Ever After

Chapter Thirteen

We were walking along the road to the town, with Red struggling to walk correctly in the ankle length dress.

"I am going to burn this dress." She complained. We walked over tree roots and brambles, until finally we got to the entrance of the town. And I was speechless.

People were bustling around trying to grab things from stores and shops. Children were playing around with kites and drawing on the ground. Shopkeepers and customers were talking or yelling over unagreeable prices, and there were lines of people waiting to be served.

Nothing has changed. If a stranger came to town, they wouldn't even know that the king is missing. It's like the people don't even care. Or know.

I was flabbergasted. Why would these people be so careless. I expected the town to be a little empty considering they asked for everyone to help find Adam. Without the king who's leading the kingdom?

Red, Rapunzel and I walked around the town, through shoppers and kids. Until we saw it. The bakery. Hopefully Belle hasn't switched jobs. But knowing her, she probably is working at a library now or in another part of the world. She always used to talk about wanting to explore the world and find an adventure of her own.

We walked into the bakery, which was sort of barren. Only four people were nibbling on treats, and there was one person at the counter cleaning it up. I instantly recognized wavy brown hair and fair complexion.

"Excuse me." I tapped on her shoulder but she didn't look up. Just continued to wipe at an imaginary stain. I tapped on her shoulder again.

"What do you-" She stopped talking when she saw my face. Her mouth hung wide open, and i had to shake her back alive. "Ella?" She said quietly. I could barley hear her.

"Yup it's me." I said. She engulfed me in a strong hug and for once I hugged just as hard back. But then she broke away abruptly and put a stern look on her face.

"Where have you been all this time? You just disappeared without a trace. I thought your step-family had killed you or something. I even went to you house but no one was there." She rambled on and on until she was finally out of breath.

"It's a long story, which I'd much rather tell you in private." I said. She nodded her head and led me to the stairs that connected her bakery to her apartment upstairs. Red and Rapunzel started to follow us, but I held my hand up to to them to stop them. "You too guys." They nodded and walked over to one of the tables and sat down.

Belle led me up to her place, and we sat down at a table. The fire next to us burned slowly, it was desperately in need of wood. There were three other rooms in the small buildings. I think one was a washroom, and the other two were bedrooms. I haven't been here in a while. Belle pulled out two cups of tea and continued on her interrogation.

"Calm down Belle. Like I said it's a long story." I explained everything that had happened ever since she last saw me. I left out the part about being Ashes though. If anything has changed, then I don't want to risk being exposed.

"Wow." She looked at the ground reeling in all I had told her. "So that's where you've been all this time. Living on your own, in Diaspro!" I told her I ran away to another kingdom, and was living there.

"Yea..." I said.

"But why did you come back?" Belle asked.

"Well, when I heard Prince Adam was missing, and that Ashes took him, I wanted to hear it for myself. Maybe she didn't do it." I said.

"Of course she did it. You know about the ash trail. That coward doesn't have the guts to face those guards." She said. Imagine her face if I told her I was Ashes. I didn't like she called me a coward, but how can she judge me for something I didn't do when she doesn't know I am the accused?

"Do you know anything about the kidnapping?" I asked.

"Why do you wanna know. It's Ashes no doubt."

"It's the curiosity in me."

"Well, I know that she didn't work alone. There are rumors that the guards saw a guy sneaking around the castle with Ashes. They caught him, and he's in jail. But he hasn't said anything as I've heard." She explained. Who was the guy who helped the impostor? But if he's in the jail, then he must know who this kidnapper pretending to be me is.

"Do you know his name?" I asked.

"No. Like I said, he hasn't said anything." At least it's a lead on where we have to start. I've gotta tell Red and Rapunzel.

"Let's go downstairs. My stomach is calling for one of your famous chocolate chip cookies." I said getting up. Belle and I walked downstairs to the bakery, where Red and Rapunzel were waiting.

I walked over to them and explained what Belle told me, as Belle went back to work.

"If he is in jail, how are we going to get to him?" Red asked.

"We can't just walk into the castle and get him out. We need to get in somehow, then we can ask him who took Adam." Rapunzel added.

"What if one of us got arrested. Then we'd be in the dungeon, and on the outside the other two could distract the guard, get the keys and get him out. As long who ever is inside takes out the guards." I said.

"Please tell me you're not thinking what I think your thinking." Rapunzel said. I nodded and smirked slyly.

"If they find out your Ashes, they won't bother with taking you to jail, they'd kill you on the spot." Red said.

"Not exactly. If every one thinks I took the prince, then they would want to question me, so hopefully they take me inside. Then I could take out the guards and wait for you two to come in. Most of the guards would be busy holding me, so if you can find a way to distract the guards outside and get one of their keys, we'd be set. The only problem is, how are we going to get in the castle to distract the guards?" I said. I heard the bell ring, indicating that someone is coming in the bakery.

"I'll have my usual." Someone said strictly. I remembered that voice all too well. I turned my head just enough to see Anastasia walk to the counter and order bread. Turning around quickly, and hoping she didn't see me, I tried slowing my breathing. That girl brought back too many horrible memories, and seeing her was a punishment too horrible.

"You could say please." Belle said handing Anastasia her a loaf of bread.

"And you could get some decent clothes." Looks like her change in status hasn't changed her attitude. Anastasia wasn't wearing her fancy hot pink dress anymore, now she wore a peasant dirty pink dress that wasn't too different from Belle's.

Anastasia walked out of the bakery and I sighed in relief. I got up and walked over to Belle.

"What happened to her?" I asked.

"When you left, no one was left to do all the housework, or make and buy all the food. So Elaine made Anastasia and Drizella work, but it wan't enough, because they are two spoiled brats. So they lost the house, and now they work at the steam stress store to support themselves.Serves them right, after the way they treated you." It did serve them right, and I don't even feel guilty about it. How they treated me was inhumane, so going through a pinch of what I went through is deserved.

I walked back to Red and Rapunzel. Hopefully our plan will work out, as soon as we tweak it a bit.