Thing He Loves Most (Peter Pan/Ouat)

Chapter Six

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The few people walking on the sidewalks came to a dead halt, including Thomas and I. Their faces shone with both fear and confusion, but they stayed rooted to their spots.

Emma and David emerged from the Sheriff station, alerted by the sound. They paused, glancing around, just as another scream cut through the air, the same one from before. Without missing a beat, the two sprinted off in the direction it came from.

My instincts kicked in, telling me that something was up, and without a second thought, I bolted after them. Thomas called after me, but I ignored him, only focusing on trying to keep up with the two people who were several yards ahead of me so I wouldn't lose sight of them.

Emma and David slowed as they passed by Granny's, meeting up with the pirate and Tinkerbell, who joined them.

By the time I finally caught up, the group had already found the location of the scream, gathered on some steps in what appeared to be someone's huge backyard. All different types of trees and bushes lined the stone staircase and followed the path towards a large, multi-story colonial style house. However, no one was paying attention to the landscape. They were all looking grimly at something on the ground.

As I got closer, cautiously climbing the steps to join them, I caught sight of what it was.

And I immediately felt sick.

David was crouched on the ground next to a middle aged women, whom I remembered seeing in Granny's dinner at the celebration party last night. She was a nun.
Her body was unmoving.

David had been checking her pulse, and after a short pause, he turned to the others, a grave look on his face.
"She's gone," he said regretfully.

I turned away quickly, no longer able to stomach the sight. I had only seen a dead body once in my life, but I knew that I never wanted to experience that again.

"Why would the shadow kill her?" Tinkerbell choked out, bringing my gaze back to her. She was on the verge of tears.

Even the pirate looked shaken. "No idea, love," He responded solemnly. "But I do know the shadow only takes orders from one person..."

Emma, who had been quiet the whole time, looking just as shocked as the rest of them, became distraught as the realization struck her.

"Pan."

My body froze at the mention of the name, my blood going cold. No, it couldn't be. It didn't make any sense. Pan was gone. He was defeated.

A few more familiar faces appeared then, coming up the path; Neal, Regina, Henry, and Mary Margaret, who's skin immediately paled an even whiter shade than it already was, at the sight of the body.

"What the hell happened?" Regina demanded.

My mind was still reeling over the terrifying information, I almost didn't notice the Evil Queen's presence. I silently slipped back over to where Thomas was now standing, having followed me, and out of her line of vision.

David quickly filled Regina in on what happened, but I tuned them out, having already heard the story.

"I'm gonna head back over to Granny's."

I jumped at the voice in my ear and then calmed when I realized it was just Thomas. I glanced at him, taking in his anxious expression and I could tell he wanted to get out of there as fast as possible, obviously freaked out about the morning's current events.

I didn't respond, just gave a short nod, and watched out of the corner of my eye as he turned, heading back towards town.

"Hook, let's go back to the ship and get the candle," Neal spoke up. The pirate nodded in agreement. "If it strikes again, we need to be able to capture it."