The next morning, Quasimodo rose his head as he heard Sadie murmuring in her sleep, as if she was being chased.
"No..Go away! I hate you. You monster!" Two tears dripped onto the pillowcase.
He ran over and knelt beside her, setting a hand on her shoulder. "Sadie?" Quasi whispered.
"I will never choose you! The fire!"
"Sadie?" He shook her. She started to pant. "Sadie, Wake up! It's just me."
Her eyes fluttered open and Quasi wiped off her sweaty forehead with the bed covers.
"Morning already?" He smiled. "Yeah. It is. I think around seven. I don't know where Clopin put the watch."
Sadie hummed and sat up. "Oh. I thought you woke me because I overslept." "Uh uh." He shook his head. "You were talking in your sleep."
She stood up to stretch and blinked as Clopin began to wake up as well. "Sorry about that." She cleared her throat. "I'll be right back."
Sadie walked down a short hallway to a bathroom. Quasimodo sighed, following after her and into a small kitchen. He went to open a cabinet but couldn't quite reach it. "Great." He groaned and knelt down to open another.
Sadie stepped out of the shower ten minutes later and dressed. "What makes dreams so real anyway?" She picked up a clean bar of soap and as promised, she scrubbed her tongue. "God that's rancid." The girl gagged then quickly swished her mouth with water and spit into a sink. "Yuck." Sadie brushed her hair and randomly took two black hair bands off the edge of the sink.
"What's the big deal about finding love anyway? It's hilarious to think even the oldest of mankind are as desperate as that." She took half of her hair on the right side of her head and put it in a low pigtail. "With freedom comes responsibility. Make sure to stay alert of zombies grabbing them." Sadie took the remaining hairs on the left side and formed another. "Could be worse." She shrugged and brushed her bangs before leaving out the door.
Sadie left the bathroom and followed the faint sound of pans touching each other. "What are you up to Quasi?"
He looked up. "I was just looking around mostly. In hopes of finding more food. Nice hair." He added with a laugh. "Oh I see. Thanks." She smiled.
"Hey. Can you do me a favor?" "Sure. What's up?" "Can you climb onto that counter and search those two cabinets? I think something useful is in them but I can't get up there myself." "Alright. Can you also do me a favor?" "Haha. Of course." Quasi laughed. "When Clopin wakes up, I want you two to look through the house for something more..appropriate for him to wear." Her head turned to open the first cabinet.
"Oh okay. What should I wear?" "You're actually good to go Quasi. But if you find something, go right ahead and take it. Just make sure it's not too heavy." She answered with her head turned. The hunchback smiled. "Sadie?" She covered her mouth to cough. "Yeah?"
"Oh there you two went. Good morning." Esmeralda and Clopin walked in with a smile, all set for the day.
Sadie continued to search the cupboards and set aside four cans of what looked like contents of pasta. "Good call Quasimodo. Wow!" She took out three more along with a plastic container with some kind of white substance inside. "Eek!" She shrieked and let it fall to the ground, not caring that it spilled.
"What is it?" Clopin knelt down as the gypsy woman held Sadie's shoulders. "Sorry. I panicked."
"That's alright. Shall we head out?" "Wait a sec. Do we have a plan? Or strategy anyway?" Esmeralda helped the girl down.
"Well I'm thinking we could just keep walking until sunset and then find shelter. But that's just me." Sadie spoke up. "Well you are the team leader. You girls devise some ideas. We'll be right back." Quasi led him upstairs. "Wait. What did he mean by.." "I gave him the objective to help find Clopin some more suitable clothes."
"You're always ahead of things aren't you Sadie?" Esmeralda smiled. "Yep." She walked into a living room and looked through a clear bin of books. "Anything interesting?" The gypsy called out.
Sadie smiled and grabbed the two paperback puzzle books. "Yeah I'll be right there." She called back then scratched her head. "If I remember how to do these anyway. It's been almost two years." The girl shrugged and walked out, surprised to find Clopin now dressed in a black tee shirt and faded black pants. His jester footwear was replaced by white tennis shoes.
"Lead the way mademoiselle." He smiled and Quasimodo equipped her with a light grey backpack. Sadie blushed at the realization that what they said was true. She really was the leader. The girl sighed with determination and set the bag on the floor to fill it up. All the cans she found earlier were placed in it. "Can I see that box of supplies please?" She gestured to the hunchback. He slid it over with his foot. "Great."
The bows, arrows, ammunition, pair of gloves, bungie cord, rope, and her books were placed in the second zipper pocket. While the coins, thread, and needles were set in a small side pocket. "Okay. Shall we?" She stood up and put it on her back, tightening the straps.
"That reminds me." Esmeralda went through her bag. "I brought some more rope with me." "Awesome." Sadie placed it with the other. "Do you have anything you want me to keep safe Clopin?"
He cleared his throat. "I honestly don't know how much longer this sack will hold up. But I don't want you to feel like you're some kind of pack mule though."
Sadie hummed. "It's only fifteen pounds at the most. What do you have?"
"Uh.." He unraveled his sack and took out his two puppets. "Oh I see." Sadie smiled. "Cute. I have one last compartment reserved just for them." She turned around. Clopin tucked them safely inside and zipped it up. "Thanks Sadie." The gypsy king hugged her. She hummed. "You're welcome. Are we all set?" "Yes!" The three smiled. "Ma'am." Quasimodo added then blushed, resulting in everyone laughing. Sadie led the group out of the home and back onto the streets.
"Do you guys have your weapons?" "Yep." "Yep." "Yep." "Great. I'm guessing because we will be leaving here in a few hours, things will become pretty intense." Clopin stopped walking, then Quasi, then Esmeralda. "I'm sorry. Was it something I said?" "No no Sadie. You didn't. It's just that Clopin has a really deep connection with the Court of Miracles." She placed a hand on his back. "Oh I see. I'm in no hurry to leave then."
"Why would you look at this. The plague has spread." Sadie simply blinked as she heard Frollo's footsteps walking over to her.
"Ah I see. I didn't know that place had so much meaning to you. Do you want to stay here longer?" Sadie continued to talk, ignoring the judge.
Clopin quickly shook his head. "No it's okay. It's not your fault. Let's keep going while it's still light outside." "Alright. Onward." The group continued to walk and silently passed by Frollo. "Leaving so soon?" He followed them.
Sadie sighed and kept her pace, readying herself for any of his assaults. "I wonder if we will come across another group." Quasimodo shrugged and caught up to Sadie in nervousness that his former master was following him again. "You never know. But I bet we will once we put a few miles behind us." "I just hope that they'll be friendly." Esmeralda sighed. "Yeah." The gypsy king nodded. "That's what we have to be careful for."
"Something tells me otherwise." Sadie scowled as Frollo walked beside her. Quasimodo gulped seeing the look in Sadie's eyes.
"Frollo, Don't make her angry again! You'll regret it."
"The only regret that I feel.." He roughly grabbed her by both arms then softened his grip. "You tempted me last night you little heathen." He whispered and set a hand on her chest. She quietly sighed. 'His voice is so soothing when..What am I doing?!' Sadie turned her body to the side and roughly hit him with her backpack. "That is the last time you hurt me gypsy!" He grabbed the top of her shirt. "And now we're even." She dropped her bag.
Frollo suddenly let go and just looked at her, imagining sleeping with her.
"What?" She folded her arms. He simply smiled with the same lustful look in his eyes. "What?" Her heartbeat rose, causing her to feel nauseous. The thought of his dry hands touching her; the concept of baring his children. Sadie ran behind a house and quietly threw up. Clopin quickly ran after her.
"I don't care what your sick mind wants of her. Leave her alone!" Quasimodo growled. "My dear Quasimodo." He set a hand on his head. "It is my duty. Horrible as it. I hope you can forgive me." The judge replied half sympathetically.
"Esmeralda." Clopin walked over holding Sadie in his arms. She was paler than usual and her eyes were closed. The gypsy woman glared at Frollo and snatched the hunchback's gun out of his hand, aiming it at his forehead. The girl's eyes half opened then closed. There was a single gun shot then the gun dropped onto the ground. 'Good.' Sadie thought.
"I'd assume you would have better aim than that." The judge covered his mouth, completely unharmed as she missed. She groaned and walked over to Sadie, feeling her forehead.
"Poor dear." "Shut up!" Quasi pushed him to the ground. "Quasimodo!" "You caused this!" He picked up his weapon and her backpack. "Yes. Yes I did. For her own good." Frollo rose to his feet. "Do not follow us again unless you can keep your hands off of her! And don't speak to her either! Don't even think about her!"
He pressed his robe and looked at her near-lifeless body. "Very well." "I don't trust you." Esmeralda blinked. "Neither do I." Clopin adjusted his hold on the girl. "Honesty is the best policy." Frollo sighed. "Yes. It's too bad you severely lack it!" Esmeralda shouted. "I can change." He simply smirked. "No you can't. You're nothing but stubborn and downright delusional. Come on guys." Clopin continued to walk with the girl still in his arms.
"Fine. You want to help?" Quasimodo threw a spear at his feet. The judge glanced at the male gypsy and noticed he was struggling to support her weight. "Not a chance!" The hunchback snapped and Sadie opened her eyes, still looking distressed. "I'm fine. I can walk." She murmured. "It's alright. Close your eyes." Esmeralda hushed her. "Do you want me to carry her?" "I got her." Clopin managed a small smile. "You sure about that?"
"Oh for heaven's sake." Frollo groaned. "How heavy can she possibly be?" "One hundred and ten." Sadie answered in a whisper. "And you are not carrying me!" "Then prove me wrong." He glanced at her then rolled his eyes.
"The less time we spend bickering with each other, the faster we will make time before sunset." "Bickering? The only one who is..Fine. Whatever." Esmeralda sighed. "Good." He held out his arms. "No way! Not in a million years!" Sadie clenched her stomach. "Walk then." Frollo watched as Clopin put her down.
Only a minute later, she almost fell down but Quasi caught her. As his point was proven, the judge cleared his throat. "I rest my case." Sadie was helped back to her feet and she rubbed her eyes. "Hurt me again and I will kill you." "Actions speak louder than words don't they my dear?" Frollo took her in his arms and rested her head against his chest. Her eyes shut. The texture of his robe was rather rough. 'Is this silk maybe? I give him credit for wearing this every single day!'
Esmeralda looked at him bizarrely. "Are you jealous?" The judge scowled and followed Clopin and Quasimodo down the street. 'Oh brother.' She thought.
"Anyway." Esmeralda cleared her throat and took Sadie's backpack. "I can guarantee that if we keep moving, we'll be out of the town by sunset." "And then we find shelter right?" "Exactly Quasi." She smiled then struck a zombie in the head.
"Nicely done." Clopin clapped. She bowed and hurried beside him.
Sadie sighed and Frollo rolled his eyes. 'Why did I even offer to carry this unholy demon? The other witch responsible for twisting the truth and clouding the mind with unholy thoughts.' She half smiled for a second then dropped it. 'Don't do that.' He sighed. The only way he saw her now was like this.
"I wonder how all of these monsters came to be in the first place." Quasi shrugged. "That's a good question. Maybe something poisonous was in the air and somehow spread. But it probably didn't start off here." "Where do you think?" Esmeralda scratched her head. "I'm guessing probably overseas." "That's kind of creepy now that you mention it. Like imagine a body that was lost in the ocean suddenly emerged from the water." "Oh yeah." She shivered.
"Would you look at that!" Clopin spoke up a few hours later with a smile.
'Finally!' Frollo wanted to drop Sadie onto the pavement but on the other hand he chose not to. She had fallen into a deep sleep with her face slowly clearing up.
"We made it!" The gypsies and hunchback hugged. "And here is our shelter for the night." Quasi pointed and opened the door. "Excellent!"
Frollo silently followed them to a bedroom slightly irritated, let alone exhausted. "Where do want her?" "On that bed is fine. Thank you Claude." Esmeralda smiled.
He pulled back the blankets and gently placed her down, covering her back up. The judge almost ripped his robe off instead of untying it. He sighed and hung the sweaty robe on a coat hook. Frollo knelt beside her and felt her forehead. Sadie wasn't as pale but she was warmer. "How is she?" Quasimodo asked while carefully watching him.
"Might have came down with a slight fever. I advise that we let her sleep until tomorrow." He stood up and removed his hat, hanging it up as well. "I'll watch her throughout the night."
"Wait what? You look the most exhausted out of all of us. Get some rest." "And who was responsible for this whole mess? Not another word gypsy. Good night." Quasi and Clopin looked at each other puzzled then each lay down in one of the four provided beds. Esmeralda was still paranoid about why Frollo really wanted to stay up. She shook her head and lay down in the last bed.