may attempt to move it, and then drag the thing onto more solid ground.
The small boat, however, is far too heavy for that and it is Ruby who points out the obvious solution that no one wants to face.
"We have to leave it." The wolf says as she covers her head with her red hood and welcomes Evan to her side, keeping him under her cloak, and protecting him from the drizzle. "We'll just have to walk from here on."
"Luv, I'm afraid that's not exactly an option under the circumstances." Hook tries to mediate, giving a meaningful look at her belly, only to be rejected.
"We have no choice, Killian. I've slowed us down enough as it is." She states firmly, "Besides, I've said it before, I'm pregnant, not invalid."
"She's got a point." Emma offers her support, surprising the others. "At this rate, we're going to miss out on the rest of the daylight, and I don't think camping is our best option."
"Well, we can't just leave Merry," Henry speaks with some regret. "We have to tear it down. So that no one can use it to get to Jolly Roger again."
Nobody offers any objection to that. The boy is right, and they know it.
Henry then takes the small ax he received and is prepared to deliver the first blow when Emma's hand on his arm prevents him from doing so.
"Leave it to me, kid."
Emma's first blow causes wood chips to fly everywhere.
Everyone takes a step back, except Regina, who remains impassive, watching the scene with a dazed look - had this not been an ax but a chainsaw, the scene that takes part in front of her could be almost nostalgic. With each blow delivered, instead of tiring down, Emma seems to gain more strength and speed, releasing something else she apparently had been holding in so far.
Minutes pass and pass until there is nothing left of the boat but useless wreckage, and Emma pants heavily, her T-shirt soaked with sweat and her boots covered in mud.
Without as much as a goodbye, they resume walking, at a slower but steady pace.
.::.
They are deep in the forest, the sky dark by the heavy clouds that keep pouring steady drizzle over their heads, when Pongo's yelps put everyone on alert.
Providing cover to the group and motioning for the others to stand by, Emma heads towards the Dalmatian to meet the target not too far from where they stand.
Amidst the mud, halfway to its permanent death, the creature's remains are wrecked from the waist down, left to rot among the inert corpses of its pairs.
But something about this whole scene doesn't feel right. Keeping an eye out for her surroundings, Emma bluntly approaches and puts an end to the creature with her hand dagger. With the blade of her weapon covered in blood, its still reddish coloring increases her suspicions. Disregarding the unsavory sight of the remains, she forces herself to inspect them up close.
Shortly after, Emma hastily makes her way back to the group, her findings confirming her suspicions.
Someone has just killed the creatures.
And if there is a greater threat than a horde of the dead, it is a group of living beings, willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
.::.
Ruby has always been able to rely on her instincts.
There is something within her, likely due to her wolf heritage, that has given her a more insightful perception than of an average person. Her sight always reaching beyond the horizon, her nose inhaling subtle scents that spread through the air, often imperceptible to others, her brain quickly assimilating the pieces of a puzzle, sometimes before she even realizes there is one. And now, all of them seem somehow sharper, when her survival, and that of her child, depends on it.
That's how she knows, even before Emma returns, that their group is in trouble.
She can feel, despite the distance and the sound of rain drowning out the most obvious signs, this lurking presence.
She can smell the threat in the air.
So, when Emma returns, with a somber expression, Ruby has all her suspicions confirmed. And maybe that's what triggers it; her body's reaction to imminent danger, starting to affect the baby in a way she can no longer ignore. The effort of the long walk does not help matters either, despite her best efforts to endure it, hanging onto nothing but her own sheer obstinacy.
As it is, it's her pragmatism and pride that makes her try to keep the symptoms to herself, and luckily, however willing and thoughtful Killian has shown himself to be throughout the journey, and even during the pregnancy, he is not exactly the sharpest of men.
Escaping Regina's scrutiny, on the other hand, proves to be a much more difficult task.
"How far apart are they?" Regina comments in a furtive way, stepping closer to Ruby's once Killian steps away to relieve himself in the woods.
Ruby's offhand reply dying on her lips, as another contraction – a stronger one – hits close enough to almost make her lose her composure.
Regina immediately offers her a hand for support, and if the strength of Ruby's grip on her arm is enough to leave marks, it is not possible to say by the absolute lack of display on her features.
"I might be able to provide some assistance." Regina offers with a concerned look and Ruby doesn't need her to spell it out, to know that for one, she is talking about the use of magic and also that this could not be a worse time for her baby to decide to come into this world.
"No." She insists, shaking her head, her breathing normalizing as the contraction comes to an end. "You should save it."
Regina doesn't seem very happy with her refusal, "Well, I am not the one who is going into labor in the middle of a forest."
"I appreciate it, but don't worry about me. This is pretty much my turf." Ruby says offering her a shaky smile that doesn't fool Regina for a second.
"I don't understand it. Why are you all so opposed to my using magic?" She hesitates, her brow furrowing when her voice reluctantly reveals her deepest concern. "Is it because of my past? Of whom I was?"
"What- No Regina, it's nothing like that." Ruby hurries to clarify; it had never occurred to her that something similar was going through the former queen's mind all this time. It seems cruel to allow her to believe that for another second. "This world is... different now."
"That much is clear," Regina mutters, with no impediment to Ruby's will to clarify things once and for all.
"After Rumplestiltskin opened the portal and escaped, it was as if he somehow had taken what was left of Storybrooke's magic with him. All of it. Even Emma's powers, which had always been so strong, grew weaker and more unstable over time."
"But that doesn't make any sense," Regina argues, her frown intensifying as she pieces together this information with what she knows of magic and what she's seen.
"She doesn't like to talk about it, but I was there when it happened." The memory is still painful, even after so many years, and Ruby can't stop the tears from filling her eyes again. "All that rubble fell on Emma, and the sparks came out of her hands like a disconnected power cable. It was David who saved her when her powers failed. And you know how this story ends."
With a look of comprehension, Regina allows her attention to fall on the figure of the woman leading their group a few steps ahead, her long blond hair now darkened by rainwater, her shoulders stiff with tension.
"Does she really believe that her powers are gone?"
"That's what she told us;" Ruby's expression contorts once more, and she takes a deep breath, waiting for the pain to subside before completing. "Maybe it's different with you. Henry did say that you escaped your prison with magic practically pouring from your pores. But we just can't risk wasting it on anything other than getting out of this place once and for all."
"I understand." Regina nods, but her mind remains active, taking in all the details that suddenly seem to fit much better into this complicated puzzle.
Emma Swan may remain a mystery in many ways.
But each day seems to reveal a little more of who she is in Regina's eyes.
.::.
They have been walking for a long time now, virtually non-stop, drenched and exhausted, and their leader keeps marching on with no inclination to offer them a minute's rest.
On the contrary, Emma seems uneasy and on the edge, and it doesn't take long till her mood clearly begins to affect the rest of the group.
In the meanwhile, Ruby is no longer able to disguise her discomfort so well, which makes Hook exponentially more concerned and surlier. Pongo seems agitated as well, yelping and growling non-stop, while Evan starts whining in what can easily become a tantrum if they don't put a stop to it.
Henry offers to carry the little boy on his back and endures the whole thing with a resilience that only augments Regina's admiration for the young man he's come to be. But despite keeping a constant watch where the younger members of the group are concerned, Regina can't help but notice the spirits of everyone else either. Or rather their growing despondence.
That is why, inevitably, she stands in Emma's path, forcing the former sheriff to face her head-on.
"You need to stop," Regina announces imperiously, like someone used to giving orders, and maybe that's what Emma doesn't take well to. Or perhaps it's just her proximity with no regard for her personal space.
"What are you doing?" Emma steps back, obviously annoyed and somewhat taken aback by the sudden approach.
"We have to stop. Everyone is exhausted and on the brink of collapse. But nobody will say anything in fear of disappointing you." Regina states sharply, her eyes moving slightly over the figures to which she refers. "As you don't seem to have noticed, I've just thought you ought to know... all things considered."
"Regina, we can't stop now. Every minute we're out here leaves us more exposed and vulnerable. I'm pretty sure there's something on our trail and I don't mean those damn things." Emma admits nervously, the dark circles around her eyes as well as the stark lines on her face, a plain display of her exhaustion as well.
"I understand it, but you've got to get a hold of yourself then. We are on our way to salvation. Act like it. All this restless energy you've been broadcasting... does nothing but frighten everyone else."
"Well, they damn well should be frightened!" Emma counters, the hushed voice she uses doing very little to conceal her anger and ever-growing frustration. The two are still fiercely glaring at each other when Henry's voice gets in the way of their quarrel.
"We are nearly there." He announces with renewed energy, and Regina swallows the snark response she was about to give Emma, an almost overwhelming wave of relief evoked by his words and enough to warm her from the inside out.
"You should get ready Your Majesty, it's almost showtime," Emma tells her lightly, in a veiled attempt to ceasefire, to which Regina responds with a roll of her eyes and what could well have been a smirk.
.::.
As soon as they make it to their destination, Regina begins preparations.
Whether she believes Ruby's words hold truth in them or not, they could certainly use all the help they could get.
From inside her purse, she takes some crystals that Emma doesn't quite understand what are for, but that she vaguely remembers seeing in Regina's "study".
In fact, she is about to ask what's the deal with the whole setup, when Pongo seems to detect the approach of strangers, confirmed by Ruby's worried glance - these happen to be not the dead, but a bunch of living beings in the making of an ambush.
What they want or why they have decided this particular moment to attack, questions for which Emma is not prepared or interested in answering.
"Can you tell how many, Rubes?" She asks quietly, wielding her sword and with a mute signal, instructing Hook and Henry to do the same. Sensing the change in the atmosphere, Evan curls up on one of her legs.
Ruby sniffs, inwardly cursing the bad weather as it damps her senses. "Five, maybe six."
"We can take them, ma," Henry says, with no hesitation, but Emma doesn't seem to share the same confidence. Not only they are in fewer numbers, but their group has too much exposure for the time being.
Several scenarios start playing out in her head as she looks for ways out and only Regina's voice seems to reach out to her.
"Emma, I need you to focus. You must cast a protective shield around us." Regina instructs, never interrupting her preparations.
"Are you out of your mind? Or did you just forget that I don't have any magic left?" Emma argues, holding her sword even tighter. "Why can't you do it?"
"The amount of magic that still resides in this well is almost nonexistent. It's also much less than I expected to find. Which means that I will have to use much more of my own. Now I can't possibly summon all that power with the weight of a protective shield on my shoulders."
"Okay, I get that. But it doesn't change the facts, Regina. I still don't have an ounce of magic in me." Emma explains uneasily as Pongo's barking becomes louder and more aggressive.
"And that's where you're wrong! Emma, I've felt it! It may be dormant for some reason, but it's still there, within you. You just have to find a way to access it." Regina explains, positioning the rest of the crystals around the well, her whole intent on making her plan work, and not quite able to spare the necessary energy to dissuade Emma's lack of confidence.
Under the watchful eyes of the rest of the group, Emma closes her eyes trying to invoke any power that is at least resembling what Regina is referring to.
Nothing happens.
Which Emma makes quite noticeable by letting out a frustrated growl.
"Regina, this is not going to work out."
"It will if you stop wasting your energy fighting me and start using it in our favor!" Regina insists stubbornly, carefully taking the beans out of a small pouch.
Emma closes her eyes again and, taking a deep breath, tries to invoke once again this magic Regina insists still resides within her. But the lights are off and there's nobody home. Or so it seems.
"I can't." She admits frustrated, and even the hot fury that spreads in her chest doesn't seem enough to ignite any sparks.
Too busy to waste any more of their precious time on useless arguments, Regina interrupts everything she is doing, crossing the small circle they've managed to create, to hold Emma's face with both of her bare hands - only to then press her lips firmly against hers.
The whole thing takes place in a matter of seconds and unlike all the kisses shared by the two over the past few months, this one holds no trace of passion or lust.
In fact, when she thinks of it later, Emma can't help but picture it as a nearly perfunctory gesture, something closer to a resuscitation maneuver and not a magical kiss of any kind.
Only instead of oxygen, Regina seems to inflate her lungs, her whole being, with just that.
Magic.
As soon as Emma manages to grasp what is happening, recognizing the familiar touch of Regina's lips against hers, the other woman has already moved past her, going back to her own tasks.
Which is probably a good thing, because Emma can definitely feel the magic pumping through her veins and it doesn't take long for a light blue shield to appear around the group.
With an astonished expression, Henry stutters. "Wha- that was-"
"Ew," Evan says making a face.
"That was hot," Hook offers, and immediately Henry's face contorts in a grimace. At the same time, Ruby doesn't miss the opportunity to hit Hook's head with an efficient wallop.
"Dude, you're talking about my moms," Henry complains to Hook, not quite mastering his evident embarrassment.
"Yeah, sorry about that, mate." Hook then seems to realize his lack of tact, offering a sincere apology while his one hand gropes the tender spot where Ruby hit him hard enough to leave a bruise.
"You better be sorry or I'll make you." Emma threatens him with a sharp glare and Hook is almost grateful to hear something else crashing onto the magic shield.
Their assailants don't seem keen on coming any closer for the time being but have finally decided to attack. Stones and arrows are used as weapons. Emma gathers that they don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention with the sound of gunshots.
The attack forces Emma to reach within her reserves of magic more deeply, which doesn't happen without some serious effort. Gritting her teeth, she still manages to say it loud enough. "Regina, what the hell? Why are you taking so long?"
With the crystals properly placed around the well, and the beans in hand, Regina throws some of the ingredients she's brought with her into the well, to reinforce the possibilities of opening a portal long enough for all of them to get through.
"Everyone, in their positions". The former queen commands as she stands near the well, arms raised and a look of sheer concentration, as her eyes change colors, dark pupils now clouded with a purple blaze.
Once she lets the beans fall into the well, there's a blast and a green swirl opens in the middle of the ground, swallowing what is left of the well and everything around it.
The group prepares to launch themselves in the eye of the hurricane.
The firsts to go are Ruby and Hook. Hand in hand, they look at each other, drawing the courage to take the necessary step.
"If we get out of this alive, I'll let you choose the baby's name," Ruby screams through the commotion, and Killian's eyes sparkle as he grins.
"I'll hold you to your word, Red." He says and jumps into the portal, pulling her with him.
Then, comes Henry and Evan's turn. The little one, however, seems to be terrified of the portal, holding on to Henry's neck with all his strength. Hugging the boy tightly, Henry approaches Emma who, despite her focus on trying to keep the protection shield on, does her best to reassure them.
"Evan, look at me, little brother. This is all very scary, but trust me ok? We're gonna be fine. I'll be right after you." She shouts and attempts a brave smile, though her voice is quivering under the effort she is making. The result can hardly be considered comforting.
"We gotta go," Henry says trying to be as strong and brave as he thinks he should be.
"I love you, kid."
Drawing his breath, Henry stands in front of the portal with Evan still in his arms and looks ready to jump when something makes him hesitate.
His eyes search for Regina. "Mom, I-"
"I'll see you on the other side, Henry," Regina assures him with a smile that seems to overflow with all the love and affection she has for her son. It's enough to encourage him and without wasting more time, Henry and Evan make the crossing, Pongo hot on their trail, leaving only Emma and Regina behind.
When her time has come, Emma's powers are already beginning to wobble. Then she hears Regina's voice.
"Emma, you have to go. I must be the last one to cross the portal to ensure that no one else crosses after us."
"What? You got to be kidding me! Regina, these guys have arrows and God knows what else! The instant I go through that portal, the shield goes with me."
"It will be a matter of seconds. Less than that really. Hurry up!"
"Regina-"
"The boys are waiting for you, Emma. You made a promise to Evan. Trust me; you don't want to break it."
It is the only card Regina still has in hand and, much to her relief, Emma takes the bait.
When Emma finally jumps into the green spiral, the shield protecting them indeed disappears and, although Regina jumps right afterward, sealing the portal on her way, she can still feel when something sharp hits her side.
The portal closes shortly after Regina dives into its core, but the damage is done; She doesn't get through it unharmed.
.::.
TBC