Chapter 2: She's a Witch

Present Day

The sun was already high in the sky despite it being early in the morning, but Finnegan was up and about. He had already eaten the last of his food supply and was currently preparing for a trip to the nearby village. Finnegan realized it would take him almost half of the day to get to the village, but he knew it was worth it. He would starve otherwise. Four years ago, Finnegan would not have risked going out into the open without any kind of disguise, but since the rebel leader—Maleficent—pronounced him dead soon after his escape, no one seemed to mind him.

As he did every time he visited the village, Finnegan gave a small token to the stable boy so that he could keep his horse during his visit. Finnegan pulled up the hood of his cape and walked down the cobblestone street toward Dillard's family's shop.

As usual, Dillard saw Finnegan coming and ran and gave him a hug.

"Hey! How's it going man? I haven't see you in a month!"

"All's good Dill. I kind of…uh…ran out of food." Finnegan looked down to avoid his best friend's face. He hated asking Dillard for things because he felt like he was taking advantage of the nice guy.

"Well you came to the right place! Mother just made some bread." Dillard leaned in and whispered "I think she'll be okay if a loaf or two just disappears."

"I seriously can't thank you enough Dillard. I'll have to repay you sometime."

"Don't thank me! I'm just helping a friend. No charge!" Dillard walked into the shop and Finnegan stood at the entrance, looking at the busy villagers.

Not long after Dillard had gone inside, there was an influx of villagers headed toward the town center. Finnegan looked around to see if there was any sign of Maleficent or her guards but found none.

Dillard came back out with a bag and handed it to Finnegan. "I got you a loaf and a couple of oranges too. You're lucky mother's in a good mood today."

Finnegan took the bag and slung it around his shoulder. "What's going on in the town center?"

"They're having a trial for a witch today. That's why mother's in a good mood. It's great for business when a witch is burned."

"How is that good for business?"

"People usually come to buy extra food so that they can celebrate afterwards."

"Oh." Finnegan looked toward the town center. He had never seen a witch trial or burning before and was intrigued by the idea.

"You want to go, don't you?" Dillard asked his friend.

"Yeah. I do." Finnegan turned around to face his friend. "Want to come with me? Apparently it's loads of fun!"

Dillard laughed. "Sure thing man! Let me just tell mother."

Before they knew it, they were in the crowd surrounding a make-shift wooden platform. On the platform was an elderly man, two of Maleficent's guards and a beautiful young woman. She had dark skin and dark brown hair to match. Her eyes were as blue as the ocean, but raged with fury and anger. In the center of the platform as a pile of wood at the base of a large wooden pole. Finnegan could only assume that was where the burning would occur after the trial.

"I believe the evidence is leaning in favor of Miss Amanda Lockhart...being a witch!" The elderly man yelled out. "The last thing we need is a witch in this town! The proper way to deal with a witch is to BURN HER!"

Amanda's eyes searched the crowd for a friendly face. Once her eyes reached Finnegan's she kept her gaze locked on him. Finnegan suddenly felt drawn to her. With her eyes she was pleading for help and he felt the urge to save her.

The crowd cheered. Many shouted "BURN HER!" and "DIE WITCH!" but Finnegan pushed forward. He had to get as close to the stage as possible, only breaking eye contact with Amanda when villagers would not move out of his way.

"Guards, tie her up!" The elderly man turned to the crowd. "Someone summon the torch bearers."

"Finnegan!" Dillard screamed behind him. "What are you doing?" Dillard grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around.

"I'm going to save her. I have to."

"What?" Before Dillard could get any response from his friend, Finnegan turned and worked his way up onto the platform.

Before any of the people on the platform had realized Finnegan was there, Finnegan had drawn his sword and knocked the elderly man off of the platform. He turned to face the two guards. They had already tied up Amanda and both had their swords facing him.

"Let her go. She's no witch." Finnegan said.

"Maleficent's orders. Now stand down or die along with her." The first guard ordered.

"I'd rather die along with her than comply with anything that Maleficent ordered." Finn charged the first guard, using a disarming move he had taught himself a few years back. After his sword went flying, Finnegan stabbed his sword into the guard's right leg, sending him into the crowd screaming in pain. Finnegan turned to the second guard, looked him over and stifled a laugh.

"What's so funny, traitor?" The guard asked with a shaky voice.

"This." Finnegan used his left hand and pushed the second guard only slightly. The second guard realized too late that he was standing on the edge of the platform and landed on the ground with a large THUD!

Finnegan turned to Amanda, used his sword to untie her and extended a hand, but she only stared at him.

"What are you doing? We've got to go if you want to live!" Finnegan asked her.

"Who…who are you?" She asked so quietly, Finnegan could barely hear her.

"Nobody of consequence. Do you really want to die today?" Finnegan pointed with his sword to the guards lying on the ground the platform. "They won't be down there forever." Amanda continued to stare at him blankly. "I seriously think you want to die."

Amanda snapped out of her daze. "I…uh…no. I don't want to die."

"That's what I thought! Now come on. We've got some running to do!" Finnegan grabbed her hand and took off running toward the stable.

Once at the stable, the stable boy gave him back his horse and he hoisted Amanda up onto the back of the horse.

"Finn! Hey man...wait up!" Dillard yelled while running, clearly out of breath.

"Dillard? What are you doing here?" Finnegan asked.

"I'm coming with you!"

"What? I don't know about this."

"Oh come on! I want some adventure!"

Finnegan looked between Amanda and Dillard and back again. So many things could go wrong here. He had been alone for four years, now suddenly he's got a beautiful girl and a best friend both needing him. He sighed and turned back to Dillard.

"Fine. Hop on."

Both Dillard and Finnegan got onto the horse and together the three rode off toward Finnegan's hideout.

"So this is where you've been hiding out for the past few years?" Dillard asked with awe. Finnegan had never shown anyone where he had been living and felt very uncomfortable by the fact that there were now two other people here.

Dillard made himself at home very fast, but Amanda looked uncomfortable. For dinner they split the food Dillard's mother had given him earlier and Finnegan made a small fire. Dillard fell asleep fairly early, leaving Amanda and Finnegan in an awkward silence.

After what seemed like hours of silence, Finnegan decided to break the silence.

"Why did Maleficent think you were a witch?"

Amanda stared into the fire. "Because…I can do things she can't and it scares her."

"What kind of things?" Finn asked almost immediately. He felt drawn to her. He felt compelled to know every little detail of this girl's life. But with every second passing, Finnegan felt the urge to lean over and kiss her.

"I don't really want to talk about it…uh…I don't know your name."

Finnegan extended a hand. "Name's Finnegan, but you can call me Finn."

"Amanda." Amanda shook his hand. "Why'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Save me from being burned at the sake."

"Honestly, I don't know. I just…felt…compelled to do it." Finn looked at Amanda and for the first time at his hideout she looked him directly in the eyes.

"Well…thanks."

"You know, since I did save your life." Finn said slowly.

"Yes, I know. I was there." A smirk ran across Amanda's face.

"So shouldn't I get like a kiss or something for that?" Finn was mentally slapping himself in the face. That's not going to work, stupid! She won't fall for that!

Amanda giggled. "I think only knights in shining armor get that."

"Well!" Finn crossed his arms. "Who made you the expert on heroes?"

"I'm not the expert on heroes."

"Then why can't a guy with a black cape get a kiss? I'm about as close to a knight in shining armor as you can get around here!"

Both of them laughed. "You've got a point there."

Amanda got up and sat next to Finn so close that he could feel her breath on his face. She leaned in and when she was less than an inch from his face, she stopped.

"You know what? I change my mind." She got up and stood over Finn. "Maybe when the moment's right. Now…now's not that moment. Goodnight Finn." She took a few steps toward the hideout and turned around. "Thanks again, for you know, saving my life. I do owe you one."

And with that Amanda disappeared into the hideout, leaving Finn all alone at the campsite. One thing was certainly clear to Finn after that: he needed to find that perfect moment for this kiss.

So what do y'all think? Read & review! I'd love to hear what y'all are thinking! Thanks!

Oh and to PrincessWilla101: Of course all of the Kingdom Keepers are going to come in! I can't forget about them! If not the next chapter, it will be the 4th one for sure!