A flash of purple appeared and disappeared in the sky under a few seconds. The residents in Storybrooke barely noticed in the wee hours of the morning.
Regina had gotten bored in Storybrooke and did the unthinkable. After thirteen years of the same boring days she crossed the border, but to her surprise her memories didn't fade. They were subdued and in addition to her fading old life, new memories arose in her mind. The curse had built her a new life in the world.
Her black Mercedes had magically transformed into a jeep and her business suit changed into tight fitting jeans and a white tank top. Confused Regina began to have mind flashes on a life in Miami. Going to school and living with a man that was her supposed father. Her cuban heritage and medical school.
She racked her brains for answers as her new car was parked on the side of the road only metres from the town line. Her mind flashed to a memory that seemed to be only days ago, but she knew that she had been in Storybrooke that day.
"Where are you going? You just got here!" Chris asked. He had only met Eva two weeks ago when they were both assigned to join the trauma team one at Miami medical. They had been fast friends, constantly teasing each other daily.
"I have to go to Maine. I'll be back in a few days." She had answered as she took her jacket from her locker. He simply stood next to her and shut her locker for her.
"Where in Maine?" he asked poking her in the shoulder.
"Storybrooke." she said bluntly as she pushed him out of her way.
"Storybrooke, that's actually a place… Whose in Maine?" he asked smirking.
"Nobody. Just a few old friends." Eva said before strutting away with Chris staring at her from his spot. Regina peaked back into the locker room from the doorway.
"You still need that ride home?" She asked her chocolate brown eyes glowing.
"Of course." he said smiling as he followed her out and walked side by side.
Regina looked in the back of her car and saw the two pieces of luggage that had formed. She noticed a small tag and read it out loud.
"Property of Eva Zambrano. Huh. I guess that's my name now." She said smiling to herself.
She looked through the contents of a brown leather purse and saw all of her credentials. Driver's license, health card, passport, credit cards, hospital ID, etc. It was all there, her new life was a reality.
"Well, isn't this curse very efficient." she joked to herself.
She decided to walk out of the car and further inspect her luggage in the back. Each bag opened gave her flashes of memories of people in her life. By the time 20 minutes passed she knew her entire life story. Memories from her childhood, teenage boyfriends, and her new colleagues.
Regina looked up at the sunny sky and decided to start driving. She placed the coordinates of her house into the GPS and saw the 25 hour drive. She looked through her purse and noticed a printed piece of paper with hotel confirmations on it. She assumed that this Eva person was extremely organized and planned ahead.
She set out on her road trip back to her new city. She drove for hours and took in the sights around her. This was her first time seeing anything outside of Storybrooke. As the sky darkened Regina checked into a the hotel she had apparently booked only days earlier.
It was a fairly nice hotel with a queen sized bed. She had taken her luggage upstairs with her and changed into flannel pyjamas and a grey t-shirt. She was currently lying on the bed staring at her phone contacts.
Chris Deleo
Daddy
Rayner
Tuck Brody
Nurse Graceffa
Paramedic Kleebus
Stacy *Do not answer
Jessica Lopez
Melissa C
Melissa W
…
She sat trying to remember each name and face. A knock was heard on her door and she opened it. It was a man about her age who had brought extra pillows as she requested. She gave him a polite smile and thanked him.
Regina situated herself on the bed as her eyes began to droop.
The next morning she awoke at the crack of dawn. She yawned as she checked her phone for the time. It said 5:32 and Regina groaned and turned in bed.
An hour later she got out of bed and dressed in a similar outfit from the other day. She put on the skinny jeans and wore a tight black and grey striped tank top.
Regina took her bags and put them in the back of her car before she checked out of the hotel.
She got into the driver's seat and began to drive hoping to stop somewhere to eat breakfast. She saw a diner that reminded her of Granny's. Regina pulled into the parking lot and got out to enter through the glass doors.
The smell of pancakes welcomed her as she walked in and sat at a booth closest to the doors. A blond waitress came by and cheerfully asked for her order. Regina settled on a stack of pancakes with syrup on the side and a cup of coffee.
Regina waited patiently as she looked out the window. The sun shown brightly as girls passed in crop tops and boys in board shorts.
The beach was just across the street and Regina watched the waves sway and the sand sparkle.
The waitress name Sally placed her meal in front of her and poured her a cup of coffee. Regina said her thanks and dug into the pancakes hungrily. She had driven all day before and only had a bagel for lunch. She finished her meal quickly and began to sip at her coffee, staring outside.
Sally took her plates and asked her if she needed anything else. Regina politely declined and she left her to her own.
Regina's phone buzzed on the table and she read the text that she had received.
Are you almost home? -Chris
She looked at the name and recognized the man in her first flashback. They were close for only knowing each other for a few weeks.
A few hours away. Why?
She replied quickly. She placed her phone back on the table and took another sip of her coffee, holding the cup with two hands to absorb it's warmth. Her phone buzzed once more.
No reason… ;) -Chris
Regina asked for the cheque and typed quickly on her phone.
You better not be up to something.
Sally the waitress placed the bill on the table and Regina reached into her purse to grab a twenty. She left it on the table and told the waitress to keep the change. She took one last sip of her coffee as she stood up and received another text.
I wouldn't dream of it. -Chris
Regina caught herself smiling as she started her car. She was on her way home.