"Zaneeta," Winthrop said, keeping his eye on Harold as he waited for Mr. Dunlop to finish with a customer.
"Yes, Winthrop?" Zaneeta said, smiling at the young boy. He was adorable.
"I think thomething has happened to Marian. The Profethor is going to look for her. Will you and Tommy follow him with me?" Winthrop asked. Zaneeta chuckled a bit at his enthusiasm, thinking he was only kidding. She would find out how wrong she was.
"Tommy, come over here!" Zaneeta called to her 'secret' boyfriend, as she had seen him passing by. Winthrop explained his plan to Tommy and the three of them hid behind a bush outside Dunlop's store just as Harold started talking.
"Mr. Dunlop, we have a slight problem. Winthrop spotted his sister with a group of salesmen, and I believe Charlie had something to do with it. Marcellus is on standby with the police. I need to know anything you heard or saw outside here around noon," Harold told Ewart.
In the bushes, Zaneeta gasped and surprised Winthrop by hugging him, sort of a silent apology for not believing him. Poor Marian.
"Well, Harold, I heard someone near the alley say 'You're coming with us girly-girl, to my old house.' Does that help?" Mr. Dunlop said.
"Yes, Charlie used to own a house in River City. It's vacant now, though. I need to get there as soon as possible," Harold said.
"I'm coming with you. Let me just lock up the store," Mr. Dunlop said as he disappeared inside.
"I know where that is. Let's go. We can get there first and see what's going on," Tommy said as he motioned to Winthrop and Zaneeta to follow him.
Mr. Dunlop reappeared just then, ready to leave with Harold.
"I called the police. They contacted Mrs. Paroo. They are going to wait outside the house for your signal, Mr. Hill," Ewart said as they hurried. Harold was determined to get to Marian before she got seriously injured.
Tommy, Zaneeta, and Winthrop had just arrived at Charlie's 'house.' Tommy and Zaneeta peered through a window first to make sure it was okay for Winthrop to see. It wasn't great, but it was appropriate, so Tommy lifted him up as well. They could see and hear everything going on.
Inside the House
Marian was trying her best not to let he tears loose. She had finally realized why she'd been thinking about Harold all day in the library. She was in love with him. Now, no one even knew she was missing yet. No one had been on the streets except her and the gang. Charlie had already hit her multiple times, and now he and his buddies were taunting her. They were ripping books apart, acting out what would Harold when they convinced everyone how bad he really was, telling her that no one would care she was missing, and many other unspeakable things. She bit her lip as a tear escaped her eye and landed on the fabric of her gag. She hoped Charlie didn't see, but he had.
"Oh,look. We made girly-girl here cry," Charlie said as he advanced menacingly towards her, his fist raised.
"Girly-girl has a name, Cowell!" a voice said from the doorway. It caused Charlie, the salesmen, Zaneeta, Tommy, Winthrop, and even the hidden police to turn towards it. They saw…
Before, with Harold
After 20 minutes of running and searching, Harold and Mr. Dunlop saw Charlie's house. When they reached, they cautiously peeked in the window opposite of Winthrop, Zaneeta, and Tommy. Harold's blood boiled at what he saw. When he heard Charlie call Marian 'girly-girl,' it was the last straw. He slammed the door open.
Present
They saw…
Professor Harold Hill!
"What do you want, Hill?" Charlie said as he reluctantly lowered his fist and turned away from Marian.
"I want to know why you kidnapped this fine young woman," Harold answered.
"Simple, Professor. She's the reason you're free," Charlie answered. Marian had closed her eyes when Charlie raised his fist, so she had no idea what was happening.
"Why you little…" Harold yelled as he signaled to the police and jumped on top of Charlie. Ewart quickly untied the librarian just as Harold handed Charlie over to the police. She stumbled over to Harold.
"Professor," Marian said. She collapsed as she reached him, her arms around his neck. Harold smiled for a moment before his face returned serious.
"Get your hands off my daughter you double-crossing con man!" Mrs. Paroo yelled as she ran inside the building. She had just arrived after getting a ride from Jacey Squires. She thought it was Harold who had hurt Marian, especially when she saw him holding her. She raised her hand as if to strike Harold, but Winthrop intervened.
"Mama, Mr. Hill didn't hurt Marian, he thaved her," Winthrop said.
"Yes, Mrs. Paroo, Winthrop is telling the truth," Zaneeta said as she came up next to Winthrop.
"Yeah, Winthrop asked us to follow the professor. He wanted to know what was going on, Tommy put in as he came behind Zaneeta. Mrs. Paroo took another look at Marian and Harold. His grip on her was gentle, as if he didn't want to hurt her. It wasn't iron, like he wanted to hurt her. Marian's arms were also around Harold's neck, as if she was hanging on for dear life.
"I'm sorry. Thank you, Professor Hill," Mrs. Paroo said.
"It's fine. I'm just glad Marian is okay," Harold said. When he noticed Mrs. Paroo looking at Marian curiously, he added "She fainted, Mrs. Paroo."
"Oh, Marian!" Mrs. Paroo cried as she made a move toward her daughter.
"Mrs. Paroo, your daughter looks content with Mr. Hill, even when she is unconscious. Please leave her be for the moment. I know you are worried, but look," one of Constable Locke's deputies said as he came over and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Mrs. Paroo looked at Marian's peaceful face and nodded. She watched as Harold pointed things out to the deputy with one hand, and held Marian firmly with the other. She smiled inwardly and backed away.
"Do we need to get her to a doctor?" Harold asked the deputy after he explained what he knew.
"No, I think we just need to give her a minute or two. Bring her to the station when she wakes up, then we'll see about a doctor. We'll leave you be now. Jacey, please take Mrs. Paroo home!" the deputy called his headed towards his car.
"Why can't Ewart do it? His wife is at the library," Jacey argued.
"At least I have a wife," Ewart said back.
"I have a wife," Jacey retorted back.
Harold smiled and shook his head as one half of the quartet argued about nothing, as they always did. He took Marian out to the porch and placed her on the cot. He was lost in thought, so he didn't hear her wake up until she was in front of him.
"Thank you, Professor Hill," Marian said as she hugged him. He hugged her back.
"Marian, how many times have I told you that you don't have to call me professor. Especially since…" Harold broke off as he finally realized what the strange feeling he was experiencing was. He was in love with Marian Paroo, the librarian and piano teacher. He opened his mouth again, but Marian cut him off.
"Prof- Harold, I…well I… that is, um…I," Harold looked at Marian, confused as she cleared her throat.
"How can I tell you I love you?
How can I tell you I do?
I see you walk around town
With that smile I just can't resist," Marian stopped for a moment to look at Harold, She chuckled before continuing as he smiled when she sang about his smile.
"Every time I see you,
I fall more and more in love
I am head over heels for this one special guy
And I know just what I need to say
But how can I tell you…
That I love you.
I know it's not finished yet and it was probably terrible, but-" Marian gasped as Harold pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It had taken twenty-six years for her to get this moment. She smiled as he pulled away.
"So, does that take away any of your doubts?" Harold said.
"It sure does Profe- I mean Harold," Marian said, staring at him.
"I love you too, Marian," Harold told her. He led her over to the cot again, noticing that she looked faint. He guessed it was from her experience.
"Harold, I'm fine," Marian said as she tried o stand up, but failing against his strong hold.
"Marian, please. For me?" Harold asked as he bent down in front of her and kissed her again. He was startled as Marian let out scream when he pulled away. He looked behind him and gasped.
