The dark Lilith [OUAT Peter Pan X oc]

Chapter three: Lilith?

The dim light of the pawn shop flickered softly as Rumpelstiltskin paced the floor, his brow furrowed with worry. He kept glancing toward the door, waiting for Lillian to return. It had been more than a day since she had set off, and the unease that settled in his gut was becoming harder to ignore. Belle, noticing his agitation, approached him gently, concern etched on her face.

"Rumple, you seem... restless," Belle said, her voice soothing. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Is something wrong?"

"It's Lillian," he admitted, his voice low. "She's been gone too long. I should have gone with her."

Belle squeezed his arm reassuringly. "You can't protect her from everything. She's capable, Rumple. But if it's worrying you this much, why don't you go look for her? I can hold down the fort here."

He hesitated, torn between the instinct to stay close to Belle and the pressing need to find Lillian. Finally, he nodded, resolve taking over. "You're right. I'll find her." He gave her a quick, grateful smile before making his way to the door, his mind racing with possibilities of where she might be.

As he stepped out into the cool air, Rumpel moved swiftly through the streets of Storybrooke, his sharp eyes scanning every corner, every alley. He felt a growing urgency, propelled by the knowledge that Lillian could be in danger. After a few minutes of searching, he spotted David talking to Henry near the town square.

Rumpel's heart raced as he approached them, the tension between his concern for Lillian and his instinct to protect Henry gnawing at him. He drew closer, straining to hear their conversation.

"Henry, we need to talk," David said, his tone serious. "I found Jefferson... he can't help us, but Lillian got the hat to work... she's gone. I have no idea where she is, to be honest with you."

"Lillian... she's gone?" Henry's voice wavered, confusion and fear evident in his expression.

"I'm afraid so, Henry. Please, now go to school where I know you'll be safe." David's attempt to reassure Henry was palpable, but Rumpel could see the worry etched into his features as well.

As Henry nodded slowly and began to walk away, Rumpel felt a rush of anger and fear coiling within him. His heart sank at the realization that Lillian had ventured too far into the unknown. He needed answers and he needed them now.

"David!" Rumpel called out, stepping into their line of sight. The tension in his voice was unmistakable as he approached. "My ward, where is she?"

David turned, his eyes meeting Rumpel's, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I don't know, Rumple," he admitted, his voice strained. "I only heard that she was able to activate the hat, but... it seems she was taken back to our land."

Rumpel clenched his fists, his mind racing. Lillian was trapped in a world that could be dangerous, and he couldn't afford to waste time. "We need to find a way to bring her back," he said urgently, determination igniting his features.

"We will," David replied, though uncertainty lingered in his eyes. "But first, we need to figure out how Jefferson got the portal working. If Lillian opened it, maybe we can trace her path."

Rumpel nodded, the resolve hardening in his chest. "I'll gather what we need. Time is of the essence." With that, he turned to head back toward the pawn shop, Belle's earlier words echoing in his mind. He would not let Lillian slip through his fingers again; he would bring her home.