The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 88] Caged In

I just hope that he won't end up in a shallow grave. Clayton might've been many things in his life, but nobody deserves to be shamelessly buried. I killed him. The least I can do is give him a proper burial. If I've learned anything in the Forbidden Jungle, I always respect the dead—burials, well that's more of a human thing.

To keep thinking about death, it sends shivers down my spine. Yet, I don't dare move.

Mom is busy applying the last of the bandages I need on my burns.

"Melody—" Gold calls.

I lift my eyes at him.

"Keep working at your magic."

I don't nod. I don't make some smart remark. Nothing whatsoever. My hands continue to wave about, each finger synchronizing in different directions. Magic that surges through my arms numbs whatever tingle from the burns. It's the only relief I get. However, it still drains my energy. I can look weak and feeble, but my magic is getting stronger the more I tinker with it. My powers grow normal.

Whatever Mom and Gold did to me to stop the fires, they didn't suck me dry of magic.

Shame.

Then, a glass of water comes into my view. Trailing up the arm that is holding the glass, Zelena is also holding a now-awake Robyn. No wonder she took longer. I grab the cup from her hand, barely realizing that my arm is all bandaged up. Mom's gone. Wonder when she finished? Either way, at least she's done being doctor. Even when I have the cup in my hand, I don't pull it back. I find myself staring at Robyn. She's so tiny against Zelena. Nothing but innocence. She most likely doesn't realize what's wrong with me, and she'll forget all about by the time she's my age.

Sometimes, it's the youngs that need to remind me why I'm doing this.

The peace of mind for every family is threatened by Sabor. Although killing doesn't condone their protection, seeing Robyn is like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm tempted to caress her soft head of hair.

But I don't. I could too stained with sins to be anywhere near Robyn. Do I smell as rotten as Sabor?

Both my hands grip around the glass of water, stopping me from doing anything else. I quickly retract my arms, bring the glass to my lips, and gulp about half the water inside the cup. As much as the cool water is sweet relief to my dry throat, it takes effort to swallow it all. I can feel my throat stretching to fit the full amount. I wince but try not to make a sound.

"How is it coming along?" Zelena asks as she takes the spot next to me.

"Fine," my voice cracks. "Magic still lives."

"Even so, what were you thinking going out there in the middle of the night?"

"I..." I stutter. If I take another drink, Zelena will know I'm stalling. "I'm still trying to piece it all together." Then, I chug some more water.

"This might've been inevitable," Gold adds on.

I can't help but sigh. "Exactly. It's just... Everything with..." I struggle to find the right words. I clench on the glass. "Everything hurts. I guess I was tired of hurting." I groan, laying my head on the rim of the cup. "I caved in, and I regret everything."

"It couldn't have been your fault, Mel." Henry puts his hand on my back. I don't look to him, but to be honest, I completely forgot he was sitting next to me. Then again, my burns were the only thing on my mind. "That Voice—"