Little Sparrow Mills

Chapter 4

Two days later Regina was again woken up to the girl thrashing and whimpering in her sleep. She hesitated going to comfort her this time because of her reaction before. This time she decided to just sit close by and wait for it to pass. "No...please. Im sorry. No." I cried out. I woke up in a cold sweat and breathing hard. I had dreamt of that day with those men. I could still feel him on me, and the way he smelled. It made my skin crawl and I just wanted to rip my skin off. I closed my eyes pushing those thoughts away. When I opened them I realized where I was. I raised up in bed and looked around and seen Regina? Sitting there. I flinched back because she had scared me. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to give you a little space." she said with a slight smile. I studied her for a moment. Why was she so nice? No one had ever been nice to me in my life. Still, my guard was up. I didn't know her. I didn't know where I was or what she wanted. Ow, I thought to myself. My head was pounding and my body felt like I had been thrown from a horse. "It's the magic." she said. I looked at her with confusion. Magic? "You were hurt pretty badly. I had to use a lot of magic to heal you. The effects of it will cause you to have a headache for awhile and your body will still be sore. You had quite a few broken bones. They wont heal all the way for awhile." Hearing those words just made me want cry. Replaying him kicking me. Tearing my clothes off. I just wanted to be alone! This was all just too much. " Can you tell me your name?" I pulled my knees up to my chest and looked away not wanting to answer. "It's ok. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. But id at least like to know what to call you." she said as she started to get up. I tensed up a bit not knowing what she was going to do. She then slowed her movement with her hands up as if to say she wasn't going to hurt me. She then sat at the end of the bed. "Just a name. Thats all you have to say. And I'll leave you be for awhile." I bit my lower lip and continued to avoid her gaze. Regina sighed. Giving up I presumed. "Ok. Thats fine." She said with a slight smile. A loud grumbling came from my stomach and my face turned red. Guess I didn't realize how hungry I was. "I suppose you're hungry. Its been a few days since you ate" It had been more than a few days but what difference did it make. I was used to eating little to anything anyway. "How about I get a nice warm bath ready for you? Im sure you would like to clean up. Ill go get you something to eat while you bathe. What do you say? Hmm?" I thought for a second. As much as I wanted to be alone, I wanted to wash everything away more. I finally looked up at her and gave her a small nod agreeing. "Ok. Ill be right back. Ill get that bath going."

After Regina stepped out, I surveyed the room. This was the first time I'd ever been kept in such a nice room. I felt the bed beneath me and the blankets on top of me and realized I had never slept in anything more comfortable in my life! I couldn't help but stare in awe of this room. I then looked to my left and seen a balcony. It took me a minute to get there. My ribs and legs were still very sore and I felt very weak. When I finally made it I couldn't help but think Wow! The sight before me was so beautiful! This must be the queens castle. Queens castle? Regina? She must be the evil queen! She ripped peoples hearts out. I remember people had said how mean and heartless she was. But she didn't seem that way. At least to me. Keep your guard up and dont get too comfortable I told myself. Just dont get on her bad side! I looked down and saw the most beautiful garden! My favorite pass time was to read and draw in nature. It was a place I felt comfortable. A place I could always get away for awhile. I let the beautiful sight sink in and take my mind off of things. "Baths ready dear." I heard behind me. Started, I spun around grabbing the rail behind me. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." I gave a slight smile and looked away. "Everything you need is in there. I magicked up a clean nightgown for you." I nodded and tried to make my way there. I must have stepped wrong or something because I felt a sharp pain on one side of my ribs. I groaned out in pain and grabbed my side, almost falling to my knees. Regina made her way very quickly to my side and helped. Took me by surprise! "You're still very weak dear! Shouldn't be over doing it." She said softly but sternly. I was not used to this. Someone helping and being nice to me. She must have felt how tense and uneasy I was because she again reassured me that I was safe and that she wasnt going to hurt me. We made it to the bathroom and I couldn't wait to get in and feel clean! "Shall I *ahem* help you get in?" She asked as she helped me to the side of the tub. I looked up at her and shook my head no and then took my gaze off her. I know she probably meant well and I did kind of feel bad...but I didn't know her and having someone see me was the last thing I wanted. She gave me a look of understanding and then took a step back and told me to call for her if I needed help. Before she shut the door she told me that she would go and bring my dinner up.

           I didnt feel comfortable leaving her to bathe herself but I understood why she didnt want help. I closed the door to give her privacy and sighed heavily. A million thoughts running through my head. So many emotions! Within the week I have lost my son but gained a daughter. A daughter who has been through so much and in so much pain. I feel so guilty and awful about what I did. My thoughts were pulled out as I herd her moan out in pain. It took everything I had not to go in there and help but I knew that wouldnt be good. I shook it off and headed downstairs to fix something up. "Regina, how is she?" Snow said as she walked up right beside me. I kept my head down and continued to fix her tray, "As good as someone who has just gone through what she went through can I guess." I said as I turned to walk back. "Has she said anything? Told you her name or what happened?" I sighed not really in the mood to talk to her, "No. She hasnt said a word. Can't say I blame her..." "Regina," Snow started. "Just give it time. Shes here now and we'll all do everything to make sure she stays safe with us." I felt a tear coming down so I nodded and headed off back upstairs.

I was glad she didn't push the issue any further. After she left it took me a minute to prepare myself. I was in a lot pain but pushed through it. I sank into the nice warm water. I looked down and started to examine my body. There was still some blood that started to dirty the water. I saw all the scrapes and bruises that still remained and I tried not to let the tears fall. I then saw a wash cloth and began scrubbing! Scrubbing and scrubbing till I felt somewhat clean. After I was done I laid back and tried to push my thoughts back but it wasn't working. Every time I closed my eyes, I just kept seeing his face! I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest and couldn't stop myself from crying. A few moments later and my mind went to Regina? The Evil Queen..... I don't understand why she's being so kind to me. I can't wrap my mind around it. A few weeks ago I found myself running away and just trying to survive and now I'm in the queens castle. Being taken care of by the queen herself. This is crazy! All of a sudden I heard a knock on the door and heard Regina say, "Are you alright dear? You've been in there awhile. Ive got your dinner." I realized I must have been in here awhile. A few moments had passed and I didnt know what to say when she said, "Do you need help dear? I can come in." I suppose I had to say something now or she'd come in here and I didnt want that. "Coming." I choked out. I was hoping she heard that, my voice was so hoarse from not using it. Once I heard her walking away I sighed a breath of relief and grabbed the towel and got out. Laying next to the tub I found a nightgown. I looked down at my arms and could see all the bruises from before. I also saw the scars from all the cigarette burns and abuse. I closed my eyes and sighed. If I don't go out there she'll definitely come in....I got dressed and stepped out shyly, arms folded to try to hide what I didnt want her to see. When she heard me step out she turned around and her smile slowly turned to a frown. Great! I hate being pitied and looking weak... "Come eat." She said as she motioned towards the table.

When I heard her exit the bathroom I turned and saw all the bruises and scars on her arms. My heart sank and I wanted nothing more than to embrace her and tell her who I was. But I saw the look of embarrassment and decided not to pry. She made her way to the table and we both sat. I waited for her to start eating but she made no move. Thats rather odd, I thought. I grabbed my spoon and looked up, "Eat up dear. Its ok." I said taking a bite. I noticed that after I took a bite she then took a bite. Hmmm. "I know I told you that you don't have to talk if you didn't want to, but I'd at least like to know your name dear." I studied her for a moment wondering if she would ever open up to me. After a minute or two with no response I sighed in defeat. I wouldnt push her. I took another bite and heard the faintest "My names Sparrow." I looked at her with a big smile. "Well Sparrow, its nice to meet you. I'm Regina." I said holding out my hand. I could see she was studying me, thinking if it was safe or not. It felt like an eternity before she took it but when she did, I felt something. And when I looked at her I knew she felt something too. She then quickly retracted her hand and we continued our meal in silence.