Nellie felt Rosalie untie her "Child, what happened?" she heard Rosalie sniffle. "Rosalie?" the bounds were untied, Nellie turned to her niece, holding her face gently, feeling the salty tears fall "Rosalie what happened?"
"I was wrong.." she cried "I was wrong about everything... I'm going through with the wedding-"
The whole group gasped. Rosalie moved to Penelope and Girdy. Penelope cried "Oh my dear, no, please don't he's a monster!"
"Not as much as James-" she stopped herself "The Professor is-" she wiped her eyes and untied them. Next was Charles, "Rosalie, we had Nora go after-"
Nellie hushed him "Rosalie you can't. It's not right, you know what he's after.."
"And he'll get it.. Then he'll leave you all alone." she walked to her suitcase that Ratigan gave her, full of the gowns she was given upon her stay. Wonderful and beautiful gowns and blouses he allowed her to take. Even the golden gown she fashioned that night, she held tenderly and sobbed into it. Then ripping the edges, she began to strip the ribbons and buttons and pieces of fabric, tying them together with other dresses. She moved to Charles, handing him a gown "Start ripping these dresses." handing the fabrics to Girdy "Girdy, start creating knots."
Penelope held the gown in her hands "These are beautiful! What are you doing!?" Rosalie began to rip more 'It's me who Elijah wants, so you'll all escape using these dresses." she tore another piece, handing it to Girdy "Please, hurry!"
Nellie shook her head "I won't let you stay alone-"
"Nellie please." she knelt to her "This is my own battle, I can't let you get hurt."
"I'm old Rosalie, I can't climb down as agile as the twins and Charlie can.. I'll stay. You can't face it alone." Rosalie hugged her tightly, Charlie spoke "I hear someone coming, ladies let's climb please." They plopped the remaining fabric, quickly tying it to the balcony's rung, Penelope, Girdy and Charles began to climb down the 'rope' they fashioned. Penelope whispered "Please be careful cousin."
Rosalie nodded, watching them climb down. Charles was last to hop over the balcony. He grabbed Rosalie's paw and gently squeezing it. Rosalie wiped another tear from her eyes. They finally reached the ground, and plopped down and began to escape through the human gate. Girdy waved, giving them assurance of their safety and disappeared into the night. Rosalie and Nellie watched, seeing them off. Elijah and Andrew appeared in the doorway. Andrew shook his head "And then there were two.."
Elijah walked to Rosalie, she was guarding Nellie with her life, keeping her behind her "Oh, this is no good my dear..."
"Don't punish her for my mistake.. It was my idea.. You have no need for them anyway, they're trivial to you.." she crossed her arms "This is about you and me." Elijah walked to the balcony, seeing the line of clothes that was made, he begun to pull it up "Impressive work my dear.. I'm guessing that rat had quite an influence on you."
She remained silent, a slow tear falling down her cheek. Elijah walked to her, wiping it "Don't waste your tears on him.. He never cared for you anyway.. Why would he cry on your absence." he turned to Andrew "Get these windows and balconies guarded and blocked.. Extra security on the bottom floor." Andrew nodded. Elijah tipped Rosalie's chin up "Consider this your final warning.. We wouldn't want an empty wedding party would we?"
She swiftly and quickly moved her head from him. He smiled "My feisty wife.. We'll have to fix that."
"Someone will find us." Rosalie assured, "This isn't over."
Elijah laughed "Don't be ridiculous, who would stop something so momentous?" he started out the door "We'll be wed tomorrow night... This should be a happy day for you." slamming the door shut, the key twisted and clicked.
Nora quickly hopped on a slowing cab. Her breath growing short and fast. She didn't know what to do. The riverfront was south of the street Nellie lived on. She suddenly remembered the boats that delivered them... the port.. It was to the right of the last street they were headed. Taking a breath, she looked around to make sure those thugs wouldn't follow her. Nora wiped her brow, her curls flowing everywhere around her head, she didn't care. Suddenly hopping off, she continued to run down the street, finally seeing the sight of the waves bobbing up and down, and the bitter smell of fish.
Wincing, she begun to see the river front and the slight glow of underneath the pier.
Inside the Rat Trap, the boys were sitting down at the table, dousing their worries in cheap booze and sorrow. Bill sniffled, holding the necklace in his hands "I miss her so much."
Fidget nodded "Me too... I hope she's okay."
Another thug crossed his arms "She had the most wonderful way of seeing things."
Another grinned "Knew how to cook and such a beauty." he sighed "No one like her... really."
Another smiled "I can't believe the boss let the girl go.." Bill nodded "Not only did he lose her, we all did...After all this time.. He's finally learned to love. And who knows if we'll ever see 'er again." he lifted his glass "This is for Rosalie."
They all lifted and clinked. The door to the Rat trap burst open, Nora ran in, exasperated. Lucy the barmaid walked to her "Missy, what's the rush?"
"Please, Please I need help! I'm searching for a man!"
Lucy laughed "Well in this town, what lady isn't looking for a decent man?" she grabbed Nora's hand, and led her to a table, "Who are you looking for? And why don't I get you a nice drink, you need to cool your heels for a mo'. She motioned to Jorge "Jorge! Get me a pint of water!"
Nora's brown eyes glittered "Jorge! Jorge!" she ran to the bar stool "Are you Jorge?"
"Depends on who's asking." he handed her a glass "You look like you're in some deep trouble." Nora began to drink, gasping between sips "Please." she said exasperated "Nellie told me to come to you, to this place, and find you."
"Miss Nellie?" Jorge rose a brow, suspicious of her sudden jump to his identity "What in the world are you talking about?"
Nora slammed her hands on the table "She need's your help! The entire family does. The Plunket's are in trouble, Rosalie Hampstead is in trouble."
Lucy gasped "My word, you came all the way from the nice part of the district."
"My name is Nora, I am with the Plunket Family.. I need help! Please-"
Jorge raised a brow "Now what do you think I can do with that kind of information! Storm some castles!"
Lucy slapped him "Jorge be nice, we need to listen to this lady, there is some trouble brewin!"
The boys heads twisted quickly to the commotion, Fidget even dropped his glass, it falling to the floor with a thud. Bill stood, and skittered to the barstool "Excuse me ma'am, did you say Rosalie Hampstead?"
Nora shook her head "Nellie Plunket told me to find you! That the family needed help!"
"What's happened with Rosalie?" Bill asked "We know her!" Nora backed up "Are you part of the gang that kidnapped her?"
They proudly stood. Lucy shook her head "I'm all kinds of confused. Is this the same lady that was done with the big boss? The one we had to keep secret?" Bill nodded "All the same!" he tipped his hat to Nora "What seems to be the trouble with Rosalie?"
"She's in trouble, Her fiance has the entire family locked up! He's tricked her, Nellie, all of us!"
Bill took out the necklace "Rosalie really was in trouble!"
Nora gasped, grabbing the necklace softly "This is Rosalie's, Oh please you have to help me... I'm looking for someone else... a Professor? Professor Ratigan?"
The boys gasped "Ratigan!" Bill nodded "Certainly Miss, we can lead you to him!"
"Please hurry, We don't have much time, he's forcing her into marriage!"
A thug spoke up "This has a rotten smell to it.. too smart for Lockson if ye ask me." Fidget stood and hobbled to him "The professor would know!"
Bill grabbed Nora's hand "Lucy, the secret entrance if you please!" he patted her hand "Don't worry miss, we'll get to the professor in no time!"
Lucy moved to the back of the bar, pulling the door open "Go! And hurry!"
Nora whispered as she looked down the hole "My goodness.. first a cat now this!"
Bill helped her down, "No worries, it'll be a quick hop, skip and a few jumps!... Don't mind the smell though."
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PS please don't pressure me to write guys... I'm taking my time because this story is a COMPLETE rewrite of the original and want to take my time. I've learned more as a writer and an artist and i'd like to share that with EVERYONE at my own pace. All I ask is for your support and patience.. I'm not angry, in fact i love all the support and love for this story i'm getting, its seriously so wonderful. Just don't pressure people to rush with art or writing... anyway, love you all. Thanks for your support