Stalker

Chapter 1:DunBroch

The bright light pouring in from the cabin window served as an unexpected wake-up call for me. As Valerie had promised, I was in the second carriage and was on my way to the unknown destination. At this point, I had been travelling for at least four days and I was becoming extremely exhausted from staying inside a rocking carriage for so long.

Letting out a low grumble, I rubbed my tired green eyes and sat up slowly to stretch my aching joints. Sighing, I peaked out the window to see where I was now. And I had to say, I wasn't disappointed about my surroundings. I was on a path that seemed to be up in the mountains. It was surrounded by huge valleys that were covered with lush vegetation and a light mist. Snowy mountain tops let off a beautiful shine as it reflected the sun's bright rays and birds of prey hovered around the skies in search of their next meal from the valleys below. It was absolutely breathtaking. 

Smiling widely, I thought of Valerie again. I didn't know how she knew of such small, remote towns, but so far I could tell that this type of landscape was going to hide me perfectly until I knew what my next step was. And fortunately, the town wasn't too far now. On the horizon, I could barely make out some small, stone buildings. They were almost completely camouflaged by the vast landscape around it making them very difficult to spot out. 

Within an hour, I finally entered the simple archway into the tiny town I now found myself in. My driver wheeled us around the small streets, allowing me to look around at my new temporary home.  It was a very simple village made up of smoothed dirt roads, flat stone buildings, and was surrounded by the tallest and thickest forest I've ever seen in my life. Despite spending my entire life being locked away in remote forests, I also found security and safety in them for the exact same reason; they were perfect to hide in. 

Within a few short minutes, my carriage came to a stop in front of a small cottage made out of the same gray stone that the village buildings were made out of complete with a wooden roof and a small garden. My kind driver came over by the cabin door to help me out. I gave the young boy a smile as he held my hand firmly until both of my feet were on the ground to make sure I didn't trip. 

"This cottage is all yours. The most recent family that lived here moved out a few weeks back so you don't have to worry about having to live with a bunch of strangers," the young boy said shyly, shuffling his feet nervously on the ground as he spoke.

"I really appreciate everything that you all have done for me. You are forever in my debt," I said kindly to him, giving him another wide smile before enveloping him in my arms. He was taken aback at first, but soon smiled just as wide and hugged me. 

"Anything for you, princess. You've shown us kindness when no one else has. It's the least we can do." He said looking at me briefly before shifting his gaze back down to his feet. "I really hope you like it here. The kingdom of DunBroch is ruled by a very good family. They don't know about your situation, but I'm sure if they did, they'd be more than willing to help you." 

"Do they live far from here?" I asked curiously, taking his words into consideration. If the royal family was as good as he said they were, perhaps they were the key to helping me get to a safer and more secure place to hide...

He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets,"I'm not sure. I've only traveled to smaller towns in DunBroch, but I'm sure some of the village folk could tell you." 

I nodded, feeling a little more confident in knowing that I had some sort of direction to go to even if I didn't know how far the monarchy lived,"I hope you have a safe journey back. Please, let me know if I can do anything for you. You know where to find me." 

He nodded back with a shy smile,"Of course, princess." 

After a quick bow goodbye, he scurried back to his rickety carriage and went on his way to deliver goods from Valerie's store. With a soft, sad smile painted on my face, I watched as the young boy's carriage slowly faded away into the horizon leaving me alone in this new, tiny town. Letting out a nervous sigh, I turned to face my new home. 

"Alright, Rapunzel," I muttered to myself. "Here's the start of a new life." 

I picked up my one bag from off the ground and opened the front door to the cottage. The interior was about as small as I thought it'd be, but it was perfect for one person. There was a queen-sized bed to my right made from a simple mattress material and wooden bed posts to keep it off the ground. A wool blanket and two soft feathered pillows covered it nicely giving it a comfy aura. To my left, I had a comfortable kitchen that consisted of a few cabinets, a single shelf, and a stone stove. To the far back of the cottage in a separate room was the bathroom. It had a polished granite tub with a wash sink, mirror, and toilet. The place wasn't anything extravagant, but it was absolutely perfect for what I needed. Plus, a little paint on the walls would make it feel much more comfy and home-like in no time! 

After taking in my new surroundings, I set my bag on top of the bed and unzipped it to pull out my box of paints. They were the only things that I had brought with me besides some money to get myself going. I probably could've tried to grab some other clothes or other necessities as I was escaping the home in which Mother Gothel had, once again, trapped me in, but none of it seemed as important as my paints. They were the only things keeping me going, especially with how everything ended on the outskirts of Corona. 

I looked upon my paint jars and worn brushes with a ghost smile. I should've been much more happier than I was right now, but the truth was, I couldn't be. Not when I didn't have Flynn by my side. I had tried so hard to suppress memories of him and had tried so hard to move on, but it was just too difficult. It was all too fresh, too sudden...   

* "Oh, I'm so sorry. Everything is going to be okay-" 

"No, Rapunzel..." He breathed out as pain overtook his body from the stab wound. 

"I promise you. You have to trust me-" I tried laying my long blonde hair back onto his wound, but he rejected me once more. 

"No-"

"Come on, just breathe-"

"I can't let you do this," he stuttered sadly, his hazel eyes bearing into mine with such intensity I almost couldn't take it. 

"And I can't let you die..." I whispered back to him, feeling my throat grow tight as tears threatened to come down. I wanted to heal him so badly, but he was so intent on letting himself die... I couldn't bear the thought of living my life without him in it! I just had to heal him! 

He coughed loudly as his pain grew, causing my heart to break for him,"But if you do this...then you...will die..." 

"Shhh shh shh, it's gonna be alright," I tried to encourage him, placing my hair on him once again to sing my healing incantation to him. *

I stopped myself from watching the entire memory replay in my head. It was the very memory that has haunted my dreams since the day it happened and I just couldn't bear seeing it over and over again. I couldn't. My heart couldn't take it. It tore me to pieces every time I saw what happened next. 

"Flynn..." I whispered to myself, my voice weak and airy as I began to let my pent-up tears flow. Feeling my knees grow weak and my heart feeling even heavier than before, I sat down on the floor beside my bed and sobbed into my hands. "I-I'm so sorry, Flynn..."