Look How Far We've Come

Twelve

A/N 1: Possible Triggers!

*Flashback*

The only time Regina was ever afraid was when her mother was involved. The fear started when Regina was just ten years old. She had been playing with some of the children in the village. Her mother had warned her about doing so, claiming they were filthy peasants, but Regina was a stubborn child.

Cora hated that Regina refused to cooperate with her. The Queen of Hearts had only used magic on Regina one time, and Henry had been so angry. He had threatened to banish her if she ever did it again. Now, though, Cora was in control of her husband, and was determined to be with her daughter as well.

"Where have you been?" Cora asks in an icy tone when the young girl enters the home.

"In the stables." The lie flows easily from Regina's lips. She had a lot of experience lying to her mother.

"You foolish girl! Tell the truth!" Cora exclaims. "I was at the stables and you were not there!"

"Y-you never go to the stables, mother." Regina gasps. Suddenly Regina is choking and her feet are being lifted off the ground. "Stop! Please!"

"Not until you learn your lesson." Cora insists. "Fear is a very effective tool, my dear, and I intend to use it until you are blue in the face."

Regina begins squirms around as if trying to free herself. She just wanted this to stop. Cora is grinning as if she is pleased to see her daughter struggle. Regina decides to just give in. Maybe if she told Cora the truth her mother would let her go,

"I was playing with my friends." Regina manages to get out.

"Those filthy street rats are not your friends!" Cora screams. She lowers Regina, but the young girl knows her punishment is not over. "You will stay away from them."

"But mother I have no one-" Cora cuts Regina off by bounding her again.

"Do not argue with me." Cora growls.

Regina suddenly feels a burning sensation on her upper lip. She can't move to stop it and it hurts worse than the choking had. The brunette yells and cries. She begs for her mother to stop. After what seems like forever Cora lowers her hand, and the pain subsides. The bounds wrapped across Regina's body break. She traces her finger along the spot where her skin used to be so smooth.

"There...now you will remember what happens when lie to me." Cora's voice is still cold as ice. "The scar on your lip even makes you look like a peasant."

Regina begins to sob and run into the house. So much for the truth setting her free. It only made Cora angrier. Regina realizes telling the truth made her weaker and it gave Cora power over her. She vows that she will never let anyone make her feel this way again, and her new scar would help remind her of that. She'd always remember to be strong.

12:

Emma was completely frantic. Nobody could bring her any comfort. The only person that could ease Emma's worrying was missing. Not even Snow and David knew what to do.

Henry, on the other hand, didn't know that Regina was missing. The family had sent him with Ruby until they had found more information. Worrying Henry would do no good for anyone, especially with Emma in her current state.

The savior had also turned on Neal. She was so angry and so upset, she blamed him for it. She said it was his fault for bringing Tamara here in the first place. There was no reasoning with Emma on this, not without Regina there.