Chapter Text
Two years.
It had been two entire years since he last saw Emma.
And after so long of looking for her, they still never gave up. Norman had decided to split up in search for her near a busy area in a town. It was a small shopping district, but over-crowded and bustling with people. Bringing things home to their families and shopping for the heck of it, but they weren't there for that. The food that was swarming through the streets made them hungry, and reminded Ray on how long they had been here already.
"Damn it." Ray grimaced, eyes shutting tight and he clenched his teeth. He didn't know what was worse, not finding a single trace of Emma, or not knowing if she was alive.
He didn't know his heart could feel this, going to bed with no relief every night, staying awake and losing sleep just thinking of where she could be. It drove him insane. Ray thought endlessly as to where she was, or could've gone to, and not getting any clues or answers made him think the worst.
Ray remembered The Seven Walls, and how he felt when Emma was gone. He was nothing. He felt the world crumble for that split second, wondering if he would ever see her again was devestating and made his pulse beat hard through his skin. When he found her, he knew he couldn't lose her after that. But, here they were. He felt like a failure. He promised to keep them all safe, to protect his family.
He couldn't help but feel disappointed in himself, he knew if Emma was actually here, she would scold him. Just by seeing the look on his face, she would know what he was thinking. She always knew. It was something he had found annoying, but after a while realized she didn't use that skill to harm him, but helped him. She helped him with everything she could, she was the one who got them all here, to be free, to live, to love. And where was she? He wanted nothing more than to spend his precious time with her. Letting her out of his sight was a mistake, and even if he knew deep down he wasn't to blame, he felt his gut twist in disgust at himself.
Gilda shook her head, defeated. "We can't stay here much longer, we're going to miss the bus."
Gilda swung her bag over her shoulder and walked forward, she tried to look like she was holding up well, he knew better. He heard her cry at night, wishing for Emma to be okay. He knew exactly how she felt. Maybe if he had a good sleep schedule he wouldn't hear her cries in the middle of the night, but Emma's disappearance made his mind wander, he couldn't sleep either. Bags resided under his eyes, along with Gilda's.
Phil nodded and trailed behind Gilda, his big and childish doe eyes full of sadness, he looked tired as well. For a kid with endless energy, that said a lot. They agreed on going home after meeting up with Norman's group, which weren't too far away from them. Ray felt once again, disappointed that they had to leave for the day. He wanted to look more. Ray followed the other two in front of him.
Until he heard laughter from above him.
Ray jerked back, eyes wide. His head swung up at the flash of red hair he saw for only a second, that split second of hope was enough to send him running. Was that her? After two years, is she finally here?
"Go without me!" He called behind him. He heard Gilda yell something, but she was muffled by the sounds of people rushing by. Ignoring their protests as he pushed past them, he had no time to apologize, not like he really cared anyway. He ran up some stone steps, and onto a path full of little shops.
"Emma!" He yelled, running through the crowds and busy street. "Emma, are you here?"
The small stores and bright lights whizzed past, he didn't know where she could've gone to.
Ray skidded to a halt outside of a little shop, he looked around wildly and ignored the stares he was getting. "Emma?" He called again, nothing in return.
He so badly wanted to hear her voice ring through the noisy crowd.
'Please, anything.' He thought.
Ray shook his head, sagging his shoulders. He gave a loud sigh and breathed in deep. It was his imagination, wasn't it? He was just missing her. He didn't know what to do, he was angry with himself that he was starting to go crazy. The search for her took a toll on him, and he didn't know how to cope with this kind of loss. He should've expected to start imagining things.
Norman came behind him, Gilda and the others crowded around Ray, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, giving a look of sympathy that made him feel weak and frail.
"Ray?" Norman asked, breathing heavy. "Did you see something?" The hope in Norman's voice made Ray's heart clench.
"It was nothing." he replied and hung his head.
Ray opened his eyes, then squinted at something he saw on the ground.
A necklace, lay by Norman's feet. He's seen it before. His eyes widened.
"Norman-" before he could finish asking Norman if he was actually going insane and just saw Emma's necklace by his shoes, the small girl they had been looking for appeared before his eyes.
She swooped down, and grabbed the necklace with a look of pure joy on her face. Her hair was combed, longer than he had seen it last, but, taken care of. She looked more mature, her face was more slender. Her eyes, focused on the necklace, still that unforgettable jade color. He examined her clothes, she looked well dressed, her face, everything. Confirming that this was Emma and not some doppelganger.
As he looked her over, making sure she was unharmed in any way, Emma locked eyes with him. His breath was taken back, he looked at her in surprise. Her eyes shimmered like they always did, piecing through him.
Gilda was the first to speak, tears already crowding her eyes. "Emma...?"
Everyone erupted into cheers, screaming her name.
"Emma!" They cried.
Ray couldn't get over his shock, the children bumped into him to get closer to her. She was right here. But she didn't feel real to him.
He let a small smile creep onto his face. He felt his body shudder with relief. Emma was alive. She is here. "There you are." He said, eyes lighting up.
The kids hugged her. Screaming that they're so glad she's back. Ray was so distracted by her presence alone, he didn't notice the utter confusion and uncomfortable look she had on her face. "Um..." She peeled herself away from Gilda, who was in her face, bombarding her with questions.
"Who..." Emma drawled, backing away slightly. "are all of you?"
Ray stiffened, and furrowed his eyebrows. "Huh?"
Emma looked between everyone of the kids, with a slight fear in her eyes. He's seen that look on her face before. Not often. She seemed to not recognize anyone. It didn't take Ray long to realize this must have something to do with the promise she made. Had she forgotten them...? Is that really what she would let happen?
Thinking about it, she probably would've done anything to save her family. She's just like that.
Ray stopped listening, he was pretty sure Gilda was crying in front of him again. But he didn't want to accept that Emma was taken away from him again.
Everyone looked at her in shock. And that's when Ray realized, that nothing could ever go his way, and nothing could ever be perfect.