The Dark Days

Twenty-Eight.

I limp out of the forest, clutching my arm. My ankle is sore, possibly sprained, and my arm is definitely broken. To make my scenario seem legit in another's eyes, I threw myself down a hill. Let's just say that it was a terrible idea.

I limp over and make it five feet away from the crypt before losing my feet and falling into someone's arms.

"Kase? Kase! What happened! Talk to me! Tell me what's wrong!" Peter stands me upright, but my knees have lost all their strength. I fall to the ground and he drops with me, holding me steady.

I look up into Peter's eyes: His beautiful jade green orbs are full of worry and concern and relief. I can't help smiling a bit as I tell him what happened. "They saw me when I escaped. They were trying to find me, I'm not sure why. I panicked a bit when they brought out the wolf girl. I wasn't watching the ground close enough, and I practically threw myself down a hill on accident." I laugh and cringe when my arm yelps in pain. "I'm such an idiot. Sorry."

"No time to apologize," Peter says quickly, "let's get you inside." He picks me up gingerly and brings me inside. He carefully sets me on top of the king-sized bed, making sure I wasn't in any pain. He lays his hand on my arm and I cry out a bit as the bones reconnect and the muscle sews itself back together. He grips my uninjured hand and I grip it back, squeezing his fingers so hard they pop. The bone is finally put back together and Peter tells me that it will still be sore for a while, but it will be fine. He takes of my shoe and sock and inspects my swollen ankle. Finally he places his hand over it and the swelling slowly shrinks away until my ankle is back to its regular size. It doesn't hurt when I wiggle my toes, rotate my ankle, or stand, but it twinges a bit when I walk, making me limp a little. I thank Peter and he hugs me tightly, relieved that I'm alright. "I was so worried when I felt you going into town," he whispers in my ear. "Then you were all over the place. You hid inside of a little cave for a long time. Why did you leave? You should've stayed. You shouldn't have left that place, you were save. Now look at you; dirty, broken arm, sprained ankle - You could've died, Kase. It's their fault, don't worry, I'll punish them."

"No, Peter, it's all right," I tell him, running my fingers through his hair in a comforting manner. "It was my own dumb fault. They're not to blame. Besides, I was the one who went right through the middle of town, practically parading down the street to show off my presence. I'm sorry, Pete. Please just let it go. Scold me for being an idiot like you always do." I kiss his cheek. "I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too," he replies, holding me tighter and closer than he had before. "And I'm so glad you're safe."

"Peter?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you put the charm back on my necklace? The invisibility one."

He chuckles. "Anything for you, darling."

I smile. "Thank you."

I go to kiss him, but before I can, the door bursts open, revealing Emma and Hook. Peter pushes me behind him, but I step in front of him. "What is it?" I ask them. "What's going on?"

"They've got you, kid," Emma says. "Regina and Gold. They saw you coming back here. They're coming."

"What?!" Peter demands. I stand still, unable to process the information.

"Peter," I say after a long silence. "Put the spell back on. Now."

"What spell?" Hook injects. "What's going on?"

"Peter's going to put a spell on me to hide me from everyone. I will go and hide. Peter," - I faced him, - "go with them. Please, they'll keep you safe, and right now that's all I'm concerned about. Talk to them, reason with them, and last of all, avoid fighting at all costs. If I come back and you have even one scratch, I'll rip you to shreds, understood?"

Peter looks a bit bewildered. "Okay," he replies, and puts a finger on my necklace. 

My body glows green as a tingling sensation rolls over me, and I look back at Emma and Hook. "I'm right here," I say to their confused expressions. They look in my general direction, and that's close enough. "Keep him safe, and keep them occupied. With this spell, even Ruby can't pick up my scent. I'm going to hide by the well in the forest, so when all is said and done, come and find me there. I'll leave after you. Make it look as if I'm still here. Pretend that I'm still badly injured and resting from dangerous wounds. That should give me enough time. Good luck." The two nod and I look back at Peter. He nods to them and they leave, giving us only a moment of privacy. I hug him tightly. "Stay alive, Peter," I whisper, "that's all I'm asking. Please, just stay alive." I kiss him, and then it's time to go. He leaves the room with me right behind him, and he puts a sleeping form that looks a lot like me under the comforter. He locks the door and puts a quick spell over it, a simple one that seems hastily done. He follows Emma and Hook while tightly squeezing my hand, and he releases me at the door of the crypt. He and the other two confront the angry magic-users and I slip out as they begin to converse.

"We want the curse back," I hear Regina spit. "And we're fully prepared to burn your girlfriend to a crisp if that's what it takes." I reach the treeline and turn around one last time, seeing Regina summon a fireball in her palm. Peter visibly tenses, ready for action, and then seems to remember my words, as he then relaxes and puts on the nonchalant façade once again.

"You could torch her," he crosses his arms, "but you'll have to go through me first."

"Oh, that won't be a problem," Rumpelstiltskin says, and a needle suddenly appears in Peter's neck, making him yelp. He pulls it out, stares at it for a moment, and then his eyes roll back into his head, and he falls heavily. I cover my mouth to keep from screaming. 

All of my being goes to not running to him, and while it is hard, I manage to stay where I am. It's so painful I can barely see through the tears, but I force myself to keep watching. Emma and Hook try running to him, but Regina pushes them away before they can make it. She pulls out Pandora's Box and he disappears into it. The two villains walk away in triumph.

That's when I run. I run as fast as I can, and while I run I think. Why would they kidnap Peter again? Easy: to get the curse. Why him and not me? Also fairly simple: I'm more likely to merely give in than he is.

Little do they know, that while Peter may be cunning, I practically taught him how to be so. I smile and switch directions, making a loop and going back to the Evil Queen's storage room.

Four more chapters!!!