Chapter 4: The Interrogation
The sharp click of boots on the cold floor echoed through the sheriff's station as Emma Swan paced back and forth in front of the holding cells. The station had grown quiet since she and David had managed to defuse the confrontation in the woods, but the tension still lingered like a thick fog. In one cell stood the scouts, their faces unreadable as they leaned against the bars, arms crossed and their eyes cold. In the other, the Rogues were far less composed, their movements restless as they muttered to each other, their gazes filled with defiance.
Emma's eyes flicked to her father, keeping watch over the two cells. His arms were folded across his chest, his expression tight as he observed both groups. Despite his best efforts to keep the peace, the sense of unease hadn't lifted. Both sides had refused to speak to David when he tried to interrogate them earlier, and it looked like Emma was going to have to take a different approach.
"Alright," Emma muttered under her breath as she took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and turned toward the cells. "Let's see who breaks first."
She walked toward the scout's cell first. The group inside was as stiff and silent as ever, their bodies rigid as they watched her approach. The scout leader, the tall man with dark eyes who had given her the most trouble in the woods, was standing closest to the bars. His jaw was clenched, his posture even more rigid than the rest of the group. He didn't look like he was going to talk anytime soon.
"You're going to have to speak sooner or later," Emma said calmly, her tone deliberate but not aggressive. "We need to know who you are and why you're in Storybrooke."
The scout's gaze never wavered from hers. His lips barely parted, and when he spoke, it was with a thick, controlled voice. "We answer only to our queen."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Your queen? You'll have to be more specific than that. Regina or Snow?"
The scout remained silent, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips, though he said nothing more. He wasn't going to crack, at least not yet.
"Do you really think refusing to talk is going to help you?" Emma leaned in a little closer, letting her words linger. "You're not on your queen's land anymore. You're in Storybrooke, and I'm the one in charge here."
The silence stretched on.
Emma's eyes narrowed. "Alright," she said to her father, her voice low. "We'll try a different approach."
She nodded toward David and walked toward the Rogues' cell. The men inside were shifting restlessly, muttering and casting glances at each other. A couple of them were still whispering insults about the scouts, but they fell silent when Emma entered the room. She could tell they were more than a little eager to get out of the cell, but they weren't going to make it easy.
"Let's get one thing straight," Emma began as she leaned against the bars of their cell, her gaze sharp. "You're not leaving here until I get some answers. And believe me, I have all day to make your lives difficult if I need to."
The leader of the Rogues, who they've established as Garrick, grinned, though it was more of a challenge than a smile. "Oh, is that so? And what exactly do you plan on doing, Sheriff? You're not exactly in the position to make demands here."
Emma took a step forward, her eyes narrowing. "I'm the one in charge here, and you're in no position to threaten me. I suggest you answer my questions, or I'll make sure the next hours are a lot less comfortable for you."
"Comfortable?" The man scoffed. "We're not interested in comfort, Sheriff. We're interested in the same you are. And if you don't know who we answer to, maybe it's time you learned."
Emma's eyebrow arched, her patience wearing thin. "I'm not asking for some grand allegiance speech. All I want is for you to tell me why you were in the woods with those scouts. What were you doing out there?"
Garrick launched himself at the cell bars, a dark, rumbling sound that made Emma's skin crawl. "We are the Freedom Fighters and we've come back reclaim what's ours and to stop the Evil Princess and her legions once and for all."
Emma stood straighter, her expression hardening. "You're in Storybrooke now. Whatever you think you are here for, you're not in charge anymore. And this isn't the Enchanted Forest. We have rules and laws here."
The man growled, but he wasn't done yet. "And what's stopping us from leaving, then? What's stopping us from taking what we want?"
Emma's eyes flashed. "I don't care who you think you are, I'm done with the games."
The leader's smirk faded, and for a brief moment, Emma could see a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
A/N: Thank you for reading this far.