Rapunzel, Rapunzel

Chapter Five

TRIGGER WARNING- MENTIONS OF SUICIDE

My eyes seemed to stick together as I pulled them open, a sense of absolute drain falling over me as the light of day filtered through my lacy eyelashes. I tried to open my eyes more, but starbursts of pain arched through my back, blotting my vision with dark splotches. I let out a light groan, too tired and spent to cry. I had failed. Again. I was so useless and so dumb that I couldn't even fix my mistakes, I couldn't even give myself what I deserved-

A light hand grazed my shoulder.

'Go back to sleep.'

It was a girl's voice, sweet and smooth... almost like Flynn's, only this one lacked a sense of possession. This girl, whoever she was, truly cared. What a strange feeling. 

'Why...'

I sobbed lightly, voice coming out dry and rough, hurting my chest every breath.

'Why am I still here... where am I? Why am I here?'

My voice cracked as my volume heightened, tears threatening to spill over my hooded eyelids. I sat up, despite the swirling feeling in my head, despite the agonising pain tumbling through my rib cage, and brought my hands to my arms. My nails were greeted with bandages. I half-heartedly tried to rip them off, but the girl grabbed me by the hand, warm brown eyes staring into mine.

'It's going to be okay. You're alive.'

She inhaled sharply as I dropped my head down, bringing my knees to my chest, body shaking with sobs. I was filled with a numb hopelessness as the girl confirmed what I feared the most: I was still alive. I weakly pulled at my long hair as the smell of blood and dirt from my old dress filled my mouth and lungs with the taste of despair. The bandages on my arms and legs grew heavy, itching for me to pull them off. I tried, but the girl caught me, causing me to stop and look up. A heat flew up my cheeks as we made eye contact, but she brushed my hair behind my ear, smiling softly. I felt my heartbeat recede with my fast breath, wiping my tears with the back of my hand, a newfound anger rising inside of me. I snatched my hand away.

'Where am I? Who are you?'

I said again, venom pure in my tone. The girl looked surprised, hazel eyes flickering with a sadness as her hand was left with the phantom feeling of mine. Her tone was still caring, soft and falling from her lips like butter across warm toast.

'I'm Finch Rider. And you're far, far away from that awful tower now.'

Her pink lips curled into a small smile, a rare smile, it seemed. It kindled something in my heart. Despite her finding me half-dead, ugly and bruised, my sour attitude flowing from my mouth like poison, she still smiled. I wondered how she could do that. She probably wouldn't smile when she knew what a shitty person I was. 

'Finch,'

I said with a thick voice, ghosted tears behind bold words, testing the name. 

'Why were you there? And why the hell did you bother to bring me to wherever we are?'

Finch's eyes glittered with a fresh grief.

'I... I was looking for my brother, Flynn.'

My stomach sank, pulse seeming to drop from my head as she spoke the words that made my heart topple from its tender perch of the noose in my ribcage and clatter to the ground. There was a heavy silence as my eyes met hers, seeming to get lost in the deep brown of her irises, dusted with a forest green.

'Do you know who- or what- did that to him?'

She was choking up, but it was hardly noticeable. As if she was practiced at it, smothering her sadness by a steely look. A sudden anger stabbed me, not because of her, but because she looked like she did it every day. I stomped the feeling down. I hardly even knew her, it was ridiculous to feel that way. But I could feel the creeping of an unknown emotion still. I took a deep breath, not wanting to hurt her with my answer.

'Have you heard stories about a witch that lives inside that house?'

Finch nodded stiffly.

'I never really believed those. Just bullshit our parents made up to scare us, like usual.'

I shook my head.

'I don't know what your parents told you, but it's somewhat true. There is a woman that inhabits that god-awful place. A shapeshifter. Her name is Dame Gothel, and she's held me in that tower my whole life.' My voice broke a little. I was much worse at hiding my tears than her. 'I don't know if she's my mother, or if my parents are alive... but I'm so sorry about your brother.'

There was a silence long enough to stop a heart. Finch's eyes were glued to the floor, a trace of sadness through her barricaded expressions. She gave a small sigh, before her brown eyes danced back up to meet mine. 

'I don't think she's your mother.'

'What?'

'The witch. I don't think she's your mother. Anyone who could do something that horrible... I don't know, I couldn't see you being related to them.'

A feeling I had only felt once before crept into my chest. It was like having a pair of small, warm hands around my heart, subtle, but new. There was another silence, which Finch broke again, standing up and walking to a small dresser in the corner of the room. She was sturdily built, tall with an athletic frame and toned arms, a stark contrast from my overly-thin body. Finch pulled a long-sleeved, pale shirt and a skirt that looked like it had never been worn, throwing them gently onto the bed I lay on.

'Sorry if it's a bit big, it's all hand-me-downs from my mother I never wore.'

I almost giggled at the thought of Finch in a skirt, despite the state I was in. A ghost of a smile danced on my lips. I had only known her for a few minutes, but Finch seemed like the kind of person who would rather die than wear a skirt.

'Thanks.'

I grabbed the clothes, taking in the soft feel and clean smell. Finch tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, nodding slightly.

'No problem. Sleep a little longer, once you feel better there's a shower and there's food. Treat yourself to whatever you want.'

She smiled lightly, beginning to walk out the room, before turning again.

'... Stay safe. Don't do any dumb shit, I'm trusting you to not... y'know, die and all.'

I nodded. Instantly afterwards, I paused. Why was I listening to her? But before I could question it, I stopped myself. No. I wasn't going to worry. I would just let things happen.