What You Don't Know Can Hurt You Chapter 5

'Once Upon A Time'

“What You Don't Know Can Hurt You”

Chapter 5: Saving Cinderella

“No, you've never mentioned it before.” You replied. You looked down at Henry as his smirked widened. He then waved for you to follow him and the both of you exited the building.

“Listen, Operation Cobra is a secret, basically it's a plan to help break the curse. Emma and I created it.” Henry said.

Your eyes shifted to Henry “So, like basically it's a secret operation to save everyone with, but why is it a secret?” You asked.

“My mom—the Evil Queen can't know about this. If she does, well, I don't know what she'll do.” Henry sounded very uneasy finishing that sentence. You felt for the kid at that moment. Something must of happened between Regina and Henry to make him feel this way.

It slightly angered you for some unknown reason. Henry should never feel this way. He should be loved and trust his mother. You took in a sharp breath, finally coming up with a conclusion; find out the real reason why Henry loathes his mom. Otherwise known as “Operation.....Rattle Snake.”

You grinned at this, feeling accomplished inside. You really liked the kid and felt as if you needed to protect him. Which, was strange for you because if you remembered correctly, you were never really fond of kids. To be honest, you detested kids. Just something about them made you never want to have any. Even when you were a child, your distaste was there.

“So, Henry, why are you telling me about this if it's a secret?” Which was an actual question you wanted to be answered. Why would he tell you this? What made you so different from others?

“I trust you, (Name). I feel like I can tell you anything. Almost like a strong connection. I think it has something to do with Emma, but I'm not sure. Plus, I know you believe me.”

He stopped suddenly and you followed suit. You looked at him skeptically.

“I know it for sure. You are the Vanguard, you will help Emma to break the curse, and you will be a hero. That's your destiny and I know deep down, you know it as well.” You stared back at him, unsure of what to say. You wanted to deny any belief over his theory, because that's just it, it's a theory that makes no sense. Just some child with a wild imagination.

You wanted to say that to him, but when you looked at him directly, your brain slugged. There was an overpowering feeling telling you to agree with Henry, and believe everything he is saying. This side was telling you that this was truth. That what you are refusing to believe is blinding you.

Henry smiled at you as your eyes clouded slightly in thought. He knew he was getting to you and making you think hard. Henry was not crazy or trying to make anything up. He knew what he was talking about and he was willing to prove it.

“Henry...”

“Please.” Henry pleaded.

“Henry I...have to think about it.” Your gaze shifted away from Henry in thought. Henry frowned at this. He hoped you would come around quickly and back him up, but he thought wrong. It seemed you needed more time than necessary. He just hoped you wouldn't take too long.

He then smiled “Hey, follow me!” He said with excitement, he moved his hand and hooked onto your sleeve and then he proceeded to drag you down the street.

“Henry where are we going?”

“To Emma! We have to go before she leaves.”

“But she said she didn't want you to come.” You pointed out.

Henry shrugged, not really willing to give a reply. By the time he was done dragging you, the both of you caught up to Emma, who was about to enter Granny's diner.

The both of you followed in closely behind Emma. Emma turned around, finally noticing that she was followed.

“Henry?” Henry smiled as Emma scolded him, saying she had important business and that she couldn't hang out with him. Then she turned to you and she questioned you as to why you were here as well. To which you chuckled nervously then pointed to the kid.

“Honestly, you guys...” Emma sighed deeply.

“Sorry Emma. I tried.” You replied back, hoping to soothe the irritated blonde. She waved you off and then walked towards Ruby. The three of you started to talk to her about this Ashley that Emma told you about earlier today.

From what you heard earlier from Emma, Ashley, who happened to be pregnant planned to give away her child shortly after giving birth. She was scared and wasn't sure if she could deal with the stress of having a child. Emma was able to talk to her about her options. She disappeared after that and hasn't been seen since.

While Emma and Henry were doing the talking, Ruby's car was being dropped off by a tow truck. “So, this boyfriend of hers. You don't think he was involved in her disappearance?” Emma asked Ruby. Ruby looked at her, perplexed.

“Uh, that would mean he was involved with her at all, which he isn't. He left her in the lurch, right after they found out they were expecting. Hasn't spoken to her since. Like I said-” Ruby's car was dropped abruptly and the wolf charm hanging on her mirror almost breaks.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Billy, be careful! You almost shattered my wolf thing. Billy, it's good luck.” She said, a bit upset her wolf charm was almost broken by carelessness.

“I'm sorry, Ruby. But look- It's fine.” Billy replied, sounding quite apologetic.

“Um, Ruby. What about her family?” Emma cut in.

“Oh, um, she's got a step mom and two stepsisters that she doesn't talk to.” You looked at Ruby almost alarmed. Step mom and two step sisters. Sounds like Cinderella.

'But, that's impossible...' You thought.

The corners of Henry's mouth started to lift into a knowing smile. This was proof that he could use.

“Wait. Step mom, stepsisters, and she's a maid?” Henry asked, trying to confirm something. You looked at him wondering if he thought the same thing.

“Henry. Not now.” Emma said. Emma just wanted to get some information on Ashley and help her. She didn't have time for this fairy tale crap. Emma mentally groaned at the thought. It sounded too cliché, but she wouldn't admit that out loud. Not in front of her son.

“Look. I don't know what you've heard, but it's wrong. Everyone thinks she's not ready to have this kid, she's trying. Taking night classes, trying to better herself.... Trying to get her life together. Can you understand that?” Ruby sounded desperate. She had a strong connection to Ashley and only wanted the best for her. Any complications were unnecessary and Ruby wanted to avoid those as much as possible.

“I think so.”

“Then maybe you should just stay out of it. She's been through enough already.” Ruby finished, ready to end the conversation. She said her peace already, feeling enough has been said and done.

Emma looked Ruby in the eyes, she leaned forward, the strength of her voice slowly smoothing out. “I've been through it too, Ruby, and I can help her.”

Ruby returned her look “Then try her ex.”

“Where can I find him?”

“He lives with his dad.”

Emma knocks on the door of Ashley's ex. You stand behind Emma. The two of you wait patiently for the door to open. Emma mentally prepared herself for what was to come and you steeled quickly with a facade.

Then, a car pulls up in the driveway. The car is parked and a man emerges from the drivers seat.

Another man opens the door “Can I help you?”

“Sean Herman?” Emma inquires.

“Yeah. Who are you?”

“I'm Emma Swan and this is (Name). We're looking for Ashley Boyd. She's in trouble. Just thought maybe she came to see you.”

The other man from before walks up the porch steps. “My son doesn’t have anything to do with that girl anymore. So, whatever trouble she’s in, I am sorry for her, but there’s nothing we can do to help you.” Emma turned around to face the man who happened to be Sean's father.

Your face scrunched up in irritation at the man in front of you. You kept your lips pressed tightly together to keep from sneering at him.

“You’re the reason he broke up with her.” Emma stated almost monotone.

“Absolutely. I’m not going to let my son throw away his entire life over a mistake.” He tried to sound justified in what he said, but it only just made you slowly seethe. Almost to the point of boiling over.

“You know, it takes two to tango?” A rhetorical question slipped from your lips. You hid your anger quite well when you spoke. Even then though, it sounded strangely threatening to his ears. His gaze left Emma and went to you, a glare was apparent on his features. You were about to return it when Emma placed a hand on your shoulder, slowly bringing your anger down.

“So you just told him to leave her?” Emma questioned.

“Well, what are they going to do? Raise the child in the backseat of a car?” You tensed, but then quickly relaxed when Emma squeezed your shoulder.

“Some people only have the backseat of a car.” Emma retorted back. You smiled at this.

“Well, they’re to be pitied. I’m not letting that happen to my son.”

“Dad, maybe we should help her look.” Sean finally spoke up, to which you mentally sighed. Finally, he was saying something instead of sitting there.

“It’s a waste, Sean.” 'The nerve of this man.' Emma thought to herself.

Emma looked at Sean “Sean, if you want to come, come. Stop letting other people make decisions for you. If Ashley runs away with this baby, she’s going to be in some serious trouble.”

“She’s running away with the baby?” He asked, surprise and concern was shown clearly on his face.

“Yes.”

“Sean. Inside. Now.” Sean obeys and he goes back inside the house.

'Way to be a tool.' You sneered.

“Look. Believe me, if I knew where she was, I would tell you. I went to a lot of trouble to get her that deal.” Sean's father said in the most sincere way he could.

“Deal? Wait a second, what deal?” You piped in, now genuinely confused on what's happening.

“I never heard about any deal...” Emma murmured. Emma looked to see if the man was lying, but sadly, he was not.

“You don’t know? Ashley agreed to give up the child. And she’s being paid very well to do so.” He replied. Your jaw dropped a little.

“No...please don't tell me...” You trailed off.

“She sold the baby?” Emma asked.

“Oh, you make it sound so crass. I found someone who’s going to find that child a good and proper home.” Your throat turned dry as you tried to comprehend his words. Shock appeared on Emma's face, but as soon as it came it vanished. Concern now highlighted her features.

Then the blonde became irritated with Sean's father “And who are you to judge whether Ashley is capable of providing that?”

“Look at her. She’s a teenager. She’s never shown any evidence of being responsible. How could she possibly know how to be a mother?”

“Maybe she’s changing her life.”

“Everybody says that. Now, look. I found someone who’s going to pay Ashley extremely well. Someone who’s going to see to it that everybody’s happy.” You frowned at this. Can't this man see Ashley's trying to change?

“Mr. Gold.” Emma finished. You looked at Emma quizzically “Mr. Gold?” She nodded.

“Well, isn’t that why you were hired? To bring him the baby?”

Emma, Henry, and you were back in Emma's bug driving back to Granny's diner. After the little confrontation with Sean and his father, Emma decided that it would do some good to 'talk' to Ruby again.

“You can’t make her double cross Gold. No one’s ever broken a deal with him.” Henry brought up. You rose an eyebrow at this.

“And why is that, Henry?” You asked.

“Because no one breaks a deal with him, ever. Bad things happen when you break a deal with Gold.”

“Well, I’m happy to be the first. If Ashley wants to have this baby, she should have it. Anyone who wants to be a mother, should damn well be allowed to be one.” Emma responded. You looked at Emma and smiled. 'She's determined to help her...'

Emma drives up in front of Granny's and parks. After parking, the three of you exit the car and then enter the diner. Emma then approaches Ruby.

“Why didn’t you tell me she sold the baby?”

Ruby tried to cover up her shock at Emma's question “Because I didn’t think it was important.” You were about to sneer at her, but you stopped. Then you shook your head and waited patiently for a reply.

“Really? Considering that’s why she’s running away.”

“Look, Ashley’s my friend. I don’t like the idea of people judging her.” She's only trying to protect her friend.

Emma notices the wolf charm on the counter.

“Ruby, where’s your car?” Then it hit the blonde like a pound of bricks.

“You didn’t send me to Sean to find her. You sent me there to give her a head start.”

Ruby stood her ground and didn't look willing to give up “Look, I’m only trying to help her.”

“Yes, so am I. Ashley’s in more trouble than you know, Ruby. Where is she? Don’t make her deal with Gold without me.” Emma said. She needed to help this girl before something bad happens to her, or worse, Gold gets to her.

Ruby sighs, she was contemplating giving up. Emma did give a good point, and if she was really willing to help, then she might as well let her. Ruby then looked at Henry.

“I can’t talk in front of him. He’s the Mayor’s kid.”

“Hey! I’m on your side.” Henry said, and you just placed a hand on his shoulder to let him know it's okay.

“Henry, I need to find this woman. And in order to do that, I need you to go home, okay? So please listen to me. Seriously. She’s not going to tell me anything if you’re around.” You sighed at this, you felt sorry for Henry.

“Okay.” He replied dolefully. He then left the diner. “Emma, I'll walk him home, okay. I'll see you later.” You said quickly, then sped-walked after Henry.

“Henry!” You shouted, looking around the outside of the diner. He couldn't have gotten far, but it seems he has.

Then you heard a voice on the other side of Emma''s bug. “Over here!” It was more like a whisper. You got the jist and walked over to the other side of the bug and found Henry crouched down. You followed suit.

“Why are you still here, kid?” You whispered.

“I'm going with Emma.” He said, determined. You considered telling him no and then taking him home, but then changed your mind.

“Alright, I’m coming with you.” Henry smiled at you and then opened the back door of the bug.

“She forgot to lock it.” He stated simply. You shrugged and entered in behind him then continued to crouch behind the seat.

“Now we wait.”

Emma enters the car a couple minutes later and then turns on the engine. She has not noticed you or Henry yet, to which you smirked at. The both of you waited until Emma started driving to reveal yourselves.

“What’d she tell you?” Henry asked. Emma looked startled and you just smiled at her. You leaned forward and perched your arm on the passenger seats edge.

“Henry! (Name)! What the hell? I’m going to Boston. You can’t come with me.” Emma argued.

“You can’t go to Boston! She can’t leave. Bad things happen to anyone who does.” You looked at Henry and wondered if that was part of his curse theory. Though, it would make sense, the curse keeps anyone whose in it from leaving and anyone who does, something bad happens to them.

“I don’t have time to argue with you over the curse. I’ve got to get you home.”

You decided to stand up for Henry “Emma, we do not have time for that. That Ashley girl is in trouble. We've got to get to her before she leaves town.” You hoped your words would get to her.

Henry decided to add to your statement “We have to stop her before she gets hurt! We’re wasting time! If you drop me off, we’ll never catch up to her.”

“..Henry.” Emma trailed off. Her thoughts were starting to crumble at Henry's new resolve. Plus, you were there, which made things harder to say no to.

“And then Mr. Gold will call the police, and he’ll have her sent to jail.” Henry finished.

Emma sighed and gave up “…Buckle up.” Henry smiled then put on his seat belt. You relaxed in the back next to him, you mentally prepared yourself for what was soon to come.

Emma shook her head “Ashley, what did you get yourself into?”

To Be Continued!