Jack Was Here

Chapter 18 : Close Call

Rapunzel

" Wake up! " I shouted as I entered the stable.

" What? " Eugene asked tiredly.

" Get up, " I said pulling him by the arm.

" What in the world is going on? " Merida asked, sitting up from her pile of hay.

" The store owner! He sold us out to who I think is the people who took Elsa! " I hurriedly explained.

That seemed to wake them up a little bit, " Hurry! We don't have much time! "

They quickly started packing everything we had brought with.

" Wait! " Jack's voice was loud over the commotion.

We stopped to look at him, " We don't have to go anywhere, " he said grabbing Merida's hand.

At first it looked like she was going to slap him, but then I saw realization in her eyes, and took hold of Jack's other hand.

I grabbed Eugene's hand and Merida snatched up Hiccup's.

Barely a moment later the door burst open.

I flinched and closed my eyes, we all held our breath as a man entered the room.

At first I wondered who he was, but then I recognized him.... from the coronation.

He was the one who danced with Anna, but I can't seem to remember his name.

He looked around and didn't seem to notice us.

A couple other men entered, they were all wearing uniforms like guards.

" They're not here, " the man from the ball said.

" Are you sure, Prince Hans? " one of the guards asked.

" Who are you to speak back to me? " Hans asked while shooting him a glare.

The guard stepped back and became silent.

" Let's go have a word with that store owner, " Hans said, turning and heading back out the door.

They shut the door behind them and we all let out a sigh of relief.

" That was close, " I said leaning against the wall.

" Yeah, " Jack said, leaning next to me, " If Hans is working for Pitch, then he must not have told him about me, " he said.

" But why? " Merida asked.

" That's what we need to find out, and where the heck Anna went, " Jack said.

We slowly picked up our things and headed to the door, we made sure to all hold on to one another, just in case.

We walked out of the stable, the ground was filled with snow, but it had stopped falling from the sky.

" It looks like they are gone, " Jack said, searching the trees and mountains.

" Wait! " I exclaimed, " If Hans is working for Pitch, then is it possible we could follow their tracks in the snow to lead us to Pitch's lair? " I wondered.

" We should try, if we notice they're going in the complete wrong direction, then its not like we have to continue, " Eugene said, backing me up.

" Sounds like a good idea to me, " Hiccup said.

We all looked at Jack to see if he agreed.

" I don't see why not, " he said.

We found the tracks they left leading farther up the mountains and followed them.

Elsa

I sat on the bed and thought about.... a lot of things. I was so confused, Pitch acted like I should know exactly what he talking about, but I have no idea.

He says he wants something, but then won't tell me what it is.

There is only a couple things that seem worth all this trouble, but I feel like he if wanted money or the throne I would already be dead.

He must need me for something.

All the sudden the door at the end of the hallway burst open.

It looked like there was a blizzard outside because about five men walked in covered from head to toe in snow.

They passed me without giving me a second glance and turned at the other end of the hall. Who were they?

I'm not sure if Pitch remembered I broke my chains or if he just didn't care, but I wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste.

I went up to the bars and held my hands to the hinges of the door. Using all the power I had I watched as the ice started to form on and around the door.

Finally the door cracked and fell off the hinges.

Cautiously I looked both ways and stepped out of the cell.

I hurried down the hall the way I saw the men enter.

I pulled open the door and entered into a pitch black room.

I didn't like being in the dark but anything was better then that cell. And at least I had a chance of escaping if I was out.

I placed my hands on the wall beside me and walked forward careful not to get completely lost in the darkness.

I walked for what seemed like ages, but never reached a corner in the room.

I had no other choice but to keep moving forward, so that's what I did.

The silence in the room was broken by a faint whisper.

" Elsa? " It called.

I stopped moving and looked around, although I had grown used to the dark I still couldn't see three feet in front of me.

" Elsa, help me! " I heard the voice cry out.

I instantly started to panic as I recognized the voice....... Anna.

" Anna? " I called, " Where are you? "

" Help me, " Her voice came to me from the right.

I let go of the wall and followed her voice.

I couldn't tell where she was, or if I was even going the right way, but I had to try.

All the sudden a light came on in the distance.

I saw two figures and started running toward them.

I slowed down as I recognized them as Pitch and Anna.

" Let her go! " I yelled, anger rising in me as I saw him tightly gripping her.

" Give me what I want first, " He said, as a tear rolled down her cheek.

" Tell me what you want! I'll give you anything! " I exclaimed.

" The book, " He said.

I thought for a moment, " Do you mean the book about legends? "

He laughed at me, " You think they are legends? How stupid can you be, you are one of those 'legends'! They are as real as you are. "

" So, you are one too and that's why you want the book, " I said.

" It doesn't matter why, tell me where it is, or else.... " He threatened as he pulled out a knife, " Say goodbye to Anna. "

" Wait! The book is in my room at the castle, in my drawer, " I said.

" Good, Hans you heard that get the horses ready, " He said and I heard footsteps run off in the dark.

" Now let her go, " I said with a stern voice.

" No, " He said causally, and in one quick motion he swept the knife across Anna's pale neck.

He dropped her to the ground as her life bled out in front of me.