Northern Downpour

Part 1

Three loud knocks on your door woke you up. You glanced at the clock and groaned. Who the hell knocks at this damn hour?

(Though your body clock was fucked at this point, so it was perfectly reasonable for someone to come knocking now, but you were tired so you didn't really give much of a shit.)

The knocks came again, louder and more forceful this time. You begrudgingly got up and trudged to the door. Bigby and Snow were on the other side.

"What?" You snapped.

He gestured for you to follow, but didn't say anything. You raised an eyebrow and crossed your arms.

"It's important," Snow said quietly.

You took in the worry on her face. Something was wrong. You sighed and changed out of your pajamas before following them.

The walk to the elevator was tense and quiet. You had no idea what was going on, and Bigby didn't seem to either.

"Snow," he said.

She didn't respond.

"Snow!"

"What?" She snapped.

You raised your eyebrows.

"Sorry, I'm...what is it?"

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"Out in front of the building. We have to get there--"

She stopped when you met a man around the corner.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Good morning," Snow replied. She made a face. "Or, evening."

He chuckled. Neither you nor Bigby said anything as you passed him. You stopped in front of the elevator and you pressed the button.

"These walls are paper thin," Snow said quietly. "We need to be careful. We'll talk outside."

You had a bad feeling about this whole thing as the elevator took you down. You stepped out into the lobby, and Snow gestured to go out the door. Peering through the glass, you could see a lump on the front steps. You exchanged a look with Bigby, and the three of you went outside.

Grimble's jacket was covering something on the second step. Bigby went down in front of it and crouched. You stood behind him. Snow stayed in front of the doors, glancing out past the front gate. Bigby removed the jacket.

A head. A fucking head was lying on the doorsteps of the Woodlands. You peered closer, then took a step back. No, no no no.

You clenched your fists, digging your nails into your palms until you could breathe again. You couldn't believe it. You couldn't believe this was happening.

"So, who found her?"

You blinked, Bigby's voice snapping you out of your daze.

"I did," Snow replied. "She was just like this, I didn't touch her. I grabbed Grimble's jacket to cover her with, then I came to get you right away."

"No one else was with you?"

"No." She hesitated. "Bigby, did one of us...do this?"

"There hasn't been a murder in Fabletown in a long time," he reminded her.

"All the more reason we shouldn't start a panic before we know what's going on," she said slowly.

She looked back toward the gate. You turned, following her gaze. A couple people were passing by across the street.