Gretel

Realizations

~~Storybrooke~~

Granny called me shortly after Emma and Graham left the station to tell me to go pick up Ruby from the old mines. Apparently it hadn't been an earthquake earlier, but instead an old mining tunnel collapsing. How bizarre. 

I drove the moped to the old mines, following the crowd of cars to the location. When I got close I zipped between cars, parking off to the side and hanging the helmet from the handlebar before jogging over to Ruby just as the Mayor addressed the growing crowd. 

"Everyone step back, please!" She yelled out, making me wince. I darted over to Ruby, hiding slightly behind her to stay out of the mayors view. "Is that a crater?" She muttered to me curiously. I shook my head just as an older gentleman, Marco, responded. "No. There were tunnels, uh, old mines, something collapsed."

"Be careful, step back." The mayor instructed, narrowing her eyes at me when I came into view before Graham and Emma stepped in front of her. I loosed a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my chest feeling tight. "Sheriff, set up a police perimeter. Marco, why don't you help with the fire department? Miss Swan, this is now official town business. You're free to go." She barked out, trying to step around them towards me. 

Emma stepped in front of her again. "Well, actually I work for the town now." She said with a touch of smugness, making Regina get distracted. She moved her glare to Graham. "She's my new deputy." He explained shortly. "They say the mayor's always last to know." She quietly seethed, making him fidget but hold firm "It's in my budget."

I backed away while she addressed the two quietly, pulling Ruby with me. She looked at me curiously. "What's wrong?" But before I could answer Regina addressed the crowd again. "People of Storybrooke, don't be alarmed. We've always known this area was honeycombed with old mining tunnels, but fear not. I'm going to undertake a project to make this area safe, to rehabilitate it to city use. We will bulldoze it, collapse it, pave it." She said with a satisfied smirk.

Just then Henry fought his way through the crowd, trying to grab my hand and drag me as he went, his brother behind him. I quickly yanked myself out of his hold but it was too late: the mayor had seen. He kept going anyways, "Pave it? What if there's something down there?" His brother stayed silent, glancing back at me curiously until their mother quickly pulled them both close to her, having a whispered conversation. 

I looked to Ruby, tugging her with me more firmly. "Time to go." She went without question.

"—In fact everyone please, please step back! Thank you." Regina spoke to the crowd once last time as we hopped on the moped. As I started the vehicle and passed Ruby the helmet I heard Henry whisper shout. "Hey, Archie, Ava! Over here!" But I ignored him, merely murmuring to Ruby to hold on as I drove us out of there. 

We went back to the diner and got back to work, the job easier now that most people were distracted by the collapsed mine. Towards the end of my shift Mary Margaret came in, perking up when she saw me at the register, checking someone out. "$12.18 is your change, have a great day." I said to the mechanic with a smile, watching him smile back and wave before leaving. 

I looked to the teacher as she came up to the counter. "Hey Mary Margaret, whats up?" "Nothing much, but you are the exact person I was hoping to see." She says cheekily, leaning on the counter. I rose a brow, "Oh? Why's that?" She shrugs, adjusting her purse strap. "Well I need some quality girl time, and I've never had a lot of that with you, so I thought I'd ask if you want to come over for tea? We can gossip, paint our nails, do whatever."

I chuckle amusedly, though I can't help but be tempted by the offer. I glance down at my bruised wrist that's hiding behind the counter; Surely I can hide this by wearing a sweater or something? I smile up at the teacher, "Sure, that sounds fun." I admit, watching the teacher clap her hands excitedly. "Perfect, what time do you get off?" I glance at the clock, "In about thirty minutes." "I can wait." She says with a nod.