Once Upon A Time ~ Book 1

Chapter 9 - Red Apple Threat

Mary Margaret sat at her table eating breakfast by the window which looked over Storybrook.
She stared out over the roof tops and looked in amazement at the clock tower. She looked at it skepticaly, for, for the first time in her life the clock read a different time.

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Emma lay asleep in her hotel bed. She slowly opened her eyes and jumped a little and looked around, remembering where she was.
She got out of her bed and walked to the window. She pulled the curtain back and looked out over the town of Storybrook.

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The town of Storybrook got on to their usually morning routine.
Archie walked his dog through the main streets. He nodded friendly at Mr. Gold, who egnored him as he walked past.
The sherif drove his car through the town to Granny's Diner.
The young woman for the Granny's took out the "open sign" and placed it by the footpath leading to the diner and bed and breakfast. The older woman walked past her, carrying some groceries. The younger woman smiled sarcasticly at her, then rowled her eyes.

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Henry still sat by the window in his room, smiling happily. It was going to be a great day.

Regina sat on her chaise longue, in her pyjamas reading Henry's fairytale book.
She neared the end of the book. On the picture was the evil queen, with the sword nearing her chest in the chapel of Charming and Snows castle. She turned the page to find the last few pages torn from the book. She slamed the book closed angrily and pushed Henrys door open.
Henry stood in front of his mirror, fixing his collar.
"The missing pages. Where are they?" she Regina holding the book open in front of the mirror. Henry turned around and she closed the book. "It's an old book. Stuff's missing. What do you care?" said Henry and he walked accross his room.
"I care because you think Im some Evil Queen." she said holding him back. "And that hurts me, Henry.....I'm your mother." she held his chin up.
"No you're not."
"Well then who is?...... That woman you brought here?...... I don't like what she or this book are doing to you....... Thankfully, both are no longer an issue."
Henry packed some stiff into his bag.
"What?" Regina said.
Suddenly the clock tower bell rung.
Regina turned quickly to face the window, her face in shock.
Henry took this chance to grab his bag and run from his room and down the stairs.

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Regina stood in front of the clock tower, staring up at it.
Archie walked over to her with his dog. "Hey, how about that?..... Guess those rusty old innards finally straightened themselves out, huh?" he said.
Regina turned quickly towards Archie and spotted from the corner of her eye, Emma's little yellow car.
"Yes. How about that, indeed." she said.

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A knock came from Emma's room door. She answered it to find Regina standing in the hall, with a basket of red apples in her hand. She smiled broadly at Emma.
"Did you know the honey crisp tree is the most vigorous and hardy of all apple trees?" Regina said.
Emma looked at her, perplexed.
"It can survive temperatures as low as 40 and below and keep growing...... It can weather any storm." she continued. "I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl." she said looking down at the apples. "And to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers." she said taking an apple and holding it out to Emma.
Emma took the apple, still perplexed. "Thanks."
"I'm sure you'll enjoy them on your drive home."
"Acually, I'm gonna stay for a while." Regina's broad smile drifted away.
"I'm not sure thats such a good idea."
Emma lifted her head up a little.
"Henry has enough issues. He doesn't need you confusing him."
"All due respect, Madam Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened me twice in the last 12 hours makes me want to stay more."
"Since when were apples a threat?"
"I can read between the lines. Sorry. I just want to make sure Henry is okay."
"He's fine, dear..... Any problems he has are being taken care of."
"What does that mean."
"It means I have him in therapy. It's all under control. Take my advise, Miss. Swan, only one of us knows what's best for Henry." a fake smile on her face.
"Yeah. I'm starting to think you're right about that."
"It's the foe you to go." her fake smile faded away.
"Or what?"
Regina stepped closer. "Don't underestimate me, Miss. Swan....... You have no idea what I'm capable of."

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A sword came out of nowhere and flew straight into the stone wall of the Evil Queens castle. She, then appeared, and watched the sword, stick into the concrete of the wall.
"Would you like something to drink?" said an old Valet with kind eyes holding a small tray, with a glass of red wine.
"Do I look like I need a drink?" said the Evil Queen looking at him.
"I was only trying to help." said the man holding out the glass to her.
She took it. "Thank you."
"Now that was an awfully big threat." said a dark man, with tight black hair and dark eyes, who was trapped in a mirror on the queens wall.
The queen walked over to the mirror, smiling.
"Destroy everyone's happiness?" he said. "How fo you plan on accomplishing that?"
"A Dark Curse." she said taking a sip from her glass.
"Are you sure, your majesty?" said the Valet walking towards her.
"But you said you would never use it." said the man in the mirror.
"You made a deal when you gave away that curse." the Valet said.
"You traded it away." said the man in the mirror again.
"She won't be happy to see you." said the Valet.
The queen turned and faced the Valet. "Since when do I care about anyone else's happiness but mine?..... Prepare the carriage...... We're going to the Forbidden Fortress."