~Ines~
I gazed at the rafters blankly. The sun had long set and the moonlight illuminated the belltower with an eerie blue light. Even so the bells shimmered in its glow and the quiet held peace. If only I could be at peace as well.
My head felt sore, it had been 4 days since Esmeralda and Phoebus had visited and in that time I had made no progress on my predicament. Quasi had done his best this evening to raise my spirits, he'd even offered to play another drinking game. My frown deepened when I recalled his dejected expression when I'd refused. I'd have to make it up to him tomorrow.
"It may be time to give up anyways." The thought entered my brain non consensually. I got rid of it immediately. No. No giving up. Not yet anyways. I turned onto my side and gazed at the curtain. Quasi had made me a small room when I first got here. I hadn't had anything like it in well over 12 years now. The guilt deepened when I once again conjured up the way his face fell tonight. I groaned and flopped back onto my back. I should have taken him up on the game, at least then I'd be sleeping right now instead of torturing myself. hangover be damned.
I gave my pillow an aggressive fluff, making extra sure my knife sat beneath it. That was a habit I wasn't going to relinquish no matter how "safe" I was. I layed back down heavily. And cleared my mind of any bad thoughts. Perhaps focusing on the things that brought me joy. Sewing, sparring with Ion, eating one of Gordon's famous concoctions, running through an open field….. The way the belltower smelled…the breeze blowing through the rafters…..the smell of fresh carved wood…...blue eyes…
I was running through a field. Long grass whipped my legs, stinging them terribly. But that pain was nothing. The left side of my face, my neck, my arm, and my body burned and blistered. Tears flowed freely, the burned eye stung brutally as the salty tears ran down my ruined cheek. Nanny held my good hand and led the way.
"Be silent child." She whispered, terror in her voice.
I could hear the dogs, they weren't far behind us. The shouts of men echoed behind them. I choked back a sob as I continued to run.
"Thank god! There it is!" She leapt into the cold river. I hesitated at the bank gazing down at the rushing water.
"You must jump Ines!" She held her hand out to me.
"It hurts." I whimpered my body throbbing angrily.
"The cool water will soothe you." She promised ushering me towards her. "You must do this Ines."
I gazed behind me, I could vaguely see the church we'd run from. Beyond that rested the pyres, and tied cruelly to one…the scorched body of my mother. The dogs were closer now, I was so afraid. I needed her now more than ever. I choked back a sob and leapt into the river.
The water was cool and its initial touch sent ripples of agony across my body. I opened my mouth to scream when nanny's hand covered it.
"If you must scream, do so beneath the water." She urged.
I plunged my head beneath the water and screamed, the sound of my agony dampened by the current. After a few moments the initial shock wore off and the rivers touch began to soothe my blistered skin.
Nanny pulled me along and we hid beneath the shadow of a low tree. The dogs soon appeared and with them, the dark silhouettes of my tormentors.
Nanny held my hand and didn't take her eyes off of our pursuers.
But I kept my mouth beneath the water and I screamed, and screamed, and screamed.
~Ines~
I awoke to hushed voices.
"You think she's really out?"
"I dunno, she seems to be."
"Is she a light sleeper?"
"How the fuck am I supposed to know that?"
"Well you been in the crew longest!"
"Shut up the both of ye'"
I recognized one of the voices, he joined the gang shortly after Willow arrived. Freddie I think they called him. He wasn't anybody too important to the crew, cannon fodder in Ward's eyes. I continued to feign sleep.
"You tie her hands then, I'll get her feet."
"I'll shut her up." Freddie sounded excited about that.
I rolled over. Their voices hushed as I did so. I could feel their eyes on me as they watched to make sure I was still sleeping. They didn't notice my hand go under my pillow. I found the handle of my knife and gripped it tightly. My other knife laid with my clothes. I'd have to improvise a strategy to get hold of it.
Slowly their steps crept towards me. I waited with bated breath. And then I felt a hand on my shoulder and without pause I ripped my hand from beneath my pillow and slashed at the man.
He was small and wiry, he looked young…maybe 17. His brown hair was disheveled and his matching eyes were wide with surprise. He jumped back swearing as he did so.
"Shit she's up." Freddie stepped forward. He looked as I remembered, tan skin with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. He drew his sword and met my gaze. "You in trouble there Winky?"
"Fuck off." I hissed crouching low into a defensive stance.
"Not very ladylike is she?" The third guy was a bit taller than the kid, his black hair was matted and his teeth rotted.
"I've got sanctuary, you've no right to take me. You need to leave." I snarled.
Freddie held up a thick length of rope. "Sanctuary don't apply to us Winky."
With a snarl he lunged at me with his sword. I slammed the blade of my knife against his edge forcing it off course. He grunted in frustration and whipped his sword around to strike my back. I was far faster than he could ever hope to be, I folded to the ground dodging his attack and sliced at his ankles. A thin red line appeared on his tan skin, the blood running down his feet.
"ACK" He gasped, falling backwards.
I turned just in time to dodge an attack from the kid and his dirty friend. These two were clumsy and oafish with a blade. Even with only one knife I easily dodged and blocked their attacks.
Pain spiked in my side and I glanced down to see a deep cut in my waist. I was only wearing my undergarments and pants, my stay was ripped and my skin showed beneath it. Damn it all, stays are not easy to mend.
Freddie appeared in my line of sight. His gaze furious and his feet dripping scarlet. "You bloody bitch." He growled.
The 3 descended on me. The other two may be bad at fighting but Freddie was fairly good, and they had 3 blades to my one. I glanced around and saw my other knife sitting snugly behind them. Shit.
I backed into the main loft of the cathedral. I had no idea where Quasi was. I hoped he had gotten someplace safe. It would have been nice to have thanked him or spoken to him again one more time. My brain conjured up his dejected expression from the day before and I felt a pang as I realized I probably wasn't gonna be able to make it up to him.
I sucked in a breath and prepared to fight the 3 buffoons before me.
*CRASH* *BOOM* *BANG*
Chaos erupted overhead. The raucous metallic clanging was deafening and seemed to come from all around us. I turned from the noise and covered my head, dust filled the belltower and the confusion made it impossible to find where safety was.
A final *BONG* rang out before a small quiet.
I turned to face the source and found a large bronze bell before me, it stood right where the 3 attackers had been. I stepped forward and knocked on the bell.
"You alive in there?" I asked. Muffled shouts sounded from inside the bell.
"They ok?" I heard a voice from up in the rafters. I glanced up and saw Quasi perched next to an empty headstock.
I let out an impressed chuckle. "They'll be fine." I called up to him.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
I patted my body, aside from the slash in my side, I was fine. "I'm good!" I called up. "I can't believe you did that!" I cheered. "that was amaz- Quasi LOOK OUT!" I pointed behind him.
He turned just in time to come face to face with a large brute of a man. He was built like a brick wall and was as tall as one too. He swung a large mallet at Quasi who managed to leap out of its path in time.
"Get back here!" The brute snarled, swinging his weapon haphazardly. Quasi barely managed to duck and dodge his swipes. With a grunt I watched him leap from a beam and drop to one below. The brute growled his frustration.
I glanced around in a panic as I tried to find a way to help. First things first, I rushed and grabbed my second knife. I turned in just enough time to see the brute's mallet slam into Quasi's chest knocking him out the window and onto the balcony outside.
"QUASI!" I gasped. The brute laughed cruelly and ran for the window, he jumped through it and out of sight.
I stood frozen for a moment, the image of Quasi falling out of sight replayed. I snarled and sprinted for the balcony, my vision reddening. By the time the brutes muscled back was in my line of sight I was a feral ball of rage. I could just make out Quasi hunched over on the ground gasping for air in front of the brute. He lifted his mallet high above his head and I doubled my speed. With an animalistic cry I launched myself onto his back. I dug my toes into his sides and stabbed my knife into his shoulder. With another cry I slashed at his chest.
He let out a frightened shriek and dropped his mallet behind him. I sank my teeth into his neck and bit hard, the taste of copper filled my mouth.
"CRAZY BITCH!" His voice was strangled. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and flung me over his shoulder. I slammed into Quasi forcefully and we both lay before the brute. One of my knives stayed sunk into his shoulder.
"Ines!" Quasi wheezed.
"I'm fine." I assured him turning to face our attacker. A flood of scarlet covered his neck and chest. I jutted my bloodied chin at him. "Leave."
He laughed hollowly. "You know I can't do that Winky."
"Winky?" Quasi's voice was steadier, he'd caught his breath.
I didn't have time to explain the nickname, the brute was grabbing for his mallet. I lunged forward and kicked the mallet away from his grasp.
"God dammit." He snarled his meaty hand striking out at me.
I dodged his balled fist but just barely. The guy moved quicker than expected. I locked my gaze on my knife's handle, still poking out of the guy's shoulder. amazing, he could move so quickly with that. He must have seen my eyes focus on it because in one movement he grasped the knife and yanked it from his shoulder.
"That was a bad idea." I warned him.
He scoffed. Blood gushed from his open wound, blood that otherwise would have stayed inside. Dumbass. He swung my knife at me clumsily. He was used to a much heavier weapon, still though with his size that blade was lethal.
I dove down as he slashed above me, the knife coming dangerously close to the top of my head, I definitely lost some hair to that one. He was furious now, his hand struck out like a snake, faster and faster. I was running out of room, soon I'd be up against the railing. I slammed my blade against his stolen edge in an effort to throw him off balance. The force of it sent a shockwave up my arm and I dropped my knife. It landed forcefully and shot behind my attacker.
Fuck. My eyes met his, he was gleeful now. I glanced around desperately for any way out. He was blocking my only way. It was either over the edge or through him.
"Out of ideas?" He teased me. Quick as a flash his fist met my cheek and sent me sprawling. My vision wavered, I gazed up in horror as the behemoth approached me, his foot positioned above me. He would knock me out and drag me back to Ward and that would be it. I closed my eyes accepting my fate.
*Thunk*
My eyes popped open and made contact with his. Surprise was etched in his expression, my gaze focused on a small stream of blood flowing down his forehead and then he was falling forward.
"Gah!" I shuffled out of his way as fast as I could. He landed with a loud *THUMP* and revealed Quasimodo, and in Quasi's hands….the brutes mallet.
"Quasi?" It didn't take long to make the connection. "You?"
He was at my side before I could finish my thought. "Ines! Are you alright?" His eyes scanned my body settling on my side. "You're hurt." His hands moved the fabric aside to get a better look. "Doesn't look deep."
"I'm fine." I assured him.
"No you're-" His gaze turned from my side and up to my face. "Your face…"
"Don't worry it's not my blood."
"No that's not…did he hit you?" He asked, his voice dark.
"Oh, yeah…do I gotta black eye? Guy's a heavy hitter." I joked but I could see Quasi wasn't feeling very humorous.
He reached his hand towards my cheek as if to touch it, but stopped inches away. I held my breath and locked eyes with him. He dropped his hand and turned from me. "I'm sure I've got something cold that'll help with that.
My heart was beating wildly. "Y-yeah that'd be good."
He stood up and held his hand out to me. I took it and with barely any effort he pulled me to my feet. "We should tie him up." Quasi stated.
"Yeah." I nodded in response.
"I've got some rope inside."
"Might need more than rope." I scoffed.
*Crrrrackk*
My heart sank and I glanced at Quasimodo wide eyed. His expression mirrored my own and we turned to face the sound. Wild muffled shrieks echoed from inside the bell Quasi dropped on my attackers. The bell that was ever so slightly sinking into the floor.
*CRRREEAKKK*
The bronze bell was far too heavy for the bell tower's floor! It was breaking through!
"What do we do?" I turned to Quasi. This was way out of my league.
"Uhhh." His eyes darted around the loft. The floor shuddered and quaked beneath us, the screams were growing louder.
"Quasi!" I didn't need to vocalize what would happen if that bell fell through the floor, and down into the main cathedral. Where father Jean, the nuns, and dozens of random parisians were currently housed.
"I need chain's!" He gestured to a corner, tucked away were hundreds of feet worth of chain. He pointed up above us. "I have a pulley system up there. We just need to attach the bell to the pulley system, and then I can get its weight off the floor."
I nodded and we both darted for the chains. Quasi grabbed the end of one and vaulted up on top of the bronze bell. With an ease of expertise Quasi secured the chain to the canon of the bell.
I yanked the rest of the section off its peg and handed it to him as he dashed past me.
"Keep unwinding chains, we may need more!" He leapt up into the rafters, The weight of the heavy irons barely stunting him.
I didn't respond, just continued to yank lengths of metal. The creaks and cracks of breaking wood were increasing, it wouldn't be long now. My arms burned with the effort of pulling these heavy fetters.
"Ines!" I glanced up at Quasi. "I need more chains!"
"I'm not sure I can throw that high!" I called up to him.
Without a second thought Quasi leapt from his high beam and fell a good 15 feet onto one of the lowers. He held his hand out for the chain like his free fall was a daily occurrence. I spun the fetters around quickly, timing it just right I released the spin and ,using its own momentum, launched the irons at Quasi who caught it easily.
The ground swayed beneath me and I stumbled about attempting to regain my balance. "What if the whole floor gives out?" I hadn't considered that I may be going with the bell when it sinks. I glanced up to see Quasi finishing his task. The chain was fed through the pulley system and was ready to go, Quasi was arm over arm, pulling the irons through the system, the slack to the bell was tightening, it was working!
I cheered for him down below. The ground shuddered and dipped beneath me, we were too late the bell was going!
"Ines! Tie this around the statue!" Quasi threw the end of his chain to me and I sprinted to the lightning struck statue, the one that covered my trapdoor. I wrapped the links around her as fast as I could. The ground buckled beneath me and I fell sideways hard, I attempted to regain my footing only for the ground to shudder and knock me to my knees. I scrambled to get back up when Quasi appeared behind me. Without a word he helped me to my feet and we both rushed to secure the chain to the statue. Quasi secured the irons and turned to me, he had just opened his mouth to say something when the ground gave out beneath us. The statue didn't give out with it though. She lifted up and turned sideways, scooping us up as she did so. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around her torso and held on tightly.
The world spun, warring sounds brought no clarity to the chaos. I didn't even have the clarity to scream. My hands clutched the chain and my legs clutched the statue. Then almost comically, everything was quiet. I could still hear muffled screams from inside the bell. A good sign. I was almost afraid to open my eyes…but I did.
My gaze met Quasi's. He was straddling the statue across from me, the chain between us. His hand was above mine while the other was wrapped around me, protecting me. I searched his gaze, my heart beating wildly.
"Kiss him." My lips parted at the thought of it.
Quasi turned his gaze from me and took stock of the belltower.
I clamped my mouth closed and followed his gaze. The bell was hovering above the floor, a beam of sunlight escaping its mouth.
"GET US OUT OF HERE!" One of the men wailed.
The rest of the belltower looked mostly untouched, the floor looked rough but it was still standing. We had just barely made it.
I relaxed my position and bowed my head, laughter bubbled out of me.
"Ines?" Quasi's voice was worried.
I lifted my gaze back to him. "We almost died!" I laughed.
His gaze was perplexed but after a moment's hesitation his own laughter joined mine. "We did!"
"And I-I destroyed your loft…AGAIN!" My body shook with my own mirth.
He laughed along with me, his shoulders bouncing rhythmically along with mine.
"Oye! Are you laughing?!" One of the trapped men shouted.
"Fuckin pricks!" Another shouted.
Our laughter died down to small giggles and I met his gaze one more time. "That was brilliant."
His eyes widened and he seemed to remember his arm was still wrapped tightly around me because he removed it quickly and blushed deeply. "I use that setup to move the bells around for cleaning and repairs. It was nothing."
"Nothing?! I wouldn't believe all the stunts you pulled off if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes!" I gushed. "You lept from the top beam to the bottom!"
"Yeah I really shouldn't do that, not good on the joints." He rubbed his knee.
I chuckled and opened my mouth to say more when a loud bang sounded below. I glanced behind Quasi who turned his head to see the source of the commotion.
Phoebus and his guardsmen came bustling in.
"Careful!" Quasi called down. "The floor is unstable."
The guards peered at the ground warily, a couple cautiously stepped forward but leapt back at the slightest creak.
Phoebus looked around perplexed before his eyes found us. I waved sheepishly from behind Quasi and his scowl deepened.
"You two are killing me." He called up to us.