Chapter 3: Goodbye to a Loved One

Maximus knew exactly where he was going, and he ran through the curtain of ivy. The sky was beginning to darken, storm clouds rolling in ominously, and Flynn bit his lip, hoping this wasn't a horrible premonition of what was to come.

He jumped off of Maximus, and ran to the foot of the tower.

"Rapunzel" He yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth. Nothing happened. "Rapunzel, let down your hair!"

When nothing happened, Flynn's heart began to race. He was too late; Rapunzel was gone!

And then, like a miracle from above, long blonde hair flew out from the window, just as he began to scale the side of the tall building. Sighing and smiling in relief, he grabbed it, and shimmied his way up and into the window.

The tower was dark inside, and the broken glass of a mirror littered the floor, and he followed the river of hair to its owner at the far wall.

"Rapunzel I thought I'd never see you again"

It was then he saw her. She was chained to the wall, a gag pulled over her mouth. Her eyes were wide and terrified, like a caged animal, and she mumbled and gestured to him wildly, as if trying to warn him, casting her eyes over his shoulder.

Flynn took a single step forward, and suddenly, he felt something cold and sharp jab into his right side, sinking deep and hard. He gasped as it was pulled out quickly, and he realized he had just been stabbed. He fell to the floor, clutching his side with both hands. Rapunzel screamed behind her gag.

Flynn took a single step forward, he felt something cold and sharp jab into his right side. He gasped as it was pulled out quickly, and he realised he had just been stabbed. He fell to the floor, clutching his side with both hands. Rapunzel screamed behind her gag.

"Now look what you've done Rapunzel" Mother Gothel sneered "Don't worry dear, our secret will die with him".

Rapunzel desperately fought against her chains, trying to get to him. Mother Gothel crossed over to her and unchained her from the wall. "We are going where no one will ever find you again". Gothel began to drag her backwards, towards a hole in the floor. Rapunzel continued to resist. Gothel was going impatient. "Rapunzel really! Enough already! Stop.. fighting me!".

With one final tug Rapunzel fell backwards, the gag fell from around her mouth. "No!" she said angrily. "I won't stop for every minute, of the rest of my life I will fight! I will never stop trying to get away from you! But... if you let me save him, I will go with you".

"No, no, Rapunzel!" Flynn clutched his side.

Rapunzel couldn't bear to see him in pain. Ignoring him she said "I'll never run, I'll never try to escape. Just let me heal him, and you and I will be together forever, just like you want" she promised now in a pleading voice. "Just like you want"

Gothel gave Rapunzel a stony look, pulling a key from the pocket in her dress and unlocking the cuffs around Rapunzel's wrists. She crossed the room to where Flynn lay, and fastened the chains to a beam on the wall before cuffing his right hand. He still clutched his side, trying to stop the bleeding with no avail. He coughed, harshly, as she leaned in close to his face and spat, locking the cuff into place "In case you get any ideas about following us".

Gothel stepped away, Flynn coughed again, fighting for air, trying with all his might to stay conscious, as Rapunzel fell to her knees next to him.

"Eugene!" She said, taking his face in her hands. "I'm so sorry, everything's going to be ok though"

"No Rapunzel" Flynn said weakly.

"I promise. You have trust me-".

"No".

"Come on just breath" Rapunzel soothed, as she removed his hand and inspected the stab wound. Blood soaked through his white cotton shirt.

"I can't let you do this"

"And I can't let you die" Rapunzel said with her voice shaking. She started arranging her hair around the wound. "Flower, gleam and glow let your power shine, make the clock reverse bring back what once was mine..."

Not even Rapunzel's hair could heal him. Flynn knew he was dying "Rapunzel" he said getting her attention.

"What?" she whispered chocking back tears.

"You were my new dream" he said.

"And you were mine" She choked, pressing his hand to her cheek, holding on to it as though it were her final lifeline.

Flynn managed to smile before he finally fell into spiralling darkness. "Eugene please! Stay with me Eugene!" Rapunzel cried clinging to his body.

Gothel rolled her eyes and started to drag her into the trapdoor. Rapunzel took one last glance at the body of her true love before finally leaving with Gothel.