Rapunzel watched helplessly as Vladimir carted Flynn away. She followed suit, not caring if she'd get into trouble.
"Raps," Cass said, trying to stop her.
"Cass, I need to see where they're taking him."
Cass sighed, nodding slowly. "You're right. I'm coming with."
"Well, so am I," Lance said. "Flynn's my best friend."
"This isn't smart," Max said. "But I'm coming along as well."
"So are we," Pascal said, running over with Angry and Red.
"It's a party!" Shorty said, wiggling his hips like a belly dancing.
"Not now, Shorty," Cass said, as their whole group pushed past Vladimir's people and followed Vladimir and Flynn.
Vladimir took Flynn behind the mansion, leading him to a cellar door in the ground.
"Great, more cellars," Lance muttered.
Vladimir looked over at them, frowning. "You're more than welcome to see where we're putting Flynn for the night, but don't even think about helping him."
"So serious, Vlady," Flynn said, causing Vladimir to push Flynn down the cellar steps. The steps lead to another creepy basement, with stone walls that dripped with water and the air smelling of rot.
"I think I just saw a rat," Lance said, pointing in the direction of a corner.
"Don't be such a baby," Angry said.
Inside the basement, there were rows of cells, each with their own bench in them and nothing else. Vladimir unlocked one cell and stuffed Flynn inside it. He shut the door behind him, locking Flynn within.
"Get a good look at these cells," Vladimir said, turning to face their group. "If you ever act out, you'll be put in here too."
"Why are you not letting us leave?" Rapunzel asked, her heart racing.
"Because… the more the merrier," Vladimir said with a ton of fake cheer. "You can say goodnight to Flynn, cause he's gonna remain in here until morning."
Vladimir walked to a corner of the basement, giving them space, but also making it clear that if they tried anything, he wouldn't hesitate to lock any one of them up.
Rapunzel rushed to Flynn's cell, gripping his fingers through the metal bars. "Flynn…"
He shrugged. "I'll be fine, Blondie. I can handle myself in here for one night."
Cass approached. "Yeah, Flynn's a big boy, Raps. He can ties his own shoes and everything."
"Awe… Cassandra. Never knew you cared so much." Flynn placed a hand on his chest. "I'm touched."
"Awe… Flynn. You're a jackass."
Flynn gave Cass a smirk and a wink.
"Enough you two," Rapunzel said, glancing over at Vladimir, who looked way too pleased with their bickering. "Just be careful," she advised Flynn, lowering her voice. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Flynn's eyes softened. "I'll be fine." He placed his hand atop hers.
In that moment, Rapunzel had the urge to tell him she loved him. But surrounded by all their friends with Vladimir watching seemed like an awkward time to admit to her feelings.
Lance came over. "Beware the rats down here. Don't feel like you have to resort to eating them." He paused. "Or befriending them."
Flynn grinned. "Assuming I'm only in here for one night. Who knows, I could be stuck in here forever."
Rapunzel swatted at his hand. "Don't make jokes about that."
"See you in the morning, Big Nose," Pascal said.
Flynn touched his nose. "Always trying to hurt me, aren't you, kid?" Flynn lowered his voice. "Worst come to worst, Pascal can always pick the lock." He winked.
Rapunzel had the feeling Flynn was putting on a brave face.
"You guys need to head back to your stations now," Vladimir said, walking towards them. "The kids especially need to get back to school." He smiled at Pascal and the girls.
"That was creepy," Lance whispered.
"Most definitely," Flynn said.
Vladimir glowered at them.
"Why are you so intent on having the kids go to school?" Cass asked. "Is something else going on?"
"Why would you ask me that?" Vladimir said, turning away. "I just value education in children."
"Pascal and the girls can stay with us for the night," Rapunzel said, grabbing on to Pascal's shoulder.
"But I like learning," Pascal said.
"Me too," Red said quietly.
Angry shrugged. "Sure, I guess."
"See, the kids are fine," Vladimir. "Nothing to worry about."
"See, when you say that, it implies there is something to worry about," Flynn said from inside his cell, where he leaned against the bars.
"I'd watched that mouth of yours while you're in that cell," Vladimir threatened. "Come on." He nodded at the group to leave.
"You know… prison isn't that bad," Shorty slurred, talking to Flynn. "I once broke myself out by going through a septic tank."
"Sure you did, Shorty," Flynn said. "I've spent my own time behind bars before. I'll be ok for one night."
Rapunzel gave Flynn one last look before heading back up the cellar steps. Once outside, she headed away from her friends and went in search of her mother.
"Raps, where are you going?" Cass called out.
"I just have to take care of something. I'll be fine." She waved at Cass, who gave her a concerned look.
"You know I'm not leaving your side," Cass said, while Lance went back to the patrol people, Max back to the stables, the kids back to the school and Shorty decided that now was a good time for a nap. He just plonked himself on the ground and fell asleep.
"Fine," Rapunzel said.
After Vladimir took Flynn away, the whole community went back to their respective jobs. Rapunzel and Cass headed back to the kitchen where Rapunzel found her mother again, who was innocently chopping up more veggies.
Rapunzel stomped right over to her.
"Raps, what are you doing?" Cass asked.
Her mother didn't even look at her. She just raised an eyebrow, while she chopped some onions.
"Did you have something to do with that?" Rapunzel asked.
"Do what?" Her mother wiped her knife on her apron.
"Flynn. Someone set him up to get into a fight and now he's locked in a cell. Was it your idea?"
"What are you talking about?" Cass tugged at her arm, trying to get her to walk away. Rapunzel just ignored her best friend.
"I'm in agreement with your friend," Mother said. "I'm not so sure what you're talking about either."
Rapunzel slammed her hand down on the cutting board. "Stop lying to me."
All the other woman in the kitchen glanced over.
Her mother paused, pushing a curl off her forehead. "We had this talk earlier. If you don't stop with this ridiculous idea that we know each other, I'm going to report you to Vladimir. This is your last warning."
"What is she talking about?" Cass asked, staring at Rapunzel.
"I know you're sleeping with him," Rapunzel said to her mother.
Her mother resumed cutting up a pepper. "Who?"
Rapunzel clenched her teeth. "Vladimir," she ground out, causing Cass to widen her eyes. "That's how you've been able to assimilate yourself into this community in such a short time."
Her mother's eyes glinted. "Now, I don't know who told you that, but you're not going to last much longer here if you keep this up."
"Hey," Cass snapped at Rapunzel's mother. "Don't threaten her." She turned to Rapunzel. "Come on, Raps. Don't waste your time with this woman."
"I know you're a liar," Rapunzel hissed to Mother. "I won't let you get away with this."
Her mother stepped back, lifting the chopping knife in her hand. "And how do you suppose you're going to do that?"
Rapunzel didn't know what to say.
Her mother snorted. "Thought so." She turned her back on her daughter.
Rapunzel blinked back tears as Cass led her away to the other side of the kitchen.
"Rapunzel, what was that about?" Cass said in a lowered voice, since some of the other woman were still throwing them annoying glances.
She could tell Cass. She's my mother. The woman who kidnapped me.
The words were on the tip of her tongue… but she couldn't force them out. It was like her mother had a hold on her, preventing her from saying anything.
"Nothing," she finally said.
Cass looked at her like she was crazy. "That wasn't nothing. How do you know that woman?"
"I don't. She just gave me a look when the bell rang."
"A look?"
"Yeah, like an evil smile or something. I just thought it was strange that Flynn was locked up after that. I didn't know if she had said something to Vladimir."
Cass looked over at Gothel. "Why would she do that? Wasn't she one of the runners who just came back? I mean, she gave you smelling salts to help wake you up after you fainted. What vendetta would she have against us or Flynn for that matter?" Cass paused. "Then again, it's Flynn, so who knows who he's pissed off."
"I just want to get back to work and get this day over with. The sooner the day is done, the sooner Flynn get can get released from his cell."
The two of them walked over to a counter. The other woman in the room gave them space. There wasn't much help Rapunzel and Cass could offer, so they stayed out of the way and continued to talk.
"Do you really think Vladimir is gonna keep us here forever?" Rapunzel asked.
"He sounded pretty sure. That asshole. I knew we shouldn't have trusted him. We definitely shouldn't have given up our weapons." Cass leaned her hip against the counter, crossing her arms.
"Maybe someone knows where our weapons are," Rapunzel suggested. "We could try to break out of here."
"I don't really know how. There's a fortified fence around this whole place with armed guards."
"You two, get back to work!" one of the women snapped at them.
Rapunzel and Cass straightened up, with Cass grabbing a random bowl and Rapunzel grabbing a dish towel – she pretended to wipe down the counter top.
Rapunzel remembered Varian's warning to her and Flynn about not getting too cozy here. Maybe Varian could help. She just needed to break away and go find him.
"Hey, Cass," she said, lowering her voice so much that Cass had to lean in to hear her, "can you create a distraction? I think I know someone who could help us."
"Maybe I should do it," Cass said.
Rapunzel looked at her mother. "No, I need to do it."
Cass sighed. "Ok." She looked around, searching for something that she could use as a distraction. Her eyes landed on the wood burning stove. "I have an idea. You get out of here when you're able to."
Rapunzel nodded as Cass walked over to Stalyan, who was working on the soup. Cass stepped in to stir the soup, gently moving Stalyan to the side of the stove. With a quick hand, Cass opened the door of the stove, jumping back to let the heat expel into the room. Cass grabbed a small log near the stove, jammed it into the fire, and lifted it out.
"What are you doing?" Stalyan screamed.
That was Rapunzel's cue. She ran from the kitchen, while all the other woman surrounded Cass.
"Sorry, guys," Cass said. "I'll just put this back."
Rapunzel remembered Varian talking about being a scientist. Maybe he had a lab around here, inside the mansion. She searched the downstairs of the house, knowing it was risky. She could run into anyone.
She slowly opened door after door, scoping the place out. Most of the rooms were bedrooms, many doors were locked. Rapunzel opened one door to find an office with a painting of Vladimir on the wall. His office then. Better not go in there.
She checked one more door on the first floor, finding it unlocked. Opening it, she found herself in an extremely hot room with tables covered in beakers scattered throughout. This had to be Varian's work space. She could only hope.
When she entered, Varian wasn't anywhere to be found, so she sat down and waited, hoping he'd show up eventually.
He didn't disappoint.
After waiting a few more minutes, Varian walked into the room. He froze when he saw Rapunzel.
"What are you doing here?" Varian asked, wiping a hand over his apron.
"I need your help."
"My help?" Varian squeaked.
"Do you know where Vladimir stored our weapons?"
Varian hesitated, walking over to one of the tables. He flicked an empty beaker.
"Varian."
He sighed. "I do. B-but I can't tell you."
"Because you'll get in trouble?"
Varian nodded. "Vladimir likes to make this place look like paradise. Vegetables growing in the nice garden. An infirmary to cure the sick. A mansion to sleep in at night. A classroom for kids." His voice sounded bitter. "But he's hiding something."
Rapunzel's heart skipped a beat. "Hiding what?"
"I don't know exactly. He won't tell me or anyone. But I think it has to do with the central heating of this place. There's a reason he wants me to change it. Wants me to make a generator."
"How long have you been here?"
"Me? About half a year now."
"I take it no one else in the community is a scientist."
"No. I'm the only one with a good understanding of chemistry as well as engineering."
Rapunzel thought of Pascal and the girls, having fun in class. Why did that bother her so much? "Does this have something to do with the kids?"
Varian eyed her. "What do you mean?"
"I just mean… Vladimir seems to really love kids. To the point that it's a little disturbing."
"I know what you mean. He collects ceramic unicorns, you know."
She frowned. "Ceramic unicorns? Why?"
"He doesn't talk about it much. I happened to find his stash once, about a week after I showed up. He threatened me to not tell anyone about it. So… I didn't. Well, until now."
"Why do you trust me with this information?"
Varina shrugged. "Because you seem… nice. Very nice. When I found your group out there, I couldn't just let you guys die. I knew bringing you here was a risk, but I hoped that Vladimir wouldn't do… this. I was hoping he'd let you leave."
"Is everyone a prisoner here?"
"No. Majority of the people here live in blissful ignorance. I'm one of the only people here who has even thought to question things. I think most people just want a warm bed to sleep in, food to eat, and not have to worry about zombies all the time. I can't fully blame them for that."
Rapunzel walked over to Varian. "Please, Varian. Help us. Just tell me where the weapons are. Vladimir doesn't need to know it was you who told me."
"I'm sorry. I can't."
"Varian," she said, placing a hand over his. "My friends and I are prisoners here. They locked the man I love up in a cell. And I'm worried for Pascal. Before coming here, he was always quick to stay by my side. But coming here, it's almost like he doesn't want anything to do with me after he went into that classroom. It doesn't make sense. We need to get out. Please."
Varian stared at her hand on his. Finally, he sighed, saying, "Your weapons are stored in a lock box that's buried under ground. It's over by the side of the mansion, back in a super grassy spot. You'll still have to go searching for it."
"Thank you, Varian." She squeezed his hand.
He smiled. "Now, I really do have some work I need to attend to."
"Right," she said, turning to leave the room.
"Be careful," Varian warned.
Rapunzel intended on it.
Unfortunately, the moment she stepped out of Varian's lab, she was face to face with her mother.
"Getting into trouble?" Mother asked.
Rapunzel didn't even think, she just ran.
She ran right past Mother and out to the front courtyard. She could hear her mother's footsteps behind her, but Rapunzel didn't slow down. She kept running, ignoring all the looks people were giving her, until she was standing in front of the stables.
Hurrying inside, she hide in an empty stable.
She almost screamed when someone said her name. She turned and saw Max poking his head inside.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She gestured for Max to come closer. "I'm hiding."
"From what?"
"From someone."
"Well, I have to get back to work. I don't think Vladimir would appreciate us doing anything he didn't tell us to do," Max said.
"Max, wait," Rapunzel said. He looked back. "Stay with me for a minute, then I promise, I'll leave."
Max nodded and sat down next to her in the stable. Horses' snorts could be heard through the wall.
"Is there anyone else in here?" Rapunzel asked.
"No. It seems Vladimir doesn't have enough people to tend to all these horses."
With the way she ran into the building, she didn't even have a chance to look at the horses and she had always wanted to see one in person.
"How's stable duty?" Rapunzel asked.
"Messy. How's kitchen duty?"
"Complicated." She paused. "Max, I'm really scared."
"About being here?"
She nodded. "I'm scared we'll be stuck here forever. I mean, Vladimir said this was our new home, but… I don't want it to be."
"Is this about Flynn being locked up?"
She thought of her mother but nodded anyway.
"Listen, Rapunzel, Flynn will be all right. It's just for one night."
"What if it's not though? Vladimir has already changed his mind once. Who's to say he won't do it again."
Max was silent for a moment, then he said, "My wife is dead."
Rapunzel looked at him. "I remember you telling us that – the night we drank the tequila. You said that she had died not long after the world ended."
Max nodded. "But I didn't give you the full story. I let you all believe she died from a zombie attack, but that's not true." He paused. "She killed herself."
"Max… I'm so sorry." Rapunzel placed a hand on his arm.
"So, I know what it's like to lose someone you love. My wife couldn't handle this life anymore, not with all the chaos this world has become. But Flynn is a different matter. He's tough. Scrappy."
She smiled at the word choice.
Max continued, "So, he'll be all right. And so will you. You're much stronger than you think you are. Whatever is bothering you, you'll make it through."
"You've never said anything like this to me before." She wiped at a tear at the corner of her eye. "Why now?"
"Because sometimes we all need to move on from the past. Talking about it helps."
Rapunzel frowned. Did Max know something? But how could he? He didn't know her mother.
"Max… there's a woman here."
"I know."
She looked at him, startled.
"When the runners returned, I saw you make eye contact with that woman, then you passed out. Then she turned up at your bedroom door, wanting to help you. I couldn't help but wonder if you two knew each other."
"Don't say anything. That woman… she has so much power over me. I'm afraid if I talk about her then… something bad will happen. And I don't even know quite what I mean. Just that she has a way of hurting me."
"Take your time, Rapunzel. We will all make it out of here."
As Max stood up, Rapunzel said, "Varian told me where Vladimir stored our weapons. He said they're keeping them locked up in a buried box around this area I believe. It's in a super grassy spot, he said."
Max nodded. "I'll be on the lookout. Now, you need to leave. I don't want Vladimir thinking we're conspiring in here."
Rapunzel, after giving Max a quick hug, left the stables. She didn't want her mother finding her, so she headed over to the school. She needed to get to the bottom of this mystery that was nagging at the back of her head.
Knocking on the door, the old teacher, Mrs. Crowley, appeared, scowling at Rapunzel.
"What do you want?"
Rapunzel plastered a bright smile on her face. "Do you think I could join you in the classroom today?"
Mrs. Crowley looked at her from head to toe. "You're not a child."
"I know, but I could be a teacher's assistant, maybe? Help you out with the kids. I love kids and I'd love to be of any assistance." She knew she practically said the same thing twice – nerves would do that.
Mrs. Crowley grumbled and opened the door wider. Rapunzel stepped inside, waving at Pascal and the girls, who were seated front and center. They waved back, then turned their attention back on the wall in front of them.
"I'll just take a seat in the back," she whispered to Mrs. Crowley, who shooed her away. Rapunzel walked past row upon row of kids, all sitting quietly, staring intently up at the board in front. Rapunzel slid her body into a super small seat, wincing as she banged her elbow on the desk.
"All right kids," Mrs. Crowley said, ambling over to the chalkboard. "Remember this lesson and repeat after me. You work by the claw. You live by the claw."
All the kids spoke at once. "You work by the claw. You live by the claw."
Rapunzel frowned. What in the world was the claw?
Mrs. Crowley smacked a ruler onto her desk, the sharp sound making Rapunzel jump. "Always remember that. Now, I need a volunteer today to stay after class and help."
All the kids raised their hands. Mrs. Crowley pointed at Pascal. Rapunzel's stomach dropped to her shoes.
"You. Stay after today. The rest of you, class is dismissed."
"We're getting done early today," one of the kids said to another kid as they all stood up.
Rapunzel figured Mrs. Crowley was purposefully shortening today's lesson plan because she was in the room.
All the kids left, including Angry and Red. Pascal stayed behind.
Mrs. Crowley pointed her ruler at Rapunzel. "You can go now. I don't need a teacher's assistant."
Rapunzel slowly got up. "Pascal, come with me."
"No, Rapunzel. I'm helping out. Today, I get to see the claw."
Why did he sound so happy about that? She knew he was just ten after all, but… something wasn't adding up.
"Pascal, please come with me." She held out a hand.
Mrs. Crowley smacked her ruler again on the table. "You have no say here, missy. Now get out."
Rapunzel shook her head. "What do you plan on using him for? What's the claw?"
"None of your business. Not leave."
Pascal came over and squeezed her hand. "I'll be all right, Rapunzel. Don't worry. I'm glad to do this."
But did he even know what he was signing up for? That's what left her worried.
But what could she do? Hurt Mrs. Crowley? Then she'd be locked up like Flynn and she vowed to never be locked up again. Grab Pascal and run? No one could make Pascal do something he didn't want to do. She just had to trust him and hope that all this fear she was feeling was just a product of her mother re-entering her life and not a sign of something worse.
Rapunzel sighed, squeezing Pascal's hand in return. "Ok."
Pascal smiled and turned back to Mrs. Crowley.
Rapunzel left the school and headed back to the mansion. She ran up the stairs and hid inside her bedroom until nightfall. Luckily, no one came to visit her. That was the only little bit of reprieve she was given in all of this.
Lance knew he was in love.
As he helped patrol the fence (without a weapon), he stared at a fellow guardsman. Or should he say, guardswoman?
The woman is question was named Adira, a stunningly tall woman with brown skin and white hair. Lance had become a little tongue tied at the sight of her.
"Hey, you!" she shouted at Lance. "Stop staring at me and get back to work."
Lance forced his body to move. Without a weapon, he felt a little silly patrolling the fence, but it did give him the opportunity to look for a way to escape.
"Stupid men," Adira muttered, walking past Lance.
"Hey, I'm not stupid," Lance said.
Adira stopped. "Then why are you just standing there?"
"I was staring at you. You're stunning."
Adira snorted. A few other guards whistled.
"Adira has a love interest," some guy said.
Lance ignored him. "I'd like to get to know you better," he said to Adira.
Adira propped her gun over her shoulder. "What would you like to know?"
"How much it hurt."
Adria frowned.
Lance continued, saying, "When you fell from Heaven. You're clearly an angel."
Adira shook her head. "Stupid. That's what I say."
She turned to look out over the grassy field on the outside of the fence. All the zombies that had chased them were dead. Vladimir's people had done a good job in killing them, Lance would give them that. Lance subtly looked around, seeing if there were any opening spots in the fence he and his friends could sneak out of later.
"You're looking for a way out," Adira said, making Lance snap back to attention.
"N-no," he stuttered. "What gave you that idea?"
She looked at him like he really was stupid. "The way you keep looking around. It's obvious."
Ok, so maybe he hadn't been that subtle.
Lance leaned against the top of the fence next to her. Their arms are almost touching. Lance couldn't deny how happy that made him. But he needed to focus. He couldn't get distracted by the pretty lady.
"You know what's not obvious," Lance said, purposefully deepening his voice. "Your attraction to me."
Adira shook her head again, but Lance saw the subtle signs of a smile peeking out.
Suddenly, she leaned in close to him and whispered, "The far right corner of the fence." Then she pulled back, returning to her normal stance.
"What?" Lance whispered back.
Adira sighed, rolling her eyes. She leaned back in. "You can get out that way if no one is looking."
Lance jerked his head back. "Why are you telling me this?"
Adira's eyes shifted. "Because, not everyone here is as happy as they are pretending to be."
Lance didn't know what to say.
He eyed her. "How do I know you're not just lying to me? Trying to trick me?"
Adira shrugged. "You don't. But you also don't have that many options."
"Why do you want to leave?"
"Who says I want to leave?"
"Because you're telling me of a way to escape. Why not just use it yourself?" Lance asked.
"I'm good at my job here. But I know that Vladimir is… not the best of men. I don't like seeing new people get duped. Don't be stuck here the rest of your life – not like the rest of us."
"Everyone here is miserable?" He found that hard to believe.
"No. But most don't know that they're stuck. They just go along with it. Me? I'd like to help get you and your friends out of here. I don't want to see anyone grow dependent under Vladimir's thumb."
Lance looked back out at the grassy open field in front of him. Maybe there was hope after all.
Flynn tossed and turned all night in his cell. If you could believe it - a tiny, wooden bench wasn't the most comfortable thing to sleep on. Man, all these shitty situations he found himself in really prevented him from getting his tip-top beauty sleep.
He missed his eye creams and moisturizer. He wasn't afraid to admit it. He didn't even want to see himself in a mirror. His reflection would probably break his heart. At least Rapunzel thought he looked good.
Rapunzel.
He hoped she was doing all right. Something was seriously bothering her. Did it have to do with her mother? The last time Rapunzel had passed out, it was because she realized the truth about her mother. But how did this have to do that black-haired woman? Rapunzel freaked out when she saw her in her bedroom.
Flynn sighed, his head hurting from resting on the damn wooden bench. Vladimir's mansion had spoiled him, that was for sure. He also had made a friend during the night – a massive rat who scurried around the cell.
Thank goodness it wasn't Lance who had been subjected to this cell.
Since there was no windows down in the dungeon of doom (what Flynn decided to call it), he didn't know if it was still nighttime or morning yet.
But when he heard footsteps coming down the cellar steps, he caught a flash of bright light. Must be morning or even midday. How long had he been down here? He was starting to go a little stir-crazy. After he left prison the first time, he had never wanted to go back.
Well, life was a bitch like that.
Vladimir came into view, sporting his stupid Viking helmet. Flynn wanted to knock that thing right off his head.
"Have a good night sleep?" Vladimir asked, leaning against the wall opposite Flynn's cell.
Flynn remained lying down, staring at the ceiling. "Oh, it was great. Honestly, couldn't have been better."
"So, then it wouldn't bother you if you spent another night here?"
Flynn didn't give in to the bait. He was much better than that.
Or so he liked to believe.
"That would make you happy, wouldn't it, Vlady?" He rested an arm behind his head. "No, I'm content to remain right here. You see, I've been in prison before, so you learn a lot of patience doing time."
Oh he was good. He tried to hide his smirk.
"I was thinking of letting you out today, if you promise to not get into any more fights."
Flynn snorted. "Come on. We both know you set that fight up to lock me in here. You convinced some asshole to fight me just to get me in trouble. You're just trying to scare me and my friends into submission so we'll live peacefully within your little community. Well, hate to break it to you, Vlady – your little commune - is fucking creepy."
He still didn't look over at Vladimir, but he could hear the big guy walk over to his cell, his footsteps loud on the cement floor.
"You think you're tough?" Vladimir asked.
Flynn inspected his nails. "Yeah."
"You wouldn't be so tough if all your friends are dead."
Flynn finally turned his head to look at Vladimir. "What do you mean?"
"Stay in line and no one will get hurt."
Flynn stared at Vladimir for a moment. "You see, threatening my friends won't win you any brownie points. I'd take that under advisement if you want to run a community successfully. Threatening to kill everyone usually makes people pissed off at you."
"Well, no one will be pissed if they're all dead, so stay in line," Vladimir repeated.
"You'll let me out of this cell if I play nice?"
"I'm choosing to trust you."
Flynn snorted. Trust. Yeah. Sure.
"Play well with the others of this community and you'll never have to worry about seeing the inside of a cell again."
It was tempting. And normally he wouldn't give in to such offers, but Rapunzel was on his mind. He wanted to get out to see her and make sure she was all right.
Flynn sat up. "Deal. You let me out, I'll be good."
Vladimir nodded, unlocking Flynn's door. Flynn nodded at his rat buddy and left the cell behind him.
"In a show of good faith," Vladimir said as they walked upstairs and outside, "you won't need to work on any chores today. It's almost dinner time. Spend the time with your friends. Then officially become part of this community tomorrow. We look forward to having you on board." Vladimir extended his hand.
Flynn shook it. Vladimir's grip was rough with callouses. "I look forward to working with you."
Vladimir smiled and slapped Flynn on the back. It couldn't be this easy, could it?
Flynn headed off to meet his friends. He found them all huddled around a picnic table, eating dinner. Except there were two people missing.
"Where's Rapunzel and the human frog?"
"Hey!" Lance stood to hug Flynn. "You're out."
Flynn patted Lance on the back. "I'm out." He looked at Cass. "Where are they?"
Cass wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I think Pascal is still at the school and Rapunzel is refusing to come out of her room. She's been in there since last night. I managed to get her some food, then she told me to leave."
Flynn nodded and immediately walked away, heading towards the mansion. He went to his and Rapunzel's bedroom, finding Rapunzel laying on the bed, curled into a fetus position.
"Hey," he said softly.
Rapunzel lifted her head, meeting his gaze. "Flynn?" She reached out a hand.
He folded her hand within his, sitting down next to her and wrapping his other arm around her.
"Vladimir let you out." He could hear the relief in her voice.
"Blondie, you think a few metal bars could keep me from you?"
She smiled, caressing his face. He relaxed under her touch, while he leaned down to kiss her. Rapunzel clutched at his back, bringing their lips together, stronger and deeper. There was an urgency to her kiss he had never felt before. He was more than happy to oblige.
He laid back, so Rapunzel laid half on top of him and half on the bed. Stroking a hand down her spine, he came to rest it against her lower back.
"Flynn?" she said, pulling back. "I want you."
Those words went straight to his cock.
"Are you sure you're up for that?" he asked, brushing a hair behind her ear.
She nodded, biting her lip. "I'm not as sore today. Besides, I hated being parted from you. I never want to be again."
God, he loved her.
There he said.
Love.
No more falling in love.
Just plain 'ole love.
"Rapunzel," he murmured against her lips, "if you want me, then show me."
Her face grew red, but her eyes lit up with the determination he loved her for. She got off the bed and pulled off her hoodie, then her t-shirt and jeans. She stood there before him in just her bra and panties. She hesitated when she went to take her bra off.
"Do you need my help?" he asked. He wanted her to say yes and no.
She took in a deep breath.
And unhooked her bra, bringing it down her arms. Her tiny breasts came into view. His cock stirred. Looking him straight in the eye, she then pulled down her panties, revealing all of herself to him.
"Ok. Your turn," she squeaked.
Flynn smiled and slid off the bed. He quickly took his jacket and shirt off, slipped off his shoes and socks and undid his jeans, pulling them down.
But he still had to tease her a little bit.
He looked down at his underwear. "I think I need help getting these off."
"You can't do it?" Her frown was adorable.
"Oh, I can. I just want you to do it."
Rapunzel twiddled her hands together before coming over to him. "Like this?" she asked, hooking her hands under the waistband of his underwear.
He didn't answer, just leaned down to kiss her. Rapunzel eagerly kissed him back, as she suddenly pulled his boxer-briefs down.
She definitely wanted this.
He pulled her close to him, their naked bodies touching, no space between them. His cock twitched against her lower belly.
Rapunzel looked down at his erection. "Can I…?"
Flynn lifted an eyebrow. "Can you…?"
She huffed, looking into his eyes. "Can I touch you? Like the way you've touched me?"
How could he refuse that?
"Of course," he said, trying not to sound too eager himself.
He stepped back a little, allowing her to reach her hand down and grip him. Her touch was soft and gentle as she explored his cock.
But, fuck, she took her sweet time. Too much time.
"Rapunzel, you can grip me tighter. Like this." He covered her hand with his, showing her how tight she could hold him.
"I just didn't want to hurt you."
"Blondie, you're not gonna hurt me. My cock's not a twig you can snap in two."
Her eyes widened. "What did you call it?"
He smirked. "My cock."
"Cock," she said, testing out the word. "Why haven't you called it that before?"
He was trying to focus on her questions but her hand around him was certainly a distraction. "Because you were so innocent. I didn't want to say too much too soon."
"And I'm not innocent anymore?" she asked him, looking at him slyly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Not after what I've done to you." He looked down at her hand around his cock. "Rapunzel, I appreciate your attentiveness, but I don't want to wait. I wanna have you now."
She swallowed, letting him go. Laying on the bed, she looked up at him, waiting. He laid down next to her, trying to keep his grin down at her confusion.
"I want to try something different this time," he explained. "I want you to get on top." He reached down between her legs and started playing with her.
She arched her back and lifted her hips. Her wetness coated his fingers. Leaning over to grab a condom, he slipped one on and leaned against the headboard.
"Come here," he signaled. He guided Rapunzel so she was saddling him, with her arms around his shoulders. "This might be deeper for you in this position, so just take your time."
He ran a hand up her back, causing Rapunzel to sigh. She shifted her hips and placed her opening over his cock.
"Hold me?" she asked.
"Always," he responded, wrapping his arms around her.
Rapunzel sank down on to him, his erection filling her. She held her breath as she lowered herself completely onto him.
"Are you ok?" he asked, rubbing her back, trying to focus on her and not on his own pleasure.
She shifted her hips experimentally. She gasped when his erection touched a very pleasurable spot for her.
"I'm ok," she whispered. He leaned in to kiss her, while holding onto her hips.
Rapunzel began to twist her hips, her walls clenching around his cock. He kissed down her neck, loving her little gasps from the pleasure he, and only him, could give her.
His own stomach constricted from the pleasure, as they moved their hips in synchronicity.
"Fuck, Rapunzel, you feel amazing," he murmured against her throat.
Rapunzel gripped his shoulders tighter, her nails almost digging into his skin. "Flynn…" she sighed his name.
Yeah, it made him feel good.
Reaching a hand between them, Flynn pressed his thumb to her clit, loving the way her eyes lit up when he touched her pleasure spot. Rapunzel leaned her head back, exposing more of her beautiful throat. He nipped and licked the skin there, as their hips continued to thrust.
She gasped when his cock went a little deeper. He rubbed her nub faster, as their hips picked up speed. He knew he was coming, but he wanted her to follow suit.
"Rapunzel, are you almost ready?"
"I think so." She narrowed her eyes in concentration.
"Good. I want you to come with me if you can. I want to take you there with me."
She let out a tiny moan, the sound glorious to his ears. He flicked her clit again.
Rapunzel's inner channel clenched around him as she came, her body shuddering and quivering. She pressed her face against his neck, breathing deeply.
He allowed himself to lose control and thrusted upward one, two, three more times. He felt his release, groaning against Rapunzel's hair.
He thrusted once more, then stilled. They held each other, Flynn breathing into her hair. How she managed to make her hair smell amazing in the zombie apocalypse, he would never understand. He leaned back, brushing her hair away from her face, sweat making some hairs stick to her skin.
Rapunzel gave him the biggest grin he had ever seen from her before. He couldn't help but smile back.
They kissed for a moment, light and teasing as his erection went down. Rolling her onto her back, he gently pulled out, giving her one more kiss, before he went to dispose of the condom.
Watching her stretch, as he came back to bed, was a sight that made his cock stir again. And his heart.
Damn. Rapunzel was turning him into a mushy romantic.
Sliding back into bed with her, he spooned her, resting a hand on her belly and rubbing the soft skin there.
"You feel better?" he asked.
She relaxed into his arms. "Much better."
"An orgasm will do that to you."
She giggled. "It wasn't the orgasm, Flynn." She turned her head to meet his eyes. "It was you."
He tapped her nose. "You're a hopeless romantic."
"And what are you?"
"A realist," he said flatly.
Rapunzel swatted at his chest. "Stop it," she said, grinning. "I think you're a romantic too, Mr. Eugene Fitzherbert."
He groaned. "Not with the name."
"Yes with the name." She gave him a peck.
"You're lucky I like you," he said. Well, love. But he didn't know if he was ready to say it yet.
"You're lucky I like you too."
"Oh, throwing down the gauntlet, are we, Blondie?"
"Most definitely."
They continued to pillow talk for the next few hours, until night fell and the moon rose, and they fell asleep.
Flynn dreamed of riding a motorcycle through a jungle. He ran into an annoying talking parrot who warned him to be careful - there was danger around every corner. Flynn ignored the bird and continued on riding. His bike hit a tree root, causing Flynn to flip over the front wheels. He fell to the ground, fast and hard. A sharp pain went through his side.
It took a second for Flynn to realize that the sharp pain wasn't just from his dream. It was a reality.
He gasped, opening his eyes. A sharp, throbbing pain was coursing through his abdomen. He looked down…
…and saw a knife sticking out of his stomach.
He groaned, shaky fingers wrapping around the knife.
Rapunzel jerked awake, turning in bed to stare at him. "Flynn! Oh my god."
"Good. You're awake." A voice said in the room.
Flynn turned his head to see the woman with curly black hair and a scar on her face. She must have been the one to stab him. He didn't understand why, until Rapunzel spoke.
"Mother, what did you do?"
Mother?
Flynn let his head fall back, feeling a fuzzy blackness at the edge of his vision.
It all made sense now.
Hope you enjoyed! Until next time.