Sorry sorry SORRY I took so long! The internet went down for ages!

Anyways, thank you to xBadxRomancesx, freakyfriday13 and obsessivelyfanaticgw09 for reviewing!

Chapter Twenty Six

It was so simple, and yet so hard.

I had to leave. I wasn't going to go alone. I would have to take Anna with me. She was my only friend and knew London like the back of her hand.

My cheek still hurt from where he slapped me. Wincing slightly as I did so, I placed my hand on it.

And my head.

I felt sick as I replayed the crack I heard when it bashed against the wall. I had heard a lot of sickening sounds, but that was the worst.

I didn't know how long I sat there, but a voice made me look up and realise how late it was.

"Johanna?"

I looked up miserably at Anna, who was standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"H-h-hello, Anna." I said weakly, silently cursing at my stutter.

"Johanna!"

Quickly shutting the door, Anna ran and knelt down in front of me, placing her hands on my cheeks and staring into my eyes.

"Oh Johanna, what did he do to you?" She demanded. She didn't sound angry though. Not Anna. Just…anxious. Upset.

"He h-h-hit m-me, Anna. He h-h-hit me."

Anna stared at me in horror as she gently brushed her hand against my cheek.

"How could he?" She whispered.

"Anna…"

"Yes, Johanna?"

"My head hurts…"

Anna gently moved my head so it was ducked, her fingers probing along the back of it. I hissed as she touched where I hit it.

"You're not bleeding, but you will have a nasty bump." Anna told me.

"Anna, we need to go."

Anna froze.

"Go where?"

"Just go. We need to leave. Now."

"Johanna, we can't. I –"

"Anna, please."

Anna stared at me, her brow furrowing.

"Why, Johanna?" She whispered.

"He hurts me, Anna. He hurts you. I do not trust him. We have to leave. Please."

I stared at Anna pleadingly.

"Where?"

"I don't know, but I would rather live on the streets than remain here a minute longer. This is torture, Anna. For me and you."

Anna was silent, seemingly thinking. I stared at her hopefully, unable to think of anything else to say.

"Fine."

I stared at Anna incredulously. "Really? You'll come with me?

Anna nodded. "Only because you are my friend. Stay here. I'll go get some less…obvious clothing for you."

I couldn't help but grin excitedly. This was it! I was leaving! We were leaving Turpin and all the bad memories behind!

Maybe we could find Anna's twin brother. She would love that if we were to travel all the way to Ireland and find him waiting.

I looked up as the door opened, and Anna walked in carrying a bundle of clothing. Throwing it on the bed, she picked up one dress and tossed it to me.

"Put this on," She ordered. I quickly obliged, remembering the soft material of the plain dress.

Once I was dressed, I began packing a bag with Anna, not bothering to do anything with my hair. There was no point. We weren't going anywhere special.

"Quick, let's go!" I whispered, turning towards the door. Anna grabbed my arm, restraining me.

"Wait."

Letting go of me, she walked forwards and edged the door open. I watched anxiously as she peered around.

"Hurry!" She hissed, waving me forwards with her hand. Grabbing the bag, I ran forwards and joined her at the door.

"Come on."

Taking my hand, Anna led me down the corridors. We remained in the shadows, taking only the ones that were near the back of the mansion, the ones we were sure no one would walk down in the dead of night.

A sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the sky outside, revealing our frozen figures lurking in the shadows. My heart raced as we remained frozen, but no one cried out or stopped us.

Had I not been so scared, I would've laughed out loud at how lucky we were. I would've also laughed at how I did not realise there was a storm outside.

But we were not finished. We still had to leave.

As we slid past yet another door, I could hear voices.

"Johanna!" Anna hissed as I paused, pressing my ear against the wood. I shushed her, pointing towards the door and gesturing her forwards.

"…showed her, my lord." The Beadle finished.

"Yes, it did," Turpin replied in a calm tone…almost bored. "Would you believe that she had the nerve to threaten me also?"

"Oh?"

"Oh yes. She tried to threaten me by saying I was going to ruin my reputation by sending her away."

"How silly, my lord. Nothing can ruin your reputation. You are one of the best known Judges here! Everyone looks up to you."

"Thank you, Beadle."

Deciding I had heard enough, I stepped away. Seeing this, Anna followed.

We weren't going to risk going through the front door; it was too dangerous. Instead, we went towards the back door that Anna took me through when we first left.

"Anna!"

We spun around fearfully, but I instantly relaxed as I saw Mildred. She stared at us, a stern look in her eyes.

"Oh Mildred, please, we need to leave!" Anna whispered desperately.

"Please, Mildred." I added.

Mildred glanced around her before letting out a resigned sigh. "After everything we've done for you…both of you…"

"And we shall never forget it, Mildred, I can promise you that!" I said eagerly, while Anna nodded.

"Fine. Go. But be quick about it!"

Letting out a relived gasp, I rushed forwards and hugged Mildred.

"Thank you!" I whispered. "Thank you so much!"

Mildred hugged me back briefly before pushing me off.

"Go, before I change my mind."

Smiling, I ran back to Anna and, taking her hand, ran out the back door.

We were free!

We didn't stop running, however. We kept running until our legs were aching and our feet were sore. We kept running until our hearts were racing and our breathing had turned to panting.

We just kept running.

"Oof!"

I stopped as Anna fell down onto the ground, my mouth falling open. What if she was hurt?

"Anna!"

Running back to her, I knelt by her side, not caring that I was getting soaking wet.

"Anna, are you alright?" I asked, panicking. Anna slowly pushed herself up, nodding silently.

"Y-yes, I think so."

Just as she sat up, a grand carriage rolled to a stop in front of us. I watched fearfully, hoping it was not Judge Turpin.

The door opened and, instead of Turpin stepping out, a young man leaned out towards us, an anxious expression on his face.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"My friend…she's hurt…" I said, glancing at Anna. "Please, you have to help us. We've been running all night."

The man frowned as he stepped out. I couldn't help but think he was rather…

Familiar.

"What has happened?" He inquired as he knelt down beside me, his hand resting lightly on Anna's shoulder.

"Nothing, sir, I simply fell."

"Anthony! Are they alright?" Another voice called. This one was kind and gentle, a woman's voice.

"Yes, love, they are," The man, Anthony, confirmed. He then turned to me with a curious look. "Excuse for being so bold, m'am, but may I inquire as to what your names are?"

"Oh yes, please excuse me," I said hurriedly. "This is Anna, and I am Johanna Barker."

Anthony's eyes narrowed. "I beg your pardon, but what did you say your name was?"

"My name is Johanna Barker." I repeated, frowning. Was he close to Turpin?

Anthony also frowned as he turned to look over his shoulder and called, "Love, you may want to come out here."

I watched as a petite figure, a woman I presumed, though the shadows hid her identity, stepped out the carriage and looked at us.

"What is wrong, Anthony?" She asked, continuing forwards. I noticed she was no more than fifteen years old.

And beautiful.

She was like an angel. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, pushed off her shoulders to reveal a fair heart shaped face. Her eyes, large and bright, were an amazing shade of blue and her small mouth was set into a frown.

My gaze wandered from her face and downwards. The dress she wore, similar to ones I used to, was simple yet elegant, clinging to her every curve and flowing out again to the floor.

And I couldn't help but shake the feeling off that there was something…

Something familiar about her.

I stared at the girl in curiosity. Who was she?

"What is wrong, Anthony?" She asked again, her tone becoming anxious. Her eyes darted around, as if she too was running from someone.

"Something most odd is happening, love," Anthony replied. "This woman claims to be Johanna Barker."

"I do not claim, I know," I said stiffly. "Turpin told me himself."

"Turpin?" Anthony repeated. "Judge Turpin?"

I nodded once, not trusting myself to speak.

"How…odd." The girl said, her eyes on me.

"How so?" I questioned boldly. Next to me, Anna was clinging onto my arm.

"Because," The girl responded. "My name is Johanna Barker."