We had begun to travel up the winding tower stairs, and already I could hear the haggard breathing behind me. I had no trouble climbing these familiar stairs, but it was an obvious struggle for this new band of people. Grunts and hollers would ring out every now and then from when someone stumbled into anyone else. Rolling my eyes, I continued climbing. Reaching the heavy wooden door at the top, I pushed it open, and entered. Walking farther into the circular room, I watched as the others made their way in. I could already see the assumptions and judgments they were conjuring.

"Are you by yourself?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I have been for a couple of weeks now. An older lady would visit every week and bring extra food and necessities, but she hasn't shown up for a while," I frowned.

"You don't have any parents?" Emma pressed.

"When I was young, my mother didn't want me. The older lady took me in, though, so I've never questioned her about it. I guess I just don't care, if my mother had no interest in me, why should I take any interest in her?" I replied coolly.

"But why-"

"Sorry, I don't have much, but I hope you can make yourself at home." I cut Mary Margaret off, ending any of the previous questioning, and walked over to the single window. Raising myself up, I balanced myself in the window sill. With my back pressed to one side, my feet on the other, I teetered there.

"What nice accommodations you have," Hook mocked.

I shot him a look, but David spoke before I could. "Shut up, Hook."

"Where are you going to sleep, dear?"

I looked up to see Regina eyeing me, waiting for an answer. Looking towards my cot, I saw David and Mary Margaret already making use of it and replied cautiously, "Right here." I saw a look of concern cross her face and I quickly stated, "I sleep like this quite often."

She shook her head and said nothing. We watched each other for a little longer before I turned away and stared out my window. I let the clam wind gently tug on my black hair. I watched the dark strands dance around each other and intertwine. I closed my eyes and slowly began to slip away. Subconsciously, I reached up to grab my necklace and pulled it out of my shirt. Grasping it in my hand, I turned it around and around. Sighing, I wondered why my mother left me. It was always a hollowed out pain when I thought of her, a pain that ran deep through my body. A sense of internal longing enveloped my mind and body and I frowned.

"What is it that you are holding?"

At the sound of Regina's voice, I nearly jumped out the window. Seeing this, she leapt over and grabbed my arm to sturdy me. "Oh! I didn't mean to scare you!" she whispered.

I threw her a surprised look and replied, "I didn't think anyone was still awake!"

She smiled apologetically and nodded her head to my necklace, "So, what do you have there?"

"It's just a necklace, it belonged to my mother. It's nothing, really."

"Can I see it?" she asked curiously.

"Um, it's a little dark out. You probably wouldn't be able to see it anyhow." I sidestepped her question and tucked the necklace deeply back into my shirt. I felt the cold metal hit my skin and shivered at its touch.

Understanding my discomfort, she quietly said, "You're right, maybe some other time."

I nodded my head and watched her slide her back down the wall to fall asleep. Inspecting everyone, I was nearly satisfied everyone was still sleeping, until I saw Mr. Gold closely watching us. He looked between me and Regina, not trying very hard to hide his inquiring eyes. He met my eyes and stared at me. After a while, he stiffly nodded in my direction and then shut his eyes. I shivered, but I too turned away to look out the window. Lightning bugs were blinking in the courtyard as I wondered why he was still awake and took so much interest in me. I could still feel his beady eyes staring into my back, but tried to ignore it as best I could. Instead, I wondered what tomorrow would bring. Where could Regina's son possibly disappeared to? Who was her son? I rustled with the questions through most of the night until Regina interrupted my thoughts, again.

"Can't sleep?"

"Nope."

"I never was one for sleeping either when I was a girl. I would wander outside to the stables and brush my horse until I grew tired," she replied, voice groggy, still half asleep.

"I would fall asleep many nights in a hay bale, or in the stall. Mother was never fond of my childish ways, always disapproving. She would always holler about how when I was queen, I would have to be focused and lady-like. If I was lucky though, my father would catch me, and wake me before She could yell."

I let my mind wander. "I wish I had a horse. I would ride her everyday around the courtyard and in the woods. I would brush her everyday and she would be the most fairest in all the land."

Regina smiled very slightly, her eyes staying closed.

"Your mother sounds very mean," I stated also finally growing tired.

"In ways she was horrible. I wanted nothing more than to be rid of her. I even sent her to a far away land at one point, not realizing what I was doing. She came back later though, and it was too late before I could tell her that I understood why she was so strict." Her voice was tense and cracked, "All she ever wanted was the best for me, she just struggled in the ways she showed it."

I stayed silent taking in her words, 'all she ever wanted was the best for me.' I felt a tear roll over my cheek and quickly wiped it away, relieved everyone else was sleeping and her eyes were shut.

"Sometimes we struggle showing what we truly feel," I quietly said. "It makes us feel vulnerable and that makes us feel weak. Sometimes it's easier to put walls up and pretend that everything's okay."

Regina looked up at me, but didn't say anything, and neither did I.

Changing the subject, she quietly muttered, "Try picturing what your horse would look like if you could have one. Any one in the world."

I smiled and began to drift off. Images of horses galloped through my mind. Black ones, white ones, copper, roan, appaloosas, mustangs, quarter horses. Each one I pictured was prettier than the last. I decided that I would pick a simple palomino. One with a golden coat, like the sun, and hair white as snow. It's eyes, blue as the ocean.