Broken Hearts [Once Upon A Time] {2}

Nightmares

I was asleep and I appeared in a room, with no windows or doors, just curtains and they were on fire. I saw a girl staring at me through the flames. Then I suddenly bolted up in bed and screamed. Grandpa rushed down the stairs.

"Rose? Rose?" He asked as I looked around. Grandpa got over to me. "Hey, hey, hey, hey. You're okay, you're okay. You're okay, you're okay," Grandpa said as he sat down on the bed .

"I . . . I just had the worst nightmare," I said. "It's over now," Grandpa said. "Okay," I said. "Okay? Here. This will help," He said and he lighted a candle next to my bed. "A candle?" I asked. "Yeah. They keep the nightmares away," He replied before he stroked my hair, "Now, talk to me. What was so bad?"

"I was in this room, and . . . And it was red. And there was no doors, no windows. And these curtains . . . And they were on fire. And . . . I was in this corner," I said. "Right," Grandpa said quietly.

"And . . . And I was looking out, and there was someone else there. She was staring at me through the flames. Th-Then I woke up and . . ." I said. "Hey, don't worry, alright? It was just a bad dream," He said.

...................................

I was at the Sheriff's Station with Grandpa when we got a call from the Dwarfs. They said that Leroy came across a cave and fell in. So we got into the police car, we got Mother Superior along with us and drove to the mines. We entered the mine and encountered Happy.

"Where is he?" Grandpa asked. Happy guided us to where Leroy fell through the wall. Below, we saw Leroy and several of the other Dwarves, along with hundreds of diamonds lining the walls and ceiling of the mine.

"Are those . . ." I started. "Diamonds. They're back. The magic brought them back," Mother Superior said. "You mean, the kind that become fairy dust?" I asked. "Indeed. We just need to refine them -- grind them up," Mother Superior said before looking at Grandpa, "Do you still have what remains of Jefferson's hat?"

Grandpa took out the battered hat. "You lock this up. Keep it safe. Because, by this time tomorrow, we'll have enough magic dust to make it work again," Mother Superior said. "So, Mary Margaret and Emma . . ." I trailed off with a smile. "That's right, kid. We're bringing 'em home," Grandpa said with a smile.

We were at Granny's, Grandpa, Mother Superior, Belle, and the Dwarves were celebrating with a round of drinks. "To the dwarves!" Grandpa said and they all cheered. "That was quite a spill. Are you okay?" He asked Leroy. "I've had worse," Leroy said and they all laughed.

Meanwhile, I was drinking a cup of coffee and Grandpa joined me. He frowned, "Is that coffee?" He asked. "No," I lied. Grandpa took off his jacket, "Trying to stay up, huh?" He said as he sat down and I nodded.

"Still worried about those nightmares?" Grandpa asked and I nodded again. "Well, don't be. Cause, when you go to sleep tonight, I'm going to be right in the next room," He said. I gave a small nod and smiled. Grandpa smiled as well, "Now maybe, lose the java, and go grab a cocoa," He said as he pulled the cup from me to the side and I smiled. I got up and got some.

...................................

Later that night I have the nightmare. "Help! Help!" I yelled. Across the room, another person appeared. "Hey! Hey! Who are you? Where are we?" I asked. "Rose? Rose, wake up," Regina said, waking me up. "It's okay. It's okay. You're okay."

"Wh-what are you doing here? Where's David?" I asked. "He got an emergency call this morning, and he asked me to look after you. He told me you've been having nightmares," Regina said, "It's okay. You can --" She touched my hand and I recoil in pain, "Ah!" She inspected my hand, and find a burn running up the side of it. "Is that a burn?" She asked.

I was out of bed when Regina made a call to Mr. Gold. He came over and Regina made me show my hand to him. "Oh, yes. You were quite right to call me," Mr. Gold said and I dropped my hand. "So you can help? It was just a dream," I said.

"Well, what you're describing's certainly not a dream," He said. "Then, what was it?" Regina asked. "A side effect," He replied, "You know, it's remarkable you'd cast a curse you know so little about."

"My victims are not supposed to wake up. That's why I certainly never cared what happened to them after," Regina said and looked at me, ". . . Until now."

Mr. Gold, use the kit of potions he brought along with him, began to prepare a potion. He carefully dripped the various liquids into a pendant attached to a chain as he explained, "When people fall under a sleeping curse, the soul travels to a Netherworld, where it resides until awoken. Now, this world is between life and death, and it's very real. However, even when the curse is broken, sometimes, in sleep, the victims find their way back to that world. Victims like you."

I walked over to him and Regina walked over, and stood behind me. "This other world is tormenting my daughter every time she sleeps. I want you to give her something that will keep her from going there," She said as she put her hands on my shoulders.

"Well, I'm afraid that's not possible. I can, however, provide you with something that will allow her to control her actions whilst in that world. And once one controls something, one no longer need fear it," Mr. Gold said and he hold up the finished product - a necklace.

"A necklace?" I asked. "You wear this while you're sleeping. Once you control the journey, fear will stop. And then, you can come and go as you please," Mr. Gold explained. He extended the necklace to me, but Regina stopped me from taking it. "Everything comes at a price with you. What do you want for this?" She asked.

"For a house call? You couldn't afford it. But this is for Rose. This one's on me," Mr. Gold said. He handed the necklace to me, and this time, I took it.

...................

That night I was wearing the necklace, and I saw the same girl. I closed my eyes and the flames gradually subside. "Wait. Don't be scared," I said, "My name's Rose."