Blood Red (2)

Chapter 9

(A/N: the above picture was photoshopped, but that's what she really looked like)

Will Scarlet's POV

I've seen some weird things in my day. Smoking caterpillars, evil queens, all the hearts and heads to spare. Some would call me as mad as the Hatter, as much as it may seem true...it's not. I'm no Hatter, no that's that Jefferson guy. I'm the Knave of Hearts. Been working for Cora in Wonderland for a long time. Not anymore of course, but when I heard she was in StoryBrooke I died a little inside. I went through hell trying to get my heart back, so she has no right to take it again.

I sit in Granny's Diner now, drinking a glass of Pepsi. I know Ruby's not working today, hurt herself or something, but hey, who knows? So I sit there, smiling at the blonde waitress who comes around to fill my cup. She's definitely flirting with me. Not to say I'm a ladies man or anything...no...I'm just very charming. I see some girl...the mayor I think...writing on a clip board. She might of banished me here but she knows nothing about me. Not even my name. What a shame. I chuckle quietly. Rhyming, can't help it can ya Will. Well, no one really can.

I wet my lips and stand up, leaving a tip on the table. The mayor's talking with some old lady. She's the owner of the place, and Red's Granny. I'm not really sure of her real name. I whisk on by and out the door only catching the words "Ruby" and "werewolf." It didn't take a genius to figure that one out.

I'd known it for years, told me herself. Poor girl. It's a curse for sure. Not as much as me though. I feel in my pocket and fish out a scrap of yellowed parchment. Anastasia. I drew this for her on her birthday, she loved it so much. No, I'm no artist either, but the drawing turned out pretty amazing. Then when she...changed...she left it. I cried when I found it.

Now, my fingers trailed along the picture. Down Ana's curvy cheek bones, full lips, fair hair...and her smile. I swooned at that smile. I would do anything to see that smile again, but without the crazy glint hidden in those gray, blue eyes. Grayer than Ruby's. I be a thief, but I know what love is. I'm no poet, but I recognize beauty. I'm definitely no poet with my grammar. I'm a thief not an English teacher.

I look up at the darkening sky, still wet from the earlier storm. I ball the paper in my hands and put it back in my pocket. I said I was done with her...but then why do I still love her?

I snap back to reality, as I see a white dog littered with black spots barking at my ankles. A red headed man is chasing not to far behind. "I...am so sorry sir," he says, very much out of breath. He tried to tug the dog away, but he remained, still yelping at me.

"It's quite alright...really. I don't mind dogs at all," I say back with a small smirk.

"He's not usually like this around strangers."

"Stranger? I highly doubt I'ma stranger to this town. Been here since the curse. You're...the town therapist, right?" I tilt my head, my gaze still slightly pointed to the dog. He's not being mean at all. I think that's what the man means. The dog's got his tongue sticking out.

"Oh yes I am. Sorry. My name is Jiminy Cricket, most people call me Archie."

"William Scarlet. Most people call me Will." I shake his hand.

"It's strange," he continues.

"What is?"

"Pongo's only like this around Henry and Ruby."

I think for a second then remember, I did see Ruby a little earlier, was was still sleeping though. I didn't know who the other name was. "Oh yeah? Well, I was around Ruby just awhile ago. She was still, you know, unconscious." Archie nods in response.

"So I hear." He follows my glimpse at Pongo. "I'm truly sorry."

"Don't apologize, you've done nothin' wrong. Like I said, I like dogs, and it's not like he's attackin' me." I give another kind smile and trot past him, Pongo still barking.

I really don't mind dogs, Ruby being what she is and all, and I'm flattered that Pongo would stick his tongue out at me...a stranger as Archie put it. Well I am a stranger to them, maybe not so much now but still. I was cooped up in my house for all this time, so I don't know the people around here.

I've seen some pretty weird things in my day, this of course...was as weird as it got. I can't even explain what I saw. It could only be described as something out of The Walking Dead.