Madness {Ouat}

Still Air

[This chapter is currently being rewritten]

"The Cheshire Cat?" Emma echoed Jefferson in disbelief.
"Yes," Jefferson confirmed, "And don't call her that." He gave Emma a slightly annoyed look as he spoke then sat down in a chair across from her.
It was at this moment that Emma felt the awkward tension between the two. She hadn't thought about it before, but this was the first time they had been in a room together since they first met, and neither had seen each other since.
"So," It had only been quiet for a moment but Emma could tell the conversation needed to be prodded, so she continued. "Do you think something might be up, with her avoiding you?"
"We didn't leave things the best way when we last saw each other," Jefferson's eyes went down to the floor before he blinked and brought his focus back on Emma. "I wouldn't be surprised if I brought back some bad memories."
Emma felt herself wanting to ask for more details but drew back, realizing it might not be a subject to touch on just yet, so she went with her second option of what to say.
"Well if there's an adolescent girl lost in town it would be my job to find her and get her help," Emma wasn't lying, as sheriff that was part of her job description. However, after spending so many years in Storybrooke she could tell something else was going on with this, even if it wasn't entirely clear. "Since you might be the only one here who knows Cheshire personally you could come to help." Emma offered.
"That's a nice offer Emma," Jefferson stood from his seat and took a small walk to the side turning his back to Emma for a moment. "But if Cheshire doesn't want to see me I'm not going to force her to." He explained, moving to face Emma once again. "I'll help you make sure she's safe but beyond that it's her choice."
Emma lightly pursed her lips then stood to get back on Jefferson's eye level. The air was quiet once more, Jefferson had turned around again and Emma was about to break the silence when her phone did it for her. She took a moment, wondering whether or not to check it, before reaching into her pocket, pulling out her device, and looking at the message.
"Oh no," Emma expressed with an exhausted moan. Jefferson looked back at her again, furrowed his eyebrows and waited for a follow up.
"It's Regina. Henry's not at school" Emma explained, sighing, putting her phone into her back pocket, then heading for the door.
"Emma," Jefferson called out to her. "If you see Cheshire. Tell her I'm sorry."
Emma looked at Jefferson with both understanding and worrisome eyes, she then opened the door and walked out.
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The forest loomed over Cheshire as she sat by the edge of a small stream. Light grey clouds had recently covered the once blue sky and a light breeze hit and went through Cheshire's mess of a hair. Her experience trying to put on her 'acquired' clothes hadn't been the easiest thing, but that was expected. She sat fairly still and played with the frayed circle around her exposed knee. Cheshire took in a gulp of air trough her mouth then exhaled through her nose. She finally allowed herself to process what had happened around her since she got to Storybrooke, and at that moment she wasn't sure whether to smile, laugh, or cry. Seconds passed, then minutes, the surrounding air felt colder as the one thought she had been avoiding broke its way into her mind.
"Hatter," Cheshire expressed so quickly and quietly that from just feet away the word could easily be mistaken for a breath. She closed her eyes and began to rub one of them, mulling over the situation and her options as best she could. Her thought process was cut short however, as the sound of rustling foliage caught her off guard. Cheshire stood and turned towards the sound, bracing herself for whatever could happen. To her surprise and relief what came out did seem like a threat in the slightest. It was the boy, the strange one she saw at the diner, Cheshire let some of her body and mind relax but still kept her guard up for caution's sake.
"Hi," The boy said, looking a bit frazzled but what from Cheshire couldn't tell. "I'm Henry."
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Cheshire stalked carefully through tall Wonderland grass. The green foliage towered over the slim feline as she continued on forward. Like most days the afternoon sun shone across the realm with barely a cloud in sight, but the vast overhang of trees made Tulgey Woods feel much more lifeless. Cheshire stopped abruptly at the sound of footsteps getting ever nearer. Her electric blue eyes narrowed and her breathing slowed, despite her heart rate increasing. Cheshire ears were high and perked as the sound got closer. She flattened herself to the ground and bent her legs, preparing for just the right moment.
Step, step, step.
Now.
Cheshire released her pent up energy in one great bound forward. However, the stride of her target stopped seconds before they were in her path and instead she tumbled to a halt.
"You got closer that time," Jefferson said semi reassuringly, but unable to keep in a small smile of amusement.
"How do you do that?" Cheshire asked, shaking debris of her pelt as she turned to face him.
"Practice makes perfect," Jefferson answered with a shrug. "Now come on, it'll be getting dark soon." He motioned his head for her to come over.
Cheshire rolled her eye subtlety at his vague response, then let it go and walked over to him. The two went on side by side down confusing routes they knew by heart at this point. As they walked it suddenly occurred to Jefferson that it was much too quiet.
"Everything alright Chesh?" He asked, first looking down at his side, then a few feet behind him when he saw Cheshire had slowed down. Cheshire's back was to Jefferson as she starred into the forest with immense concentration. Her ears and tail were erect and her noise twitched as she tried exceptionally hard to sense something out there. Cheshire's tail suddenly dropped and her ears went flat.
"Chesh?" Jefferson whispered to her, on edge as he was fully able to see her distress.
"Run," Cheshire whispered sharply as she began to back up. "Now!" She exclaimed as the unmistakable sound of soldiers footsteps thundered closer. The two took off, abandoning the semi marked path and sprinting into the thicker woods.
"How many are there?" Jefferson asked urgently as they ran.
"Maybe five, but possibly more," Cheshire answered, occasionally teleporting next to Jefferson in order to keep up with his long strides.
"There!" Jefferson called out, pointing to an opening in a large, hollowed out tree.
Jefferson stopped in front of it and waited for Cheshire to go in, then hastily entered himself and stood exceptionally still. There wasn't a great amount of space as Jefferson had to crouch down and Cheshire stood half under him. Both of them held their breath as the many soldiers ran by.
There was a long silence before anything happened, they then began to breathe normally again and Jefferson let out a sigh. He went out first, checking that the coast was clear, then waved his hand for Cheshire to come out as well. Cheshire padded out, looked over her shoulder, then looked into Jefferson's eyes.
"You alright Hatter?" Cheshire asked walking a bit closer to him.
"Yeah," he confirmed, "You?" He asked, still catching his breath.
Cheshire nodded. Then after a few moments had passed then set out once more, however, taking a different path this time.