Nearly three months had passed. It was August.

After staying with the Hamadas for the first few weeks, it became apparent I would be around for longer. No one necessarily had a problem with that. We had to get me new clothes and it was nice being able to pick out things I wanted. Everything was mainly casual, and nothing that would draw attention to my… extra appendage.

One of the key changes was my hair. It was growing slowly but surely, but was still too short to tie up. A few days into my stay, Cass sat me down in front of a mirror and helped me fix the more choppy bits so it wasn't so obvious that it was literally cut with a knife. Now, the next part I don't quite understand. Hiro tried to explain the science stuff to me, something about an increase in a certain pigment or chemical, but my hair went from it's blonde shade to a dark brown. Apparently, it's normal and happens to a lot of blondes by the age of 10. Why my body waited until I was 17, I'll never know. I wasn't opposed to it. It was a welcome change. Like I left the old Rapunzel behind and was looking at a whole new person.

I tried my best to make myself useful, helping out with chores while everyone else was at school or work. I didn't want to be a freeloader. It was too late to enroll me into high school since their summer break would be starting so Cass said I would just have to go in at the start of my senior year in September. They gave me a test to see where I fit academically, and although my math was utterly atrocious, the rest weren't too bad. Apparently I was a pretty good self-studier.

While waiting, I filled my days wIth art, using up pages and pages of sketchbooks with my new set of prismacolours. Some days I accompanied Cass to work, others I tagged along with Hiro and Tadashi to their labs. On the days when they didn't have classes, they took me around the city, showing me sights like the Thousand Red Gates and Fisherman's Wharf. We even went riding in cable cars, though Hiro was convinced his hoverboard was still his preferred mode of transport. Speaking of, I got way better at riding Hiro's hoverboard, able to make my way comfortably to Cass' office on my own if need be, but strapped up in a helmet, shoulder and knee pads at her request. Crowds still scared the shit out of me, but being above all of them on a technological masterpiece made it a little better.

Cass said they were trying and trying but the apartment has been cleared out and now there was a new tenant living there so that was a dead end. The only thing to do now was an outreach to other states. Each day I felt my hope shrink a little, and each day Cass looked a little more drained. I knew we were both putting on strong faces for each other, but deep down we knew our chances of success were dwindling as the time went on.

Over the months, some nights sleep came easily. I would knock out as soon as my head hit the pillow, never waking until morning. Other nights I woke up screaming, Cass always quick to rush to my side. Each dream was a different variant of verbal abuse from Aunt Gothel, or a dark silhouette I assumed was my brain's manifestation of my mother leaving me behind as she went off to some far away destination. Each time Cass tried to ask me what my dreams were about, I just brushed it off, not wanting to cause her any excess stress. She'd already been complaining about stress eating. And then there were nights where sleep never took me, leaving me to restlessly toss and turn, or pace along the perimeter of my room.

One of these sleepless nights became too much to bear. My bare feet silently padded along the carpeted floor, making my way to the kitchen for a glass of water. I would often run into Tadashi on nights like those. He was clearly a night owl and I enjoyed the late night talks we had. Though, I stopped falling asleep at the counter. That was a one time thing. I thought that talking to him that night might make me feel better, calm my nerves, but I stopped in my tracks when I realised someone else had beat me to it.

"Aunt Cass, it's nearly 2am. What are you doing up?" Tadashi's distinguishable voice filled the empty air.

Cass' tired laughter followed. I could imagine her pinching the bridge of her nose, her face a little scrunched up. "I feel like our roles are reversed here."

"You know I'm a night owl. You're usually out by 11. Midnight if we're really pushing it. Then up at the crack of dawn."

A heavy sigh escaped her. "I know. I was just working and… lost track of time, I guess." The faint smell of peppermint tea wafted through the air, making it clear to me she was struggling to keep herself awake. Cass always drank tea to keep awake. I've never seen her drink coffee, despite living above a cafe that sold hundreds of cups of coffee every day. Though, maybe like Tadashi, it brought back too many bad memories.

There was the familiar sound of wood scraping against wood. Tadashi was pulling out one of the counter stools, having a seat himself. "Is it about Rapunzel?"

Not a sound for a moment, which made me think she was silently nodding. Suddenly, there was a sniffing sound and I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Oh no… No no no no no… Cass was crying… for me?

"I just…" Sniff. "It's been months, Tadashi." Gasp. "And I… I feel like I'm… I'm failing her." Sob. "I want nothing more than for her to find her mother and just be happy but that blasted woman made it so fucking hard! Every day I have to tell her we've made no progress and it breaks my heart to keep disappointing her. And who knows if she's even alive? God, it would kill me to have to tell that sweet girl that all these months of waiting have been for nothing."

Her cries were muffled, her head probably buried in Tadashi's shoulder. All I wanted to do was run to her and hug her, to tell her that it was okay and that she didn't have to beat herself up for my sake, but I had to remind myself I was eavesdropping on a private conversation. I did my best to keep as quiet as possible, not wanting to be caught but also not able to will myself away.

"Aunt Cass, you've never met a kid you couldn't help," Tadashi comforted her. "Even those from the harshest circumstances. Considering all the obstacles that have been thrown your way in this case, I'd say you're doing a good job." There were muffled sounds of disagreement, but Tadashi shot them down. "Yes, you are. You've already given Rapunzel so much. When she first got here, she was terrified, anxious scared. Although that's not all completely gone away, she's in a much better state now. She's not as afraid of meeting new people, she's more cheerful, she's happy." A bit of movement. "Rapunzel's a tough kid. We may not be her real family. We might never be able to fill that hole that's left in her. But we're going to try, we have been trying. For her. I can say with confidence that it's better than what she's had before."

"She keeps waking up with nightmares… terrible nightmares… She refuses to tell me what they're about but my room is right next to hers and the walls are thin. I hear her. It's the same every time. She begs to know her mother's last name, to have a slim chance of finding her. She screams for us to stay with her. She… she's scared we're going to leave her, that we'll grow tired of her and abandon her. I think she fears her chances of having a family are shrinking too fast, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand."

"I know and you know we're not going to leave her."

"But she doesn't know that. She's the one who has to know. These ideas, they seep their way in and have rooted themselves in her. I don't know how to help her."

"Remember Hiro had the same problem? After... " his voice wavered. "After Mom and Dad died, he kept waking up, yelling for her. All we could do was take turns sleeping in his room with him each night, so we were always there when he woke up. Eventually, the nightmares stopped on their own. These things take time and the worst thing about it is there's nothing much we can do about them. The only thing we can do is be there for her and let her know we're here for her all the way."

Her breathing seemed to calm, tiny sniffles punctuating each sentence. "Oh, my sweet boy… sometimes I think you're more of an aunt to me than I am to you. What on earth would I do without you?"

"Probably work yourself into an early grave," he replied, earning a chuckle from the both of them. "And plus, I'm pretty sure Rapunzel is happy here. I know we all want answers, but we all know they'll take time. Even she does. For the time being, we just need to be her support."

"I really feel like I'm getting closer," Cass said, her voice steely with determination. "I don't know it yet, but it's a gut feeling. Maybe I'll speak with the new tenant, see if we can have one more look around."

I could hear Tadashi getting up. "Well, that'll have to wait for when the rest of society's awake."

That was my cue to leave. As silently as I could, I made my way back to my room, shutting the door behind me quietly. My heart was thudding in my chest as a feeling of guilt washed over me. It pained me to see that I was worrying Cass like this. Although I couldn't help my nightmares, maybe I should have said something sooner? Told her about them? The thought that it could have made things worse struck me with fear, to the point that I pushed away that thought as soon as it entered my head.

Eventually, I heard Cass' door closing, signalling her turning in for the night. I decided to do the same, willing myself to not have another nightmare or risk Cass' hair going grey. That night I fell into a dreamless slumber.

XXX

Cass was good friends with Ms Callaghan, the woman who inherited her sister's cafe. She was the head chef before the accident, so it made sense that the business was passed on to her. We all called her Abigail. That meant that when the apartment became too much, I could spend my day in the spacious booth seat by the window, drawing while chomping on a croissant and drinking hot chocolate. Only when they weren't busy, of course. I wouldn't want to get in the way of her business. Abigail was super nice and a huge supporter of my art. She even commissioned me to do a piece of the inside of the cafe, which sits above the counter to this day. I got some good money for that which I used to buy myself some wireless ear pieces so I could zone out and focus on my art.

A few days after Cass' midnight conversation with Tadashi, I was sitting at that same booth seat. Some of the patrons had grown to recognise me, greeting me as they passed. I always nodded politely to them, never really going out of my way to speak to them. At least no one cat called me like back outside Aunt Gothel's apartment. I was working on another collection for the cafe which showcased some of its baked goods. In the middle of colouring the highlights on the croissant, my phone buzzed, the ding of the notification bell startling me slightly and throwing me off my groove.

Cass: Hey Rapunzel, are you busy?

Rapunzel: Just working on the commission for Abigail. Croissants have so many shadows. Why?

C: Do you think you can come by the office? It's important.

R: Oh… is something wrong? DId someone get hurt?

C: Nothing's wrong, but it'll be easier for me to explain to you in person. Can you come down?

R: I'll pack up and I can be there soon.

C: You know the way?

R: Yup.

C: Did Hiro leave his hoverboard?

R: He did.

C: Okay, take that and use your usual route, only main roads. If anything, call me, or call the police if it's anything too urgent and you can't call me. Please be safe! Come straight in when you get here.

R: Will do! See you soon.

Meticulously packing up my things, I cleared my dishes, passing them back to Abigail at the counter.

"Heading out so soon, hun?"

I nodded my head, "Cass needs me at her office. I'm running down there now, gonna use Hiro's hoverboard. Your commission is almost finished, though! Another few days and it'll be ready. A week max."

"Looking forward to seeing it," she replied cheerily.

With my backpack in tow, I padded myself up and hopped on Hiro's hoverboard. After steadying myself, I was off, zooming a few feet into the air, above the cars and bustling streets. Occasionally, I did get some odd looks, but San Fransokyo was already so technologically advanced, I don't know why people even bothered to stare.

I knew the route like the back of my hand. Not too bad for someone who had been locked up for nearly 17 years if I do say so myself. Flying over the Golden Gate Bridge was always my favourite part. I had no idea how Cass just shrugged it off so dismissively on our first meeting. It was truly majestic. The tall arches hundreds of feet above bright blue waters were stunning every time I passed them.

Soon enough, the familiar building came up in the distance, getting closer with each passing second. I brought the board to a halt, lowering myself down before alighting. Tucking it under one arm, I opened the door to the police building.

"Good morning, Rapunzel." A very slow voice spoke out to greet me.

"Morning, Flash, can't talk, in a rush today!"

Man, that guy at the reception, Flash Slothmore, really lived up to his last name. It always seemed like he was moving in slow motion, even when he spoke.

Navigating the hallways which were now familiar to me, I read the plaques on each door, marking the inhabitants of each office. Officer Judy Hopps... Officer Nick Wilde... Officer Clawhauser... Chief Bogo... That guy scared the living daylights out of me. Finally, I reached my destination. Cassandra Hamada. I rapped my knuckles on the wooden door twice before pushing it open.

"Oh, Officer Hopps, hi."

They both turned to me as I smoothed out my messy fresh-off-the-hoverboard appearance, shutting the door behind me. "Cass, you said you needed me for something?"

"Hi, Rapunzel. Yes, sorry, I was just about to head off. I've just passed Cass something, but she'll… well, you'll see for yourself." Officer Hopps stood up, nodding curtly to Cass before turning to offer me a kind smile and leaving. I looked at Cass, and more importantly, the massive box sitting on her desk. She stared back at me, smiling from ear to ear. "Okay, that grin is making you look like a predator and it's kinda freaking me out. What's up?" I asked.

"Oh, you're gonna wanna sit down for this, sweetie." Raising an eyebrow at her, I sat in the seat opposite of her.

"Are you sure it's not something bad?" I asked again, uncertainty getting the better of me.

"On the contrary, it's something good. It's something really good. You're gonna wanna see this for yourself." Cass pushed the box towards me, her eyes wide and bright with excitement. "We've found something."

A/N - Ooooh, things are happening now. Next chapter will be out in a week so keep a lookout for that. Until then, stay hydrated and wear a mask x