Finding You Always

Firebird

Chapter 121: Firebird

When Clayton awoke, he found himself in a locked cell. This wasn't exactly how this was supposed to go, but he had gotten himself out of worse situations than this.

"I demand to see the warden now," Clayton commanded to the guard that had captured him.

"You are the prisoner. The warden is not someone you command. He is in charge here," Poole retorted.

"Easy Mr. Poole...I will speak with our guest now," a cultured voice spoke, as a very tall man stepped into the light. He was very pale and his eyes were bloodshot, reminding Clayton of something unnatural. This warden, he was sure, wasn't an average human. And that intrigued him greatly.

"I do not visit many of the trespassers we lock away, but when the doctor kept rambling on about a man sent to us by Hades himself, I'll admit, it peaked my interest," the creepy man stated.

"You're the warden?" Clayton asked.

"I am...but I am also known as Hyde," he responded. Clayton smirked.

"Hyde...and the doctor you speak of must be Jekyll," the Collector surmised.

"You seem to know about me, but I am afraid I do not know anything about you. I do not like being at such a disadvantage," Hyde stated.

"John Clayton, though I go by just Clayton or my well earned moniker: The Collector," he responded.

"The Collector...and what is it that you collect?" Hyde questioned.

"Rare objects, mythical items, and even people whom certain lands have deemed mere stories or fairy tales," Clayton replied.

"Yet you claim to work for Hades," Hyde countered.

"Yes...because a pair that I collected forced me from power. They stole my collection and destroyed me. Hades granted me a chance at revenge. He walks among the living again," Clayton explained.

"And what does the God of the dead want from me?" Hyde questioned.

"A dose of your serum...once it is perfected, of course," Clayton replied.

"And what do I get in return?" Hyde inquired.

"Anything you want. But perhaps, I can offer you a very intriguing proposition," he said.

"I am listening," Hyde responded.

"You can leave this land and rule over a little gem known as Storybrooke. In addition to the presence of magic, it has an interesting collection of people including access to a plethora of magical items, being that is it home to the Champions of the Goddess Aphrodite, the Savior, and the Dark One," he tempted.

"The Dark One resides in this place?" Hyde questioned, as his interest was peaked.

"Yes...he and his family," Clayton affirmed.

"Hades wants my serum, but what is it that you want in return?" Hyde inquired.

"Revenge on Aphrodite's champions, Snow White and Prince Charming, and of course to expand my collection with the vast treasures from the Land of Untold Stories," Clayton responded.

"The serum is not finished yet, but I believe we have an accord. Hades will have a dose of the serum and I will rule this...Storybrooke. As a consolation prize, I shall forcibly bring the inhabitants of this land with me," Hyde agreed, as he unlocked the cell.

"And this land's treasures, I assume?" Clayton questioned.

"Of course," Hyde agreed.

Dusk fell upon them and the crescent moon illuminated the water, as they sailed along. Bobby slept against Snow, as she gazed out over the ocean waters. She felt instant comfort, as David put his arms around her from behind and pressed a kiss to her hair.