When Love Runs Away

A Tearful Reunion

Harold and Jeremy bolted their way through the torrential downpour of the rain to the prison house where Anna was kept. When they found the prison house, they attempted to barge through the guardsmen but with their spears, the guardsmen forbade them to enter.

"Who are you? What brings you here?" One of them asked the two British men.

Harold and Jeremy both exchanged a glance before Jeremy turned to the guardsmen.

"We want to visit a prisoner." He replied.

The guardsmen both stared at each other and then turned around after they sensed a presence behind them. It was the chief guardsman, seriousness plastered on his face, as he approached the four men.

"What's happening here?" He asked the guardsmen.

"They want to enter."

The Chief guardsmen looked at Harold and Jeremy and allowed them to enter. He led them to Faustine, who was washing robes in a bucket of soapy water. She turned to the guardsmen and forced a smile.

"More prisoners?" Faustine asked, rather annoyed.

"No, visitors. Deal with them."

The guardsmen left Faustine with Harold and Jeremy. She eyed them up and down before turning to Harold, her eyes widening slightly.

"I remember you." Faustine stated.

"You do?" Harold asked her.

"Maybe it's you. I don't know, but I remember you coming here with someone who I presumed to be your wife."

Harold furrowed his eyebrows making Faustine's cheeks turn red in embarrassment.

"Anyways, that's fifteen French francs." She said.

"For how many minutes?"

"Five. That's the maximum."

In sheer disappointment, Harold paid Faustine, knowing that he wouldn't get much time with Anna.

"Who are you going to talk to?" Faustine asked him.

"Anna Bauer."

Faustine took out her notebook and scanned Anna's name but furrowed her eyebrows in confusion when she couldn't find her name.

"I can't find a, Anna Bauer, I only see a, Anna Maude Schmidt."

Jeremy and Harold both looked visibly perplexed until Jeremy remembered something and whispered.

"Remember what Anna told you about changing surnames because of something traumatic that happened in her life?" He whispered.

Harold had no clue what he was talking about but turned to Faustine and nodded his head.

"Yes, we mean Anna Maude Schmidt. Can we see her?"

"Sure, follow me."

Faustine led the British men to Anna's jail cell. She opened the door and allowed Harold and Jeremy in and left them alone. Upon seeing Anna's dishevelled state, straw decorating her matted hair and her tattered clothing. Harold broke down into tears which startled Anna but seeing Harold in the jail cell she burst into tears and ran up to him. Harold received her in his arms and they began to aggressively kiss each other. Despite the foul smell that came from Anna, Harold made sure he held her close to him, he wanted to use the five minutes they had wisely. The couple let go off each other and Anna cupped Harold's face with her hands.

"You came for me?" Anna whispered.

"I did. I love you so much. I never want to lose you again. Never again." Harold cried.

Anna blinked tears from her eyes and shook her head.

"You already lost me." Anna told him.

"What? No, I haven't. You're here, I'm here. We have each other." Harold stated.

Anna shook her head.

"I'm not coming out Harold. I'm staying here forever. I heard them say it, we are staying here till we die. I'm not coming out."

"No, no, no. That's not true, you will be free. I can't afford to lose you again."

They kissed each other passionately once more before Anna stroked Harold's cheek with the tip of her fingers.

"You can look for another woman. I'm staying here."

"I'm not looking for another woman. You're the love of my life. Nothing will change that."

Anna fought back tears and tried to disagree with him.

"You know what? I'm going to help you escape prison," he whispered, "I'll call a man I know to bring a ship so that you and I with Jeremy can flee to England."

"Harold, are you stupid? That will never happen. They can kill you if you get caught."

"I can't live my life knowing that the love of my life is rotting in jail."

"You can give me daily visits. I'll be happy."

Faustine entered the jail cell and tapped Harold's shoulder.

"Time's up. You got to go." She said.

Harold nodded his head and kissed Anna's cheek.

"Do not try to break me out. I beg you." Anna whispered into Harold's ear.

There was no reply and without reassurance that Harold wasn't going to carry it out, Anna watched the love of her life leave the jail cell with a heavy heart.