I don't think any chapter will ever beat that one, so many feels...

Thanks, as always, for the love, guys :D


Disclaimers have been said


Chapter 8

She didn't sleep that night, her mind reeling with thoughts, memories, nightmares. Regina checked the small alarm clock. 1:44 am... She sighed, rolling out of bed and going to the window, looking out. Her eyes fell on nothing in particular, just a place she could gaze at and sort out her thoughts.

Was she ok? That was the main question, pushing through her head, demanding to be answered. Because she didn't know anymore. She'd always been...strong, or at least tried to be; she dealt with everything, didn't let it get to her. But now, she couldn't sleep, she could only just eat, she was breaking down in front of people... It was as if now she didn't have to be strong, she wasn't. That was it. She didn't have to be strong anymore, Zelena would help her, Robin would help her, others too.

But she wasn't okay, that was the realisation she'd come to. She wasn't ok, she was broken, she was shattered into thousands of tiny pieces, difficult to fix. Daniel had broken her over the years, each bruise breaking into her surface a little deeper, each cut slicing into soul, his words inflicting more pain than any of the wounds. He was her murderer, the one who'd torn her spirit into shreds, allowing it to bleed across the floor and make her watch helplessly. Regina shook her head, closing her eyes. She moved from her space, frowning as her head spun slightly. She winced as she her foot slipped, twisting her ankle.

His shadow over her.

Regina put a hand to her head.

The throbbing in her ankle increased, wood splinters surrounding her on the carpet.

She frowned, the wave of dizziness increasing.

"Do you understand?" He growled, mouth by her ear. The brunette whimpered, tears in her eyes. She nodded.

"Good" He spat.

Panic flared in her chest. What...What was happening?

He landed another slap to her cheek, his sneer curling at his lips in a menacing snarl.

"Z-Zelena!" Regina practically screamed. "Zelena!" She trembled, trying to find something to clutch onto as the flashbacks intruded her mind.

Her ankle throbbed. Her vision was blurred from tears as she looked at it, blood trickling from a cut.

Zelena was there in an instant, her brow furrowed. She saw Regina and gasped, rushing to her side.

"Regina?"

The brunette was shaking. The flashbacks and dizziness retreated, leaving her in a shaken state. Zelena put an arm around her shoulders, leading her back to the bed. Regina sunk to the floor instead, arms wrapping around her legs. Zelena sat next to her, her arm still around Regina's shoulders. The younger woman leant her head on the redhead's shoulder.

"Shhh, Regina, I got you, sis, I got you" Zelena whispered, stroking Regina's hair softly. Whatever had happened, it had clearly sparked something in her sister, something bad. Zelena bit her lip. Perhaps it was best if she contacted Archie, asked if he could help... She'd ask Regina in the morning. For now, she stayed on the floor, comforting the quivering brunette.


A/N Short chapter, I know, but y'all can surely understand.

Also, I was sent a very interesting PM. It was very observational. If you remember, back in Chapter 2, I listed the people who'd done something to cause Regina nightmares. They were Cora, Daniel, and Leopald. This person (they'll remain nameless) observed how I haven't yet said what happened between Regina and Leopald. So, I wanna see if any of y'all can guess. Comment what you think happened, we'll see who's right ;)

-Oncie