A/N: Two words: Echo cave
Felix observed Pan as he peered through the telescope. The smug expression on his face indicated that everything was going according to plan. The Storybrooke residents were scurrying along the trail laid out for them like mice. Pan pulled the telescope away, letting it hang in his grip at his side.
"Look at them go." Pan sneered. "So determined to find their missing friend." The boy exhaled heavily, gaze still fixed to the faint figures in the distance.
"Has Andie reached them?" Felix drawled, presuming the girl was on his mind.
"Not yet. Shouldn't be long now though. She left in... quite the hurry." His eyes flashed mischievously. Pan had, very briefly, filled Felix in on their recent exchanges. The Lost Boy knew, whatever Andie had done, it had affected Pan more than she knew.
"Can I ask, how did you know something was amiss?"
Peter grinned slyly. "She didn't react when I told her Baelfire was alive. She had already seen him. Yet something was whirring about in that head of hers, something that made his existence become insignificant."
Pan's need for precautions was understandable. "How long do you think she'll take to retrieve it?" He asked slowly.
"I expect she'll remain with them until they've found Baelfire. I doubt our dear Captain will let her leave before then." Pan smirked.
"In that case, what should we do with Baelfire?" Felix nodded his head in the direction of the cage.
"It's time to move him. Take him to the echo cave." Pan answered. He inhaled sharply, a dark look in his eyes. "The game is about to get interesting."
///
___
Navigating her way through the crowded streets, Cassandra was overwhelmed by the deafening noise. Metal carriages sped along solid rivers of black and swarms of people rushed in all directions.
The sun had been clambering from its bed when Peter's shadow had dropped her off in the bustling city. Pulling her hand from her pocket, she had opened up the crumpled scrap of paper. Scribbled in Felix's handwriting, was an address.
At the time, Cassandra had dismissed the difficulty of finding the location. Unfortunately, her navigation skills seemed void in this land. After only an hour, her dismissal was swiftly revoked. Cassandra was squeezing through the mass of pedestrians- fed up with being shoved and bouncing off people, reverberating through the crowds. Figuring that attacking those who squashed her would not help her blend in, she settled for pushing them out the way as she clawed a path through the horde.
As time passed, her determined searching began to feel like aimless wandering and eventually, she accepted defeat. She collapsed onto a bench, completely drained. The day was drawing to a close: the sun, her only companion throughout the day, had given up and decided to abandon her. It had moved behind the building towering over her, leaving her in shadow. Never in her life had she seen constructions so tall. They made even the tallest of trees back in Neverland, look like mice.
The mere thought of her home filled her with longing.
She wished she could go back. This city was far too different: there was too much noise, too many people, everything was so busy; it felt like nobody stopped to breathe. But Neverland. It was peaceful enough that it was neither overwhelming nor mind nulling. The perfect balance.
Rubbing her face, she sighed. There was no point getting emotional now, she needed to get on with what she came here to do. She spotted someone wobbling down the street and hollered at them as they passed. The man turned towards her as she leapt up from her seat. It was the puffy red eyes she noticed first, and then, only as she stopped in front of them, did she realise they were drunk. The man was looking at her expectantly and she figured it was worth a shot- she didn't have much to lose. She showed them the address and their eyes lit up. Relief filled her at the thought of finally finding where she was supposed to be. They gave the directions and Cassandra grimaced as their breath assaulted her nose. The man spewed gibberish about following the rainbow and turning right at the unicorn. He smiled and walked off, swaying as he went. Cassandra remained still, a blank look on her face.
She must have been desperate, to think an intoxicated person would give her valid directions.
___
///
Racing through the jungle, Cassandra's heart beat rapidly with panic. She had to fix her mistake. She had been tricked, by both parties it would seem. The only difference between them being that she didn't care about what Peter had done. She still loved him.
Green blurred in her vision as she sped past the tall plants amongst the trees. Her legs burned as they catapulted her further and further along her journey. Her ears perked as she heard the rustle of bushes nearby and she skidded to a halt.
"It... it was just a kiss." Emma's voice floated through the air.
"I'm sure Neal will understand."
Cassandra bent over, trying to get her breath back. Were they having a mother-daughter chat about kissing at a time like this?
"If he's still alive." It seemed Peter had revealed Neal's presence on the island. Only then did it hit Cassandra that she hadn't told Emma earlier he was alive. Oh well. They knew now anyhow. What she wanted to know was why Peter had told them. She shrugged it off, she would find out later. He must have had something planned. The boy always did.
"Emma, I get what you're doing, you know. You don't want to open yourself up to the hope that he's still alive, but you should."
Slight respect for Emma rose within Cassandra. The restraint to not blindly believe Peter, just because Neal's life was hanging in the balance. The ability to push down your heart's desires was admirable.
"Why?" Emma queried. Cassandra shook herself from her thoughts. She'd been overanalysing a lot recently. The fault of Neverland's visitors, they had brought out the internal conflict within her. She needed to think less, act more.
"Because you deserve a happy ending, Emma. And happy endings always start with hope." Snow responded simply. Screw hope, it had never gotten her anywhere. Cassandra shoved through the final barrier of leaves that separated her from the pair.
"Speaking of hope." She grinned slyly. "I was hoping I could have my locket back now."
"Cassandra." Emma said, startled.
"Good to see you too." She walked towards them. "I upheld my end of the deal. So, can I have the locket?"
"Uh, yeah sure." Emma said quickly, caught off guard by the girl's blunt speech. She reached for her neck, slipping the chain over her head.
"Swan!" Hook's voice burst into their conversation. "What're you doing!" Cassandra growled as the man rushed forward, snatching the locket.
"Hey!" Emma snapped. "It's not how it seems. She helped us. The locket is hers. We're giving it back."
"What do you mean she helped you? I told you, you can't trust anything she does or says. She's almost as bad as Pan in that regard." He glared at the girl, anger radiating from him.
"Hook." Emma's firm voice commanded his attention. His gaze flickered to her. "I know you don't trust her. But she really did help us. She told Henry we were coming to get him. We know she did. We owe her."
"She's right, Hookey boy." Cassandra's smile was overly sweet. Hook lurched towards her but was yanked backwards as Charming grabbed his shoulder.
"Why would she go against Pan? She has no reason to betray him."
"Ask her yourself." Emma stated. Hook slumped in defeat causing Charming to release his hold. Hook looked to Cassandra, the question swimming in his eyes.
"Peter tricked me. I found out he was the reason I grew up living the life that I did." She answered with a smirk, her eyes flashed. "You know me Hook... I do love justice."
"You're doing this as revenge? I thought you valued him a little more than that, after having followed him all this time like a lovesick puppy." He spat.
"Hook!" Emma exclaimed. "Are you trying to get her to turn against us?"
"It's fine Emma." Cassandra drawled, unfazed by the man's rant. "You don't get this far if you let a pirate's words get under your skin."
Taking the locket from Hook, Emma went to give it to Cassandra. The girl held her hand out expectantly.
"Listen to me. As soon as you give her that locket she'll go and stab us in the back." Emma's arm stilled, the item still in her grip.
"She did what we asked. We're giving her that locket whether you like it or not." Snow told him.
"Then at least wait." Hook pleaded. "Wait until we've found Neal, then do whatever you want."
"Wait... you're searching for Neal?" Cassandra furrowed her brows.
"Yeah. Pan told us he's alive." Emma squirmed uncomfortably under her daughter's gaze. The way she rushed through her sentence indicated the prospect was hard for Emma to think about.
"No I mean, you're not searching for Henry? For the camp?"
"We are!" Emma defended. "Or we will... We figured it'd be safer to find Neal before Henry."
"So the locket... you weren't using it?" She queried, her tone baffled.
"Why would we use it? It's just a locket. How would we even use it?" Emma asked slowly, cautiously. "It was a safety net. We told you that."
"I thought..." Cassandra trailed off at the look in her mother's eyes. It was evident that both she and Snow were oblivious as to what Cassandra was insinuating. They truly had been ensuring Cassandra would deliver their message to Henry. The concept of using a tracking spell hadn't crossed their mind. Despite that being idiotic of them, Cassandra couldn't help but feel relieved. She shook her head, not wishing to give them any ideas. "Never mind. Can I have it back then?"
Emma stared at the chain still dangling from her fist.
"Emma." Hook begged. "This is Neal's life you're gambling with."
"I know!" She snapped at him. Her hand remained still a moment more. Then slowly, Emma retracted her arm, causing Cassandra's lips to sink into a frown.
"I did what you wanted." She persuaded. "We're on the same team."
"I'm sorry." Emma said sadly. "I promise you'll get it back as soon as we've found Neal. We don't know if this is one of Pan's tricks and we need to know you'll give us your help if we need it."
"He is alive. I've seen him." Cassandra admitted. The group looked to her suddenly, their eyes wide.
"What!" Emma yelled. "You knew he wasn't dead?" She was hit by a realisation and her frustration eased. "Actually, it's not that surprising considering how, er- close you are with Pan."
Cassandra considered the woman before her, surprised that there was no edge to her tone. Only awkwardness as she spoke of Cassandra's relationship with Peter.
"Actually, Peter didn't tell me. I found him, or rather he found me. It was before I ran into you. I should have told you but it didn't cross my mind. I forgot you still thought he was dead."
"He's alive then." Snow's face lit up. She reached for Charming's hand and he smiled with her.
"Where is he?" Emma asked earnestly.
"Not a clue."
"Big help you are." Hook quipped resulting in a scowl from Cassandra.
"We'll just have to find him then." Snow said confidently. "We're already on the trail."
David cheered. "What're we waiting for, let's go." They moved onwards and Cassandra fell into stride beside Emma, Hook's eyes on her back.
"Where's Regina?" Cassandra questioned. Surely, she wouldn't have split from the group when in Neverland of all places.
"She thought Pan was playing us. She didn't want to waste time on a wild goose chase searching for Neal." Emma revealed. The reasoning was surprisingly valid. If Cassandra was in Regina's shoes, she would have done the same thing.
"Understandable. Why didn't you take that approach?"
"Mary-Margret seems to have the evidence. I wasn't entirely convinced but I figured that if he was alive, he deserved to be saved."
"I agree." Cassandra nodded thoughtfully. "Just between you and me. I always admired Neal, to an extent." Emma's brows furrowed with intrigue at her daughter's words. "He's experienced betrayal and it has only made him stronger, more rational with his way of thinking."
"You make him sound like a machine. That's not the Neal I know."
"No. He still allows compassion to blind him. Though, his attempts to rid himself of weakness worked for a while at least. He made himself... better."
"Are you saying you're glad he suffered the way he did?" Emma asked bewildered.
"I'm saying his childhood was one I could relate to. We have a mutual understanding of the wounds trust can inflict."
///
___
Turning a corner, she slowed to a stop. She focused on the image that had caught her eye. Painted on the wall was a rainbow, stretching down the street. Directions from her drunk helper echoed in her head and she followed the vibrant colours, her pace now choppier with the excitement.
When the trail ended abruptly, Cassandra's steps faltered, and she narrowed her eyes in frustration. Scanning the surrounding buildings for something, anything, she gasped. With a smile, she sped across the dark river (spurring on a chorus of yells from the carriages) and planted her feet in front of the pub. Glistening in white letters were the words The Unicorn. Perhaps drunk guides deserved some credit after all. She spun to the right and marched onwards, hoping she was almost at her destination.
Not ten minutes later, she arrived at a bright blue door. She eyed the panel on the wall and pressed the button with the familiar name beside it. A buzz sounded followed by a click. Cautiously, Cassandra pushed against the door and it gave way, allowing her to enter the building.
She climbed several staircases, passing many doors and finally reached the desired one. '17a' in golden lettering shone at her like a beacon and she silently cheered that her exhausting trek was at an end. Rapping her knuckles against the door, it cracked open to reveal a stern eyed woman with sleek black hair that fell past her shoulders. Cassandra couldn't help but note how the woman had the smoothest skin she had ever seen. Though, it wasn't that hard to top a bunch of acne covered teenage boys.
"Are you Tamara?" The woman nodded and swung the door open, allowing Cassandra to enter. The interior of the apartment was bland, few personal touches had been made. Tamara smiled though Cassandra knew the woman meant business. Their mission was no light-hearted task. Consequences of failing were rather extreme though more so for one than the other. For Tamara, magic would remain, something which she was greatly opposed to for reasons Cassandra could not support. For Cassandra, the only person she had ever loved would die...
She almost laughed at the dramatic difference in their circumstances.
___
///
"Seriously though Hook, what's with all the leather?" Cassandra skipped beside the man. Hook didn't respond he continued marching, eyes fixed ahead. "Isn't it uncomfortable? Wouldn't you rather wear something looser?" She teased, laughing at the irritated expression on his face. Leaning closer, she lowered her voice. "If you're interested in pursuing Emma then perhaps a tracksuit? They're all the rage back where she's from."
He stopped abruptly. Spinning on his heels, he gripped the front of Cassandra's shirt. "Shut it! Don't doubt me when I say I will not hesitate to kill you." He growled.
"That warning seems like a hesitation in itself." Cassandra smirked. "This is also the third time you've threatened me in the past half hour. Forgive me if I'm not trembling with fear."
With a grunt, Hook released her and plodded on. The blonde grinned, pleased she could still irk him like old times.
"I wish you would stop that." Emma sighed. "You're not making things any easier for yourself."
"He loves it really." Hook turned and she met his glare with a wink.
"Somehow I doubt that." Emma replied tiredly.
Glancing to the front of the group, Cassandra saw that Snow and Charming hadn't even batted an eye at the exchange between her and Hook. They were evidently fed up with their antics. This notion made Cassandra incredibly happy.
Finally, they reached the end of the trail they had been following. Cassandra stopped dead, frozen to the spot. Her eyes darted to Hook. His face laced with dread.
Before them, stood echo cave. To any stranger, it did not appear menacing nor did it strike fear within. To those who knew of it, it was a place to be avoided at all costs.
"The tracks lead directly into that cave. This must be where they're keeping Neal." Snow's voice wrapped around the words, coating them in hope. It was clear she was unaware of what the cave had in store for them.
"If the cave is some sort of prison, why aren't there any guards posted to stop us?" Despite its validity, Cassandra couldn't help but roll her eyes at Charming's question.
"Because the prison doesn't require guards." Hook informed, his tone grave.
"Echo cave." Cassandra whispered, her limbs still locked.
"I lost half my crew inside those rock walls." The pirate divulged, meeting Cassandra's eyes. Within them she could see that he held her responsible for those deaths. After all, she did help lure them there in the first place. "The only way to rescue someone from inside is to reveal a secret."
"A secret?" Snow asked, puzzled. "That's all?" Oh Snow, if only it were that simple.
"Your darkest secret. Echo cave derives its name from an old saying, the deeper the lie-"
"The more truth in its echo." Cassandra finished, her eyes glued to the cave entrance. Would they make her go in? She couldn't bring herself to. Once they heard her darkest secret she doubted they would let her wander back to Peter's side. But that wasn't the problem. She was far more concerned that after disclosing her secret, that Peter wouldn't want her by his side.
The thought terrified her more than the cave itself.
Nodding at her, Hook elaborated to the others. "The cave demands that you reveal a truth about yourself. A secret you would never admit to anyone."
"This is ridiculous." At Emma's complaint, Cassandra scoffed.
"You should know Peter loves his games." She smiled wryly.
"This isn't a game." The woman snapped. "Even if we still spill our guts, how do we know Neal's still alive in there?"
"Because this is what Pan wants." Hook explained, reluctantly accepting their fate.
"Why?"
"So that we reveal our secrets." The pirate declared. "He believes once we do, our secrets will destroy us."
The group relapsed into tense silence. Fight or flight. There was no fight, no reward by staying there. Not for Cassandra. Bracing herself, she decided to get the heck out of there.
"Well, it's been great seeing you all." Jolting to Emma, she snatched the locket from her neck causing the chain to snap. "Don't want Peter to get suspicious of my long absence." With a spritely wave, she stuffed the locket into her pocket and made a break for it. Or rather, she tried to.
With a thud, she collapsed to the ground. A heavy form having leaped on top of her.
"Get the hell off me!" She snarled, wriggling desperately to free herself. Her lungs were being crushed by the extraordinary weight. Blotches began to bloom in her vision when the extreme pressure on her fragile organs suddenly lifted. She hacked and heaved as oxygen filled her starved lungs. Before she had a chance to recover, she was jerked to her feet and her arms were wrenched behind her back. She groaned as rope bound her wrists together.
"Oh don't leave so soon, Andie." Hook smirked against her ear. "We'd love for you to tag along."
"I couldn't possibly." She laughed gingerly, hands squirming to try and free themselves.
"I insist." Hook dragged her to the cave entrance. "You said you were on our side, didn't you?"
She was relieved that Hook had not taken the locket from her again. Its familiar weight was the only comfort in that moment. Calming her mind, lucid thoughts flowing. She took a deep breath. Hook's calloused hand on her back, she was forced across the threshold of the cave.
Shoving her through the opening, Hook kept Cassandra upright as she stumbled over the rocky ground. The others were peering at her curiously, wondering what she was playing at. Cassandra's bold move had set off their suspicions, but she couldn't bring herself to care. They'd find out soon enough. Echo cave had the ability to bring out the worst in people. However, there was more to it than that. The group had seen Cassandra at her worst, she nearly killed Emma; would have happily killed her. Their opinion of her could hardly worsen.
The cave possessed a power that concerned Cassandra far more.
It had the power to expose weakness.
///
___
An unexpected noise emerged from the room to her left. Upon instinct, she turned on one foot, raising the other leg. She kicked out and her shoe collided with the chest of a sturdy man sporting the expression of great shock. He fell backwards with the force.
"Greg!" Tamara shrieked, rushing to the man's side. Greg? Cassandra stared at the peculiar man trying to place recognition at the name. She snapped her fingers. Greg was the man she had been told was working with Tamara. Though, going by the way she was fussing over him, Cassandra guessed their relationship was a little more... intimate than just co-workers.
"My bad." She said half-heartedly as she watched the man milk out his suffering to gain more attention from Tamara. Or at least, she hoped that was the reason and that he wasn't actually that feeble. "Want me to get something for that? Some ice? Pair of balls perhaps?"
Greg sat up and at the icy glare he gave her, Cassandra could tell they were going to be the best of friends.
"The name's Cassandra. Pleasure to meet you." She bowed dramatically before spinning on her heels and flipping onto the sofa. A groan burst from her lips. "I've sat on logs more comfortable than this."
Cassandra soon realised that if she was going to be staying with these people, she would have to play nice. If she wanted to gain their trust she had to get them to like her. Which meant no more attacking Greg. The notion brought a frown to her lips.
Over the next few days, finishing touches were added to the plan. Refining every last detail. When everything was complete, Tamara and Cassandra decided they would set it in action the following day. Because of this, Greg had to leave. During their soppy goodbyes, Cassandra had to hold herself back from whacking the pair of them. Kissing without a breath longer than humanely possible. Shoving their tongues down the other's throat. The horrific sight made Cassandra gag and she had to move into the other room.
After a lifetime of waiting, Greg left the apartment and Tamara shuffled into the living room. Heartache was evident in the stiffness of her features, but at least she was trying to focus on the more important matter at hand. As she sat next to Cassandra, the girl could practically see the metal bars Tamara was putting in place. Creating a cage in which her heart was encased.
Cassandra was well acquainted with this method. She had a cage of her own. Formed when she was young, tearful and alone. Her heart was locked away, icing the emotions that gnawed at her. Dimming the pain. A cage like that could only be opened by one person. The single being who possessed the key to her heart...
___
///
Frigid air creeped across Cassandra's bare arms. She wished her wrists weren't bound so that she could rub at the cold limbs. She gaped at the colossal stone cavern, just as impressive as the first time she saw it. Jagged walls blocked the light breeze from outside, leaving the air stagnant and hollow. A few metres ahead was a sheer drop. Beyond it, a looming darkness that glowered at her. Gnarling its teeth, ready to devour anyone that fell into its depths.
Stranded in the centre of the cave was a rock pillar. Perched on top of it was a cage, inside of which sat an ominous silhouette. Squinting, Cassandra identified the hunched form. The figure lifted its head and Neal's face entered the light. Recognition crossed his features and he clutched the bars.
"Emma!" His yell echoed across the void.
"Neal." Emma's whisper was carried easily through the still air.
"It must be a hundred feet across." Snow fretted, eyeing the daunting chasm before them.
"Even if we fashioned some sort of rope, there's nothing we can attach it to." David thought aloud, his eyes scanning for an alternative. "No way to swing over." Looking at him in disdain, Cassandra discreetly manoeuvred her hands and finally the rope slackened.
"So, what do we do?" Emma queried.
"I told you what needs to be done." Cassandra couldn't help but note how dreary Hook sounded. As if he was being told to jump over the rock edge, plummeting into the abyss. "Consider this the moment of truth, literally. Now... who wants to kick things off."
"I nominate Hook." Every cloud had a silver lining and Cassandra found herself looking forward to Hook's confession. The man scowled at her contribution.
"So, what? Someone tells their secret and they sprout wings?"
"That's not very creative Emma." Cassandra muttered.
"I don't know the particulars, only what I've been told." Hook replied, ignoring the Lost Boy's input.
Cassandra frowned at having been blanked. "If nobody's going to listen to me, there's no point in me even gracing you with my presence. Just let me go and I'll catch up with you later."
"Well, how do you know it'll work?" Emma directed at Hook.
Groaning, Cassandra fell to the floor in a heap. "I hate the lot of you. Hey! I saw that smile Charming, don't you laugh at me."
"There's only one way to find out I suppose." Hook took a deep breath and Cassandra straightened her slouched posture, ears attentive. It took a lot of restraint to resist slamming her feet against the ground in a drum roll.
"I kissed Emma." He blurted.
"You did what!" David exclaimed at the same time Cassandra jeered, "Ooo scandal."
"David, now is not the time." Cassandra cracked a smile at the woman scolding her husband.
"I already told Mary Margaret, so technically it's not a secret."
"I also knew." Cassandra raised her hand. "I overheard them talking about it earlier. Whoever thought Captain Hook would be the object of gossip."
Emma continued speaking to Hook. "But it was- when did you free yourself?" Emma asked bewildered, gaping at Cassandra's free wrist.
"A couple minutes ago." The girl shrugged, dusting herself off as she clambered to her feet. "Don't sound so surprised, I used to do this for a living... kinda. I did it if I didn't want to get captured by pirates, which to be frank, never sounded very appealing. No offense Hook."
"Right." Emma said slowly. "Yeah. Forgot about that whole 'Lost Boy' thing for a second."
"What can I say, it's a lifestyle. Don't mind me. Resume your intimate declarations of the heart." Cassandra encouraged, stretching out her sore arms.
"Er," Emma's brows furrowed as she tried to recall what she had been saying. Her mind resuming her train of thought, she looked to Hook. "How is that your darkest secret? It was just a kiss." She implored.
"It's what the kiss exposed." Cassandra was amazed that Hook was not watching her with suspicion now that she could walk straight from the cave. His gaze was fixed solely on Emma. Peeking at him, Cassandra was taken aback as she recognised the look swimming in his eyes. Pure and True. Love. "My secret is, I never thought I'd be capable of letting go of my first love... of my Milah... to believe that I could find someone else that is, until I met you."
The group jolted as the ground beneath them shook. By the pillar, a shelf of rock rose from the darkness, creating a platform that narrowed the gap between them and Neal.
"This is surprisingly fun." Clapping her hands, Cassandra beamed. "Who's next? Charming you look full of guilt, why don't you have a go?" At her request, Charming's gaze shifted to the floor anxiously.
"Hang on just a moment." Hook's voice interrupted. "I'm sure we'd all much prefer yourself to... keep things rolling." He looked at her with a dark glint in his eyes.
"Thanks for the offer. But I'll pass." She waved him off, a false smile on her face. Inching backwards towards the exit, Cassandra jumped with a start as she backed into Emma.
"You said you were with us." She stated firmly.
"And I am!" Cassandra insisted, raising her palms. The lie flowed through her lips with ease. "I just don't fancy spilling my guts to people I've only just learnt to tolerate."
"Before," Emma began. "I asked why we should trust you. You said because you were willing to trust us. So, trust us. Help us, Cassandra. Please." The resolute look in the woman's eyes struck a chord in Cassandra. Part of her wanted to help, but deep down she knew she couldn't. Assisting the rescue of Neal, it would go against Peter's plan-
Her thoughts screeched to a halt.
Would it go against his plan? Yes, Neal being freed would increase their chances of saving Henry. However, Peter wouldn't have had Neal moved to the Echo Cave if he didn't want them to free him. It was as Hook said. Peter wanted them to rescue Neal, because in the process, they would reveal secrets that would tear their group apart. If Cassandra wished to save Peter's life, she needed to play the game.
Taking a shaky breath, she nodded. Even if he didn't want to see her afterwards. She would do it. "O-okay." For Peter.
///
___
"Why are you doing this?" Tamara asked curiously as she tried to numb her anguish. The woman's voice cracked as she spoke, vulnerability on display.
"Magic tore me from my family." Cassandra growled. Tamara knew the tone was not aimed at her. She had noticed the distant look in her eyes as she spoke.
"I'm sorry." The woman nodded sympathetically. She already knew of this but was hoping for an elaboration. Clearly, she wasn't going to receive one. "I promise, we'll get through this. Magic will be destroyed. It shouldn't be hard to become a part of your father's life-"
"Don't call him that." The blonde cut her off. "He's called Neal. Can't have any slip ups when he's around. Neal, only."
Wide eyes blinked quickly, realising the girl was correct. "Of course. Sorry. As I was saying, it shouldn't be more than a couple months till we find this Storybrooke the Home Office told us about. Then magic will never bother any of us again. And I can see Greg..."
Whilst many may have felt pity for the woman. Cassandra did not. She felt nothing, only bitter amusement. Tamara, Tamara, Tamara. Her mind chided. How naive. How gullible. She should have known better than that. Then again, she was idiotic enough to believe she could destroy magic.
A smile plastered on the blonde's face, she reached out and hugged the sorrowful woman. Out of Tamara's sight, Cassandra's features twisted into a cruel smirk. She would learn the price of trust soon enough.
___
///
Reassured, Emma smiled. Cassandra shuddered as she looked to Snow and Charming. Their eyes laced with sickly pride. Hook's grin, seeming sadistic in nature, was the only thing that made her relax. It was familiar, reminding her of old times when things were more black and white. No baffling blur of morals.
"I've grown up alone, without a family, no place to belong." She started, her voice wavering. "Then one day I'm thrust into a world where I do belong. Peter saved me. Since arriving at Neverland, I've owed him for my happiness, for my sanity. And now, I discover he was the cause of my unhappiness all along. He sent me there. He lied to me. Still, despite all that's he's done, I would kill each of you without hesitation if it meant that he could live." She didn't have the energy to react to the wariness on their faces.
"But the thing is... I'm scared. I'm terrified of how far I'm willing to go for him. That our lives will forever be a vicious cycle of game after game, scheme after scheme. All I'm doing is digging, digging deeper and deeper. Trapping myself in walls of hate and revenge. On this island, things don't change. Things will never change. I don't want that. Change has kept me alive all these years. I want change." She inhaled sharply. "I want to grow up."
The ground rumbled. Another stone platform grew from the empty blackness. Not baring to glance at their reactions, Cassandra did what she had always done.
She ran.
Towards the boy she had always been running to.