The Dark Days

Twenty-Seven.

My world was dark for a long time. It was almost like I was back in Pandora's box, but this time, I wasn't afraid. I was comforted by the darkness now, and it helped me to feel safe. But it slowly fades as I return to consciousness. Light comes to my eyes, bright and cold. I can hear people whispering around me, but I can't understand what they're saying. It's like I'm underwater or something. Then the sensation fades, and I can hear them.

"...what Hook said, she'll never help us!"

"With the right amount of persuasion, we'll get her to do anything we want."

"She's only a kid, Regina! We can't harm her! Besides, if Pan finds out -"

"He probably has by now. The Lost Boys will always be loyal to him, he's probably got them spying on us."

"We only know one thing for sure. The only way to get the curse back is with her. She's Pan's weakness, his only weakness - We could use that to our advantage."

"Oh, yeah, and that worked out so well before."

"No, you guys. We can't use her. She won't go against him. We need to find another way."

"And I suppose you have a better idea?"

That brings on silence. I very lightly walk out the door behind them and sneak past the window, successfully avoiding the six grownups more concerned about a plan than their hostage. I race down the hall and into an elevator. Shouts begin to ring out as the doors close.

I let out a deep breath and lay my head against the wall, closing my eyes in relief for a moment. The bell dings for ground level and I casually walk out the door. I hear someone beating on a window as I leave the building and turn around, flipping up the double birds, and scamper off into the woods.

****

"How the hell did you let her get away so quickly?!" Regina snaps at Emma. "You're supposed to be good at this stuff!"

"Relax, Regina," David says, "she got by all of us. We're all to blame."

"No, those with a political standing get the blame - a.k.a. the sheriff and I! The town isn't going to be happy when they find out. What do we do?"

"She can't get far with the storm on the way," Hook injects. "We should wait until the morning."

"We can't," Rumple says, "it's too dangerous to let her get away. If Pan finds out what we did -"

"He'll activate the curse without a second thought!" Mary-Margaret finished. "We can't let that happen!"

"Well obviously, Princess," Regina retorts. "But do you have any ideas?"

Mary-Margaret thinks for a moment. "Split into our teams. One goes to the List Boys' house, one through the town, one to the cemetery."

"Why the cemetery?" Emma asks. "There's no way Pan hasn't moved spots yet."

"That's what he wants us to think," she says. "It's clearly too dangerous to stay without the proper protection. So he either moved, or he stayed, and put up more spells. Which is more practical in a moment's notice?"

"Staying," David agrees.

"Fine. I'll go to the cemetery," Regina says, looking at Rumple. "You still able to sniff out wards?"

"Sure can, dearie," he says with a smirk.

"David and I can take the house," Mary-Margaret says, and looks at Emma. "You think you'll be able to take the town?"