Truth or Bears

Chapter 4 - Flashback

Jefferson stepped through the green curtains of Oz with a sigh. Another ridiculous mission! Rumplestiltskin likes to call it that way, but Jefferson only calls it shopping for the Dark One. When Rumplestiltskin is out of goods for his experiments, it's always him who he calls to fetch some things for him. He had to admit it that he liked that job. Especially the payment. He could usually choose how much gold he received for every grocery he brought. So thanks to that, Jefferson wasn't in need of money. But this job demanded loneliness and bravery. His job was dangerous. And well, you had to have an open mind. Jefferson had been to so many lands, one crazier than the other, and he had had some moments when he wished that he was at home drinking a cup of tea, away from that disgusting land and its disgusting habitants. But he had to admit to himself that his life without this job would be pretty boring. No missions, no adventures, no fun.

He sighed again and started walking towards an emerald forest, looking at the ground to find what his master needed. Monkey feathers! What a ridiculous idea! Why would one need any of those? Why would a monkey need feathers, Jefferson asked himself. But after what he had seen in Neverland, Wonderland, and Agrabah, he learned not to ask questions but just to swim with the flow and collect what his master wanted.

At first, when he was a beginner, Jefferson had enjoyed this job. He would collect every piece with excitement and passion, but nowadays, he just growls while collecting and escapes as soon as he can, to get the reward. It was the same with this job. Every time he bent down to pick up a feather, he huffed with anger. Why is he still doing this? This is ridiculous! He is 23 now! He should be doing something more serious! But no, he is still out in the woods collecting monkey feathers! Monkey feathers!

By the time Jefferson finished collecting, the night fell, and the sky was dark with only a few greenish, sparkling stars. He was exhausted and fed up. He sat down under a tree to take a short break. He put down his sack filled with feathers by his side. He ran his fingers through his hair filled with sweat and let out a sigh in relief. What a day! But finally, he is ready! Now, all he has to do is bring this sack back to...

Jefferson couldn't finish his thought because a yellow lightning passed by him, grabbing his pouch, only leaving a shocked Jefferson behind. No, it wasn't a lightning, Jefferson realized. It was a ...

'Thief!' he yelled as he tried to get up.

A few seconds later, Jefferson was on his feet, chasing a leopard patterned cloak and its owner. His mind was filled with questions. Who dares to steal from him? And why would anyone need some stupid monkey feathers?

As he was chasing the thief, he passed some familiar trees and bushes. No, it can't be! The thief can't know where the door is! But still, he kept running in the direction of his portal. A few minutes later, a green curtained door appeared in front of his eyes.

'No!' Jefferson cried, but it was too late. The thief had already stepped through the door disappearing in the night, just like Jefferson's hopes to get back to the Enchanted Forest.

Two days later, a very tired and worn out Jefferson opened the gates of Rumplestiltskin's castle. He rushed through the large, yellow corridors and arrived in the great hall where the Dark One himself was spinning straw into gold, as usual at this time.

'I'm here' Jefferson announced unnecessarily.

'I see' Rumplestiltskin answered without looking up from his work.

'I was...' Jefferson didn't know what to say. 'Robbed.'

'I know' he replied calmly.

'Should have guessed it' Jefferson growled. 'If you knew it, you could have helped me! Just a little bit! Do you know what I had to go through to get back here? I made a deal with a bloody witch! She had green skin! And guess what? Her name meant green too! One should never trust anyone who has a colour in their name. You know, the Blue Caterpillar, the Red Queen, Blackbeard, just to say some... Never ever trust someone with a colour in their name!' he burst out.

Rumplestiltskin let out a small, high-pitched giggle.

'What now?' Jefferson asked with annoyment in his voice.

'You know Hatter, it's just... When you see the future, there's irony everywhere!' Rumplestiltskin answered giggling. 'But actually, your robbery was a test.' he said.

'What?' Jefferson asked. 'A test of what?'

'Of your competence, Hatter.' Rumplestiltskin said while observing his long, dirty nails. 'Which you failed, by the way.'

'Hah. My competence?' Jefferson huffed. 'It's not like there's any competition around. I'm the only one who can bear you.' he sneered.

'You see' Rumplestiltskin said pointing to Jefferson with his index finger. 'That's where you're wrong, Hatter.'

'Who would be such a pathetic fool to make a deal with the Dark One himself?' Jefferson rolled his eyes.

'Me' came a sound from behind Jefferson. He quickly spun around to see a young girl in leopard cloak standing in the doorway. The girl had big, light blue eyes and long, blond, curly hair which bounced with every step she took as she moved closer to Jefferson. Her eyes, filled with hurt, were sparkling.

'You say I'm a fool.' she said slowly. 'But I'm not the one who lost a pouch of feathers and let someone jump through his portal while it's his only chance back, in five minutes.' she continued pointing to her head where Jefferson's hat was sitting. Jefferson hadn't even realised until now that she was wearing his hat. And though he had to admit that it looked nice on her, he still felt rage flowing through his veins.

'That's my hat!' he grumbled.

'Well, maybe you should take more care of it then' the girl said without making a single move.

That was the moment when the Dark One decided to join the conversation.

'Hatter, meet Goldilocks.' he yawned as he pointed to her. 'My new supplier.'

'Pleasure to meet you' Jefferson said with a dishonest smile. 'Now if you may....' he said as he quickly grabbed the hat from Goldilocks' head and put it back on his own. 'Excuse me, I got a bunch of stuff to do.' he turned to the door with the intention of leaving.

'Ah-a-a, dearie.' Rumplestiltskin said. 'You see, when I had had only one supplier, I could only fish in a small lake of magical items. But now, that I have two suppliers, I can go out to the big sea for big fish!'

'For what?' Goldilocks and Jefferson asked in unison.

'Oh my dearies' Rumplestiltskin exclaimed with excitement. 'Better get your gowns and suits! You're going to King Arthur's marvellous, treasure-filled, wedding ball!'