Mia spent the next few days keeping to herself, throwing herself into school and avoiding the loft whenever she could. Snow and David were walking on eggshells around her, and Emma, ever the sheriff, seemed to be watching her every move. It all made her feel trapped, suffocated by their concern and the looming prophecy she didn't fully understand.

But Mia was done waiting for answers to fall into her lap. If they weren't going to tell her what she needed to know, she'd find the information herself.

After school, she skipped her usual walk back to the loft and instead headed to the one place where she knew she could start looking for clues about the prophecy: the library. Storybrooke's library was known to house rare books, a relic of the enchanted world, and Mia hoped it would hold the knowledge she sought.

She'd only just started scanning the dusty shelves in the back when she heard a familiar voice.

"Doing a little light reading?"

Mia turned to find Scarlett standing nearby, a slight smirk on her face. They hadn't talked much since their first awkward exchange, but Mia had caught her glancing her way in the halls more than once.

"Yeah, something like that," Mia replied, trying to play it cool. "Just… looking into Storybrooke's colorful history."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Storybrooke's got enough secrets to fill every shelf in this place. Any particular history you're interested in?"

Mia hesitated, wondering how much to reveal. "I'm looking for stuff on… legends, prophecies. That kind of thing."

Scarlett's smirk faded, and she nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you're definitely in the right place. This library has some… unusual books. Some of them aren't exactly what you'd find anywhere else."

Mia gave her a small, grateful smile. "Good to know. Maybe I'll start here."

Scarlett took a step closer, her gaze turning serious. "You know, you're not the only one looking for answers. There are a lot of people in Storybrooke who don't have the full picture—who are just as lost as you are."

Mia looked down, the frustration bubbling up again. "Yeah, well, I'm not used to waiting around for someone else to explain things to me."

Scarlett nodded, her expression understanding. "I get it. But… sometimes the answers aren't as simple as we want them to be."

There was a brief silence between them, and Mia felt an unexpected connection. She didn't know why, but something about Scarlett made her feel like she wasn't alone in her search. Like maybe, just maybe, Scarlett understood the restless drive that kept Mia moving forward.

"Thanks," Mia said finally, her voice softer than she'd intended.

Scarlett smiled. "Anytime. Good luck with your… research."

As Scarlett left, Mia felt a strange warmth linger, but she shook it off, focusing on the task at hand. She scanned the shelves, pulling out an old leather-bound book that looked promising, the title barely visible under the layers of dust.

Sitting at one of the empty tables, she opened it to find tales of ancient prophecies and legendary figures. But as she read, the cryptic language and sprawling stories only added to her frustration. She needed something concrete, something that would tell her what her role actually meant.

Then, one passage caught her eye:

"The choice bearer, destined to decide in the final hour, walks the path of shadows and light. With loyalty, they bind, and with sacrifice, they sever. In the end, their choice shall seal the fate of all worlds."

Mia read the words over and over, her mind racing. The choice bearer… could that be her? The language was vague, but the mention of loyalty and sacrifice sounded a lot like what Rumpelstiltskin had hinted at.

She slammed the book shut, a mix of fear and determination rising in her chest. She wasn't sure what any of it meant yet, but one thing was clear—this prophecy was as much about her as it was about Emma. And if her choice really could "seal the fate of all worlds," then she had to understand what that choice entailed.

Mia returned to the loft late that night, slipping in as quietly as she could. She was halfway to her room when she heard a voice.

"Mia."

She froze, turning to see David standing in the doorway to the kitchen, his expression a mix of concern and exhaustion.

"I thought you might come home late," he said, crossing his arms. "You know, you don't have to do all of this alone."

Mia clenched her jaw, her tone defensive. "I'm fine. I don't need anyone's help."

David sighed, his voice calm but firm. "Mia, I know you're trying to protect yourself, and I understand why you feel that way. But whatever you're dealing with… you don't have to shut us out."

Mia felt a flicker of guilt, but she pushed it down, the familiar resentment bubbling up. "You don't get it. I've been alone my whole life. I've figured things out on my own. And now, you and Snow show up, telling me to just… trust you? I don't know how to do that."

David's face softened, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "I get it, Mia. I really do. And I'm not asking you to change overnight. But I am asking you to let us help, to let us be there for you."

Mia shook her head, her voice bitter. "Where were you when I actually needed someone? When I didn't know who I was, or why my life was so… empty?"

David took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "I wish I could've been there, Mia. I wish things could've been different. But right now, we have the chance to make things better. To be the family you deserve."

Mia's anger wavered, replaced by a mix of frustration and confusion. She wanted to believe him, wanted to let go of the anger she'd carried for so long. But part of her still couldn't trust it, couldn't trust them.

"Fine," she muttered, glancing away. "But don't expect me to just… be the daughter you wanted. I'm not some fairytale princess."

David smiled, though there was a sadness in his eyes. "I wouldn't want you to be anyone but yourself."

Without another word, Mia turned and headed to her room, shutting the door behind her. She sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She'd spent her life building walls to protect herself, to keep people out. But for the first time, she wondered if maybe—just maybe—those walls were keeping her from something she needed.

The prophecy, her family, the strange pull she felt toward this town… it was all tangled together in ways she couldn't yet understand. But if she wanted to make sense of it, she knew she'd have to let those walls down, if only a little.

For now, though, she'd take things one step at a time. And as she lay back, her thoughts drifted back to Scarlett, to the strange comfort she'd felt in their brief conversation.