Chapter 14: John Doe Missing
Aliyah glanced at the parking lot, noticing the white vehicle, 'hmm' she thought, while following Emma, Henry, and Mary Margret into the hospital.
"You're -he's waking up!"
Liyah noticed Graham and Dr. Whale at John Doe's door. "Henry, maybe you should hold on for a second." But Henry didn't listen and continued.
The three of them stopped at the door not much later than Henry.
"Henry, stay back." Liyah pulled Henry towards her, noticing blood on the floor.
"What's going on with John Doe? Is he okay?" Mary Margret looked back at Emma and Liyah before looking back at Graham.
Aliyah knew the answer. It was obvious why he was there. She looked into John Doe's room seeing Regina, who turned around and locked eyes with her before walking out to approach them.
"What the hell are you doing here." She looked towards Henry, "And you-I thought you were at the arcade. Now you're lying to me?"
"Actually, Regina." Regia looked at Aliyah with annoyance. "He was at the arcade, but I wanted to talk to him about the classes since you said it was he who inspired you to ask me."
Regina eyed her for a moment.
"What happened to John Doe? Did someone take him?"
Liyah watched Regina look back at Mary Margret. "We don't know yet. His IVs were ripped out, but there's no sign for sure there's any struggle." Aliyah heard Grahm's answer.
She felt Henry move to face Regina. "What did you do?"
"Henry!" Aliyah whispered harshly to him. She isn't liking the way Henry is treating Regina. Sure, Regina was the Evil Queen, according to Henry, but Aliyah felt there was something deeper. She looked over, feeling and catching Regina staring at both Henry and her.
"You think I had something to do with this?"
"It is curious that the mayor is here." Emma responded.
"It is a small town." Aliyah shrugged when Emma and Mary Margret glanced at her.
"I'm here because I'm his emergency contact."
"You know him?"
Regina looked at Mary Margret in amusement. "I found him on the side of the road years ago with no ID. I brought him here."
"Mayor Mills saved his life."
"Will he be, okay?"
"I wouldn't think so." Everyone looked at Aliyah oddly. "I mean, how long has he been in a coma? His muscles are weak from no usage, and he has been on an IV for food. He would be very weak."
Emma looked at the rest of the party, a little startled. Dr. Whale nodded in agreement.
"Well, let's quit yapping and start looking." Emma stated.
Aliyah nodded in agreement, then looked at Henry, who looked at Emma with hope.
"That's what we're doing. Just stay out of this, dear. And since I clearly can't keep you away from my son, I guess I'm just going to have to keep my son away from you." Regina grabbed Henry from Aliyah's grasp before looking back at Emma. "Enjoy my shirt, because that's all you're getting." She looked at Graham. "Sheriff, find John Doe. You heard Aliyah. Time is precious." Regina brushed past Aliyah, giving her a smirk and a wink before walking out of sight.
Aliyah felt she had a flashback, but wasn't sure if she saw right. 'Did she just?' she shook her head, nope that's not right. Then looked between Emma and Mary Margret. "You two got this?" Aliyah asked, but didn't wait for an answer as she headed towards the doors after Regina.
"What is it Ms. Moon?"
Aliyah swallowed at the annoyance in Regina's voice. What she really wanted to ask she didn't have the guts to do so instead, "What if Henry came with me on the search for John Doe?" Henry looked at Aliyah pleadingly. "You and I both know he will sneak away from you the moment he could. This way, you know who he is with and how to get a hold of him."
"And why should I do that? Why should I trust you?"
Aliyah smiled, "Because you know I'm right. And you do." 'Just like I trust you,' she added to herself.
Regina remained silent, staring at Aliyah. Aliyah wasn't sure if it was for sizing her up or admiration.
"Fine, but as soon as John Doe is found, he comes home." Regina nodded to Henry, who bolted towards Aliyah.
Aliyah wrapped her arms around Henry and nodded. "Fair enough. But depending on the time, I will feed him dinner."
Regina gave a small smirk before answering, "Very well." She answered before getting in her car and slamming the door.
Aliyah waited till the car started and waved goodbye to Regina as she pulled out. Once out of sight, Henry pulled away to look at Aliyah.
"Nice thinking! Now we can go find Prince Charming."
Aliyah turned her eyes back to Henry. "Right," she stated, glancing towards where Regina's car once was before giving her full attention back to him. "Right, I'm going to teach you how to track like my mom and aunt taught me."
"Cool! Snow White taught you? You remember that?"
Aliyah smiled, "Uh, sure. Anyway, the first thing we need to do is get into his mind. What was he thinking."
"Ms. Blanchard said she was reading to him." Aliyah watched Henry look down in thought.
"You had her reading the story of Snow White and Prince Charming."
Henry looked back up at her. "He is heading towards the woods!" He headed off before Aliyah reached out to stop him.
"Why do you think that?"
"The woods are where they first met, Snow White and Prince Charming. He is trying to remember."
"Or it could be where Mary Margret stopped in the story. Either way, let's head to the woods and see what we can see. Stay close to me, though." She let go of Henry, who nodded in excitement.