Poor Unfortunate Soul (An OUAT Fanfiction)

8: Bright Young Women

Storybrooke

The next day, Emma returned to Granny's. Henry met her outside, almost beside himself.

"Oh good, you're here," he greeted his mom with a sigh. "Hilary hasn't shown up yet."

"Henry..." Emma refrained from groaning.

"She's going to make it this time!" he insisted. "She has to!"

They waited almost half an hour, but Hilary never arrived. Emma's patience thinned. "We're not waiting any longer," she declared.

"Please, Emma!" Henry clung to her. "Stay! She'll show up! Maybe she just took a while to make the decision, but I'm—"

Emma stopped him as a large truck rumbled by, and she glimpsed the driver. "Wait, what is Trent Anderson doing with a moving van?"

"Didn't you hear?" Granny snorted behind her. "The Andersons are near bankrupt. They're moving out to Trent's sister's place in Boston."

"But they can't leave!" Henry burst out frantically.

"It doesn't sound like they have a choice, Henry."

"No, I mean they can't! They'll die!" his voice dropped to the confidential level. "Remember?" he said, "The curse? They'll die!" Aloud he cried, "We have to stop them right now!"

Before Emma could react, Henry was off and running down the block to Marine Garage.

Mother and son arrived as Trent and his employees—brothers, nephews and friends—swarmed around the U-Haul, carrying boxes from the small living apartment above the garage where Trent and Hilary stayed, into the truck. Emma saw Hilary just putting some personal items in the truck's cab.
"Hilary!" she called.

The redhead had dark streaks running down her face.
"Sorry I couldn't get the chance you wanted me to have," she sobbed as Emma put her arms around her.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Dad's creditors came around," Hilary sniffed. "Apparently there are some extra fees that now apply to running a fishing business, and new code standards for the garage. We don't have the money anymore, Emma!"

"That gosh-darn mayor has run us out of town!" Trent grumbled as he passed them. "Ain't no use trying to scrape out a living here with the sharks who live off of taking other people's money!"

Emma gazed at Hilary with sympathy. "What about Julliard?"

Hilary shook her head. "I tried to help Dad, but even what I had saved wasn't enough. I'll have to start over—if we can find somewhere to live." She broke down and sobbed into Emma's shoulder. "I don't see a way out of this!"

Henry emerged at Emma's side and reached out for Hilary's hand.
"There is still one way you could find enough money to stay: the benefit concert."

Hilary scoffed through her tears, "The one that won't happen because I'm too chicken?"

Henry cast a furtive glance at Emma before responding, "My mom always told me to try something before I give up on it."

Hilary remained unconvinced.

"Please?" Henry begged, "At least come down there with us!"

Hilary gave a long, shaky sigh. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to give one shot before we leave for good."

Henry didn't hesitate. "Yes!" he cheered. "Let's go there now! We don't have all day!"

Hilary nodded, and they all piled into Emma's yellow bug to drive to the other side of town, to the Castle Theater.