Runaway Royal

Chapter 2

By the next day Katherine had every aspect of her escape plan figured out. As she started the day with her usual walk through the town she was able to purchase some old rags that would help her blend in later. Next it was her dreaded lessons. However, she was a little more tolerant today which not only surprised her teachers but it scared them. Until finally, it was time.

Sir Connor was on the verge of exploding. Katherine's attitude was enough to drive anyone mad. "I give up!" he shouted and stormed out. Katherine giggled all the way back to her room, then snapped back into the moment. She quickly shut her bedroom door and started undressing. She quickly threw on the rags she had bought earlier, wiped off her make-up, messed up her hair and replaced everything nicely as if it had never moved. Finally she softly set down her hand-made tiara on its soft pillow and silently slid out the window and shut it quietly behind her. She was out and almost free.

As she snuck out of the palace grounds she was nearly caught multiple times. Once she was free Katherine ran as fast and as far as she could, weaving through carts and people left and right. After a mile or so she collapsed, a Princess never had to run so she was a little out of practice (apparently it's more important to pour tea properly than to stay in shape). She was still in the city but the lower class area where she could blend in. They wouldn't notice her absence until dinner, so she had plenty of time to find somewhere to stay. She looked around to find someone to help her find her way to an inn, but no one was anywhere. As she searched the streets she realized where she was.

On the outskirts of the village was a small Provence where crime raved and the streets were always empty. Every resident lived in constant fear of kidnappings and murder. And thanks to Katherine's "outstanding" sense of direction she had collapsed right in the middle. She stood up getting ready to run when an arm warped around her waist and a had clasped over her mouth. She tried to scream and squirm free but whoever had her was stronger and dragged her into an old cottage.

Once inside she was released and furiously turned around to see who had taken her. He was not much taller than she was. His cloths were torn and filthy, and his blonde hair looked like it had been cut by himself no less than a month ago. He had a large group of boys that seemed to be his age or younger, and they all seemed to follow his lead.

"What were you thinking?" his voice broke her gaze. "You could've been killed!". She was mad before but this made it worse. Did he forget that he had kidnapped her off the street?

"I'm sorry should I be thanking you for dragging me off the streets? 'Thank you, you're my hero!'. Her practice of mocking Sir Connor had come in handy. "As if. Last time I checked I didn't ask for your help."

"Well you needed it. Five more minutes and you would've been dog meat."

"I think I can fend for myself."

"Then I guess you are naturally blonde. 'Cause no one can fend for themselves out there. Now you can either thank me for risking my life to save yours or you can get out and try". Katherine was stunned. No one had ever spoken to her so harshly, and with such little respect. Then she remembered that she was no longer a princess.

"Thanks." she finally said. She didn't want to risk walking back out onto the streets. Especially since it was getting dark.

"Now was that so hard, princess?". She was stunned. Did she still look the same? Or was the word already out? "You okay?" he asked, breaking her daze.

"Yeah. I was just confused on why you called me 'princess'.". Her heart was pounding in anticipation for him to know her secret without her being out of the castle for even an hour.

"You're as dumb as Princess Katherine, you kinda look like her, and you had to, by rescued by yours truly." He had mocked her without even knowing it. "So what's your name, princess?"

This she had not thought about. If she said her name was Katherine everyone would know. She had to think quickly. "I'm Kat."

"Kat. I like it. I'm Chance, I'm the leader of the group."

"This is 'the group'? What's the group for?"

"We're a family. Before joining we were all alone."

"Wow, sounds a lot like my life." Kat was still wondering why it was all guys in their group. But they made sure to tell her.

"Well too bad. This group is for boys only!" someone had shouted from the back. Obviously a little boy who probably still thought girls had kooties.

"Oh shut up, Bone. We can bend the rules," Chance yelled back. He was sticking up for her. Why? "Besides if we left her out on the streets she'd probably be stupid enough to ask a serial killer for food.", he smiled at her and gave a wink. Back to mocking her she guessed. "So you wanna stick with us, princess?"

It was her choice to either stay with the group and have the protection around twenty boys, or go out and try to run again with a high chance of dying or being kidnapped. This wasn't a hard choice for her, however she still tried to play it off cool, "Yeah. I guess."

"Perfect," he gave her a slight smile. Then he turned to address everyone, "Now. It's dark so everyone hit the sack. Kat and I will take first watch.". As soon as he gave the command everyone scurried to their spot on the floor; they seemed to follow his every order. "You coming?" He asked. Breaking her from yet another gaze.

She turned around and started to follow him to the door. She could already tell that this was going to be a long night.