The Four Founders

Almost Out

Rowena arose next morning to the peaceful sound of chirping birds, in the cot of the inn they were residing in. For a moment, she forgot all her worries before a wave of yesterday's black outs hit her. She instantly scrambled out of bed and to her surprise, she found Godric sitting on the windowsill, staring out of the window. Probably having heard Rowena getting out of bed, he looked in her direction.
"Rowena!" said Godric, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried last night. You just passed out on the streets all of a sudden and then woke up mid way to the inn and lost consciousness again. I brought you to the inn as soon as possible and you've been asleep since."
"Listen, Godric I wish we could be in this moment forever but we have bigger problems to face. When I fainted last night, I had something like a dream and it was awful. A girl by the name of Helga was imprisoned in a wooden crate and the worst part was that she was in the basement of my house. And it was that heartless step father of mine who had put her there. I'm almost certain that it wasn't just a dream and this is actually happening and she must be Helga Hufflepuff. Godric we have to help her."
"Oh so that explains your mumbling about having to visit your house last night. But Janey told us that Helga Hufflepuff was dead," replied Godric.
"Yes I know, Godric but it's worth a shot. Please," pleaded Rowena.
"Alright we'll go but first, why don't you shower and get ready while I get us some breakfast?"
"Yes that sound good," said Rowena, finally pulling away from their hug. Rowena
thought they might have just lost track of time, conversing so intently.

After a quick breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast with some marmalade, Rowena and Godric left the inn to find a taxi. They soon found a taxi and they rushed the driver so much that Godric was surprised they hadn't wound up dead.
Rowena's house was huge, Godric thought. Bougainvillea flowers blossomed along the walls of the house and a steel railed balcony looked out onto the driveway. Rowena cautiously turned the doorknob with clammy hands. To her surprise, the door was unlocked. Both Godric and Rowena stepped in to the derelict mansion. It was nothing like how Rowena had left it. Candles were the only sources of light throughout the mansion and the house seemed to have a sense of eeriness to it. Godric followed Rowena as she navigated her way towards the basement. And that's when a large something collided with Godric's head, knocking him out in the flash of an eye.
"Godric!" screamed Rowena.
"There's no point screaming, my dear daughter," came a coarse, familiar voice in response, as Rowena fell to the floor, unconscious too.

Rowena gained consciousness once more as cool water was splashed on her face. To her horror, she saw, she was tied up to a chair. Godric was in a similar state and he was being awoken by a young boy who splashed water on his face. From last night's vision, Rowena was able to identify this boy as Salazar. He had jet black hair and he looked skinny and frail, probably due to a lack of food. Rowena thought he might have looked very attractive once.
"Oh hello, Rowena. It's great to see you again," said John.
"Why have you tied us up like this, you evil monster?" replied Rowena in the harshest tone she could muster.
John shot her a look of hate before saying "Take good care of them, Salazar. It's time I got some well deserved sleep. And if I hear a single noise, you will be the first to die."
With that, John vanished up the stairs, into the shadows.
"Rowena, do you have a plan? What are we gonna do?" asked Godric.
"I really don't know, Godric. But I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess."
"Rowena? Godric? Is it actually you guys?" came a feeble voice from the wooden crate which was placed at the foot of Godric's chair.
"Helga Hufflepuff?" asked Godric in disbelief.
"Yes, it's me."
"But we thought you were dead and-"
"Silence prisoners!" bellowed Salazar. "One more word and that'll be your last."
"Hey, listen. You seem to be as old as us and you might understand what we are going through. My step father has imprisoned us for absolutely no reason and it would be great if you could help untie these ropes. We'll let you come with us as well and you can escape this mad man as well," said Rowena, in a very coaxing tone, to Salazar.
"Stop it! Stop trying to get in my head!"
" I'm only looking out in your best interest as well. I can tell you haven't been fed properly in ages and trust me, my step father doesn't care about you one bit. He will only keep you around until he needs you and will dispose you off as soon as you aren't required anymore. But if you come with us, we can take care of each other and we will not ill-treat you like John." 
Salazar considered for a while, before saying, "Fine. But one small show of betrayal and you and your friends will be sorry."
"Okay, thank you so much, Salazar."
Salazar quickly untied Godric's and Rowena's knots and then opened the hatch of the crate to release Helga.
Helga fell out in a heap, coughing and trying to gain her breath. The poor girl was in a terrible state but was quite pretty. "L-let's get out o-of here," she managed. With Helga's hands around Godric and Rowena, she managed to climb up the stairs of the basement.
They were heading out to the front door when a tall, lanky figure appeared in front of them and said, "Well, well look what we have here. A heroic escape is it? "