"Unless there are anymore questions, then - " Miss Marple paused. Blue, a boy with long brown hair, had shot his arm into the arm urgently, as his gaze was focused on the window.

"Yes, Blue?"

"Um ... There's crows outside."

A sigh of frustration passed through, Miss Marple's lips. "Birds tend to live outside. Now as I was saying - "

"But Miss. There are a lot of them."

Before she could contain the situation, the students had gotten out of there chairs. The were qawking out the window.

"I see Ravens too."

"That one looks, like a duck."

"Is that a vulture?"

Miss Marple frowned in confusion. Vultures didn't live in this part of the country. She walked over to the window and her breath caught in her throat. There were hundreds of blackbirds. Crows, Ravens, vultures and even a few Condors. Most of them were on the main quad in front of the school, but they covered almost every branch and powerline. This wasn't normal. The window opening brought, Miss Marple back to herself. One of the students had opened a window and a flock of birds surged toward them.

"Close the window!"

Blue managed to shut the window in time, but a crow had crashed against it. A large crack formed in the window. If another bird hit it, then they'd swarm the school.

"What's happening, Miss?"

"I don't know."

...

Grannie's diner was packed. In a booth sat Regina and Henry. He skipped school to keep her company. Robin was spending time with the baby and Zelena. He'd offered Regina to come with them, but Regina felt it was best they have alone time with the baby. Henry insisted he spend the day with her to occupy her time.

"Would a chocolate sundae make it better?"

She smiled half-heartedly. "No, Henry. You can have one, though."

"Regina!" Grannie called out. Everyone in the diner went silent. "There's hundreds of birds at the school. There blocking everyone from leaving. The dwarves tried to shoo them away, but the birds attacked them. Happy is in the hospital."

"I guess it's a good thing. I decided to skip school." Henry joked.

"And you continue to miss it while I'm gone. Stay here, okay?"

He pursed his lips. "Okay."

Regina kissed his forehead and left. Most of the diner followed her exit. Retreating to their homes for safety. Except for one person. She sat directly behind him, so she surprised him, when she tapped his shoulder, ever so lightly. Beautiful, that was the word that echoed in his head, at the sight of her. Gold hair cascaded down her shoulder, half-covering her pale blue eyes. Her skin looked smooth, like peaches and cream.

he hadn't realised his mouth was hanging open, until she shut it for him. He looked away with pink cheeks. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Let's me know, I'm not wasting my time." She got up and sat next to him. She smelt like roses and daisies. The scent caused his heart to race. "I'm Fenella." She introduced, softly.

"Henry."

She leaned back. "Am I sitting to close. I can go, if - "

"No. I don't mind." He interrupted, quickly. Fenella smiled at his eagerness.

"Was that your mother? Who left?" She asked.

"Yeah. One of them." He sipped some of his chocolate milk, to clear his throat.

He didn't see the milk moustache he left on his face. Fenella gave a short laugh. Henry found it to be, another thing that made her beautiful. His smile dropped, when she cupped his cheek. Her thumb wiping the milk away. He didn't have enough time to look embarrassed, as she sucked the pad of her thumb.

...

"Oh good. You've arrived." Gold said, dryly to Regina. He stood a dozen feet away from the parimeter, the birds had formed.

"What are you doing here, Gold?"

"I thought I could be of help. Now that I am a hero."

She laughed. "What were you planning to do? Swat them with your cane?"

"What may I ask, is your idea?"

Her mouth curled in a smile, before a fireball formed in her hand. "Roast Chicken."

"I have have a less reckless solution." He pulled a a glass bottle from his bag. Blue sparks danced within it. Gold aimed the neck toward the sky and uncorked it. The blue sparks shot out of it and a thunderous crack followed. Frightening the birds away. Gold waved the bottle at, Regina.

"Lightning in a bottle."

Regina rolled her eyes and walked toward the school. "How incredibly literal."

Gold smiled in pride, as he followed her. However the two of them stopped at the sight of scorched concrete. An eagle was perched in a tree behind them? His gaze had watched them intently, before he flew away. Having learnt all he needed.

Burnt into the concrete was the symbol of a blackbird, which was encased in a circle. Below it were the words:

This Is Only The Beginning