Caught by the Dark

Chapter 2

As the group of five traveled across the deserted Enchanted Forest, Mulan and Aurora had bound their prisoners' wrists and were pulling them along behind their horses. Rose rode with Mulan, doing her best not to make a peep. She was scared.

"What is this place?" asked Snow when the group got to an island.

"Our home," Mulan said. The island was populated by the remaining Enchanted Forest inhabitants. They had set up a village-like encampment.

"It's like they're refuges," said the other girl. Her, Rose didn't recognize.

"We're survivors," Mulan corrected.

The three on horseback dismounted, Aurora taking Snow and the other girl. Snow kneed Aurora in the gut and made a run for it. "Emma, run!" she called. Emma followed, but Mulan struck Snow and knocked her unconscious. Emma tried to wake her.

"Mary Margaret! Mary Margaret!" She looked up at Mulan. Rose bit her lip. "What did you do?!" Emma asked. She looked at Rose, but Rose did her best to remain stone-faced.

"Take them to the pit," Mulan said. Guards came and took Emma and Snow.

"Are you alright?" Rose asked Aurora.

"Why didn't you try to stop them?" Mulan asked, grabbing her arm.

"I thought I recognized them. The people I thought they were... They would've rather talked it out than try to escape."

"I'm risking everything, you know, keeping you out of there," Mulan said. "But... I trust you. I don't know why, but... I trust you, Rose. I saw your skill out there. You could've found this place on your own, but you waited. You waited for me to take you. You helped us find Phillip, though you don't know him or us."

"I appreciate it, Mulan," Rose said. "I really do."

***

Mulan told Rose that the leader would call when he was ready. Mulan had put in a good word for Rose, and that kept her out of the pit, but he still wanted to make sure the newcomer was alright. A guard led her over to the pit, and told her to wait. He tossed a rope down and called out. Emma and Snow were brought up, and the three of them were led to a hut, Snow and Emma bickering the whole way.

"Why can't you just listen to me?" Snow asked Emma as they were led through the village.

"Why couldn't you have trusted me? I was just trying to find a way to get us home. I could've handled her," Emma countered.

"Cora? Don't be so sure. I've lived here, Emma. I know this world. And its dangers."

"Wait here," said a guard. He went inside the hut we were now in front of.

"Is that why you came through the portal? Because you thought I was helpless here?"

"No... I came through to be with you," Snow said.

"Portal?" Rose said. Snow and Emma looked at her.

"So you can talk," Emma said.

"What portal?" Rose repeated.

"Wait..." Snow lowered her voice. "Rosie? Is it you?"

"You remember me," She said, her voice a match. She couldn't help it. Cora was in the pit, apparently, and Rose was probably about to be thrown in with her, but Snow still remembered her, even after all these years.

"Of course I do!" The sisters hugged. Tears fell down Rose's face.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Emma asked.

"Sorry, Emma. Rose, meet Emma. Emma, this is Rose. My sister."

"Your sister?" Emma said.

"Rosie, this is my daughter."