Chapter 2
Both Pascal and Maximus wanted to leave, but they couldn't, not with the trainers around. They'll be caught for sure! So, they waited.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long, for the people started leaving.
"Come on, Pam." Pam's friend said to her. "It's lunch time."
"I'm coming." Pam, a brown curly haired 14-year-old told her. "Just let me say goodbye to Mist." Her friend left as Pam petted Mist, a white horse, and hugged her. "I'll save you a carrot." She then left.
Maximus took this as an opportunity. Max helped Pascal onto his back, and the reptile held onto a tuft of mane, and the horse got ready, and rammed into the door, trying to smash it open. Unfortunately it didn't work, and he cried out in pain. Pascal patted him in comfort, and squeaked, urging him to try again. And so, he did. He tried again… and again…and again. All of the horses looked up at the commotion. Maximus was out of breath. It was hopeless. He will never break this door open. It was too strong. He was about to give up when Pascal urged him again. Maximus looked at the chameleon, and shook his head, refusing with a snort. Pascal glared at him. The horse neighed at him as the chameleon kept squeaking. The horses all looked again at their 'conversation'.
Maximus gave in. Pascal was satisfied. The horse got ready again, and rammed into the door as hard as he could. This time he broke it! He was now free! The two animals were happy. Then, Maximus was determined. He galloped to the front of the stable as fast as he could, with Pascal beaming even more as they got closer and closer.
Suddenly, Chester and an older man appeared, causing Maximus to halt in his tracks. Pascal jumped to the floor, and blended in as he went incognito. The two men looked at the horse, the older one not looking happy.
"Son," The man said to Chester. "Why is this horse out of its stall?"
"Sorry, Dad." Chester said to his father. "He wasn't supposed to get out."
"Well he did." He then noticed the collapsed door. "And it looks like he did a number on his stall door. Luckily, we have a spare. Put this horse in that one while this one is being fixed, understand?"
"Understood, Dad." He ushered Max to follow, and to his surprise, and Pascal's, the horse did with his head down. He was ushered to his new stall, obviously, not happy about it. Pascal frowned, snapping his fingers in frustration.
"And after this, go and have your lunch."
"Yes, Dad." His dad was about to go when Chester spoke up. "Oh, Dad?" The father looked at him. "What do you think of me finally wrangling a horse after all of these years?"
"Good job, son. I'm proud of you." Chester smiled.
"Thanks. I'm proud of me too."
"Now, finish up here."
"Yes, Dad." His father left, and Chester continued leading Maximus.
"Now, don't cause trouble too." Chester said when he was in the stall. "Please, I don't want to look bad in front of my father now that I captured you." He left, locking the door. Pascal reappeared. He guessed that the horse wasn't going to try again. He didn't blame him. He wouldn't try again either, but they had to get out eventually.
"I knew I should've ordered someone to go get food." King Fredrick said. "Food is more important. It's been over an hour. I am the king, darn it! They should've been back by now."
"Hate to be that guy to say I told you so." Eugene started. "But, I am that guy, and I did tell you so. I told you good! This is what happens when you put your full confidence in animals to do a human's job."
"This is all my fault." Rapunzel said. "I should've never let them go."
"Rapunzel." Fredrick said, going over to comfort his daughter. "You didn't know, not completely anyways. You trusted them."
"No, Dad, you don't understand. I'm the reason why all of the food is gone!" Everyone gasped in shock. Fredrick narrowed his eyes.
"Rapunzel, please explain."
"You see, while you and Mom were out last night, I threw a party."
"Oh yeah!" Eugene said. "I remember it now! Man, that was one wild party last night! We had a lot of food, and I mean a lot!"
"I forgot about the food until Eugene reminded me. And everyone wasn't exactly extremely busy. I lied because Pascal doesn't do much here, and I wanted to change that, make him useful. And I knew he'll do a better job with Maximus, so, that's why I sent them both. I'm sorry, Dad. I should've told you."
"Rapunzel, I'm glad you told me all of this. I wanted to trust them fully too, so, that's why I didn't send a human after them. This is one of the things as queen you will be responsible for one day." He then thought of something. "Why didn't any of the guards do something about the party?" Rapunzel shrugged.
"Some of them approved. Cassandra made sure her father and some of the other guards were unaware of it."
"And that's why Stan and Pete are sick." Eugene explained. "They were partying too much."
"I'll send a search party out for them." The king stated. He left. Rapunzel sighed sadly. Eugene went to comfort her.
"They'll find them." Eugene told her. "I miss them too even the frog." Rapunzel smiled.
"Thanks." She then frowned. "But I'm still worried."
"I know, but, you can't let worry get to you. You have to see how things go, and how they're going to turn out."
"I'll try." Eugene smiled.
"That's my Rapunzel."
Maximus had an idea. He neighed at Pascal while pointing his hoof at the exit, then moved his head to the side. Pascal didn't get it, and shrugged. Maximus did it again and again. Pascal then got it after picturing the bag on his side. The horse wanted him to get the bag. He showed him that he got it with a thumbs up. But, where was the bag? He just didn't know. The horse neighed at him to hurry, and Pascal nodded. He will find it when he finds it. He prayed that it was soon. And with that, the little chameleon was off. Maximus neighed one last time, wishing him luck.
Pascal saw a house. This must be the main house. Is the bag in there? He just had to go and see. He scurried to the house.
He went room to room, upstairs and downstairs looking and tearing into everything, but no bag. He decided it must not be here. He was about to leave when someone saw him He looked; it was Pam. He was about to blend in when Pam spoke.
"No, no, it's alright." She assured him. "You don't need to hide. I'm not going to hurt you." Pascal looked at her. "What are you doing here? Never mind. You have to get out of here little guy. Grant won't like you in his house." She picked him up. "I'll show you the way out." She went to the exit, but not before looking all around. "Man, you really did a number on this place."
They were about to leave when Pascal saw the bag in an office, just sitting there on a chair. How could he have missed it? It was just right out in the open. He must have been so absorbed in finding the bag that he forgot to see clearly. That was the only explanation he had about it. The chameleon just chirped excitedly, and hopped down. Pam was confused as he scurried to the room. "Where are you going? That's Grant's office. Come back!" She ran in after the reptile
Pascal looked at the bag, and hopped into it. He gasped when he saw all the food and money were gone. Where did they all go? He sighed. The humans must've taken them out. All of that work going to market getting the food, and getting all of the food back was for nothing. He didn't want to find them. He just had to pray he and Max will get them all again at the marketplace. He pushed the bag off the chair. He then hopped down, and pushed it forward. Pam watched all of this in shock, Pascal was already tired, but he had to do this. For Maximus. For Rapunzel. For the entire castle.
"Uh, do you need help?" Pam asked. Pascal looked at the girl. At this rate, it would be forever until he reached Maximus, and he could use help. But can this young human be trusted? He decided to give her a shot, and had nothing to lose. He nodded. This shocked Pam. "You can understand me?" Again, the chameleon nodded. "Okay, what do you need me to do?" Pascal was about to respond when they heard a voice.
"Okay, Pamela!" The voice shouted. "I finished my lunch; this better be good." Pam gasped and quickly picked up Pascal, and hid him into the bag.
"Shhhh!" She whispered to him. "Grant can't see you, hide in here; I'll take you later." Pascal peeked out and saw Chester's dad, Grant, come in. He sat in his chair.
"Now, what do you need to tell me?"
"Well, sir, it's…"
"I don't have all day Pam." Pam took a deep breath and let it all out.
"Sir, it's about the horses. I've seen how you and your employees have been treating them, and it's sick. You can't beat on a horse every time it misbehaves. That's animal cruelty, and I won't stand for it."
"Pam, I'm sorry you don't like it, but that's how things are around here. How else do you suppose a horse will obey us?"
"By being patient gentle, and kind. Please, there are better ways. What you are doing right now is inhumane. I can have you reported, and arrested for this."
"You can, but you won't. Remember Pam, you need this job considering you and your mother might lose your house." Pam sighed, remembering. Pascal looked at her. So, if she quits this job, she and her mom will be homeless? How terrible!
"Right. I know that."
"Good. Then there's nothing left to talk about, right?" Pam sighed.
"Right."
"Now, go and finish your jobs, I don't want to have this conversation again."
"Right. I'm sorry I wasted your time." She was about to leave the office with the bag and Pascal when her boss spoke again. "Oh, and Pam?" Pam looked at him.
"Yes?" She questioned. Grant gestured towards the bag. "Is that a new bag? I never saw you with it before."
"Oh, uh…" She looked at Pascal who looked at her, begging. She looked back at Grant. "Yes, I just brought it yesterday."
"I see. Well, you may go now. I just wanted to know about the bag."
"Thank you, sir." She was about to leave when Grant spoke again.
"Pick all this stuff up, then you may leave, and do your other jobs."
"Okay. Will do, sir."
Pam cleaned up the whole house with Pascal's help, then left the house with him.
"It is okay if I go to the stables first?" Pam asked the reptile in the bag. "I have to feed this horse that I like a carrot." Pascal nodded right away. Pam smiled, and they went to the stables.
Once they were there, Pascal leaped out of the bag, and ran towards Maximus. Pam noticed this, and looked at him. "Is this your friend?" Pascal nodded. Pam went closer. "May I?" Pascal nodded, but Maximus wasn't so sure. He backed up, neighing. "Shhh; it's okay, I won't hurt you." Pascal jumped onto the bag, and onto the horse's back, patting him to comfort him. The horse calmed down, and Pam petted Max's nose. "See? I'm friendly towards horses like yourself. I won't hurt you. You can trust me." She looked at his white coat. "You have a very beautiful coat." Maximus noticed the carrot in Pam's pocket, and went for a bite. Pam stepped back. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is for another horse, Mist. I hope you don't mind." Maximus was disappointed, but understood. "Now, I have to feed her, and then get back to work." She looked at Pascal. "You don't need any more help. Do you?" Pascal looked at Maximus. The horse snorted, shaking his head. Pascal looked at Pam, and pointed to the bag. Pam looked at it, then back at them. "Is this bag yours?" Both animals nodded. She looked at the saddle and bridle on the wall, then back at Max. "And are those yours too?" Max nodded. Pam gasped. "Are you stolen?" The horse nodded a third time. "Ugh; I can't believe they would stoop so low! Okay, I have to feed Mist, then get to work. Afterwards, I'll come back, and I'll help you two get out of here. It might cost me my job, but anything to help out a horse…and his little friend, but hopefully not. I need this job, which is why I'm going now. Hope you two don't mind"
She put the bag on the ground, fed Mist, then left. Max shook his head. Pascal shrugged, and squeaked, and squeaked. Again, the two were having a 'conversation'. All of the horses saw this. The two noticed, grinned nervously at them, and continued on with their 'conversation'
At the end, Max sighed. He knew what the chameleon knew. The two will have to wait for Pam to help them, and Max will have to trust someone outside of the castle. He knew that Pascal already did. He hoped he was right, and Pam is what she says she is, and is not going to backstab them.
Pam came back with a carrot. Mist got excited, and neighed with glee.
"Sorry, Mist." She told him. She looked at Max. "This is for our newcomer." Mist snorted in disappointment. Max got excited, and when Pam got closer, ate the carrot right up. Pam laughed. "My, you were hungry, weren't you?" Max neighed. Pam grinned. "What can I say? I know what a horse wants." She cleared her throat. "Okay, we need to get you two out of here so that you guys can get reunited with your owners." Pam helped Maximus into his bridle and put on his saddle.
When she was done with those, she opened Max's stall.
"There," She said. "You're free." She ushered the horse forward. "Hurry, before my boss finds out." Max trotted forward, then stopped so that the two animals can bid farewell. She hugged Max's nose "Bye! I hope your find your owner." She looked at Pascal. "You too little guy." Pascal wanted to know what would become of her. He pointed at her. When Pam saw the question on his face, she got the picture. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Pascal was unsure. "Please, get out of here before someone finds out." Max snorted, and Pascal decided to let it go. The horse then trotted off. Pam waved after them. Pascal then saw Pam open the stalls of Rebel, and the other horses. They all didn't hesitate, and thundered off away from their stalls…including Mist. Pascal saw from Pam's facial expression that she was sad for a moment when she let Mist go, but her frown turned upside down a moment later. The chameleon was happy for the young teen. Good for Pam!
He then gasped as he saw Grant grab her, and began to shout at her. He wanted to go back, but Maximus noticed too and shook his head. Pascal sighed and just watched the terrible scene of Pam storming off unfolding in front of him.
The chameleon then hatched an idea. As soon as he and Max got home, he'll make sure that Pam and her mom gets all the help they need, as well as others in the same situation.
Maximus galloped on and on. Pascal looked out. Where were they? This wasn't familiar to him or the horse. The two were hopelessly lost.
Maximus galloped by a field of flowers. Pascal then heard crying. Max heard it, too. He stopped, and shook his head. He can't stop now. They had to get back to the castle ASAP. And with that, he galloped on. Pascal didn't like this. The reptile couldn't help it. He had to figure out what was going on. He jumped out of the bag. He squeaked to get Max's attention. The horse stopped, turned to the chameleon, and neighed frantically when he saw Pascal going towards the field. Pascal gave him a reassuring squeak, and went on. The horse snorted in disappointment, but waited for the reptile.
The crying came from a little girl. Pascal didn't know why she was crying, but felt bad for her. He crawled up to her, and snuggled close. The girl noticed this, and looked at him.
"Oh!" She said shocked, and sniffed, frowning again. "Sorry. This is where my dead frog is buried." Pascal grew even sadder. Poor girl. "We were always together, and did everything together. This was our favorite hangout. Mom wanted to bury him in the backyard, but I chose here. It's what Bruno would've wanted. Oh, and Bruno was my pet frog." She didn't need to tell him. Pascal figured it out on his own. The girl frowned again. "I miss Bruno so much." Pascal knew what she was feeling. He missed his mom too. Luckily, he had Rapunzel to ease his loss. Rapunzel! Pascal had to get back to her. He was about to go to Max, when the girl, who got excited, picked him up.
"That's it!" She cried. "You can be my replacement frog!" Pascal struggled to get free. Replacement? He wanted to help this little girl out, but he had a home to get back too. He couldn't be a replacement. He wished he could make her understand. He struggled, and struggled. She twirled around.
"You'll love living with me and my family; I promise! You and me will be together forever little frog." She hugged him so tight that Pascal couldn't breathe.
"MARY-BETH!" A voice called in the distant. Mary-Beth let Pascal breathe.
"That's my mom." She told him. She called to her. "Coming, Mom! Come on frog, you're about to meet my family. They'll love you too; I just know it, well, except maybe my sister, but she'll learn soon enough. You'll see!" And with that, the little girl was off.
Max was horrified as he saw his chameleon friend being taken away.
'Help me' Pascal seemed to mouth. Maximus didn't hesitate for one second. Not again! He whinnied, raised his hoofs in the air, and galloped off after them.
