The Return (Once Upon a Time sequel)

Chapter 33

"How pitiful is that?" He added, looking up at me.

"I have lived with these boys for a long time now and I've seen how they live and train. They're good people who don't hurt others without a reason to do so. Maybe you thought you were protecting them but you did it the wrong way." I spoke up.

"But it's all over now. Peter's going to come to rescue his only daughter and he'll end up getting himself killed." I looked deeply into Zen's eyes.

"I won't let it happen though."

"I won't kill him, if that's what you're afraid of." Zen defended himself.

"If I wanted to I would've killed him already. I had my chance, remember?" He added.

"No, I will take him to my master like I promised. It's my final task in order to complete my training and grow even stronger."

"You just said that you've been training to kill him." I said, staring at him dumbfounded.

"Yes, but now he needs him. Alive." Zed corrected me.

He then stood up and walked back to the tree, picking up his black shirt and putting it on.
I tried to stand up myself but let out a scream of pain and fell back onto the grass.

"Don't push yourself, you've had a rough day. Stay here, I'll go fetch us something to eat." Zen suggested.

"Yeah, like I care. I'm not going to sit here." I spat.

"You are free to leave if you want. I haven't tied you up if you've noticed." Said Zen.

"Good." I replied, trying to stand up again but cried out in pain.

"You really are an idiot." He chuckled, walking up to me.

"And you're a fool." I snapped.

"Even if you were able to get up, I'd suggest you not to go and have a look over there." Zen said, pointing at the dark woods.

A few pairs of glowing eyes stood there, lurking at us, causing shivers to run up my spine.

"What the hell is that?!" I asked.

"Nightmarish fiends. Quite literally, living nightmares. Even Nate or Felix would be nothing but a pile of flesh if they were to meet these creatures." Zen informed me.

"The only reason they don't attack is because they are scared of me. So in short, you're alive because you're near me." He added.

"So if you want to go sweetie, good luck with them." He patted my head before standing up.

"I've come across them before. And I survived." I announced.

"Didn't you say you were going to look for food while I stayed here? Seems like a brilliant plan with these beasts lurking around. I'll be dead before you return and then the only thing you should be running away from and be scared of is Peter's wrath." I said.

"What do you think we'll be eating, love?" Replied Zen.

My eyes widened in shock.

"I refuse to eat a monster. You're crazy!" I snapped.

"I've been eating these for two hundred years. They're not that bad." Zen shrugged.

"That's disgusting." I exclaimed.

"Suit yourself." He grabbed his sword and looked at me.

"Put this on if you're cold. I'll be back in a bit." He threw me a coat and I caught it, looking down at it.

"Thanks? I guess..." I mumbled and watched him walk away.

A loud screeching was heard from deep in the woods and I turned around abruptly. What was I doing here? I had to leave now that I had the chance!