Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-24545014-20151104203635/@comment-25926288-20151104211925

Yes, it has been shown to do that. When trying to find Eric and Anna, the item would try to go as close the person as physically possible.

It always took people to the water because that is the lowest point physically in Storybrooke. The Water can be used as a portal by mermaids and such.

(It's better that that fly straight in the sky and into outer space.)