When Worlds Collide | Mad Hatter OUAT x Reader |

Chapter 17 ✂ Pleasant Company

Present Day in Storybrooke...

You had a ghastly sensation in the crook of your neck, it felt like knives were being driven into your flesh. The soft snow drifted gently down onto you, creating a blanket on your back. As soon as you moved your arms to help yourself up, you could hear the susurrus sound of the snow falling off. You painfully lifted your chin up, finding yourself in a horrified state. A rotting corpse stared at you, patiently waiting for you to notice. You shrieked over your lungs, scampering towards the other end of the grave, till your back came in contact with another body. But this time, even before checking out on what it was, you screamed. A hand clenched over your mouth.

"Keep it down will you?" A whisper ordered you. You didn't have to touch your chest to know how rapidly your heart throbbed in your chest. "Someone's going to hear you."

You pulled the hand down from your lip, "Isn't it better if someone doesn't hear us!" You hollered, thrashing around to face the person. It was the last person you imagined but you were so relieved of the company. "J-Jefferson? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I fell- just like you did." He crooked a weary grin. His attire was torn to shreds, and light scars were across his face, probably from the landing.

"When did you end up here in the first place?" You asked, lifting yourself apart from him.

"Last night, err, I think. I haven't been counting hours yet." He replied.

You stood up feebly and glanced up at the sky with teary eyes in thought of your missing daughter. Jefferson grunted as he stood up, holding his waist with a hand. "You look worried- is everything okay?" He garbled.

"It's Paige-" You muttered, glancing at the wide eyed man. "She's missing," the both of you said in perfect sync. You were the next to look absolutely shocked at this point.

"How- how did you know?"

"I've been looking for her too, actually."

"B-But how did you know she's gone missing?"

Jefferson reached into a torn pocket of his and retrieved a discolored paper, much like the one you found on your dining table. "This- doesn't make sense. Why would they give you a letter too?"

"Reasons," he stated plainly.

"And I'd like to know what the reason is please." You snarled, glancing at him. "Are you hiding something, Jefferson?"

His face flushed with distress as he tried to object. "No-no! I'm not hiding anything-"

"Then tell me why you got this," You growled, snatching the note.

"Because- whoever kidnapped her, knows I love her."

"Paige is a girl that everyone loves, Jefferson. It's funny we haven't had anyone else fall into the grave with us."

"Well..." He trailed off biting his lower lip. "It's just- just-"

"I give up..." You sighed and glanced back up to find your purse hanging on the edge of the grave. You searched around the ditch to find nothing useful- well there was the corpse- but you were not planning on touching that anytime soon. "Give me a boost,"

And that's what Jefferson did, but from all the grunts he made- it seemed like he was in brutal pain. You stood on the palms of his meaty hands and held the ditch walls to keep balance. With that, you reached and reached. You felt like your arms were too short but soon enough your fingers touched the leather of the purse. A reassured smile grew upon your lips as you struggled to hook your fingers into the strap of the bloody thing.

"(Y/N)?" Jefferson muttered.

"Uh huh?" You answered, finally grabbing the purse.

"I'm Paige's father..."