Echoes and Shadows

Prologue

        A swan glided along the glassy surface of the lake, causing soft waves in its path. The moon, full to bursting and high in the sky, shone off its feathers, giving them a silver glow that glinted when it moved its head. Every so often there would be a quick movement and the swan would dip its head into the water, scooping up a midnight snack. It was total and utter peace. Suddenly, a branch snapped on shore, making the swan turn to the noise. 

        A girl of around nineteen stood watching the majestic creature, she seemed calm, but her muscles were tense with an unnerving sense of worry. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, sticking her hands deep into her pockets. Usually she would have enjoyed the night, the cool air chilling her skin and sending goose-bumps racing up her arms; this was her element. Tonight, however, she had to be unfeeling. She had to harden her senses. This wasn't going to be even close to remotely simple and there was no time for taking in the beauty of the shadows.

        Much like she had taken the swan's attention, her's was now turned to the forest that surrounded the lake. She stood straighter than she already had been, sizing up all 5'3" of her. Two boys crashed into the clearing, practically pushing each other to get there first. They stopped when the saw her disapproving glare, one breaking into a crooked grin. 

        "Don't look so upset, Rosie," he said, putting a hand on her arm. Her eyes shifted from one to the other. While their height and build were almost identical, the boys were totally dissimilar. The one who had spoken, the one directly in front of her, had a disheveled mess of blonde hair on his head that somehow (matched with the grin) made him even more attractive than she already thought he was. The second boy, on the other hand, had black hair that had appeared to have been combed well over the 100 strokes he found necessary.

        Rose pulled back, "Don't patronize me, Ian. Did you get it?" The second boy now moved forward, holding up a brown cloth. A smirk appeared, the corners of her mouth twitching up. Almost greedily she took it and a huge wave of relief crashed onto her. She breathed deeply, taking it all in; even the night around her seemed to stand still as she reveled in her freedom. With all this, she still wanted to see it. The thing she had been denied since her creation. 

        The silver glinted in the bright moonlight like the feathers of the swan had, outlining her name that was carved delicately into the steel. Black curled and snaked along the sides the already curving edges, coming to a visibly sharp tip. She gripped the thick rope-like handle, getting a feel for it. After a second of marvel she ripped the cloth away, flinging it into the grass by the edge of the lake.

       "Okay, boys," Rose said, her sly expression still very much present as she put the object in her boot. The cold metal pressed to her skin, letting her know it was there. She slipped her pant leg over it, concealing it for the most part. "Are we ready to do this?"

        "Whenever you are," the second boy nodding firmly.

        "Good," she turned to the road a little ways from where they were standing, "let's go."

        "Right behind you," Ian jogged to be at her side and the other boy strode up next to her, as well. They seemed to breathe simultaneously and, holding hands, they took their first steps to Storybrooke.