Chapter 4

Clopin snuck around Zendella's house and got under her window. He peeked over and saw the very girl herself on her bed half beaten to death. He quietly unlocked the window and snuck in. He knelt next too Zendella and pressed his ear on her chest.

`Good her hearts still beating` he thought. He carefully slid his arms under the girl and lifted her.

`Light as a feather. Does she ever get fed?` he wondered

"Clopin?" a little voice whispered. He froze and turned his head to see little Alice staring at him "Alice..."

She was shaking like a leaf but not because Clopin was here. It was something else.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Alice sniffed quietly "Father was very angry. He kept hitting her even though I was in the room. He even slashed her with a pocket knife." she explained. Clopin growled to himself. He stroked the young girls hair. Her eyes were unmasked but closed. Her body was covered in blood and cuts. If he didn't hurry and get her medical attention...she would possibly die.

"Please keep her safe" Alice said softly smiling. Clopin smiled and beckoned her over. He knelt down and kissed her forehead "I promise I will. Thank you little Alice." he said making his way to the window

"Wait"

He turned to see Alice holding a blindfold and the stripy black jumper Zendella always wore. "She needs these. She'll tell you why." she whispered placing the items in her sisters lap. Clopin smiled "Merci. Now go to bed. I assure you your sister will be safe and happy with the other gypsy's" he said. Alice nodded "I know. She belongs there" she smiled and kissed his cheek in thanks and left the room. Clopin stepped out the window and fled to the grave yard.

He opened the door to the court and rushed downstairs and through the tunnels. Guards moved aside as he rushed to the court entrance.

"Esmeralda! get the healer" he ordered. Esmeralda emerged from her tent and gasped at the sight of the bloody girl. She rushed to find the healer as Clopin went into his tent and laid Zendella on his bed. Esmeralda arrived with the healer. He was ordered to leave but he refused until Esmeralda reminded him that they were going to undress the girl to treat her wounds. He turned red and quickly left.

(Zendella's pov)

My body...It hurts so much

"She's coming too Clopin" A young woman's voice said.

"Put her Blindfold on. She dosn't like people seeing her eyes for some reason" a mans voice sounded. Eh? It's Clopin. I felt cloth going round my eyes. Right my mask shattered at the fountain.

Father found out and beat me sensless. With Alice watching this time. ALICE!

I bolted up but felt pain go up my back. I whimpered as I was gently pushed back "Easy Zendella. Your with friends" The woman said. I didn't care at the moment. Alice was in the house with THAT monster. He might hit her like he did to me.

"Where's Clopin?" I whispered shakingly. I felt a hand lace mine "Right here Zen. I brought you out of that evil home of yours" he said. I smiled and felt tears come to my eyes. Clopin freed me.

I squeezed his hand "Merci...merci Clopin" I said. He squeezed my hand back.

"Clopin...my sister" I said

"What about her?" he asked with concern. I grasped his other hand "Please I'm begging you. Get her out of that house. My father, he, he'll hurt her. I know he will, the same with Francine, my maid. Please they mean everything to me!" I said panicking. Clopin brought an arm around my shoulder in comfort. It felt good

"Joseph!" he called. I heard footsteps approaching "yes your highness"

"I need you to go to Zendella's home and make sure her father does not hurt Alice or the maid Francine. If they should do so get them out of there and bring them here. The house is just outside the town, not too far from here. Find the house with the red rose vine" he ordered.

`your highness?` I thought. The thundering footsteps faded away.

"Why did he call you your highness?" I asked. Clopin chuckled nervously "Err did I not tell you that i'm errr...the king of the gypsy's?" he said

I was shocked. Clopin's a king. Who would have thought

"No you didn't" I said. He nervously laughed thinking he was in trouble. I smiled "It's ok. I don't mind. You had a right to keep it a secret from me" I said.

"Thank you Zen." he said

"Miss Zendella if you don't mind me asking...why do you hide your eyes?" an older woman asked. I stiffened a bit. Would they call me devil spawn if i told them? would they beat me? would I lose Clopin's trust and friendship?

His hand gripped mine "you have nothing to fear Zendella. You can tell us when your..."

"No...I...you have a right to know why...It happened when I was little..." I began.

(flashback)

"Look Mama! Papa! Look how high i can climb!" Little Zendella yelled climbing higher into the tree. Her mother yelled for her to get down as it was `un lady like` while her father laughed cheerfully.

Zendella's foot suddenly slipped. She fell screaming right into the thorn bush under her. A searing pain burst into her eyes. She heard her mother screaming, her father yelling for francine to get help, then darkness consumed her...

(normal)

"Since then my parents acted strange the minute I opened my eyes. Mother screamed in terror whilst my father started yelling unholy demon. They forced me to wear a mask and bandages as they couldn't bear to see such an unholy face as they said. I was too little to understand until I saw for myself in the mirror one day..."

I looked towards Clopin "Would you..." I started motioning to my blindfold. I felt his hands tenderly untie my blindfold and let it fall. I slowly opened my eyes seeing my surroundings clearly for the first time in years.

Everyone gasped. I flinched slightly at their reactions. I quickly closed my eyes again. Great! now they'll call me devil child and kick me out... But it never happened. The next few words were the words I had never expected to hear.

"What gorgeous eyes! I've never seen anything like it" An old woman said smiling. My eyes widened in confusion. I wouldn't call them gorgeous. When the thorns pierced my eyes the blood dyed my original eye colour into a rustic red colour dubbing me the "Devil child"

"She's right. They are very unique" A dark haired woman said smiling. Unique huh? her eyes were like an emerald green. They were normal.

I fiddled with my fingers "No there not. They aren't pretty. They cost me my parent's love and my freedom" I said. Clopin chuckled "Zendella they didn't see it as a medical problem. They are high god worshippers am I correct?" he asked. I nodded

"They would believe in anything. They are fools for treating such a lovely girl as you like that. Don't let them bring you down. Your eyes are beautiful and not the eyes of a devil and that's final. No more unhappy faces" he said. I giggled a bit and wiped a tear away "Your all the first besides my sister and maid that's ever seen my eyes. My parent's haven't seem my face since it happened." I said

Clopin smiled "You won't have to worry about them anymore. I have a little offer for you Zendella" He said. My eyebrow rose "What is it?" I asked.

He stood up and whipped off his hat and bowed "Would you do the honour of becoming an official gypsy and be free as you deserve to be?" he asked. I gasped a bit. Me? A gypsy?

I grinned "Yes Clopin! I'd love to be a gypsy" I said happily. He kissed my knuckles "I leave you to rest then Ma cherie. We shall make you an official gypsy tomorrow" he said leaving the tent. I sighed happily and lay back. The healer and the other woman left as well bidding me goodnight. I for once slept with ease. I was free from my cage at last.

I just hope Alice and Francine will be ok. God please let them be safe