Once Upon A Wondrous Love (A Once Upon A Time Fanfiction)

Chapter Six: Saving Grace

Jefferson hurried down the street, clutching the jacket in his hand. He held the pink garment close to his chest as the wind picked up. Earlier it had been warm enough for Grace to go without her coat, but it had grown cold and he was worried that she would need her coat for recess. 

When he came to the schoolyard, children a grade below Grace were filling into the playground. He rushed inside and was able to catch the students as they all poured out of the door. Assuming he had just missed her, he ran up to Mary-Margaret.

"Mary-Margaret! I forgot to give Grace her coat. She needs it. She'll be cold. Where is she?" he asked, looking around. He glanced at her cubby that was barren apart from a bird cut out of paper and colored with her name on it. 

"I thought she was home sick with you." Mary-Margaret said, her stomach falling. 

"Oh no. No! I dropped her off here this morning!" he said, looking about the room. "Jefferson, it's alright. I'm sure we will find her." "N-No I can't lose her." "Let's go to Emma. She will know what to do."

Alice

"Hey Alice. Can I talk to you for a sec?" I looked up at Emma who was holding an envelope. Ruby looked up from her table and when she saw Emma's hand, she gave me a nod. I nodded and took a seat at an available table. 

My jeans (which I had worn as my clothes washed in the machine across the way) squeaked against the red booth seat as she took a seat. 

"I went looking through some files, and I found something really-" The door to the diner flew open and everyone made a collective jump as it clanged against the wall. Jefferson stood, his eyes and cheeks red, he was breathing heavily as if he had run a great distance. 

"Emma! Please, I can't find Grace she's missing." Mummers rose throughout the diner. "Okay. Don't worry we will find her. Alice, this will have to wait." I nodded as Emma approached him. 

"What was she wearing?" "Her school uniform. I was going to give her this." His words were slurred with guilt and panic. "Emma, you need help?" Leroy stood from his group. Emma nodded. 

"We'll start at the school, work our way from there." "We will find her. Ruby, would you mind?" Emma gave Ruby a look that exchanged something I didn't understand. She nodded and grabbed her coat. 

"Granny, can you get Jefferson something to drink?" Emma asked as she hurried Jefferson over to an available seat at the bar. I grabbed Ruby's arm. 

"I'm coming with you." "Alice, I think you are best here." "No, I want to come with you, please." Ruby gave me a pleading look. "I'll at least help the search." I said, grabbing my coat. 

Outside, the cold air had kicked up and was making the sign on Granny's clunk around. I could hear the voices inside as people stood and began to file out. 

I knew what it was like when a child went missing. Every moment was precious. I took in a deep breath and tried to think. 

Where would she go? Where would someone take her? 

The house. 

It appeared as clearly in my mind's eye as I could see the world before me. I took off running, not bothering to tell anyone where I was going. That house emanated an evil, and who knew what could happen to her if I didn't go.

"Grace!" I screamed as I came upon the large stone edifice. I had been screaming her name so loud, my throat was hoarse. I could hear the echoes from the townspeople around me calling her name.