Lunar Gaze

Chapter 5

"I cannot believe you did this to me." Josephine said through gritted teeth, her body shaking. She was still in shock from the whole experience. And now there she stood, hands tied behind her back and the only person to help her was this strange man.

"Me?" He placed his hand on his chest. "I had no part, really."

"Then why were you back in Westmoreland and now you're here?" She questioned him.

"I was in Westmoreland for a different kind of stock. Not people." He corrected while spinning a ring on his finger. "I don't believe in that kind of thing. Slavery is just an oppressive system the wealthy abuses to get ahead."

Josephine was shocked by him making absolute sense for a moment, but she was determined to not allow his words to distract her. "I've never been a slave for my entire life. I was born free. Everyone in my family is free. I am a pampered young lady." Josephine continued. The stranger took out a dagger and pointed it in her direction. Her eyes widened as it pointed toward her neck, and then lowered as he walked behind her.

"And I could see that when I first met you." He commented as he quickly tried to free her wrists. "Not only are you spoiled, but you haven't any regard for whites."

"Who would? You're all devils!" She said through gritted teeth.

"Now that hurts." He answered sarcastically. It made her blood boil how he never seemed to lose his calm attitude.

"If you are no devil, then why have you brought me here?" She asked.

"I didn't even know you'd be here. I just so happened to be around and I spotted you. And suppose you I hadn't?" He asked. "And I'm freeing you, aren't I?"

"Oh, my savior." Josephine rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "How do I know you do not free me to simply take me for yourself?"

"You're just going to have faith in me, I suppose." He answered.

"I am not trying to say I'm your savior or anything, but a little thank— you know what? Nevermind about that. I'm getting you out of here." He informed as he grabbed her hand

"Absolutely not. I'm not going anywhere with you." Josephine refused as she pulled her hand away.

"And would you rather go with Rumpelstiltskin?" He asked. She weighed her options, and then came to the conclusion she had none. So with an exhale, she decided to comply.

"Alright, where are you taking me?" She whispered. He took her hand and they headed for the door. But right when they were to exist, the man who exited the room before returned.

"Is she ready?" The other man asked, but then noticed one fatal flaw. Josephine's wrists were no longer restrained. "Hey!" The man shouted out.

"Hey." The handsome stranger waved with an amusing grin, then wrapped his hand around the man's neck and hit him against the stone wall.

He held Josephine's hand tight as they tried to escape quickly. He began going in the direction of the main auction room. Everyone spotted them. "Welp, that wasn't the smartest."

Immediately they began running in the opposite direction. For a moment no one knew what was going on, then they realized he was taking Josephine. "Get him! He's stealing the slave!"

The two quickly turned a hallway and found a room where there was a window. "Come on, we've got to be quick."

He tried to hastily help Josephine into the window, but she could hardly reach it. He held her by her waist and hoisted her up. Then he placed a hand on her backside as she attempted to wiggle through the window.

She glared at him when she felt him place his hand there.

"Just a bit more assistance." He grinned. She finally made it out the window and he attempted to follow behind. But the crowd found him.

"Where is she?" One person asked.

"Ella debe estar por la ventana!" Someone shouted, but most of the room didn't understand. The man repeated himself. "She must be out the window!"

The crowd agreed and began trying to force their way into the window. "Men, men. This makes no sense, you can't fit. Walk out the building and get her that way!"

Not all pirates or slave owners were the smartest, and all the liquor they consumed didn't help. They all agreed amongst each other and ran off together, seeking Josephine. The familiar stranger looked in the window and signaled for her to come back inside.

"I'm not going back in there!" Josephine refused.

"Then I guess you'll enjoy not having rights either." Answered the stranger. Josephine still hesitated. "Come on, we've no time!"

She agreed and tried to come back into the window. She struggled, for outside she hadn't the assistance of the familiar stranger. Luckily there was a crate she could hoist herself on. The stranger held her hands as she made her way back through the window. One final hoisting caused the crate below her to break into pieces.

"We've no time to bother with that." The stranger told her, taking her by the way and pulling her through the window and back inside. Together they ran through the building again, this time taking the back door. Outside they walked to the front of the building and joined the heavy crowd that walked across the cobblestone street. They were soon to disappear, but men looking for Josephine outside spotted them.

"There!" One pointed. Josephine was tugged by the stranger further into the crowd where they would be camouflaged. After walking what felt like a long distance, they seemed to be safe. He took her to a high point in the city where they could look down at the many buildings. And of course, where they could be away from everyone and everything.

They both sat on a rock while the stranger pulled out a bottle of liquor. Conveniently a street light stood beside them, allowing them both some light to see one another. The stranger took a swig of his bottle, then tilted it toward Josephine.

"No thank you." She declined. She now felt sorry for believing the handsome stranger intended to hurt her. She now realized he truly wished for her freedom. It was unlike Josephine to apology, for she was often stubborn. But in this moment, she knew it was the right thing to do. "I apologize for how I acted earlier. I was terrified, and I didn't think I'd make it out."

"It's understandable. You were taken from your home and almost sold away, despite being free. I'd be terrified too." The stranger told her. She took a good look at him, and it was true that he was undoubtably handsome. A pronounced jaw lowered made way for the bottle to press against his lips, his blue eyes sparkled in the dim light, and his skin was tanned. She figured he got plenty of sun from all the adventuring he must've done.