𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

THRITY EIGHT

38|LATE NIGHT FRIGHTS

"How you doing?" Bella smiled as she pulled up a chair to sit near Mary Margaret. "I'm sorry I haven't been much help."

"You've been helping keep the house clean, I hope." Mary Margaret joked, knowing how bad her friend was at keeping the apartment clean.

"Of course, it's going to be so clean when you come home." She winked, laughing with her roommate as the two discussed old times. "Oh, and remember when Ruby slapped that man's ass back and cat called him till her ran out almost in tears?"

"She was so proud of herself." The short haired woman wiped a tear away from under her eye. "We will have to meet up for coffee at Granny's when I'm out."

"Well I'm working a lot this coming week, so can we postpone it till the next?" Bella grinned, knowing her optimism was cheering the woman up. "The trial starts tomorrow and you are innocent so it will be quick. I want you to have my lucky charm."

"I can't take it, Bel." Mary Margaret tried to stop her as she removed the necklace from her neck.

"Take it. You need it more than I do." She held her hand out flat, the small golden locket resting on her palm. "Please."

"Thank you." The teacher removed it from her hand and clasped it on her neck, looking at the pressed flower trapped behind the glass. Her eyes then moved to the small scar on Bella's palm, a thin white line that crossed perfectly as if she had grabbed something sharp. "How long have you had that scar? I have known you for as long as I remember and I don't think I have seen it before."

"I don't know." Bella said truthfully, stroking it with a lost look on her face. "I have had it as long as I remember. Dr. Whale said it looks like I must have grabbed something when I was younger, like a knife."

"You always did seem like the dangerous type." Mary Margaret laughed, jumping when Bella's phone went off.

"Whaley boy, how can I help you?" The doctor answered the phone quickly, knowing she was being asked into work early. "Yeah, I'm on my way."

"Work?"

"Always." Bella smiled sorrowfully, knowing she will not have this freedom to talk to her friend like this in a while. "I'll be there tomorrow, I promise."

"I'll see you then." The pair waved goodbye as Bella left the station, biting her lip with worry. She pulled out her phone and quickly sent a simple message, 'save her'.

~•~

"Dr. Whale, get out of my ass and just say it." Bella snapped, spinning around to face the man.

"Is it true Mary Margaret killed her?" Dr. Whale asked immediately, knowing this was his one shot to ask. "Did I really sleep with a murderer?"

"Whale, no." She sighed, rubbing her temples with exhaustion. "You've met her, how could Mary Margaret kill someone? Even if she snapped she is too innocent to harm a fly."

"I'm sorry, it was insensitive of me to ask." He quickly apologised and glanced at his watch. "I better head to Ward 2."

"Have fun, Whaley boy." She waved him off and continued to Ward 5, sleep deprived, overly worried and nervously biting her lip.

The shift passed quickly, ending at witching hour so sky was dark and the streets were dimly lit by lights. Bella pulled her coat closer, fearing the rustle in the leaves or the creaking of the trees. Even with the visible sight around her she felt blind to the dangers lurking in the dark.

A hand reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. A scream ripped through her throat, her fist aiming for the strangers face.

"Bella." Mr. Gold grabbed her fist and pulled her into his chest where she cried, the tears of fear soaking his shirt. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"I'm going to kill you." She sobbed, weakly punching his chest as she calmed down her breathing. "Do you know what my first thought was? Here is where I die. Here I die without knowing if my best friend went through her trial with success. Here I die without getting married or having children. Here I die never knowing why random memories cross my mind. Why I know you."

"I'm so sorry." He stroked her hair and calmed her down, holding her close as her panic attack subsided. "I didn't think."

"Yeah, I know." Bella said sarcastically, leaning back to look at him. "Never grab a woman at three in the morning when she is walking home. Some women aren't as lucky as me."

"Bels, I'm so sorry." Mr. Gold sighed, kissing her forehead as guilt washed over him. "Would you like to have some tea?"

"You always know what to say."