Author's Note: Wow, I can't believe I'm almost done with this story! If you're wondering where Marie has been, no worries; trying to finish up her senior year of high school has her swamped, but I promise she will be back as soon as she can. Meanwhile, you have me! Aren't you guys lucky? Anyway, let's get back to Janine's daring attempt to free Eugene from prison and rescue Rapunzel!

Jailbreak! Jailbreak!

I kept my face down as I was escorted through the dank corridor of the prison. Several of the inmates whistled and catcalled, but I paid them no attention. I shifted the basket on my arm nervously. I knew there was nothing incriminating inside, but when you're the most wanted person in Corona, you tend to be a little anxious around guards. Especially since I just happened to be in a building chock full of them.

"Here he is," the guard leading me said—Conley, I remembered. "Not sure why you want to see him, though."

I glanced at him. "I knew him, once…a long time ago." It wasn't entirely a lie. I barely knew my own brother now, and it was my own fault. I was the one who left. For so long, I had convinced myself I was only stealing to survive, when in reality, I was just hiding from the truth. The truth being that, even though I couldn't pin down exactly when it had happened, I liked it. The thrill of being on the run, feeling as though you could be caught at any moment. I was addicted. And if I failed, Eugene would have to pay the price.

"Be quick," Conley said, opening the cell door. "He's due for the rope in a few hours." I nodded, slipping soundlessly into the cramped, bare room. Eugene looked up at my entrance, despair suddenly replaced with a glimmer of hope.

I opened up the basket, showing him the food. He placed a hand on his stomach before he voraciously attacked one of the meat pies. It was cold now, but better than nothing.

"I just wanted to see you one more time." I murmured this in a low voice, keeping my eyes down. Eugene followed my gaze to see my fingers rapidly forming different shapes in my lap. Sign language. We had learned it in the orphanage. The orphanage was designed almost like an H, with dormitories either side of the middle branch. Eugene and I had switched beds with other children until we had windows directly across from each other so that, using sign language, we could communicate by the light of the moon while the others slept.

Right now, my hand formed one question. What happened to Rapunzel?

Eugene fumbled clumsily through his answer. He was rusty, but I was able to discern what he meant. The brothers separated us and knocked me out. I tried to give them the crown, but they wanted her.

"It's good to see you, too," he replied. Meanwhile, I asked another question. Who told them?

His response was quick. I don't know.

"I have to go, Flynn," I said, raising my voice slightly. "Good-bye." I stood as Conley opened the door. I watched his hand just long enough to see a final message. Save her. Unable to sign while Conley was watching, I gave a slight nod, hoping he would notice the movement.

I spotted the Stabbingtons in another cell as we exited the jail. I was tempted to ask to talk to them, but I didn't want to push my luck. Visitors were barely allowed as it is, and I had had to flirt with the warden to let me through. I shuddered at the memory; I could practically feel him mentally undressing me. Disgusting.

XxXxXxX

A few hours later, I was astride Beauty, a mare I had borrowed from Phillip, with Max standing beside us. Eugene was to be taken out just before the changing of the guard, meaning the walls would be empty. In that brief moment, I would have to take the two horses up to the battlements without being seen while Hook Hand and the others got Eugene out.

As soon as the last guard was inside, the three of us clambered carefully up the narrow stairway and got into position. It wasn't long before the sounds of shouts and clanging metal could be heard from inside. Suddenly, a long scream of terror cut through the air, coming closer and closer. I looked left just in time to see my brother land on top of Maximus.

"Jan?" he asked quizzically. "What are you doing? I told you to save Rapunzel, not me!"

I shrugged. "I feel we can do both. Now come on!" I clapped my heels into Beauty's sides, and she shot off like an arrow from a bow. Max clattered along behind us, Eugene protesting loudly when he saw us heading for the edge. Without breaking stride, Beauty gathered herself and jumped, landing on the roof of an adjacent building and skidding down the terra cotta tiles. She took one more leap to the ground, and then we were off.

"Follow me!" I called. Max sped up to run neck-and-neck with us, the horses' breath coming out in huge huffs.

"I found out something in there," Eugene hollered over the thundering hooves. "The Stabbingtons said an old lady told them about Rapunzel."

"An old lady?" I replied, incredulous. Then, suddenly, something stirred in my memory…a story told to me long ago… A flower to heal the sick and injured…a baby with golden hair…an old woman in the night…the child stolen from her room…

"We have to get to Rapunzel now!" I yelled, desperation coating my voice. I kicked Beauty's sides again, and she stretched low to the ground, her legs eating up the miles as we ran. A journey that had taken me and Rapunzel a full day on foot was covered in a scant two hours on the horses.

Before I knew it, we had reached the tower, the horses sweaty and their sides heaving with exertion. Eugene and I leapt from their backs, running to the base of the stone structure.

"Rapunzel?" Eugene cried urgently.

I cupped my hands around my mouth. "Rapunzel, let down your hair!" I screamed. My heart leapt to my throat. There was no answer.

Gritting his teeth in determination, Eugene began attempting to climb the face of the tower when a creaking noise made us both look up. A ray of hope shone in my heart; the window was opening.