Fearless // Lafayette x Reader

19. She Hasn't Got a Home

The moment she was on the dark, wet street, dully illuminated by the streetlights and lanterns, the realization hit her.

Now that she was out, she didn't have a plan anymore.

Where would she go?

She couldn't go back to the quarters ever - that was out of the question. She couldn't stay with Hercules, since it would put the tailor in danger. They could possibly trace her back to him and question him about her, and although she trusted him with her life it was best that he didn't know anything.

She certainly couldn't go back to America - now, at least. Not only would it be a dead giveaway for soldiers that would inevitably be on the lookout for her, but it was so far away. It would be too costly for the little amount she had.

There was only one other option - somewhere temporary, not too far away, with easy access to someone she knew and loved before going back to America.

France.

Slowly, a plan formulated in her ever-working mind. She would find out how much one ticket was to France, go and find Lafayette, stay with him until they both journeyed back to America.

And as much as she tried not to think about it in that way, the prospect of seeing Laf made her more excited than she had been in a long time.

Well, first thing's first. Go to the harbor.

Taking a deep breath, she started out into the cold cobblestone street, checking for carriages as she walked. There wasn't any moon that night, and every little owl's hoot caused her to jump in fright.

It must have been at least thirty minutes later when she reached the harbor. Even though she'd grown up in this part of London, the streets were all too unfamiliar and frightening at night.

She approached the ticket manager's booth with caution, well aware that anyone could be a soldier on the lookout for her.

Tap, tap, tap.

The grimy window slid open. She made out the features of an elderly, tired looking man in the faint candlelight. "Sorry, miss, but I'm jus' closing down for th' night."

"No-no!" She frantically grabbed at the glass to prevent it from closing, shutting her out. She needed to leave. Now. "You have to listen to me. I need to get a ride to France tonight, it's urgent. I have to get out of here."

Her voice cracked on the last sentence, (E/C) eyes pleadingly staring into his light blue ones.

He peered at her over his glasses. "Nowhere to go, miss?"

She shook her head.

"Haven't got a home, have you?"

The girl shook her head, emotion threatening to brim up into her eyes. She swallowed it down angrily.

Finally, he rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses, sighing. "I can't do anythin' to get you to France until tomorrow mornin', but what I can give you is a place to stay th' night."

She hesitated. It could be a trap. Every reason not to trust him screamed inside her mind, begging her not to.

But she had to think about this practically. She had no place to stay for the night. It was likelier for soldiers to find her on the streets than in a stranger's home.