#And when I say hades and Persephone is just a girl securing the bag

[mimymomo]

Orphydice/Weathering With You AU Part 1

Okay this AU has been bugging me all night so I have to scream about it to my unknowing followers. (Damn it Mo, not another AU! You don’t have time for this!!) Do not be alarmed inner me, this AU will mostly be confined to a list! This one in fact! Or another one is this one does on too long...

I know for a fact that no one in this fandom saw this movie so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can here:

Eurydice was a runaway. Even at the bitter age of 16, she knew what kind of situation she was in and it wasn’t a good one. Neglectful parents, living in a small town where everyone knew one another’s business but that didn’t mean they were gonna help you with shit.

She tried to get emancipated once, saved up a bunch of money from side temp jobs between school but that plan ended up dead in the water before she could jump off the diving board. Her parents found and stole her savings, her hard-earned money. They gave her hell for it, going around telling stores, not to hire their “problem child” and she couldn’t find a permanent job afterward.

So she ran. Hopped on a bus and set out for the city. While traveling, the weather got bad. The weather had been doing that more and more recently. Sure it was April and storms happened, but not violent snowstorms that lasted days and frozen over lakes and roads, inches piling high along street-sides. Or rain showers the flooded fields and drowned basements. Thunder and lightning shaking homes and striking trees. Winds sweeping children off their feet, soaring in the sky like a tangled kite.

One such storm occurred during the journey, heavy rains and violent winds, forcing the driver to make an emergency stop at a motel and wait out the storm. As Eurydice steps off the bus, one of her bags (a small drawstring sack) gets swept up in the wind aim the direction of the street and she gives chase. As she reaches down to grab her bag, she sees a light in the corner of her eyes, shining bright and drawing closer, closer.

Suddenly she’s yanked back as a honking car zooms by. She’s being held snug against someone’s chest, someone who smells of something floral and a hint of alcohol. “Gotta be careful, girl. Don’t wanna be turned into a pancake now do ya?”

Eurydice turns around and freezes- the woman is beautiful: long ankle-length dress the shade of healthy green grass, her brown curly hair is braided back, flowers of different colors twisted in the mix. Her eyes warm and attentive. She’s carrying a small bag herself, with what looks like a few bottles of wine sticking out the top.

She introduces herself as Persephone and before Eurydice knows it, they’re sharing a room together. Eurydice tried to protest but the woman clad in green insist already arranging a room with a double bed. A few hours later, they’re showered and laying on their beds, room service spread out on trays and Seph half finished with a crack open bottle.

Persephone tells Eurydice she was visiting her mother up north (her mom apparently owns a vineyard) however her trip was cut short when her husband demanded (her words) her to return. “That man,” Seph curses drunkenly, waving her bottle, the liquid sloshing around the funneled glass. Eurydice’s only know Seph for a few hours but she’s already enamored with the woman and her attitude.

The next day when they arrive at the station, Seph offers Eurydice a business with her information on it: “Anthomania” in flowery lettering along with an address and phone number. A flower shop.

“I never asked but what brings you to the city? I can tell from your expression that you’ve never been here before.” Eurydice wasn’t ready for that question. “Oh just visiting, uhh some...relatives! Yeah, relatives! For spring break.” Seph rolls her eyes, not believing the girl for a moment but deciding to play along anyway, “so you know where you’re heading then?” Eurydice nods and they separate.

The first week is a struggle. No one will hire her with her limitations (no resume/references, she’s underage and constantly asked where she should be in school, she doesn’t have an address nor her social security number, and she can’t give out all her information in fear of her name popping up on a missing child’s list). So to put it lightly...she’s kinda screwed. She’s been staying in a really cheap hostel living off corner store food. She gets in trouble for loitering a few times and once while rummaging through some trash she came across a gun and decides to keep it for safety reasons (this will be important later)

One day, thinking she’s walking into a job site, she accidentally stumbles into an old, rundown bar. There’s barely anyone in there besides two people sitting at a table in the far corner, a man passed out at the counter. The air smells musky, traces of pungent alcohol fill the air and also the smell of someone buttery. Eurydice’s stomach growls. She didn’t have money to spare on breakfast or lunch recently. She knows she shouldn’t but she takes a seat at one of the tables, her back facing the bar counter. She contemplates what she’s doing and maybe if she should go home. But that thought disappears just as quickly as it showed up.

Out of nowhere, a tray of two burger sliders and a basket of fries are set down in front of her, followed by a glass of water. Eurydice whips her head and is met with two hazel eyes, the prettiest eyes she’s ever seen. The boy is young but has a charm to him. Lanky and tall, his brown hair sticks up to the sky as if his fingers had just run through them. “Sorry if I’m overstepping but you looked hungry and lost so...” his voice is soft and awkward as hell, but she finds it endearing. “Also Mr. Hermes will be back soon and he probably won’t like seeing someone underage so I’d eat that quick.” “How do you know I’m underage?” Eurydice shoots back with a raised brow. The boy flushes pink, blood floods his cheeks, ears, and neck, “oh! I’m sorry! I just thought-”

Eurydice laughs, “I messing with you.” “Ohhh...okay,” the boy smiles, scratching lightly at his cheek. Eurydice finds herself fighting a blush as well. ‘Why is he so cute??’ “I can’t pay for this.” The boy waves her concerns off, “it’s on the house.”

Before she can argue and refuse, a customer yells for around round and the boy begins to shuffle away. “Thank you,” Eurydice butts in, “for the food, I mean.” The boy grins and walks away.

That burger and fries were the best food she’s had in years.

The next day, she finds herself standing outside Anthomania, the brick building sits on corner, wide windows that let you see completely inside the shop. It’s flowers, everywhere- flowers along the walls, in stands amidst the floors, in pots, small and large, arranged bouquets in buckets near the front. Eurydice steps in and is overwhelmed by the sweet scent, sunlight bleeding in from the washed windows. What catches her eye is a small bouquet of carnations: reds, pinks, and whites. “Didn’t expect to see you here so soon.”

Eurydice jumps and spins around to see Persephone with her arms crossed, her green dress replaced with a garden styled apron. The two catch up and Seph calls Eurydice out for lying about visiting relatives. Eurydice stays the rest of the workday and later as Seph is closing up shop, she intends to walk about to her hostel room but Seph offers her a ride. Once the get there Seph forces her to grab her things and pays the bill. And drives her to her place.

It’s huge, a mansion guarded by a gate at the edge of town. The inside is just as beautiful as the outside but eerily quiet and somehow suffocating in a way. She meets Seph’s husband, Hades. He works as a CEO of some company, mining? Electric? Eurydice doesn’t know. He doesn’t seem particularly fond of her especially after Persephone announces that girl would be staying with them for now on and being working as an assistant/apprentice at her flower shop. Hades fights her on this but the woman wins out in the end.

As the days go on Eurydice notices how dysfunctional the couple are. They definitely love each other but...oof. Eurydice, when she’s not working her shifts, starts cooking meals and cleaning around the house and starts winning over the man of the house and the three slowly start to become a sort of family in the following month.

One day a customer comes into the flower shop, bracing the stormy weather. He’s an older gentleman wearing a silver suit with dark skin and gray hair. He’s coughing hard but still cheery. Seph and the man catch up and Eurydice figures they must be close. She doesn’t mean to eavesdrop but she hears them talking about something crazy: an urban legend of a child blessed by the gods who can control the weather. She thinks it’s stupid and doesn’t realize she said that fact out loud.

“Maybe child but you never know,” the man chuckles. Seph laughs at Eurydice’s shocked face, “brother, this is Eurydice. She’s working for me as an apprentice as sorts.” The man shakes her hand and begins to cough harshly again. “You should really go and get that checked out,” Persephone persists. The man waves her off, “I’m aight, just a little cough from the weather. Plus money’s been tight with the bar and all plus the boy.” He buys a few bouquets to be delivered next week and leaves. Eurydice ponders about why he said, ‘it’s impossible,’ and she leaves it there.

She’s the one who has to make the delivery. Turns out it’s the same bar she met that boy at. She hesitantly walks inside hoping to see the boy but no dice. She drops off the flowers and says hello to the man who she still doesn’t know the name of and heads out. Halfway back to Anthomania she sees something that catches her eye, no, someone. ‘It’s that boy!’ He’s being dragged by two older men, his face nervous. She can instantly tell something is wrong. She follows them and sees them leading him down a dark alley in the direction of a shady building. Before she realizes she already running. She grabs the boy's hand and they’re off.

The two men chase after them and corner them, knocking Eurydice to the ground. Eurydice reaches into her bag and pulls out the gun. The men at first think it’s a fake and start to roughhouse the boy saying that he set them up and will have to pay which causes Eurydice’s blood to boil. She grips the gun tightly, her fingertips turning white, she trembles and her vision goes hazy from rain and adrenaline, then suddenly...bam!

A shot gets fired off.

No one was hit but everyone is shocked. The boy is surprisingly the first to recover and he pulls Eurydice to her feet and they run away.

The escape to an abandoned half-underground train station. Trains covered in moss and plant life lay there rusty as sunlight barely shines through dirty grime-covered windows. Despite its uncleanliness, there’s something magical about this place, Eurydice can feel it in her bones.

“Why did you do that? Where did you get the gun?” the boy asks, huffing and puffing, athleticism is not one of his strong suits. “I thought you were in trouble,” Eurydice fights back. “And I found it.” The boy dips his head, “my guardian is sick but he always says that he doesn’t have the money to spare to get checked out. I needed to make some extra money and they promised me a well-paying job at this not exactly savory club if I performed there.”

Eurydice gapes, she has so many thoughts running through her head she doesn’t know where to start so she just says, “you’re a performer?” The smiles, “yup, I sing and play guitar. Plus I write my own music. I never introduced myself huh? I’m Orpheus.” “Eurydice.”

“Do you want to see something cool?” Orpheus asks, acting as if the previous incident with the gun didn’t just happen. “I mean, sure but it’s kinda a mess out there,” Eurydice points out. Orpheus ignores her and offers out his hand. Eurydice takes it and they walk back to the entrance.

When they reach the outside, the sky is gray and cloudy. Rain and sleet pour from the sky mixing with the dirty dusting of snow on the ground.

“Would you like the weather to be better?” Orpheus asks. “I mean of course I would,” Eurydice shrugs, “but I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon.”

“I don’t know,” Orpheus says, his eyes shut lightly. “I think the weather can surprise you. Just watch.” Eurydice looks around not sure where she should be looking until...

“La, la la la, la la la~!” A heavenly voice rings out, echoing among the buildings.

Suddenly the rain stops and the clouds part and disappear from the sky. Rays of sunlight breach out coolers by a rich sea of blue. The sun...Eurydice hadn’t seen the sun in so long.

“Oh my god, you’re a weather child! You can control the weather!” Eurydice screams, turning to Orpheus who finishes his song as a small red flower appears in his palm. A red carnation.

He offers her the flower and smiles. “Yeah, I guess you could say that I am.”

...

Wow, I typed all of this and only got like...1/3 of the way into the movie...so part 2 coming soon? I love this movie and subsequent au so it’ll probably be out tomorrow if people want it?

[wait-for-mx]

Modern Hadestown Headcanons!

I’m sure this has been done before but I have a lot to say.

This is how I imagine Hades and Persephone met in my modern au (This post mentions other gods that aren’t included in the musical but they’re relevant for plot reasons, along with following correct source material.)

First things first, Persephone is a dog person and Hades is a cat person. I don’t make the rules, that’s just how it is. Hades had Cerberus as a guard dog for his house because being a well known, young billionaire made for a lot of enemies and having a tough looking guard dog around helps keep unwanted visitors out

Persephone was walking by one day when she saw the cutest Rottweiler through the fence of this ginormous mansion. She didn’t pay any attention to the security cameras or anything when she reached her hand through the bars of the fence to touch the dog

Of course, the alarm goes off and she startles but guards come out and man handle her to the ground but not without a fight

Persephone fights tooth and nail because she didn’t actually do anything wrong! Why are you attacking me?

So eventually she does get pinned and that’s when Hades comes out of the house. He demands that his guards let Persephone go and she stands, throughly and rightfully pissed

“Excuse me? Who the hell are you to sick your ogres on me! I just wanted to pet your dog!”

This takes Hades aback and he turns to see Cerberus wagging his tail at this beautiful young woman. Hades calls for Cerberus to heel and he does

“Go ahead then. Gentlemen, head back into the house.”

Persephone plops down on the ground as soon as they go inside and she makes the cutest kissy noises and the highest baby voice at Cerberus

Cerberus, of course, rolls right over for a belly rub

“You know, he doesn’t like anybody like this. He’s a guard dog for a reason.”

“Well,” Persephone says, shooting Hades a smug smirk. “I guess I’m different.”

Hades fell head over heels then and there

For Persephone, it took several visits for her to develop hard feelings for this man but maybe two or three

They were married within the year

Persephone left her entire family behind for Hades

Zeus, a business friend of Hades and a close family friend of Demeter and Persephone, comes to convince them to divorce

They refuse

Zeus is a lawyer in this AU so he draws up an agreement that Persephone is to live with her mother for six months and Hades for six months

They don’t really understand why because Persephone is an adult but they go through with it because they’d rather not have a scandal

Persephone has, quite literally, become the queen to a major corporation and she doesn’t want her love to be burdened just because her mother is fucking crazy

So they agree and that’s how Persephone travels every year

Next is how Orpheus and Eurydice met!

Orpheus works at a vintage style ice cream parlor with his adoptive father, Hermes

The ice cream parlor has been in Hermes’ family since the 50s

Orpheus lives in the apartment above the shop while Hermes lives in the suburbs

Orpheus and Hermes have dinner together every night

Orpheus and Hermes have designated father/son days where they pick an activity from their interests and they teach the other how to do it

Hermes has taught Orpheus to play poker and Orpheus has taught Hermes to play several chords on the guitar

One day at the beginning of summer when everything is sticky and hot, Eurydice shows up in town

She’s wearing a big, black jacket and ripped jeans and is basically bundled up so much you can’t tell who’s under everything

She bustles into the ice cream parlor and sets down her stuff, startling Orpheus when he comes out from the back

She takes her hood down and jacket off, doing an unintentional hair flip that stuns Orpheus

Orpheus drops the ice cream scooper he had just found in the back, startling both of them

Orpheus fumbles around while Eurydice comes up to the counter

After Orpheus drops the now tainted ice cream scoop in the sink, he turns to take the girls order

“I just came in here to relax, maybe buy some water? I can’t stop for long and I don’t have the money.”

Orpheus frowns and goes into the back, signalling for the girl to wait

Not twenty minutes later, Hermes comes sliding through the front door with a bag of food from the local diner

He places it on the table in front of Eurydice and sweeps behind the counter to relieve Orpheus of his job

“Are you sure?”

“She already thinks you’re crazy. Try and convince her that it’s the right kind.”

Orpheus stores Eurydice’s stuff in the back and takes her to the local park

They get to know each other

Orpheus about his secret music career (he performs every night at the local bar/speakeasy)

The speakeasy is of course, run by Persephone and very few people know about it (as is tradition for speakeasies)

Eurydice about her lack of... anything really

She doesn’t go into much detail because, she did just meet this man, even if he bought her food

She just says that she’s happier than from where she was

The two retrace their steps to the ice cream parlor.

Orpheus gives Eurydice directions to the speakeasy and goes back to work

Eurydice goes to find a cheap hotel room, a chocolate ice cream cone in her hand

Let me know what you think! This isn’t the first time I’ve ever written headcanons but I’m really looking to impress with these 😅 (I’ll add a read later addition when I’m not on mobile.)

[lilacmoon83]

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 17: Haunted

Emma waited impatiently at Storybrooke's tiny forensics lab. In this town, there wasn't much for a forensic analyst to do, so when she asked for a rush on this, she didn't get an argument.

After what seemed like forever, the door finally opened and she went into the small lab. The technician looks away shyly, which wasn't surprising, since by his stature, Emma was almost certain he was a dwarf. And by his inability to make eye contact, she had guessed that in his former life, he had been Bashful. Here in Storybrooke, he was known as Patrick Santo.

"Did you get a hit?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Patrick replied.

"Then this person is the system?" she asked.

"Not in the criminal database. But in the hospital's," he replied, as her mother's hospital ID photo appeared on screen.

"Every hospital employee is required to get a physical before employment or volunteering. And Mary Margaret usually participates in the bi-annual blood drives," Patrick informed. He may have thought the blood swiped was random, but Emma knew better. She knew it was deliberate. For what purpose, she didn't know yet. But she was going to find out.

Flashback

Two Years Before the Dark Curse

Deimos eyed the young brunette with hunger, as she got water from the well for her village. She would make a delicious morsel tonight when he captured her. Of course, there would be all the fun to be had before he sunk his teeth into her neck. He could already hear her screams and it thrilled him. He felt that familiar urge of need and lust fill him. He was supposed to be tracking some Princess named Snow White. Hades insisted that he had finally found Persephone's daughter. He had vaguely heard of this princess turned bandit and would deal with the dirty little mongrel soon. But first, he had to satiate his hunger.

He started toward her, but she suddenly dropped the bucket of water, looking in horror at her village, which was now in flame. He smirked. So the Queen had struck again. Abducting this one would be easy since there was probably no one to miss her anymore. He was about to make his move again when the Black Knights rushed toward her. He cursed, thinking they might ruin everything, but then a well place arrow took down one, followed by another, and then another. His eyes scanned his surroundings for this expert archer and that's when he saw her.

She lowered her hood and he lay eyes on the fairest raven haired beauty he had ever seen. Eyes like emeralds, lips like rubies, and skin so fair it was almost the color of snow.

"It's Snow White!" one of the Black Knights announced, but he was swiftly cut down by a man in princely clothes, who then took the hand of this fair creature that had captured his attention. How could this be Snow White? Her posters did little to capture the incredible vision she was in person. He expected Persephone's daughter to be beautiful, but he was caught off guard by the way this woman affected him. Her presence made his blood hum in his veins and his blood lust swell in his belly. Perhaps it was her former status as an immortal or the ambrosia that had twisted his mind into depravity, but he knew he must have her. But he found he didn't just want to have her once. He wanted to keep this one. After all, Hades had felt the same about Persephone the moment he lay eyes on her so long ago. It only made sense that her daughter would invoke the same desire in a man.

"Are you all right?" Snow asked the girl.

"Yes...but my village!" she cried.

"It's okay...we've driven the Queen's forces back," the Charming said.

"Thank you…" the girl said, as she hurried back to her village. Snow sighed.

"When will she stop, Charming? How many more have to suffer because of me," she fretted.

"Snow...this is not your fault," he said, cupping her beautiful face in his hands.

"So...you're Snow White. The wanted posters don't do your beauty justice," Deimos said, as he emerged from the trees.

"Who are you?" Charming demanded to know. But he was ignored.

"You really are the fairest of them all. Your blood will be a feast like no other," he uttered. Their eyes widened and Charming pulled her close.

"Resisting me is useless. When I find someone I want...I take them," he hissed. Charming raised his sword charged the other man, only to find out that this was more than a man. Deimos grabbed the prince around the neck and lifted him off his feet, effortlessly.

"Charming!" Snow screamed, as her husband was tossed away like a rag doll. Snow backed away from the monster, as he stalked toward her and found herself pressed against a tree with him before her in a blink of an eye. She shuddered, as he caressed her fair cheek and pressed himself against her.

"Oh...you are a prize for sure, Snow White. Never have I met one I have wanted as much as I want you," he hissed, as he started undoing the ties on her riding jacket. Her breathing came in ragged gasps, as she struggled with him, but his strength was inhuman and her attempts to break free were fruitless. That didn't stop Charming from recovering and ripping him away from his beloved. Deimos growled and threw the Prince off again.

"I guess if I have to send another soul to Hades first, then so be it," he hissed, as he stalked toward the prone prince. But Snow shot an arrow at him and he chuckled, as he pulled it out of his chest like it was nothing. Her eyes widened in horror, as she realized they were dealing with something inhuman.

"You have such fire. I'll enjoy that after I deal with this," he growled, as Charming got to his feet and drew his sword. He swung at him and the monster caught the blade in his bare hand, much to their shock. He snapped the blade and batted Charming away again, before turning his attention back to Snow, backing her against the tree again.

"Who...who are you?" she cried.

"I am Deimos," he hissed, as he pinned her arms above her head. She whimpered and cried, as he grazed his teeth along her neck.

"So sweet...I must have you now," he hissed. She gasped, as he ripped her jacket away and put his hand on her belt. She screamed, as he prepared to tear the rest of her clothes off, but a growling sound stopped him. The snapping jaws of the werewolf made him retreat, as it guarded Snow. Charming started to come to and saw that Red had warded off their attacker.

"This isn't over, Snow White. You will be mine," he growled, as he disappeared in a blur. Snow broke down in sobs, as Charming took her in his arms and Red phased back into her human form.

"Oh my darling…" he soothed, as he held her.

"He was a vampire," Red revealed.

"What? I didn't think they existed anymore?" Charming asked.

"Neither did I, but my nose doesn't lie. I can smell a bloodsucker a mile away," she replied.

"Why would he want Snow? Don't vampires drink whatever blood is available? Why hone in on Snow?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I don't know...but I think we all know someone who will," Red replied. He nodded and then turned his attention back to Snow. They would deal with that later. For now, he wasn't letting the woman he loved leave his arms.

Storybrooke

Present Day

"What exactly am I looking for again?" Leroy grumbled that afternoon, as he sat down at the security station at the hospital.

"These are all the recent tapes from the wing where the hospital stores blood. You're looking for anyone that is going into this room that doesn't belong," Emma explained. Leroy glanced at her.

"What's the big deal about some vandalized flowers?" he complained. Emma sighed.

"Because my gut is telling me this is more than just vandalism," she replied.

"You're looking for someone specific, aren't you?" he asked.

"Damon Tromera," she admitted. He scoffed.

"Figures," he muttered.

"He's dangerous, Leroy and he's obsessed with Mary Margaret. I know you claim you don't care about anyone, but deep down, I know you don't want to see anything happen to her," Emma said, as they shared a long gaze.

"The blood on the flowers. It's hers, isn't it?" he asked. Emma nodded and he sighed.

"Fine...I'll do this, but I better be getting overtime," he grumbled. Emma smiled.

"Thanks Leroy, I'd stay, but I have to get to that dumb debate," she complained, as she checked her watch and hurried off.

Damon Tromera examined the tranquilizer dart he had acquired to take out David Nolan's mutt. He then picked up a pair of brass knuckles and fitted them on his right hand. He had something a bit more malevolent in mind for Nolan himself and was going to enjoy beating him to a bloody pulp. Then he would bring the broken little schoolteacher back here and finally have what was meant to be his. He put the ropes and duct tape in his bag and slung it over his shoulder. Regina wanted their happiness ended permanently and he was happy to carry out that plot.

"I'm sorry about your garden. I know how hard you all worked on it," David said, as they crossed the Toll Bridge with Wilby that afternoon. She shrugged.

"Stephanie says we can replant and I'm sure Emma will find the culprit that's responsible," she replied, as they stopped by the stream.

"Yeah, she tried to seem like she wasn't nervous for the debate tonight, but I told her she'll do great," he mentioned, as he cuddled her close. There was a bite in the air and she relished his warmth. Suddenly a rumble of thunder boomed above them.

"Uh oh...we should probably head back," she mentioned, as they watched the dark storm clouds swirl in the sky.

"Yeah...it will be time for the debate soon anyway," he replied, as Wilby barked and took off.

"Wilby!" David called, as he took her hand and they chased after him. But when they found him, he was laying unconscious on the ground.

"Wilby!" David cried, as they knelt beside him. David pulled out a dark from his fur and Mary gasped.

"What is that?" she asked.

"Mary...you need to run," he said, as rain started to pelt them.

"What? I'm not leaving you," she protested.

"I have to carry Wilby back. I'll slow you down. Go back to town and find Emma. I'll be right behind you," he insisted.

"David…" she protested.

"Mary please…" he pleaded. Reluctantly, she turned to leave, but gasped, as Damon Tromera stood on the bridge in her path.

"You won't be going anywhere, Miss Blanchard, except for back to my club with me. After I get rid of him, of course," Damon said coldly.

"What did you do to Wilby?" she demanded to know.

"The mutt will be fine. The same won't be said for your lover in a few moments though," Damon replied, as he approached. David put Wilby under a tree to shelter him somewhat from the rain, before he got in front of her.

"Mary...run…" he commanded.

"I am not leaving you with this monster!" she cried, as rain now poured down on them.

Damon kept approaching and David still stood defiantly in his way. The dark haired man raised his fist and threw the first punch. David ducked and tackled him to the ground, delivering a punch himself. This one connected and Damon growled, as he punched in return. David felt pain explode in his head, as he briefly saw the shiny metal on Damon's knuckles. He was dazed, allowing Damon to get in another punch and he threw David off, as Mary screamed for him. The blonde tasted blood and his vision blurred.

"Mary...run…" he pleaded. But instead, she spied a large stick and picked it up. David's head swam in pain after another punch and Damon backed away. He turned his attention toward Mary Margaret and was beamed across the face with a stick. He growled in pain and held his face, as she scrambled to help David to his feet.

"Mary...you need to run! I'll just slow you down," he groaned.

"David...I am not leaving you behind," she repeated, as they trudged through the muddy forest. It was dark now and rain was coming down in sheet. They could barely see anything and she yelped when David cried out, as Damon hit him from behind.

"No!" she cried, as they went rolling to the ground. David saw black spots in his vision, as Damon buried a fist in his gut, knocking the wind out of him. But he fought the urge to pass out, as the monster stalked toward Mary and shoved her against a tree. She sobbed, as he put his large hand around her slender neck and forced her to look at him.

"So fair...even soaking wet in this rain. I can't wait to finally have you," he hissed, as he used his free hand to fumble with the rope in his bag. Mary growled and kneed him between his legs. He groaned and she tried to push him away, but he pinned her with his weight.

"You'll learn you place, Mary. I'm going to teach you," he growled.

"Did you enjoy my handiwork at your lovely little garden today?" he questioned.

"It was you," she uttered. He smirked.

"Yes...but that was your blood. I swiped a bag of it from the hospital. And you know when I was smattering those stupid little flowers you love with it, I had this insatiable urge to taste your blood. So I did...and I found it to be the sweetest nectar I've ever tasted. It left me wanting more," he whispered in her ear and her skin crawled at the feeling of his hot breath on her neck.

"You're sick.." she spat. He chuckled at that.

"Yes...I suppose I am," he replied, as there was a sudden growling behind them. Mary gasped, as she saw a wolf there.

"Get out of here, mutt," Damon growled, as he kicked at it. The wolf snapped its jaws and Damon's cry pierced the air, as the animal sunk its teeth into his leg. Mary tore away from him and was about to run from David. But she stepped on a cluster of wet moss. It proved to be hallow and she cried out, as she fell through sliding down into an underground catacomb, while Damon ran away from the wolf that chased him. About that time, David came to in a daze.

"Mary!" he cried, fearing Damon had taken her. He stumbled toward the tree where he had last seen them, but never made it. He yelped, as he fell into the same catacomb she had.

"Oh David!" she cried, as he landed next to her.

"Mary...are you okay?" he asked. She nodded and helped him sit up.

"You found me," she sniffed, as they huddled together.

"I will always find you," he promised, still dazed from his injuries.

"We can't stay here though...he'll find us if he comes back," Mary feared, as she checked his head.

"You're bleeding. I need to get you to the hospital," she fretted.

"Mmm...I'm fine. You're right though, we need to get out of here," he drawled. She lifted the wet moss and climbed out, before reaching back to help him. It was pitch black and still pouring, but hand in hand, they starting running, trying to find a way out of this nightmare.

Emma drummed her fingers, as the phone rang and went straight to voice mail again for the third time. She ended the call in frustration and her worry was palpable. Neither Mary nor David were answering their phones. She knew they wouldn't just miss this. She spotted Ms. Kore arrive and hurried up to her.

"Ms Kore…" Emma said, almost frantically.

"Hello Emma," she greeted.

"Have you seen Mary Margaret and David?" she asked.

"I saw Mary Margaret at school today, but not since then. Is something wrong?" she asked.

"They're not here and they're not answering their phones," she said, as Jefferson came in along with Belle and Gold.

"Have you seen David?" she asked the hatter.

"No...he's not here?" Jefferson asked. Her worry began to multiply into a million terrible scenarios in her head, as she stalked up to Regina.

"We need to postpone the debate. David and Mary Margaret are missing," Emma said, loud enough that many heard her.

"Miss Swan, if you'd like to forfeit, that can be arranged. But we're not postponing so you can stall," Regina shot back.

"Look, this isn't about me! David and Margaret aren't answering their phones," Emma retorted. Regina rolled her eyes.

"That doesn't mean they're in trouble and I don't appreciate you theatrics, Miss Swan," Regina spat.

"It's not theatrics! The blood on those flowers this morning was Mary Margaret's! Whoever vandalized them stole her donated blood from the hospital and proceeded to spatter it all over her favorite flowers. Now she and David are missing. That's no coincidence," Emma hissed.

"Yeah, especially since Damon Tromera isn't here either," Jefferson added. But Regina ignored him.

"Miss Swan, either make your speech about why people should vote for you or your refusal will be counted as a forfeit," Regina warned. Emma glared daggers at her, but stormed to the podium. If this witch wanted a speech, she was about to get one. The room quieted, as she stepped to the podium.

"I guess I'm supposed to stand up here and tell you why I'd make the best choice for Sheriff. But if I stand here and make some speech with a lot of nonsensical reasons, then I wouldn't be the right choice. Because while I'm standing here, there are two citizens that are possibly in danger. So...I'm going to go do what a Sheriff should be doing and find them," Emma stated.

"The only thing you need to ask yourselves when you go to the ballot box is what kind of Sheriff do you want? If you like the status quo and want to keep seeing the Mayor and her cronies interests served, then you should vote for my opponent, Sidney Glass," she said, pausing for a beat.

"Bit if you're tired of the Mayor and her friends controlling this town and forcing their agendas on the rest of us. If you want them held accountable and you want someone that will fight to protect everyone equally and hold those who break the law accountable, then you should vote for me," Emma said, as she stepped down, just as Leroy came in and hurried to her.

"Did you find something?" Emma questioned.

"You were right, sister. Damon Tromera was caught on camera going into that room where they store the blood at the hospital. He wasn't even trying to hide from the camera," Leroy answered.

"Because he thinks he's untouchable," Emma muttered, as Sidney got to the podium and tried to get the crowd's attention. But he wasn't having much luck.

"Emma...are David and Mary really missing?" Archie asked in concern. She nodded.

"I think so," she replied.

"Then Pongo and I will help search," he offered.

"Me too," Marco added.

"Count us in," Ruby agreed.

"They walk Wilby out by the Toll Bridge in the evenings," Granny mentioned.

"We should start there," Stephanie said. Belle looked at Gold.

"We'll help too," he agreed and Jefferson nodded, as they moved toward the exit with even Leroy offering to help.

"Excuse me...the debate isn't over!" Regina cried.

"Oh I think it is in more ways than one, Madam Mayor," Stephanie interjected.

"Don't worry, we'll vote on the way out. I think we've already decided who we want as our Sheriff," Jefferson added. Commotion erupted in the hall and Sidney was left with the task of trying to calm the crowd so he could make a speech. But it was clear that nothing he said was going to resonate. Not while the likes of Emma Swan was out there doing the real police work.

They were soaked to the bone, but trekked through the mud with purpose, as they attempted to find their way out of the woods. Mary Margaret swept her wet bangs from her eyes, as she saw a structure in the near distance.

"David…" she uttered.

"A cabin," he said, as they hurried there. She was surprised to find it unlocked, but he didn't question it, as they tumbled inside. Thankfully, there was wood in the fireplace and matches nearby.

They collapsed by it and she lit a match, before throwing it onto the wood. The wood was coated, like logs specifically made to burn easy, so it gave them no trouble in burning. It was clear that the cabin belonged to someone. She just hoped they wouldn't mind them using it.

Now that there was some light, she could see the nasty gash on his forehead and caressed his face.

"I'm okay…" he assured.

"Still...I'm going to see if there's a first aid kit around here," she replied, as she started looking around.

Unknown to them, outside the cabin, Damon Tromera limped toward it. He smirked evilly, as the spied the light inside the cabin and two sets of muddy footprints on the ground.

He reached down and pulled a knife from the sheath he wore on his ankle and limped toward the cabin.

Despite the rain, they made it out to the Toll Bridge and Pongo took off across the bridge and started barking, as Archie hurried after him.

"Emma! It's Wilby...we found him!" Archie called, as the blonde hurried across the bridge.

"Is he okay?" she asked.

"He's breathing, so I think so," Archie replied. With a gloved hand, Emma picked up the small dart next to him.

"Tranq dart," she said, as she bagged it.

"Can you take Wilby back and put him in my car?" she asked. The ginger haired man nodded.

"Take Pongo," Archie offered, as he lifted Wilby and carried him back to Emma's car.

"Okay boy, let's go. Let's find my parents," she murmured, as she set off into the woods with her eager search party following...