The Return (Once Upon a Time sequel)

Chapter 21

"No. We don't confront it. It will feel threatened and that will not work out in our favour. We wait a few days and think of a plan. Then we strike." Peter announced.

I nodded my head in agreement.

"I'm ready to face the truth. I deserve to know it." I said.

Peter and I then glanced at my mother who looked hesitant. She looked at Peter who nodded encouragingly at her. She swallowed before replying.

"Alright. I'm in."

She then leaned into Peter who put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him and planting a kiss on her forehead.

It was weird to see his soft side to say the least. I had never imagined this boy...this....man, with a soft and caring side. Looks like there's more to a person than what he shows after all....

*~*~*~*

"I want to get out of here."

"I know sweetie, but don't you want to wait a bit longer before you get out of bed?"

"Mom, I just want to walk again. Now bring me those cruches."

My mother sighed before grabbing the cruches that were made for me by Sam, one of the Lost Boys. I was supposed to stay in bed for a few more days but I couldn't sit in my cabin any longer. I needed fresh air, craved activity. I wasn't a person that usually stayed in. I needed to be freed from my prison like a bird from a cage. Because no person can stay locked up.

"Here." My mother said as she handed me the item.

"Thank you." I replied, irritation dripping from my voice.

I placed each cruch on either side of my body as I sat on the edge of my bed. I took a deep breath as I started pulling myself up with the help of my hands. I tried to stand on my feet but that resulted in me losing balance and falling on the floor. My mom rushed towards me to help me stand up again.

I let out a cry of frustration as she helped me sit back on the bed.

"You should've listened to me. Why do you always ignore my advice when you know I'm right?" My mom argued.

"Because. That's why." I spat, irritated.

It was the third time that I had been trying to get up in a week and this was the third time I failed. My mother rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Why do you want to get up so badly? Why won't you let the numbness slowly fade?" She questioned.

"Because I can't stay in here any longer!!! I feel like an animal in the zoo. Except for the fact that I don't get any visitors except from you, Peter and Tink." I replied, sinking into my pillow.

In case you're wondering. Yes, I still refused to call Peter as dad. Why? Because I still had a hard time processing the whole situation. And yes, I didn't get any visits from others because everyone was busy rebuilding the camp. A few nights ago, the pirates attacked, burning down most cabins and the whole training area. Luckily, the Lost Boys put the fire out before it could cause any more damage or reach my cabin. Peter and my mother were fighting in the front row.

"Ahhh, Grace. How delightful to see you again." Hook had called out when he recognized my mother.

"Hook, what a surprise seeing you here. Failing once again to take over the camp." My mother snapped.

Hook laughed evilly, glancing in my direction. He had found my cabin and had bursted in, threatning to take me away so that I could help him with his plan. But he couldn't explain to me what it was since my mother interfered.

"You are underestimating my power darling, haven't you learned from our past encounters?" He reminded her.

Shock overcame my mother but she quickly pulled her walls up.

"I have. But you have probably forgotten how quickly I could crawl out of your traps. Did you really think that I would fall for that act of kindness?" She replied before lunging for him.

A sword fight played out in front of me, with me being taken aback by my mother's amazing skills.

Hook lost the sword fight and managed to get away with the majority of his crew members. The fire was put out and the remaining pirates were tied to a tree. The rest I do not know since Peter refused to tell me their punishment. By the look on my mother's face, I understood that I shouldn't ask any further.

"Well, Alek said he would come and visit you as soon as he finished with cleaning up the training area..." My mother pointed out.

"He has been telling you this for the past two days! I at least expected him to visit me. Out of all people! Along with Nate. They are the two people closest to me." I argued.

My mother opened her mouth to cut me off but closed it at the mention of Nate's name. My eyes widened slightly as I recognized the look on her face.

"Mom....what is wrong with Nate?" I asked carefully.

"Wha-, nothing honey. He's alright." My mother replied too quickly.

"Stop lying for God's sake and answer me!" I demanded.

My mother looked down at her hands, hesitant.

"Nate hasn't been himself that much lately, at least... from what I've heard and from what I've seen...." My mother announced.

I furrowed an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Nate has been distant, or so I've been told. He uh...he's very skeptical about some things, he's getting into fights a lot lately. Rumour has it that he did something to become like this but no one knows what it is. He won't open up about his actions, not even to Peter." My mother announced.

I stared at her for a while. Not moving. Just sitting frozen in my position.

After what felt like forever, I finally snapped out of my trance and let out dry laughter.

"Have you tried to talk to him?" I asked.

"Yes. But he won't listen to anybody. Maybe it's best to leave him alone." My mother suggested.

"We already have. It's time to get back on our feet, literally and figularly." I responded, already planning out my moves.