Sound of Surviving

58

"Might I suggest we start by asking, if anyone has seen a woman with green skin running around," Hook said.

"We're cursed in Storybrooke," Regina reminded them. "She'll look like any one of us."

"Then we start somewhere we know she's been," Emma said. "Regina's office."

"I've been over it with a fine-toothed comb. She left no trace."

"But you were combing for magic. Maybe there's physical evidence that you missed."

"Good idea," David noted. "We'll track her."

"If you wanna waste your time playing Nancy Drew, be my guest, but we can't let Henry wander around alone with that witch and her flying monkeys out there," Regina told them.

"Well, especially, since one of these flying monkeys could turn out to be his father."

"Still no sign of Neal?" Mary Margaret asked.

"No," Emma replied.

"Point being, someone needs to protect Henry," Regina said. "He doesn't even know what's going on."

"I'm guessing you're volunteering?"

"If you find anything, call me."

"Just remember, he thinks we're here because I'm on a case."

"Well, look who's gotten good at lying."

"Just don't let anything slip up. As far as Henry knows, you're just Madame Mayor and that's it."

"I'm well aware of how Henry sees me." She left.

"Time is wasting," Nevaeh told the others. "There's something wicked in town. What do you say we go find find it?"

ZELENA'S FARMHOUSE

Zelena entered the storm cellar. Locked up in a cage Mr. Gold spun straw into gold.

"Enjoying your little toy?" Zelena asked.

"Spinning," Mr. Gold stated. "Cleans the mind. Soothes the soul. It cleans the mind. It soothes the soul. It cleans the mind. It soothes the soul."

"You look as awful as you sound." Angrily, Mr. Gold hit the bars. "What? You're not enjoying your cage, hmm? Not appreciating your jailor? Oh no. You look like you want to hurt me. Go on, then. Give it a go." She opened the cage. "I'd love to see you try. Especially, when we both know that you can't." Mr. Gold stood. "Not, when I have this." Zelena showed Mr. Gold the Dark One's dagger. "You're a slave to it and to me. Frustration can be so intoxicating. On others." Hunched, Mr. Gold crouched down in a corner of his cell. "The only one who can do the hurting here is me. So, why don't you be a good boy and sit back down?" Mr. Gold sat.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Don't let me stop you." He sang, "All the voices in my head will be quiet when I'm dead."

Zelena giggled. "I'm not here to kill you, Rumple. But you really need to keep up appearances."

"Appearances? Appearances? For what? For why? Let me spin. Spin the madness away." He resumed spinning. "Spin the madness away."

"No. I think spinning is bringing the madness. Here. Come closer. Now, hold still. Unless you want me to nick that pretty face." Using the dagger as razor, Zelena started to shave Mr. Gold. "You're probably wondering how I know how to do this. Did I ever tell you about my father? His hands used to shake from drink or worse. I didn't asked. He didn't tell me. But, he couldn't abide going a day without a shave. So, I had to learn how to shave him. He used to say that no matter what we were feeling on the inside, we had to put on our best face. In our land you and I never had that choice, did we? No matter what we did, our outside showed exactly what was rotting on the inside. But, we're in  now, aren't we? A land filled with opportunity. The least of which is to look our best." Zelena cut Mr. Gold drawing blood. He winced a little. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Did that sting?" He chuckled. "There, handsome as ever."