Damsel in Distress

Jacob and the Apple

  "Jacob! Guess who's home with the best hair gel in town!" Matthew sauntered into the tower and climbed up the stairs, looking round expectantly to find his princess. His arms were loaded with exactly fifty-three bottles of the Princess brand hair gel, the most exquisitely made hair gel in the region, possibly in the world.

  As he clambered up the final step in the tower, his eyes landed on a sight that had never once crossed his mind - one that would change his life forever.

  Sebastian was tucking a crimson red rose gently behind Jacob's ear, as Jacob sat in front of the dressing table, admiring his perfectly styled hair in the mirror.

  The bottles of gel tumbled from his grip one by one onto the floor of the tower, rolling in all directions. One hit Jacob's foot and he glanced at it with wonder, bending down from the chair to pick it up. He turned it over slowly in his hands, transfixed by the sight.

  "Jacob... Jacob! How could you? I love you so much!" Matthew stammered in shock, staggering back involuntarily and tripping over an uneven brick on the floor.

  Sebastian turned around to face Matthew, his eyes no longer twinkling but stormy, his mouth drawn thin, his guard up. "What are you doing here? Jacob is mine now. Don't you dare steal my princess!"

  Offended, Matthew scrambled to his feet and yelled, expression distorted with rage, "Jacob is mine, not yours!"

  Choosing this moment to step in, Jacob clung to Sebastian's arm, mumbling insistently, "Sebastian saved me from the villain! He loves me."

  Smugly, Sebastian smirked at Matthew and ruffled Jacob's hair affectionately to show Matthew how close they were. Jacob, however, smacked his hand off. "No! Don't ruin my hair!"

  Sebastian hurriedly apologised, "I'm so sorry, my dear. Come, I'll style it again. Ignore the dastardly fool over there."

  Jacob, pacified by Sebastian's words, nodded ad smiled sweetly. Sebastian steered Jacob back to the dressing table. However, he himself turned back, grinning snidely at a devastated Matthew.

-_-_-

  Matthew the Knight had never felt so depressed in his life. His lover had been snatched from under his nose by a transformed demon monster. What was worse, he had brainwashed his dear Jacob into loving him!

  Watching Sebastian take his place behind Jacob and gelling his hair, Matthew's vision blurred with tears. There was no point in staying here any longer.

  Solemnly, he trudged down the forty-eight flights of stairs, Jacob's melodious laughter fading as he went. He recalled how Jacob used to laugh with him as they sang nonsense songs and took walks in the forest nearby. Now, Jacob's laughter seemed to be directed at him.

  If only he hadn't gone on the business trip. None of this would ever have happened. Not only had he lost the love of his life, but he had also spent three quarters of his money on the gel that he would never be able to use on his one true love. At least Jacob would be happy, he thought desolately.

  Closing the gate gently, he silently bade the tower farewell, heading into the forest on foot. He had no idea what he wanted to do anymore.

-_-_-

  An exhausted Noah, after sprinting far, far away from the tower, slunk down to the ground and leaned on a tree, catching his breath. Sebastian was no longer chasing him. He wasn't sure if Sebastian even chased him in the first place. He had been too scared to look back.

  He could not believe that his plan had failed. He had nothing. Not the gold, not the princess, not the tower. He had lost his dignity to a scrawny fool brandishing a vase!