Captain Swan - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Chapter 16

The rain falls from the sky like weeping tears shed in mourning, its harsh, relentless rhythm beating down on the roof of Emma's barn, matching the war raging inside her. Each drop carries a piece of her grief, a fragment of the pain that has torn through her heart.

A month ago, Emma couldn't have fathomed how drastically her life would change. Two people she held dear-her colleague and now her adoptive mother-have been brutally torn from her life. All because of some sick psychopath's twisted infatuation.

She remembers very vividly sitting at the bar counter as Graham told her Neal could be innocent. Had he said that to offer her comfort, or had he genuinely believed it himself? Was she the only one who was dumb enough to not see behind the facade, despite the fact Neal gave her the creeps? She wishes more than ever she would've listened to her gut and not her brain.

Now, in the sanctuary of her barn, she finds solace in the comforting presence of her horses. The scent of hay and the soft sounds of neighs and shuffling hooves offer a momentary respite from the heavy weight of grief that has taken up residence in her heart.

In the wake of Ingrid's brutal murder, the aftermath was a chaotic storm of emotions. The crime scene had to be thoroughly investigated, evidence collected, and statements taken. Emma, Anna and Elsa had to come to terms with the horrific loss of their beloved Ingrid while dealing with the practicalities of the situation.

The ranch, once a sanctuary, an escape from her everyday life, had been tainted by the violence that had occurred within its walls. The mere thought of entering it was a daunting task for Emma. The memories of the day she had discovered Ingrid's lifeless body lying on the floor still haunt her and, up until today, made it nearly impossible to cross the threshold once the crime scene was cleaned up. The pain was too raw, the images too fresh in her mind. The weight of her loss pressed down on her with unbearable force.

Emma was determined to reclaim her sanctuary and honor Ingrid's memory by finding a way to heal, so with Killian by her side, they had entered the house together. It still makes her uneasy stepping inside, which is why she came out here to her barn. Neal had managed to taint every place she once felt safe in-her house in Storybrooke, her place of work and now her ranch-but thankfully he hadn't touched her barn or horses. And she refuses to allow his vindictive actions to control her any further.

The memories of Ingrid, the woman who had raised her alongside Anna and Elsa after their parents died, flood her thoughts. Their adoptive mother had been a beacon of hope and love and warmth in their lives, and the void left by her absence is hard to swallow.

Anna and Kristoff had returned from their honeymoon a few days ago, only to find themselves thrust into a maelstrom of shock and sorrow, their lives forever altered by the tragic events that had unfolded. She is grateful that neither Anna nor Elsa had cast blame upon her for Ingrid's death, and instead, the three of them had clung to each other for support and strength through this dark time and shared beautiful and touching stories at the funeral.

But deep down, she can't help but feel guilty. She can't shake the nagging thought that perhaps she and Killian had pushed Neal to commit such a heinous act. If they hadn't intentionally provoked him-riled him up-maybe Ingrid would still be here. But as Emma grapples with this internal turmoil, she also recognizes the truth that lies beneath the surface. Neal is the true monster in this story, a manipulative puppet master pulling the strings of those around him. He has woven a web of deception, turning their lives into a nightmarish dance where they are all mere pawns, trying to survive his sadistic game.

As she strokes Shadow's muzzle, Emma can't help but feel the weight of responsibility. Neal is out there, a dangerous and vengeful shadow in her life, and her determination to bring him to justice burns brighter than ever.