Chapter 27
Eugene headed towards the clearing he had agreed to meet Flynn in. I know guards must be on the lookout. But I can't let them find me. I need to find Flynn, he thought to himself. He ducked back to hide as a group of them came by and his foot caught on something. Looking down, Eugene noticed a strap of some sort. Reaching down to grab it, Eugene fell through what he had previously thought was a solid wall of shrubs. Eugene stood up and shook himself off. Glancing around, he realized he was in a tunnel he had never seen before.
Eugene picked up the satchel that was attached to the strap he had originally tripped over. Then he decided to inspect the area he found himself in Looking up – he saw a tall tower and a waterfall beyond it. Maybe I can hide out there until the guards leave the area. Maybe just give it an hour or two. Then I should be able to get down and head back to meet up with Flynn. Eugene thought to himself. This place looks good to hide. But before I climb this tower, I might as well figure out what's in this bag that tripped me up and landed me here in the first place.
With that thought, Eugene flipped open the satchel and gasped. The crown. But I thought Flynn had it. I should hide it until we can get it back to Arabelle. Maybe the tower there will be a good place. Carefully closing the satchel, Eugene strapped it on, and made his way across the clearing to the tower on the other side.
Grabbing two of the arrows he had seen on the forest floor, Eugene used them to climb the tower to the opening at the top. Once he reached the open, he slid inside and closed the window. Before he could formulate a thought much less speak, he was hit on the back of his head with a frying pan, knocking him unconscious.
Rapunzel screeched. Now that she had knocked the man unconscious, she wasn't sure what to do. Inspecting the intruder, she looked for the things her mother had warned her about. Where are the pointy teeth? He doesn't look like a ruffian or thug. Maybe Mother was wrong. She doesn't think I can protect myself. I can prove her wrong. I will show her. Rapunzel's thoughts flew. As she finished inspecting him, he started to awaken. Before he could fully come to, Rapunzel hit him in the back of the head with the frying pan again.
Once she had knocked him out again, Rapunzel dragged Eugene around with her hair. Finally, she attempted to put him in the closet. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she was able to stuff him in the closet and pinned a chair under the handle to prevent him from escaping in case he woke up before she was ready. Rapunzel was rather happy with the capture and almost gloated to herself. "Too weak to handle myself, huh, Mother? Well say that to my frying pa- OW!"
Spinning the frying pan in her hand, she accidentally whacked herself in the head with it. She had just shaken off the hit when she noticed his satchel on the floor. Opening the satchel, she found a crown. Curiosity had her pulling out the crown. She hung it on her arm, then thinking a bit, she placed it on her head. Looking in the mirror, she noticed something familiar about the scene. She couldn't put her finger on it, so she just cocked her head and turned to her chameleon, Pascal.
Pascal looked closely at Rapunzel and her reflection. Quickly shaking his head at Rapunzel. Before she could take it off, she heard her mother calling for her to let down her hair. Grabbing the crown off her head, she hastily stuffed it back into the satchel and looked around. I better hide this. Not sure what Mother would think of it. She hurriedly dropped the satchel in one of her clay pots and turned to loop her hair around the hook outside her window and drop it down for her mother. As Gothel was raised to the tower window, she cried out "I have a surprise for you!" What she didn't know was that Rapunzel had a surprise as well.
Once Gothel got to the top of the tower, she began to tell Rapunzel about her plan to make her hazelnut soup for her birthday. Rapunzel tried asking about going to see the floating lights again but Gothel kept getting angry. Finally, Gothel yelled, "Enough with the lights, Rapunzel! YOU ARE NEVER LEAVING THIS TOWER, EVER!"
Rapunzel was shocked. So much for telling her about my surprise. I don't think she will ever let me leave. Now what should I do. I've got it.
"I know what I want for my birthday now, Mother."
"And what is that?"
"New paint. The paint made from the white shells you once brought me."
"Well that is a very long trip, Rapunzel. Almost three days' time."
"I just thought it was a better idea than the stars."
Gothel sighed. "Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"
"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here." Rapunzel replied as she gave Gothel a hug.
"I'll be back in three days' time. I love you very much, dear." Gothel replied.
"I love you more," Rapunzel said.
"I love you most." Gothel announced as she left Rapunzel behind to head out on her journey.
