So here is the before mentioned chapter 18, (because I'm and awful person and this should have been posted ages ago) I really hope you guys like it, parts of it were really fun to write, others were slightly more difficult, but I still hope everything suits all of your needs and wants (fingers crossed) Don't forget to comment! Love you guys, -Grace

The music had faded away and I opened my eyes to see him looking past me to the shore. The soft smile that had enveloped his face was gone and instead he looked… scared.

"Is everything ok?" I asked him glancing behind me to see if there was any kind of danger, but all I saw was empty main land. Eugene was gripping the sides of the boat lost in thought, "huh?" he asked me softly, I leaned back confused, "oh yes!" he said before I could ask again, he leaned forward gripping my hand before letting it go. "Yes of course," his voice was tinged with nervous energy and his gaze landed on the satchel beside me.

I scrunched my eyebrows together worry and a small but awful tinge of doubt worming their way into me. "I just…" Eugene said trailing off while he grabbed the paddle and started steering us towards shore, my heart sank down to my stomach, a coldness seeping into me.

Eugene hopped out of the boat and pulled us to shore.

I leaned in and brushed the hair off of her forehead my pulse rising in anticipation. Rapunzel looked up at me, and instead of taking my hand back I cupped her cheek looking at her with all the love and adoration that was in my heart, and to my disbelief and delight, the same look was mirrored in her eyes.

"Now that I," I leaned in further and she closed her eyes, her beautiful lashes brushing her cheeks, "see you."

Right before my lips met hers a light that wasn't golden like the others caught my eye. It was a greenish sort of yellow emanating from the shore. I wished I hadn't noticed.

It was the Stabbingtons, standing on the shore, I knew they could see me and I also knew they wouldn't stop until they had the crown, I looked over at Rapunzel and my heart twisted painfully, if they somehow found out about her, they could use her against me.

It occurred to me that they probably already knew, who knew how long they had been standing there?

I swallowed as I watched them walk away they brother without the eye patch staring at me the whole time.
"Is everything ok?" Rapunzel asked with a nervous quiver in her voice.

The Stabbingtons had left us alone for now but something told me it wouldn't be for long. I realized Rapunzel had said something to me, "huh?" I asked her not completely coherent as fear trembled through my body, I looked at her and so that she looked like she was about to burst into tears, "Oh yes!" I exclaimed trying to smooth over my little mix up, she couldn't know about them, it would only scare her, or it wouldn't and she would do something brash, like run at them with a frying pan, that may have worked once but these were the Stabbingtons, two thieves known for their brutality, especially with… with women that is. My throat went dry as I remembered the one girl that had first found them with, I had met her the day prior to that encounter and she had been a happy and bubbly young lass, the next day… I shivered at the thought. The long claw marks down her arms where there dirty finger nails had scratched her and the bruises from them holding her down.

I would rather die than let them touch Rapunzel. I looked at her and realized she was still waiting for an explanation, I squeezed her hand and then pulled back "yes of course," I continued, "I just…" my voice trailed off as I spotted the satchel.

It was that stupid thing that had gotten me into this mess, and now the Stabbingtons were pissed they didn't get their share.

I looked at the damn thing and my heart beat picked up as I realized what I had to do, it was simple yes, but it wasn't like anything I had ever done.

I was going to be like the real Flynn Ryder and save the girl by being selfless.

Picking up the paddle I propelled us to shore without another word, I couldn't talk for fear I would blab, or worse change my mind. Rapunzel meant everything to me, somehow in the space of two days she had captured my heart, but if I started talking I might lose my nerve, returning something I had stolen, well let's just say that wasn't exactly my kind of thing to do, especially not when this happened to have been one of the biggest heists of my life.

I had gotten so caught up in my own thoughts I didn't notice we had hit that shore until the boat skidded to a halt, mindlessly I hopped out and pulled the boat up.

Looking back at Rapunzel it suddenly hit me how bad this would look, me running away with the satchel the moment she gave it to me…

I swallowed pushing my hair back in anxiety.

I went around the boat so I stood in front of her.

"I'm sorry." I said apologizing not only for worrying her but for tangling her up in my messes as well.

"Everything is fine." I assured her grabbing the satchel. And walking away backwards. "There's just something I have to take care of." I stood there awkwardly, terrified and trying with all my might nt to show it, I didn't want to leave her but I had to if I was going to make sure she didn't get hurt.

She looked at me cautiously, I could see the doubt and her trust for me warring behind her eyes.

"Ok." She said cautiously but full of shy and loving trust, even after me ducking out of the kiss, even with how bad this looked, she still believed in me.

"I'll be right back." I told her before turning around, afraid I was walking to my doom.

At least if I died they would leave her alone a dark voice in the back of my head told me.

I walked away from her my heart in my throat. After rounding the corner I started into a brisk jog and then was soon running, I passed by a tree and skidded to a halt, with a yell I punched the tree anger thrumming through my veins, how could I let this happen?

The sound of a blade being sharpened brought to my attention that I had company. I spun around and looked past the tall bushes that were in front of me, one of the Stabbingtons sat alone sharpening his knife on a rock. I swallowed and tried to remember how I used to act when I was Ryder, I I acted even a little bit like Eugene they would know something was up.

"Ah there you are," I said with a small laugh pushing through the bushes, "I've been searching everywhere for you guys since we got separated," I said using all of my might to sound like the cool and arrogant Flynn Ryder.

I walked towards the large brute satchel in hand making sure to make myself appear more confident than I was.

The Stabbington brother did not look up and I stared at him nervously waiting for any kind of a response, "Hey the sideburns coming in nice, huh?" I said trying to get any sort of a reaction out of him, I was starting to worry. "Gotta be excited about that," I said as he sharpened a stick to a deadly point with his knife, I swallowed nervously scratching my head.

I cleared my throat as he paused his whittling but still did not look up, "Anyhow, just wanted to say I shouldn't have split," I tossed him the satchel, he still didn't acknowledge me, "the crown is all yours."

I smiled dashingly at him and decided to make a hasty exit, Rapunzel was waiting, "I'll miss ya, but I think it's for the-" my words were cut off as I walked into the solid chest of the other Stabbington, he like his brother did not look happy. "the best." I said nervously finishing my sentence, an icy fear gripping my heart as he glared down at me, I realized with a shudder that I was surrounded.

"Holding out on us again? Eh Ryder?" The brother with the knife asked me, I blinked backing away.

"What?" I asked confusion swirling through me, what on earth were they talking about? Did they think I had given them a fake?

The brute, now started to pay attention to me as he slid off his rock, knife and stake in hand, "we heard you found something," he said menacingly twirling the knife before throwing it deep into the ground, "Something much more valuable than a crown." I looked between him and his brother confused.

They both stepped in so I was stuck between them.

"We want her." The brother said looking down on me.

My heart. Stopped. Beating.

Rapunzel.

"I-I, what are you talking about boys?" I asked trying to play dumb, but I knew, somehow they knew about her hair, somehow these creeps knew about her powers and they were going to use her for it.

"We know you know, Ryder." I swallowed and tried to rein in my composure, maybe I could convince them they were wrong, or maybe they were talking about something else.

"Know what?" I asked managing to add a little force behind my words.

"About the girl, with the magic hair, the hair we will take, along with the girl." He leaned in close to whisper in my ear, "no matter what you do, she's ours." He chuckled menacingly turning away.

A red hot anger burned in my stomach, they wanted to hurt her, they were going to hurt Blondie.

"You. Can't. Touch. Her." I said before grabbing his collar and swinging my fist at his face with all my might.

The brute stumbled back rubbing his jaw, but instead of raging on me or screaming or even making me suffer, he just said the four little words to send me to my knees even before he punched me hard enough to make me black out.

"Who's gonna stop us?"

And with one hit my world went black.

Eugene stood there staring at me something stirring behind his eyes, but before I could say another word he clutched the satchel close to his chest and walked away.

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, but I forced them back. Eugene was coming back, of course he was, he just, I don't know had to… my thoughts trailed off . Pascal looked at me sadly his lip pouting slightly as he watched Eugene walk away from us.

"It's alright Pascal." I assured him my voice wavering slightly.

I took in a deep breath, I couldn't just jump to conclusions, I mean Eugene had almost kissed me, why would he leave now?

A tiny voice in the back of my head pointed out that it was an almost kiss, not an actual kiss, and he had to have stopped for a reason.

I shivered even though it was warm outside.

"Eugene?" I called out hopefully, I had changed my mind I wasn't ok with him leaving anymore, I was scared and cold and alone.

Pascal nestled into my shoulder reminding me I wasn't alone, I was never alone.

I sighed picking up Pascal and holding him in my hands.

"I'm sorry Pascal." I told him my voice trembling, "I-I haven't been spending time with you recently, a-and that's not ok." My voice cracked and a single tear leaked out of my eye.

Pascal nestled deeper into my hand looking up at me with his big doe like eyes and shrugged his little shoulders telling me it was ok. I swallowed thickly hugging the little guy to my chest, no matter what I would always have my best friend.

Sighing rested Pascal back on my shoulder and leaned on the boat, remembering how just a few minutes ago I had done the exact same thing except I had been so much happier, it was amazing how quickly happiness could be lost.

I shadow appeared out of the mist walking towards me, I narrowed my eyes and recognized it as the silhouette of a man. I let out a breath relaxing, Eugene was back.

I let go of the boat stepping towards him to see if he was ok, he was still shrouded in mist.

"I was starting to think you ran off with the crown and left me," I told him, deciding to be honest as I bashfully tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, ashamed of my doubt in him.

I looked up from the ground and was slightly confused, the silhouette had become clearer and it was wider more broad than Eugene's.

And then the silhouette doubled as another man stepped out from behind the first. They were identical the silhouette's and they stayed identical as they progressed closer and I could see them more clearly.

Confusion and dread swirled in my stomach as I recognized them; it was the twins who we had run into at the snugly duckling, one of the groups of people Eugene had said 'didn't like him'.

They walked right up to me scars and bulging muscles that I had not been able to see before now very obvious. One of them smiled menacingly and the other just glared at me.

"He did." One of the brothers said with a cruel smile.

I leaned back not believing him, "what?" I said in disbelief, I straightened looking up at them, "no." I told them my trust in Eugene too strong, "he wouldn't." I said standing tall. I wouldn't let them lie to me, Eugene had said he was coming back, he had to come back. He had to.

Despite my resolute disbelief the brother didn't stop smiling, "see for yourself." He told me gesturing to a boat sailing out across the ocean.

I stepped towards it narrowing my eyes in shock, I noticed the very distinct hair and frame, and to my horror in his grasp was the thing that had been in the satchel.

"Eugene?" I breathed in disbelief my heart cracking and splintering in my chest. "Eugene!" I called out to him hoping he would just look back, wave; give any sign that I was wrong and this was all part of some elaborate plan, but he didn't even wince.

The chilling voice of one of the brothers wafted over my shoulder from behind me, "Fair trade," he said stroking my hair making me freeze in horror, "a crown," I looked down my heart too shattered for me to gather the energy to stop him, "for the girl with the magic hair." My blood ran cold.

No

No no no no no.

Eugene couldn't have…

But all the signs pointed towards…

I spun to face them my breath catching in fright, it occurred to me how much bigger they were than me.

"How much do you think someone would pay to stay young and healthy forever?" he asked me reaching behind himself to grab something, probably a weapon of some form.

"No," I cried stumbling back in terror, this was exactly what I had always feared "please." I begged them as the brother revealed a large sac and opened it up wide. I threw up my hands backing away.

"No!" I wept in fright turning and running away.

I sprinted away and glanced back to see them following me.

"No." I said as if willing them to not catch me.

I sprinted around the corner grateful for the long sessions of yoga and acrobatics I had done in the tower, they made me fast and lithe.

Turning the corner I picked up my pace only to be yanked backwards by my hair.

I cried out in pain, my braid had caught on a log and was firmly stuck.

Heaving, I desperately pulled at the braid trying to untangle it but it just wouldn't budge.

My heart rose into my throat terror choking me as I cried out in desperation, suddenly two yells of surprise and the audible sound of bodies hitting the ground made me pause in confusion, had… had Eugene come back.

I did here someone call out my name, and I did know them, very well actually, but it wasn't Eugene. "Rapunzel!" the voice cried out.

"Mother?" I breathed in shock.

My heart stilled, she wasn't the enemy but the memories of her deception still were fresh in my mind, everything she had kept from me, but then again… the image of Eugene sailing away, not even glancing back as I called to him… she was right, the world was a cruel and terrible place, and the aching in my heart told me I never should have left.

Rounding the corner I saw to my amazement mother standing there holding a large stick, the two men unconscious beside her.

Even after I had left her, after everything, she was still protecting me, somehow she had even managed to save me from these brutes.

"Oh," she breathed in relief, "my precious girl."

"Mother." I sobbed running into her arms, holding her close.

"Are you alright?" she asked me stroking my hair lovingly, I just needed this, her love, it was all I needed I didn't need him, even if he had made everything so- I choked back a sob.

"Are you hurt?" she asked me pulling my chin up to examine me, "Mother how did you-" she cut me off before I could ask how on Earth she had found me, "I was so worried about you dear," she told me stroking me face, "So I followed you, and I saw them attack you, and I-" she broke off clutching me to her.

I stood there dumbfounded unsure of what I was supposed to do, "let's go let's go!" she insisted letting go of me and scurrying away, "before they come to!" she said anxiously glancing at the prone bodies of the twins.

I let go of her hand and turned around looking back to the lone ship in the water, sailing slowly away towards the Island. He was gone, I thought sadly, really gone. Eugene wasn't who I had thought he was, he was just some stupid jerk who had stolen… my heart.

He had stolen my heart and I didn't think I would ever get it back.

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes as I watched him go, every moment a different part of me breaking.

I looked around searching for mother to see f she had waited, unlike Eugene she was right there, right there for me, and he never would be.

My heart breaking I looked to her and she opened her arms wide, calling to me. Letting out a sob I ran to her falling into her arms my sobs racking my body.

I could barely breath, my tears were clogging my throat.

"You were right mother," I told her my voice cracking as I cried into her shoulder, "you were right about everything." She pushed me away slightly to pick up the lantern and put her arm around me.

"I know darling," she crooned patting me on the back and turning me around to walk home, "I know."

I curled into her side and we continued on towards home.

The ground under my toes that had once felt so soft and different was now just cold and hard, bits of rock stuck between my toes pinching my feet.

The road was empty and the green glow of her lantern cast an ominous setting around us, if I wasn't already distraught I would be terrified.

We continued on in silence for the longest time, the shadows creeping across my vision, I worried the brothers had found us. But eventually I realized that I didn't care.

I would spend the rest of my life locked up in that tower, and every time I even thought of leaving I would think of Eugene and those thoughts would evaporate. I would never be free, I couldn't be. If the brothers caught me and sold me off, it probably wouldn't make a difference anyways, I would be locked away, not allowed to leave, singing occasionally to keep my captor alive. I knew it was wrong to think of mother as my captor, but honestly that's what she was, the guard at my door making sure I stayed put. The fact that she did it out of love didn't change anything.

The sound of raucous laughter and music made me lift my head and soon the sound of a familiar voice reached my ears singing and playing the piano over all of the other men.

A single tear slid down my cheek as we passed the snugly duckling, but I didn't look, didn't turn my head, because if I did… I might have fallen apart.

Mother squeezed me tighter as if she knew somehow that the bar reminded me of Eugene. Even thinking his name sent shivers down my back.

The walk felt significantly shorter without his swagger and ever constant talking. We soon approached the opening to the meadow that held my tower.

I almost turned and fled, terrified of the lonely life ahead of me, but it occurred to me that I had nowhere to go, no one to go with. My guide had fled to claim his riches, and he wasn't coming back.

Mother pushed back the ivy that concealed the valley gently pulling me along behind her.

I held her hand and let her pull me like I was some kind of dead doll, and yet the thing is, I was dead. Or at least I felt it, I could no longer feel my pulse thrumming through my veins, and my blood ran cold. Even my thoughts were silent, a blessing in a way for if I was thinking it would only be of him… My heart wrenched in pain reminding I had one, a heart that is, I forgot that it was still there.

My feet sank into the damp cold grass as we approached the tower. I was blank, a sheet of paper drifting along, the simplest of actions would have ripped me in half.

You might say that it is pathetic, or unrealistic to be so torn up over someone I had only known for two days, but those two days had been my entire life, the only time for the last 18 years that I had truly felt alive, and that feeling had left along with him.

For the first time in my entire life I looked up at the tower instead of down from it. I realized how ominous it was, or maybe that was just me.

It occurred to me that my hair was far too short while braided and that it was down here with me. Ever since I could remember mother had used my hair to get up to the top, but I realized that my hair hadn't always been long enough, once upon a time it had just been long, not freakishly long, and she had to leave somehow.

My answer appeared in the form of a small scraggly old door set into the side of the tower, I hadn't noticed it when I left the tower, but I hadn't exactly been looking back.

Mother walked over and pushed a few rocks out of the way forcing the door open. I shuffled after her into what was a narrow staircase that seemed to go on forever.

Without a word mother lifted her lantern and started up the stairs.

With a small sigh I followed after her seeing no other possible outcome.

Time became something that I wasn't aware of, it passed and I survived, but I wasn't truly there. My mind was elsewhere, laughing in the sun, licking the icing off of cupcakes and… and holding his hand and dancing in the square and leaning in- I cut my thoughts short before they could destroy me, because that is where things turned sour, yes he leaned in, but he never did anything more did he? He left, and I needed to let myself accept that.

Clenching my teeth I realized I had reached the top of the stairs, my breath was laboured and my thighs hurt yet I had no memory of the climb.

The stairs ended on a small platform with a trapdoor overhead, all those years I had looked for a secret door behind a cabinet or the curtains that led to stairs when it had always been on the floor.

Mother grabbed the ladder that hung down from the door and hoisted herself up, pushing the door open she swung erself up and out disappearing from my view.

I was alone in the stair well, me and my thoughts sitting alone. The room was dank and dark, and yet it felt befitting of my mood, I almost decided to stay but mother's shrill call of "Rapunzel!" brought me out of my delusions and up the step ladder.

I crawled out of the hole in the floor to find myself beside the fireplace, the one with my painting of the… the lanterns. I swallowed back my tears and shuffled over to the stairs that led to my bedroom just wanting to escape. Mother didn't protest just followed me up placing her hand on my back for comfort.

Reaching my room I sat down on the bed, I had planned on lying there and maybe sleeping, but with mother there it felt rude and somehow… unsafe. The words entered my mind like poison and I pushed them away, mother was the embodiment of protection, what was I thinking?

'Maybe she didn't show you the world because…'

I froze my hands clenching in anger, I looked down surprised to see a scrap of purple fabric poking out between my fingers, the purple flag Eugene had gotton me at the festival, I still had it.

Mother came down beside me with a basket in er hands. "Rapunzel, I am going to take those flowers out now because they really are quite inconvenient, I mean you can't expect you dear old mum to walk up and down those frightful stairs everyday now can you?" mother laughed lightly as if nothing was wrong.

I didn't protest but I didn't agree either, she seemed to take my lack of interest as a go ahead.

Gently she plucked them out of my hair, sort of like Eugene had when we were in the boat, except this wasn't playful, it was painful, with each flower removed I lost a bit of him, I saw out time together shrivel up. All of it had been a lie, a ploy to get his precious satchel. That's all he had ever cared about. And yet… yet I still couldn't quite bring myself to believe it. There was so many things that just seemed so off about the situation. Hope blossomed in my stomach as mother plucked more of the flowers out of my hair, if he was just there for the satchel why would he have done all those things for me in the village, why was he so nice, why did he… my mind trailed off as the question that I really wanted the answer to entered my mind.

Why did he leave?

And even though it felt like the most mysterious, it was the simplest to answer.

It was because he could. Why would he stay with the strange little girl who had lived in a tower her whole life and didn't even know the name of her own kingdom when he could go and fulfill his dream of living the high life? The answer was simple: he wouldn't.

"There," mother said plucking the last flower out of my hair and smoothing my hair out so that it was back to its usual long line of blond, "it never happened." She told me picking up the basket and turning to leave.

I didn't look up my eyes partially closed and my hands resting in my lap. Despite how much of the past few days I removed physically, despite how much I almost wish they hadn't, the last two days did happen, and I would always carry the burden of their joy and pain.

"Now," mother said her shrill voice bringing me slightly out of my thoughts, although not completely, "wash up for dinner, I'm making hazelnut soup." She told me with a smile as if a bowl of broth and nuts would solve all my problems.

I didn't respond, simply stared down at my hands the small corner of the flag the only thing I could bring myself to look at.

Mother sighed pausing at my door, "I really did try Rapunzel," she told me with annoyance "I tried to warn you what was out there." My heart froze in place at her words, when I had thought them it had only made me more heart broken and guilty but coming from her they sounded… cruel. It angered me that she would rub it in. Pushing my anger aside I reminded myself there was only one person I should be angry with and I was never going to see him again.

"The world is dark and selfish and cruel," she told me biting out the last word, "If it finds even the slightest ray of sunshine," she paused as if angered, "It destroys it." And with that she snapped the curtains shut and left.

I looked up to see if she had really gone, for whatever reason I knew she couldn't see the flag, perhaps it was because I didn't want her to take it. It was my burden to bare and I wanted at least a little proof that it actually had happened. Because no matter what, it was still the only time I had ever stepped foot outside.

Slowly I unclenched my hand to reveal the crumpled scrap at its center. I gently straightened it out, somehow, the sun in its center seemed duller.

Pascal crawled out from the folds of my skirt and placed his tiny hand on my arm comforting me. His mouth was turned down and his eyebrows were knit. He curled against me his scales turning a greyish blue, despite the fact that my dress was purple. I looked back to the flag and fell onto my back clutching it to my chest.

I sighed looking up at the multiple paintings I had done throughout the years. The one's on this ceiling were mainly of the stars.

Something in the corner of my eye caught my attention and at first I wasn't sure what it was. I zeroed in on one particular sketch, it depicted several birds all grouped together but for whatever reason I couldn't stop staring at it. On a hunch I unfolded the flag again and raised it up to compare to the image of the doves. It almost seemed like the space in the center of the doves formed a perfect replica of the sun on the flag. Putting it back down I raised myself up on my elbow into a sitting position to see it closer. The longer I looked at it the more sure I became. Somehow I had drawn the exact sun that was the symbol of Corona even though I was positive mother had never shown it to me before. Another picture in corals caught my eye, this one was of several different animals and some leaves, I soon realized that it too had the sun at it's center. As I looked around I noticed dozens of the suns, soe more ovbvious than others. I got out of bed and walked to the center of my room staring up at the Corona suns around me a memory at the back of my mind pushing itself to the surface. Suddenly I saw that same sun but in gold emblazoned on a mobile that was swinging above my head, I was having a flashback and something told me that I was young, very, very young, no more than a month old. I looked away from the mobile to see the smiling faces of a man and a woman looking down on me, my mind immediately recognized them although it took me a few moments to realize from where. They were the king and queen of Corona, I recognized them from the mural in the village. The mural that was dedicated to the lost princess. Suddenly another memory surfaced, the day I had found the crown in Eugene's satchel, it felt like eons ago. It had felt strangely right, having it on my head. I now knew it was the tiara of the lost princess. But how could I have memories of the king and queen as a child, how could I vaguely recognize the feeling of that tiara unless… I fell backwards into my vanity the answer so obvious to me yet so impossible to comprehend.

"No." I whispered the impossibility of it all crashing down on me. But I knew I was right. It was why I looked nothing like mother, why she never let me leave, why the lanterns had seemed to call to me, and why my birthday was the same as hers.

Heaving I picked myself up and stood there staring at the wood infront of me but not truly seeing it.

I heard my mother calling up at me from the stairs as she came up, but I couldn't hear her, I was too consumed by my own thoughts. Numbly I pushed past the curtains that closed off my room from the rest of the tower. I looked down at the tiles and the truth settled into my stomach.

"I'm the lost princess." I murmured in shock. It was the only viable answer.

Mother sighed in annoyance standing below me on the stairs. "Please speak up Rapunzel, you know how I hate the mumbling."

Anger set into my bones, even if I hadn't known she did, and she had kept it from me, kept the world from me. My parents, I tought of the festival they held each year, and the lights. They had never lost hope, and here she was coveting me for my power, keeping me from them.

"I am the lost princess." I stated anger seeping into my voice which rang out clear and loud.

"Aren't I?" I asked her daring her to contradict me. She stared at me her eyes going wide, her lack of response was all the confirmation I needed. I took a step towards her anger thrumming through me, "Did I mumble mother?" I asked her darkly. I looked her up and down in disgust, "Or should I even call you that?" I said rethinking my phrasing. Perhaps captor really was the best way to define her. She looked at me terror and shock flashing through her eyes. After a moment of silence she pulled a mask on over her features concealing the fright, "Oh Rapunzel," she scoffed stepping towards me, "Do you even hear yourself? Why would you ask such a ridiculous question?" She chuckled stepping forward her arms open as if she wanted to hug me. I pushed her away from me stepping backwards, her attempt to deceive me revealing just how blind I had been. "It was you!" I cried out, "It was all you."

All those warnings, all those stories she had told me, my lock of brown hair, those were from her. She was the thief who tried to steal my hair, the only person I needed to be afraid of was her. Her smile turned into a glare and the motherly façade disappeared.

"Everything I did," she told me her lip curling in disgust, "was to protect you."

I shoved her away walking down the stairs just trying to get away.

"Rapunzel." She barked in anger as I stormed away.

"I've spent my entire life hiding from people who would use me for my powers," I exclaimed, "Rapunzel!" she growled trying to cut me off but for once in my life I wouldn't let her, "When I should have been hiding," I said reaching the bottom of the stairs and turning around to glare at her, "from you." I enunciated the last word in shock and fury.

She glared at me the gears in her head working in over drive.

"Where will you go?" she asked me malice dripping from her voice, "He won't be there for you." My heart stilled, Eugene, oh gods no.

"What did you do to him?" I asked her my voice dipping low with fear and anger mixed together.

"That criminal," she told me a small smile tipping the corner of her mouth, "Is to be hanged for his crimes."

My blood ran cold, I had I had been in pain when I thought he had left me, but this, this was worse. This was heart stopping agony. Eugene was going to die… because of me.

I gasped shuddering in fear and heart break. I turned away from her not able to look in her eyes. I knew I would never be able to see anything redeemable there again.

"No." I breathed clutching my stomach. Mother- or whoever she was, came around me to stand beside me, "Now, now," she crooned, "it's alright listen to me." I didn't look up, I couldn't face looking at her.

"All of this is as it should be." She reached over to stroke my hair, I didn't let her, my hand whipped up and I grabbed her wrist before she could touch me.

"No." I told her, finally looking her in the eyes, and I was right, there was nothing there that was worthy at all.

"You were wrong about the world," I told her, "You were wrong about me." She looked at me genuine fear in her eyes, my grip tightened on her arm and she began to struggle. "And I will never," I told her not releasing my grip even as her exspression soured into an enraged glare, "let you use my hair again."

Gothel wrenched her hand out of my grasp stumbling backwards. Her back slammed into the mirror that I knew she cherished, I realized now that it reminded her that she was still young, and that was all she cared about, her vanity, her selfish personality was so clear to me now I couldn't see how I hadn't noticed before.

Gothel stared at me disbelief streaking across her eyes. Mother had raised me to be timid and not stand up to her, probably because she didn't want me to run and leave her to age and wither, but what she didn't realize was all those years having to stand in her shadow had only made me stronger, all that pent up energy, it was coming out now, and I was aiming it all at her.

I glared at her seeing nothing of the woman who had raised me, only the witch who had kidnapped me and stolen my freedom. I took one last look at her remembering this moment, knowing one day I would need to look back on this. My hair trailed behind me as I headed for the window, I wasn't sure yet what I would do when I left, but I knew I had to get out of this place.

Taking a deep breath I picked up Pascal from on top of the kitchen table, he had fallowed me down the stairs and hidden when things had gotten ugly. I looked down on him trying to comfort him as he shook. Pascal often put on a brave face but Gothel terrified him, I had always thought he was over reacting but now I saw that I was the one who hadn't understood.

I realized with a shiver that it was the first time I had ever even thought of her by her name, but mother would never suit her now that I knew what she had done, my real mother was somewhere in a castle right now missing me, as she had done for the past 18 years, all because of Gothel.

Suddenly Pascal's eyes went wide and then a searing pain ripped through my scalp as I was yanked backwards. I cried out my hands flying to my head as I was dragged across the floor. Mother stood over me her eyes dark and hooded.

"Moth-" I stopped myself ignoring the astonishment and hurt in my heart, somehow I hadn't truly come to see her as a bad person even though I knew she had done all those awful things, I didn't imagine she could hurt me.

"Rapunzel." She clucked her voice heavy with sarcasm, "I told you," and then her voice lowered as she leaned in very close pulling something out from behind her back, "you will never leave this tower." My scream was cut off as she gagged me and bound my wrists to the wall.