Once A Lost Girl | Once Upon A Time Story | Peter Pan

03x10 - Isolation - Present

        We came back to a full dock of people. Nearly everyone in town--everyone Snow was close to anyway. The Dwarves, Granny, and even Mother Superior were all there amongst the rest of the residents. I stepped off the Jolly Roger after the rest of the group, but ahead of the Lost Boys. I should have been happy--relieved, even? Yet there was nothing. It felt like I couldn't relax. On Neverland, there wasn’t any time to talk about it. No one could trap me in the woods because we were all too busy saving Henry. 

        Unfortunately, we’re home now. I don’t get that luxury. The Charmings know, Regina knows something happened all those years ago. I wasn’t going to have the gift of peace and relaxation. Everyone else was grouped up, excited to be home. I stood off to the side, watching. Ruby noticed and walked over.

        “Hey, a few of us are gonna pop over to Granny’s and celebrate if you’re interested,” she offered, giving me a soft smile. 

        “No, Red, I’m good.” I gave my friend as best a smile as I could muster. “You all have fun, though.”

        “Elyssa,” Ruby said, “What’s wrong? You can tell me anything.”

        “I just need to be alone. That’s all. Enjoy the party.”

        I walked away, aimlessly headed down the street toward town. I didn’t have a lone, special place here. I had one in the Enchanted Forest, I had one on Neverland, but never had one in Storybrooke. Maybe because I was always taking care of Henry, making sure he knew he wasn’t crazy. If I had time outside of that Ruby and I were drinking at the bar. Thinking back on it, I didn’t really have a life, did I? And all those curse memories weren’t real. 

        The walking had to lead somewhere. Preferably, that somewhere wasn’t downtown Storybrooke. I turned, stepping off the paved sidewalk and onto the trail that led straight to the Toll Bridge. It was as good a place as any. If I’m really lucky no one will think to look for me there. At the very least I hope they leave me alone today. 

        I sat on the crumbling Toll Bridge, cracks formed all along the concrete. It wasn’t the safest thing, but I doubt I’d cause any extra damage. My legs hung off the side, body leaned up against one of the columns holding up the concrete railing. Out here was lonely. Out here was quiet. Out here, no one could judge me for what happened. It was just me and the forest. 

        This particular afternoon was murky. The musty scent of wet dirt permeated the air, nearly overpowering the smell of the spruce around me. The concrete of the bridge was wet. I was cold. It didn’t matter. I finally had time by myself. Even if my thoughts ate me alive until I was so hungry I couldn’t stand it I was finally alone. 

        Speaking of when was the last time I really ate? Or slept? We spent days on that godless island. It finally hit me, fatigue taking over. My eyelids closed, if only for a second. My eyes refused to focus and my limbs felt heavy as lead. Braced up against the concrete support, I let myself drift off.

        The next thing I remember was tackling a concerned Prince Charming to the ground. Of course, I didn't know it was him jerking me awake. My fist nearly connected with his face before I processed his smooth tenor screaming for me to stop. 

        "David?" I asked, confused and still groggy. "What are you doing out here?"

        "Looking for you." He huffed. I let him up. Ruby, Snow, Emma, and Henry were looking at me from the dirt road. 

        "Well, I'm fine."

        "Fine?" Henry stressed. "You were gone all night. Something could've come out to the woods and grabbed you! Or Pan--"

        Mary Margaret ran a hand over Henry's hair. "Hey. It's okay. Pan can't get anyone from inside Pandora's box." She consoled him. He gave his grandma a hug. Something about his eyes wasn't right. It was like they weren't really his. "Were you asleep the whole time you were gone?"

        "No," I lied, stepping past them all. "See you around."

        "Elyssa. Are you gonna come home?" Henry asked. 

        I turned to face him. "I mean, I have to eventually, right? Henry, what's going on?"

        "Don't." He said. My heart sank down to my feet.

        "What?"

        "Mom told me everything--about you and Pan. How do I know you're not just pretending to love us?"

        "Henry," I pled, voice breaking.

        "Just don't come back to the house. I don't want to see you."

        Something--something broke. The little bit of grass around me withered, any wildflowers disintegrated. The air around me felt cold. I was shivering--but my heart? It burned red hot. I clenched my fists, staving off the impending magic powderkeg that seemed ready to blow at any moment. 

        Henry didn't want to see me? He thinks I'm pretending? That I don't love him? There's no way. What Pan and I had was over a century ago; it was dead and withered. 

        A tree snapped to the side. Ruby called to me. Forcing back the tears, I let calm overtake me. I morphed the anger and pain into indifference. I quelled the storm of fire and rage inside. I shoved it so far down I'd almost forgotten it was there. 

        "That's alright, Henry." I smiled, sure it didn't reach my eyes. "When you're ready to trust me again; when you need me. I'll be here." I waved my hand, and teleported to the other side of town, all the way back to the dock. 

        I was right. Something was wrong. 

        That's not Henry.

Another day, another chapter!

I hope you all enjoy this as much as the rest :). Things are getting serious.

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