The Rose and the Dagger

Chapter 17: Come back to me

Like every morning Belle was ready to go to Granny's to start the search with the others. She was determined to find him. When she entered the small restaurant, it was so silent you could hear a pin drop. The place was deserted except for the presence of Scarlett who was at the counter.

-Belle! Exclaimed Scarlett, come sit over here in the light.

-What is going on, nobody is here? Belle asked

-I'm sorry Belle, but Sheriff Nolan thought it was best to suspend the search for now, she said regretfully.

-But how can he do that! We can't just abandon Rumple! He saw how Regina is using him!

-Yes indeed, but after all the threats Regina has launched, and after everyone saw how easily provoked she can get, and with the dark one under her control, well the people are afraid Belle after what happened yesterday.

-So... you just stopped the search!! She said as she started to sob.

-Belle, I'm sure the sheriff has another idea in mind to fight Regina

-It must be the terror that people have right now in this city for his reasons for calling off the search, she said both with anger and sadness. "But I will never give up the search; I will never stop fighting for him!"

She got up and walked out of the diner as she slammed the door behind her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away with her hand, holding her head up. She needed to stay strong and find the man she loved more than anything. She spent the entire day exploring the outskirts of Storybrook, but with no success. Seeing the sun beginning to set, and her body weary and tired, she decided to return to the shop. The shop that was a place of comfort for her was not the same without Rumple, the smell of him had disappeared, and she was loosing hope. As she started looking around at all the objects, she decided to start looking around to see if she could find anything magical that might help her. As she fumbled through the closets, she fell upon all kinds of things, but nothing that would help. As she started to go through the last closet, she noticed an object that was familiar: a small white cup with a blue pattern on it, a chipped cup. Her chipped cup! He had kept it all these years, she thought to herself as tears were spilling from her blue eyes as she clutched the cup to her chest.

-Please Rumple, come back to me. She whispered.

Campaign Storybrooke,

Rumple slowly opened his eyes. He looked around himself trying to figure out where he was. He was no longer in his cage. He was lying on a bed in an unfamiliar bedroom. He soon realized that his wrists were bound to the bed posts. Then the memories from last night came back to him. Was he dead? What was this place? Had his attempt failed? Suddenly jerked from his thoughts he heard a voice.

-You're not in paradise Rumplestiltskin if that is what you are thinking, much less in hell, so to speak. Cora said entering the room. Rumple suddenly straightened struggling to sit up in the bed.

-"The Dark One thinking he could end his life! How pathetic she said, chuckling

-You! I know you! He said.

-The Dark One is immortal. The only way to kill him is with the dagger. You yourself saidso a few years ago! She said provocatively.

-Cora!! He exclaimed.

He recognized the old woman who had "rescued" him and his son, and told him about the legend of the Dark One.

-I see you have a good memory! She replied.

-Why are you here?

-Because Regina is my daughter.

Rumple became very confused.