ii. rebellious child

━ ❝ life's a lie ❞

━━━━★✼☆｡━━━━

WE ALL LIVE in a haze. A world we think we know, but really, we don't. We live in a world that keeps the truth from us and lies. Lies for either their own good or to protect another. Melody lived in a haze. A haze called the Dark Curse. Where she was now named Isabelle and was the daughter of the mayor of StoryBrooke. And now she had a brother, just not the brother she had in the Enchanted Forest. Henry Mills a boy Regina had adopted "along" with Isabelle. Isabelle resembled much of her real self from the Enchanted Forest. Kind, caring, smart, beautiful, but in this world, she wasn't broken. She wasn't in pain. She didn't remember the past with her father or her biological brother who was now the owner of the local Pawn shop. 

The teenage girl was a lot happier and didn't cry herself to sleep at night because her mind was wiped of the hard past she carried. Regina was happy her daughter became a happier person. and she knew that the decision she made was right. Twenty-eight years later that all shattered when Henry's birth mother, Emma Swan, came to town.

That's when things started to change.

———

Birds chirping, the sun shining: it all resembled the start of a new day. Isabelle always felt energetic in the mornings and for the past two weeks, she's been feeling a lot more vigorous. Mostly because of the "talk of the town", Emma Swan who happened to be Henry's birth mother. Isabelle knew her mother didn't like the blonde being in town very much but Isabelle couldn't help but enjoy the older women's company. She noticed how Emma had trust issues and the fact that she trusted Isabelle made the younger girl feel devoted to showing Emma she could handle that trust with care. 

Isabelle made her way down the stairs after getting ready and then exited the house. Henry had left on the bus already and Regina was at work. Isabelle missed the bus purposefully because she really wanted to see Emma. The teenage girl hoped the blonde wouldn't care that she was ditching school. Once Isabelle arrived at the apartment complex where Emma was staying, she caught sight of Mr. Gold exiting the building. Isabelle━being the polite person she was━greeted the pawn shop owner with a smile on her pink lips. 

Mr. Gold looked startled for a moment but then smiled back. "Good morning to you too Miss Mills." He nodded curtly to her and walked down the sidewalk, out of sight. 

Isabelle entered the apartment complex and then knocked on the door of Mary Margaret's apartment. Emma opened the door and was greeted by the brunette who smiled wide. At first, the blonde greeted her with a smile but then it fell once she realized something. "Why aren't you at school?" 

Isabelle's eyes closed shut as she winced and then she opened one eye to look at the older women. "I'm ditching?" Isabelle said, her tone making her statement sound like a question. Emma gave her an unimpressed look. Isabelle then opened her other eye and sighed, "Then drive me."

And that is how Isabelle was now in the passenger seat of Emma's yellow Beatle humming "Mercenary" by Panic! At The Disco as they drove off to what people like to refer to as "school". The closer and closer they got to the school, the more and more Isabelle felt herself wanting to jump out of the moving car. But then she really didn't want to have to deal with a broken arm. 

Emma seemed to sense her lack of enthusiasm and smiled slightly. "School isn't that bad." 

Isabelle turned to her and scoffed, looking back at the road in front of them. "Your right it isn't bad. It's absolutely terrible." Emma let out a chuckle. Isabelle couldn't help but glare fiercely at the school before her once Emma pulled up. "Who needs an education anyway?" Isabelle questioned as she got out of the car with her bag slung over her shoulder. 

Emma smiled an amused smile and followed her up the walkway. "You need an education to work, kid."

"The sad truth." Isabelle sighed and then stopped walking. She turned to Emma and smiled. "You picking me and Henry up?" 

The blonde nodded in response and then put her hands in her pockets. "Yeah, I figured I'd spare you guys the bus ride." 

Isabelle smiled gratefully and then looked back at the school. "Well better get going. Bell's about to ring." Emma bided the teen farewell and Isabelle grudgingly entered the school.

———

"Pan I have an update," Felix announced as he walked into the immortal boy's tent. Pan's eyes didn't move from the window in front of him. Pan had always seemed cocky and arrogant, but Felix was the only one who really knew the truth about the boy's past. He had seen Pan vulnerable and sad which most people thought was impossible for him. And if Felix had seen Pan at his most vulnerable, that meant he knew about Melody and of course, Rumplestiltskin. 

Pan over the years had recruited many Lost Boys but Felix was lucky enough to call himself the second in command. Pan stared out at the island from his window and didn't turn to Felix. "Please do tell Felix."

"The savior is now in Storybrooke." Pan felt a smirk appear on his face. Things could finally start. Pan turned to his second and command with his smirk still in place.

"Is that so?" he asked. 

Felix nodded in response. "The plan can be set in motion now." Pan nodded in agreement then his face turned serious. He decided whether he should ask about his now cursed daughter. The thought of her always made his face fall and tears brim his eyes. Her innocent brown eyes tugging at his hand, pleading for him to not let the shadow take her away. 

He missed her smile, her laugh, and her adventurous and curious personality. Pan knew she'd enjoy Neverland and knew that boys would love her. But crossing the shadow wasn't smart. The immortal boy had tried once to bring Melody to the island. The shadow beat him there and threatened to take the young girl's life. So Pan clenched his teeth and was forced to retreat. He wasn't even allowed to go and just see her. Pan didn't even know what she looked like.

"How's Melody?" The words rolled off the immortal boy's tongue before he could even stop himself. He mentally cursed himself but then once he saw the look Felix gave him, he didn't regret it. 

Felix's eyes softened and he sighed. The second in command knew the pain it brought for Pan to bring up the now teenage girl. So he responded honestly. "She tried to skip school to see Emma, but the savior is currently taking her to school right now. Besides that, the same happy, cheerful person she always is." 

Pan felt himself chuckling and then shook his head humorously. "I never expected to do something like that." It was true. Melody was always the sweet, innocent, and hardly rebellious child. But then he guessed the curse must have changed that. Or maybe she was like that all along but it just was never expressed. He felt himself thinking back to the moments when she learned how to walk and when she spoke her first word which was "papa". 

He cleared his throat to rid of the memory and looked at Felix. "Thank you, Felix. I expect another update soon." Felix nodded, understanding that the immortal boy wanted to be left alone, and left the tent. Pan turned back to the window once he exited and felt his eyes water.

"I miss you, my dear sweet little princess," he whispered, as a lone tear slipped down his face.

———

7 hours

That was how long Isabelle had to endure the torture of school. Endless lectures, worksheets, and homework. It was a never-ending cycle and Isabelle felt like banging her head against her desk several times and maybe even faking sickness to go home early. But she knew Regina would never fall for it. Lucky enough, Isabelle had gotten most of her homework finished early so she wouldn't have much to do at home. 

The town had gone through a lot these past two weeks and Isabelle had a front row seat through it all. From Graham's death to Mary Margaret being framed for the murder of Katherine Nolan. It was all crazy and the teen found herself just wanting to take a break. Unbeknownst to her, the world had a lot in store for her in the near and slightly far future, none of which she could prepare herself for. However, the girl didn't know this. Isabelle was glad when the last bell rang and everyone was dismissed.

She went to her locker and gathered her things before putting them in her black leather backpack. Isabelle looked around at the groups of people gathered at their lockers as they chatted away. She sighed and put the rest of her stuff in her backpack before closing her locker closed and walking toward the front doors.

Fresh air filled her nostrils as the doors opened and she stepped out into the cold, Maine weather. Isabelle adjusted her jacket and made her way over to Emma's car where the blonde and Henry were waiting.

"Hey guys," the teen greeted once she arrived in front of them. Henry smiled at her and Emma had a quirk of a smile.

"See not that bad right," she said teasingly.

Isabelle rolled her eyes and glared at the blonde. "Keep telling yourself that." 

Emma smirked in response and Isabelle turned to Henry and ruffled his hair. The teen knew how much her brother hated when she did that so━like the good sister she was━she did it on a daily basis just to get a reaction out of him. Isabelle and Henry were those two siblings everyone mistook as best friends. Even if everyone knew they were the Mill's kids, they found themselves thinking the two were best friends rather than siblings. And they were the kids that every parent wished that their kids would act like. Henry and Isabelle were really close and Isabelle was protective of her little brother.

"Hey kid, how was school?" Isabelle asked. Henry scowled and then fixed his hair. 

He looked up at Isabelle and couldn't help but smile. "It was great, Ms.Blanchard talked about birds." 

Isabelle smiled back. "Sounds like fun." 

Emma announced that they should probably get going so the three got into the car and Henry scooted into the backseat while Isabelle seat up front. "Ok, do you guys have an update on Operation Cobra?" Henry asked. Isabelle felt her smile fall ever so slightly and she bit her lip. 

The fact that her brother thought everyone in town was a fairytale character trapped in a cursed mind, was a little crazy. But the teen was not one to stick down someone's dreams. So if Henry believed it, then she wouldn't try and break that. Isabelle had learned from Henry that she was the Evil Queen's adopted daughter and that Isabelle's real name was Melody. Henry had explained that Isabelle's cursed self just showed up in the book with no background whatsoever. Her birth family and her past were a mystery. Now, this seemed accurate seeing that Isabelle had no idea who her birth parents were or anything about them but then it was still hard to believe. 

Emma on the other hand, Henry believed her to be Snow White's and Prince Charming's daughter. Henry thought Mary Margaret was Snow White and that David Nolan was Prince Charming. Isabelle found herself believing in the idea slightly but never voiced it. The teen then heard Emma sigh slightly and then let the kid down. "No. Do you have one?" 

Henry shook his head and frowned. "No, I was hoping you guys did," he replied. 

The kid was let down by the news and Emma shook her head. "Nope sorry kid." 

Isabelle found herself looking outside at the woods and her eyes were drawn to a dark shadow that seemed to be following them. She squinted her eyes to see better but then it looked straight at her and she got a flash of a memory. The brunette jolted up and screamed, which caused Emma to instantly hit the brakes. The car tires screeched and Emma's eyes were wide with concern as she looked over at Isabelle. "Isabelle? What's wrong?" she asked. 

Henry too was concerned and looked quite scared by his sister's outburst. Isabelle put her hand over her mouth as she tried to find something to say. "I-I'm fine. I thought I saw something that's all." Emma still looked extremely concerned and not fazed by the teen's vague explanation at all. "I'm fine, really," Isabelle reassured, "it's probably just all of the stress. I just need some sleep." 

Emma still didn't look assured and licked her lips. "Are you sure?" she questioned. 

Isabelle forced herself to nod. The blonde then rubbed the girl's arm before turning back to the road and started driving again, keeping a close eye on her. Isabelle put her hand on her head and closed her eyes. What happened was beyond her and quite frankly it scared her. She felt herself wanting to curl into a ball and just sob. The sad and painful emotion she was getting felt like it was starting to eat at her, ready to swallow her whole. What was happening to her?

———

Isabelle was awoken by the light shaking from Emma when they arrived at the Mill's household. Henry was already out of the car and was watching from the porch with a sad and calculating look in his eyes. Isabelle blinked a few times before rubbing her eyes and getting out of the car. Emma had the teen's backpack on her shoulders and she handed it to Isabelle who took it with her tired eyes trained on it. 

The blonde still looked concerned and grabbed the girl's arm before she could walk away. "Isabelle, you know if you need to talk to anyone, I'm here." 

Isabelle nodded and then smiled gratefully. The girl did appreciate the older woman's concern because even if Isabelle wasn't her kid, Emma still cared about her like she was. And that made the brunette smile in gratitude. "I know Emma. Thanks." 

Emma smiled back and hugged her before getting back into her car and driving off. Isabelle walked up to the front door and used the spare key in the pocket of her backpack to open the door. Henry rushed in and immediately ran up and into his room. Isabelle raised an eyebrow in confusion but didn't follow to question her brother. Instead, she dropped her backpack on the floor and walked into Regina's office. Her mother was writing away when she entered so she went over and kissed her mom on the cheek, smiling.

"Hi mom, how was work?" she asked. 

Regina looked up from her writing and smiled back. "It was fine, how was school?" 

Isabelle rolled her eyes and then sighed. "It's school mom, there's nothing fine about it." Regina chuckled and then kissed Isabelle's forehead. She noticed the way her daughter was acting and then her motherly instincts kicked in.

"Isabelle sweetheart, are you ok? Did something happen? I swear if that Swan lady-"

"I'm fine mom," Isabelle lied. 

Regina sensed her daughter's lie but bit her lip and decided not to push it. "Well if you ever need anything, just know I'm always here and I will always be here." 

Isabelle forced a small smile and then nodded. "Of course." Regina then squeezed her daughter's hand gently before the teen exited the room. Isabelle made her way into her cozy bedroom and threw her homework in her bed. 

She grabbed her phone from her dresser and sat on her bed. She scrolled through her songs and then stopped on Melanie Martinez's song "You Love I". A smile found its way to her face and she took out her pencil and started working on the sheets before her.

Isabelle knew whatever she saw back there was real and it terrified her because she didn't know what it was. She didn't know that it was a part of her sad past and the times she so desperately tried to forget. The past was a dark and sad place for her and she didn't remember just how much pain she had gone through. 

Growing up, she didn't think her father loved her. She believed that he had lied to her just so she would leave and he would never have to worry about her again. But oh how she was wrong. Pan truly did love his daughter and it pained him to not be able to see her and bring her to the place he called home. 

He had left behind the life of being a liar, a thief, and a coward, unable to protect his own children. Now he was a leader of a realm, evil, arrogant, cocky, and was feared by many. Isabelle was the complete opposite. She was kind, caring, sweet, and was lonely despite all of the people who surrounded her, she was truly alone.

———

Most would think a simple looking crystal ball couldn't be much or do much for someone. But Pan was smart enough to know that a certain crystal ball could show him anything he wanted., including his daughter. 

And if the shadow wouldn't allow him to see her, then he would be able to see her this way. So he set the globe down on his desk and closed his eyes, concentrating on his daughter. Then he felt the tiniest spark of magic. Pan opened his eyes and then he what he had been waiting to see for years. His daughter. 

She sat on her bed doing her homework as she listened to her music. Pan smiled and then sighed in relief. She was safe. She was ok. But he didn't notice she was broken.

———

This was a pretty deep chapter. I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!

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