Pandora's Box

Chapter 7

Not Enough Rum to be Numb

"Archie's missing. He was reported this morning," Emma said one morning as she typed away on her work computer. Melody looked up from her spot. She gulped and stared down at her fingers. Melody couldn't imagine what the shadow had done to poor Archie.

"We need to take precautions. We can't lose any more people," David said.

"We should have a town meeting. Regina, can you arrange it?" Emma asked. The mayor quickly glanced at Melody, who continued to avoid all eye contact, before nodding her head slowly.

"Fine, but Melody stays here," she bargained. Melody snapped her head up at the mention of her name.

"Why?" Emma asked flatly. Regina huffed.

"I don't need the town questioning her. They are obviously thinking that all these disappearings have something to do with her. She should stay home," Regina said.

Melody internally thanked the mayor. Regina was helping her out.    

"It almost sounds like you actually want to keep Melody safe, Regina," Snow commented in her usual calming voice. Regina scoffed.

"I don't. I just don't need the town riding up my ass about these things," she mumbled and walked out of the sheriff station.

After the grownups agreed on a time, Melody was walked back to Snow's loft, where she and Henry would wait together.

"Henry should be here any minute, he went to go have lunch with Neal," Emma told the pirate as she handed her a drink.

"Do me a favor, I know its difficult for you, but please, stay here, and try not to do anything... stupid," Emma said and slammed the door shut behind her.

Melody frowned as the blonde left but said nothing as she sat on the couch.

Even though the pirate wanted nothing more than to sit around and eat junk food until she dropped, the thought of Peter Pan continued to haunt her.

She decided to bury her depression with endless food. The pirate began to dig through the refrigerator. She found the fridge empty of what she wanted.

"All I want is something sweet," she mumbled. Instead of finding something good to eat, she found a hidden bottle of rum stashed behind the flour and honey. Melody clicked her tongue.

"My father was clearly here," she said to herself before grabbing the bottle and giving it a swing. The rough aftertaste lingered in her mouth as she finished what was left of the bottle. To accompany the drink, she ate a bag of Henry's chips.

Unfortunately for Melody, there wasn't enough rum to numb herself out. She lapped up the last drop of alcohol before tossing the bottle away.

Her distractions weren't enough for her and Melody knew she needed to get something to keep her mind off of the dreaded future.

So she ignored all of Emma's rules and picked up her bag before slipping out of the loft. The small convenience store at the end of her street was her first stop. Melody slipped out of the shop as quickly as she could after she paid for her snacks.             

Making a sudden decision to run off towards the docks, Melody sat by the water and ate her chips. As she stared off towards the horizon, the young pirate flinched when she felt something wet on her face. She gingerly touched her face to find rogue tears spilling from her eyes. She quickly wiped them away with confusion and anger.

"How weak," she scolded herself. To cry was nothing more than a sign of disgrace and weakness to the young pirate. She knew better than to cry for no reason.

Melody took a deep breath to ease her mind. She finished her snacks quicker than she expected.

"You're here."

Melody glanced at her side to see her dad, Rumpelstiltskin staring down at her. She turned her back to him.

"Are you going to tell Killian I didn't listen to his girlfriend's orders?"

"I don't have to tell him anything. You're my daughter as much as his," he replied, "I am curious as to what you're going to do now."

Melody scrunched her face in confusion and glanced up at her dad.

"What do you mean?"

"You never were one to listen to orders, dearie. And with this threat of Pan, I know you won't sit still," Rumple said.

"It pains me to say, but you and I both know what will happen if I stay and he escapes. There will be nothing but destruction and agony. I can assure you, that isn't something anyone in this town needs," Melody muttered. It crushed her to think she could cause more damage to the people she cared for just because she existed. She definitely didn't deserve the Charming's forgiveness, especially not Henry's.

"You are my daughter. And whatever you choose to do, I have no choice but to support you. I want you to know I will destroy anyone who tries to hurt you though," the Dark One said. Melody chuckled and offered her dad a piece of her chocolate.

They sat in a comforting silence, and it wasn't until Melody felt a cold chill hit her that Rumple suggested going back to his shop for a warm cup of tea. She agreed, but only because she began to grow colder as time went by.

"Miss Swan is calling. The one-handed pirate is probably looking for you," Rumple mentioned as he poured his daughter a cup of tea. Melody frowned.

"Are you going to tell him I'm here?"

"As I said, dearie, I don't have to tell him anything."

Melody smiled and enjoyed her drink with her dad. Everything was fine and calm until the bell of the shop was heard and Killian walked in with Emma, Snow, and David behind her. Even Regina and Henry tagged along and Rumple knew the peace was over.

"You ignored my calls," Emma said and Rumple scoffed.

"With good reason, trust me."

"I thought I told you not to leave the house," Emma said, turning to Melody. The pirate shrugged and sipped on her tea.

"I also found an empty bottle of rum, young lady. You aren't of age," David scolded.

"At this rate, I'll never turn 21," Melody mumbled. As Rumple argued with everyone in his shop, they didn't notice the panicking townies running outside. It wasn't until Leroy's loud voice was heard that put everyone's nerves on end.

And Melody thought her entire world came crashing to her dainty feet.                   
"Pandora's Box has been opened!"

*unedited*

It's been a minute since I updated and for that, I apologize. I don't know why but I've been very tired this past month and have been sleeping even more than usual and am always tired.

Is it depression? Most likely. But the world moves on.

Thank you for your patience dear readers. I appreciate all the support.

Cheers ✨

P.s sorry this chapter is so short 😖