Little Sparrow Mills

Chapter 8

       Zelena's words kept echoing through my mind. "I just came to check on my little sister." I remembered all the times she would yell and go on about her little sister and how she got everything, and how she was going to destroy her. Zelena never let me close enough to glimpse the person who she was spying on. But it all clicked the moment she said those words to Regina. How is it even possible that they're sisters? I thought. Zelena was cruel, heartless, and green! In the short time I've known Regina, she has been so kind and the complete opposite. And then Zelena's last words, "Im always watching." My heart began to race and I could feel more tears coming on. If she was always watching, then why did she let me runaway? Why hadn't she brought me back? Zelena wasn't the type to show mercy and she sure as hell wasn't the type to let something go. There had to be a reason. I just don't know what. "......Sparrow?" I faintly heard. I was then pulled out of my thoughts and aware of Regina right beside me. She gave me a concerned look. Like she knew I wasn't completely there, that my mind was elsewhere. I quickly looked away to wipe my tears. "Did you hear me?" She asked. I shook my head no and she squeezed my hands,"Why don't we go back up to my chambers and talk? It's much too cold out here and you still need to rest." I reluctantly agreed knowing she was going to ask about Zelena once we got back to her room. Zelena was the last person I wanted to talk about but I didn't have the energy to object. Regina then extended out her hand to help me up. We walked back to her chambers in silence. Every now and then I'd catch her looking at me, just smiling and observing me. If it were anyone else, I would have felt weird. I hated to admit it to myself, but I trusted her. I do feel safe with her and feel like this could actually be....home. I had just had a complete breakdown, and although I fought so hard against it, she didn't let go. She just held me and let me cry. Then the way she stood in front of me to protect me from Zelena was unlike anything I've ever felt. No one in my life had ever tried to protect me. I still couldn't understand it though. Regina doesn't even know me but wants to protect me and get to know me? All of this was so new to me and it honestly scared me a bit. My thoughts were again interrupted when we made it back to her chambers. "Why don't you go get comfy on the couch. I'll start a fire and get us some hot chocolate." She said as she magicked me a blanket and motioned me towards the couch. I sighed as I made my way over and sat down. It wasn't long till Regina returned. "Here you are dear." Regina said as she handed me a mug of hot chocolate then turned to the fire place and magically started the fire and then took a seat next to me. I better make myself comfortable. I thought to myself as I brought my knees up to my chest and snuggled into the blanket. I could feel her staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I guess if I was going to stay here, I needed to talk her.

After I started the fire, I took my seat next to her. My mind was all jumbled with anger and questions. I was so angry at Zelena! She was the one who tormented my daughter. I wanted to find out why! It was so convenient that she just showed up moments before I was going to tell her who I was. Did she even know that Sparrow was my daughter? If she did, why didn't she tell her? And then the words Sparrow spoke to me, "You're the one she used to spy on." I needed to find out what all she knew but I didn't want to push her too hard. We both sat there, mesmerized by the fire and sipping our hot chocolate. I looked over to her to get a feel of how this conversation was going to go, but she seemed so far way. She took a sip of her drink and brought the cup down and placed it in her lap, "I suppose we should have that talk huh?" She said, eyes still glued to the fire. "Yes. I suppose we should." I said as I scooted a bit closer to her. I was expecting her to move away or stiffen as I did, but she didn't. She took another sip and then sat the cup on the floor. "I don't even know where to start." I could see the wheels turning in her head and how her breathing had picked up. She took a deep breath in and blew it out, "When Zelena said she was just checking on her sister, I knew she meant you." She said as she turned her head to look at me. "She used to spy on you through this....glass thing in the floor. She never let me close enough to see. But she would yell and get angry and..." she hesitated that last part as she looked back to the fire. The hesitation in her voice made me realize that Zelena must have taken her anger over me out on her. "She took it out on you, didn't she?" When she didn't answer I took that as a yes. Zelena definitely had to have known Sparrow was my daughter. The question still running through my mind was why did she hide that from her. She could have easily told her. "How is it even possible that she's your sister? She's green and....wicked. You're...completely different than her." She asked. "Well, it's very complicated. I didn't even know I had a sister till I arrived here." I said, making her turn to face me. "I guess our mother gave her away some time before I came along. My mother never told me. She was a very complicated woman." I said taking a sip of my drink. I heard her sigh and when I looked over to her, there she was. Fidgeting with her fingers again. "What are you thinking about hmm?" I said with a half smile, knowing something was bothering her. "She said that she was always watching. I just don't understand. If she's always watching, why did she let me escape?" Why did she let her escape? I know she said she was going to take everything away from me. Ugh! Maybe this was all just a sick game to her! I thought. "She just showed up out of no where! I'll never be safe. Ill never truly get away from her." She said as her voice started to crack. "I wont let that happen Sparrow! We will find a way to defeat her. Theres no way I'll let her take you. I will keep you safe." She studied my face for a moment, like she was trying to figure out if I meant those words or not. But I did. I will do whatever I have to do to keep her safe. She let out a sigh and looked back to the fire, "Can we talk about something else?" "Of course." And with that we both just sat there in silence. I was taken back moments later when she leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder. I smiled and pulled her closer. We both sat like that, just enjoying each others presence and before long we both fell asleep.