Poisoned
Part 2
Disclaimers in Part 1
Felipe found Diego in the cave, fast asleep at his desk. He shook his head and tapped him on the shoulder. Diego sat up quickly and looked around in confusion. "Oh, Felipe. Is Victoria all right?"
The boy shrugged, and then signed.
"She's asking for me? Then I should go."
Felipe asked if he came up with anything. "No. I thought I had, but it nearly ate away at the table. I will figure this out!"
The younger man watched as Diego ascended the stairs to the fireplace. He followed him. When they entered the library, he tapped Diego on the shoulder again.
"Yes, Felipe? What's on my mind? Besides being frightened about losing the woman I love, I'm thinking about telling her that I'm Zorro."
Felipe's eyebrows rose as he signed, 'Are you sure? What if you find the antidote? You won't be able to take it back.'
"That's true, amigo. However, I believe she has a right to know who she saved. Now, if you'll excuse me, Felipe. One shouldn't keep a lady waiting."
Victoria squeezed her eyes shut. They were burning and watering terribly. Just remember, she said to herself, this was for Zorro, the man you love. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Diego enter.
"Victoria," he said quietly.
"Diego," she replied, reaching out for his hand. He clasped it tightly. "I was wondering if you would do me a favor."
"Anything for my friend."
She smiled at him. "Will you find Zorro for me? I-I want him to know that it was not his fault. I did this for him. The people need him so much more than I do." Diego took a deep breath. "Please, Diego!"
He nodded slowly. "I will. Maybe he could use a hand trying to figure out the antidote. I have studied many of the sciences."
"Please hurry..." she whispered, drifting off to sleep.
Diego rushed out of the room and past Alejandro. "Would you mind telling me what's going on?"
"Victoria needs to see Zorro."
"And you're going to find him?" Alejandro asked skeptically. "How do you think you're going to do that?"
Without thinking, Diego opened the door to the passageway in the fireplace. Alejandro watched in shock as his son disappeared inside. Felipe had just joined him.
"Felipe, what is going on?" The young man had no idea what to say or even think! "I'm not going to wait around for an answer," Alejandro said, touching the same spot on the mantel that Diego did.
The sight that greeted him was not what he had expected. Standing five feet in front of him was Diego, and he was putting on a black mask. A horse whinnied and he glanced to the right to see Toronado.
"Dios!"
Diego's eyes widened. His father hardly ever blasphemed. "I don't have time to explain this right now, father, I have to see Victoria."
"You are going to tell her, right?"
"I am."
"Victoria!"
She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice and smiled. "Zorro, Diego found you."
"He did," Zorro replied, taking her hand. "I am so sorry for this."
"Please do not blame yourself. I knew what that man was going to do so I prevented him from doing it! As long as I know you're alive and able to continue to help our people, then I am content."
Zorro removed his hat. "I want to tell you who you saved, Victoria. I believe you have a right to know."
He guided her hands to the knot holding the mask. Victoria couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous about this. She took a deep breath and untied it.
Her eyes never left his as the mask was removed. She smiled happily as tears coursed down her face. Her best friend was there, smiling back at her. "I knew it was you deep inside me. I just couldn't bring myself to believe it."
"Victoria, please hold on. I'm going to try my hardest to find an antidote for this poison. Can you hold on for us?"
"I can and I will, Diego. I love you."
He kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you too, querida."
Suddenly, Felipe rushed into the room. Diego and Victoria read his frantic signing. "The Alcalde," Victoria replied. "You'd better go, Diego."
Diego smiled again and quickly tied his mask back on. "I'll be back soon," he said with a wink.
