Broken OUAT

Chapter 12 - The Call

It was the middle of November and the weather was getting cooler. Emma was now twelve weeks pregnant. She had been suffering from frequent headaches, some dizziness, and nausea. She also found that she was more tired.

Neal hadn't shown up yet, and Emma hoped it meant he never would. Emma knew better than that, though. She was sure he was just waiting for the right moment.

Then one day, Emma got a phone call from a phone number she didn't recognize.

"Hello?"

Emma could hear breathing on the other end, but whoever it was didn't say anything.

"Hello?" She said again. "Who is this?"

"You know exactly who this is, Emma."

Emma's blood ran cold. Her heart was beating so hard and fast that it felt like it would explode at any minute. Emma felt like she was going to be sick.

"Neal."

"Bingo!"

"W...what d...do you w...w...want?"

"You didn't honestly think you could escape me, did you? I know exactly where you are, Emma. I'll be coming for you when you least expect it."

Emma shuddered.

"Oh, and Emma. Don't try to run. No matter where you go, I will find you."

Those were the same words her dad had always said to her mom. I will find you. I will always find you. Only, coming from Neal it was terrifying.

Emma didn't have the chance to say anything before the line went dead. Emma collapsed onto the couch and broke down. She could feel the panic attack coming on.

"Emma?" She could hear the concern in her father's voice. "Emma, what's wrong?"

Emma just cried harder. She could feel her father sit down beside her and pull her into a side hug. She couldn't help but flinch.

David was really worried now. Emma hadn't flinched since she had first come home. "Emma, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"N...N...Neal called."

David stiffened, and instinctively held is daughter a little bit tighter. "What?"

"I didn't recognize the number so I answered. It was Neal. He said...he said he'll be coming when I least expect it. He knows where I am."

There was a sharp intake of breath as David let the news sink in. Emma had been here for going on two months now, and he was beginning to think that Neal wouldn't come. He had hoped that Neal wouldn't come. Emma let out a choked sob from next to him, and he turned to look at her. He could see the look of pure terror on her face, and he wished there was something, anything, he could do to ease that fear.

"It's going to be okay." He whispered. He was trying to convince himself just as much as he was trying to convince Emma. "I'm not going to let him hurt you." David swallowed the lump in his throat. "I wasn't there for you when you needed me last time, but I'm here now and he's not going to put a hand on you or those boys." He promised.

Emma pulled away. "I have to leave." She whispered.

David panicked. "What? Emma..."

"You don't understand. You and mom are in danger too. He threatened to hurt you once, what if he makes good on that threat? I...I can't let you get hurt because of me."

"You aren't going anywhere, Emma. I'm not scared of his threat towards us."

Emma stood abruptly, swaying a bit as she did. "What about Leo? You have to think about your child."