Never Letting Go || CS

Chapter 16: Out of Control

"Y-You're what?" Emma stared in disbelief whilst her parents' smiles never faltered. Emma's immediate reaction was shock because she couldn't quite comprehend what she had just been told. "We found out about a week ago, and we wanted to share the news with you first!" Snow must have noticed Emma's expression because her smile dropped "Emma, you are happy with this, right?" Emma forced a smile and nodded. She was lying when she said she was fine with it. In truth, she felt like she was being replaced. As soon as the new baby came, she would be cast aside and forgotten, that's how it usually worked. "You don't look too happy, sweety, are you sure you're okay?" Snow was concerned for her daughter. Emma wouldn't look her parents in the eye as she felt rage bubble up inside. How could they do this to her? 

Emma's expression now showed what she felt inside, whilst her parents looked at her with confusion. Suddenly, Emma's hands started to tingle, so she looked down at them and saw red sparks flying from her palms. Her eyes widened in fear as she held her hands out to examine them closely. Snow and Charming gasped and also stared in disbelief at what they were seeing. "W-what's happening to me?" Emma asked, scared of what the answer would be. 

"It looks like magic." Snow answered. Emma's parents shared a questioning glance at each other then focused their attention back to their daughter. "Hey, Emma it's gonna be alright." Charming reached out to her, but Emma quickly recoiled. "Please keep your distance, I don't wanna hurt you!" Emma ran out of the room, ignoring the desperate calls from her parents faintly behind her. As she reached her room, she locked the door and took another look at her hands. They were still flowing with red and gold sparks, which seemed to worsen when she thought about why she was angry.

She slid down her door so that she was now sat on the cold floor. All Emma could think about was how betrayed she felt. She eventually came to the conclusion that they no longer wanted her, she wasn't good enough for them, she was a let down. That's why they decided to have a new child. And now that they knew she had magic, they would fear her, and not want her. 

They were replacing her with a new child to make their family better. Her parents were better off with out her, they didn't love her anymore. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt, and soon tears were making their way freely down her face. She felt completely alone in the world. Unloved, abandoned and utterly useless. If only Killian was there to hold her, console her, make her feel wanted. Alas, she knew he was long gone and had probably forgotten about her by now. She was so frustrated with her life. She concluded that she hated everything about the palace and her life. She had no reason to stay here, she wasn't needed anymore, and certainly wouldn't be missed.

She knew the perfect solution to all her problems. She was going to run away.

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A month after Emma leaving, Hook was as cruel as ever to anyone who crossed him. He was in a particularly bad mood today because they had to make a stop at Emma's kingdom for supplies and there was a leak in the ship that needed fixing. It took all his will power not to go and see her again. He knew he could never be with her, if he did, he would be asking to throw her whole life away, and he couldn't do that that to her. Besides, she'd probably forgotten about him by now. Why would she remember him? 

On several occasions, he almost went to ask directions to the castle. The only thing keeping him was that he wanted the best for her, even if it meant without him. It pained him to not be able to see her, hold her, tell her how he felt about her. 

Hook decided the best thing to do would be to get drunk so he could forget. He saw a tavern across the street as he walked down the desolated road at dusk. He decided now would be as good a time as ever to have a drink. As he entered the tavern, the stench of sweat and alcohol hit him at full force. As he pushed his way through the crowded room, he regretted coming here. He usually enjoyed coming here, but today he hated it. Rowdy, drunken men shouted and cheered, making his head hurt. 

Once Hook had fought his way through the crowd, he bought himself a drink and sat in a quiet corner. He wished to forget all his problems, just for now. He still had no idea on how to bring about the demise of the crocodile, so with no hope, he decided he wanted to abandon all of if for now. 

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Once Emma's magic had stopped flowing through her hands, she picked herself off the floor and started packing all of her sensible clothes into a backpack. Emma began writing a letter to her parents explaining how she felt and why she was running away. She signed it and re read it to check it.

Dear Mother and Father,

I'm so sorry to have to do this, but it's for the best. I'm running away. You may not see it now, but in time you will realise this is better for everyone. Lately I have felt out of place, like I don't belong here anymore. When you told me you were going to have a new child I felt like you were trying to replace me because I'm not good enough for you. Now that I have discovered I have magic, I know you won't want me. I think starting a new life will be good for me. You don't have to worry, I've learnt how to defend myself so I'll be alright. Please don't come after me. 

With all my love, 

Emma 

Once she was satisfied with the letter, she set it down on her pillow and let one last tear slip from her eye. Emma threw a rope over the balcony and secured it to the wrought iron bars that kept her from falling. She made her way quietly down the rope and through the gardens, not looking back for fear of changing her mind. Was this really a good decision? It was too late for that now because she had already reached the high wall that surrounded the castle. Emma began scaling the wall, hoping that no guards came around on their patrol of the gardens. 

She managed to slip away without any trouble and was now making her way towards the nearest village. Once Emma arrived, she ambled through the dark, lonely streets until she saw one warm sign of life. A warm looking tavern stood out to her because it was the only building with light emanating from it. She smiled and entered, letting the powerful scent of alcohol fill her nose. She was taken aback at first, but soon got used to it as she took in her surroundings. 

Eventually her eyes settled on one man sitting alone at a table, and she froze.

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a/n well I think 1227 words is enough for today! I don't think I like how this chapter turned out, but it's your opinion that counts. Who do you think she saw at the tavern? I think its quite obvious but I like a good cliffhanger. Until the next chapter, dearies!