No Longer Heartless

Chapter 13: Do You Want Some Help?

Inside the throne room, everything was colored red. It was astounding, really. Even Cath -who was from Hearts where the favorited color was in fact red- was impressed. "I've never seen so much red decor in my life," she said in a whispered tone, though her voice still echoed off the walls.

"Shh," Jest reprimanded. "Someone will hear you."

"You're louder than I am," Cath reasoned.

"Catherine, is this really the time to debate who is being louder?" Jest frowned, talking in a whispered tone. "We're supposed to get the invisibility elixir and get out before someone catches us. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like getting locked in a dungeon."

"Since when are you so hostile?"

"I'm not being hostile. I'm just a little on edge. That's all," Jet said softly. "I'm sorry. I'd just really like to get out of here."

"I'm with you on that one," Cath sighed. "Let's go."

The pair moved carefully over to the door that was protecting the contents of the vault, being sure not to get caught.

"Remember the plan?" Jest whispered.

Cath nodded and pulled a pin from her chignon, inserting it delicately into the lock. "It's not working," she frowned.

"Shall we find the key?" Jest suggested.

"It's to risky," Catherine sighed. "There has to be something around here we can use to break the door open."

Jest thought long and hard for about a minute. Giving up was by no means an option. Of that, he was certain. He looked around carefully, surveying the room with an impeccable observance. "They've been doing some construction," he said suddenly, walking over to a corner with a small pile of tools and wood planks and pipes. "It must have been today. The Red Queen is meticulous about keeping her castle spotless. She wouldn't allow a workman to leave his thing strewn about like this."

Cath's face lit up. "Hand me that pipe. Quickly, now! Come on!"

Jest complied immediately. "Do you want some help?"

"Give me a second," Cath mumbled, taking the pipe and jamming it in the lock's chain. She pulled as hard she could, but the chain didn't budge.

"Now do you want some help?" Jest smirked.

Cath gave a small sigh of defeat. "Yes."

Jest walked up behind her and wrapped his fingers around the pipe. Both pulled with all their strength.

Within seconds, a loud crack was heard followed by a pop. The chain broke in two and the lock clattered to the floor.

"We did it," Cath grinned.

Jest gave a smug little smile. "You're welcome."

"Yeah, yeah. You helped. So what?" Catherine teased. "Wait here and keep watch while I get the invisibility elixir." She slowly creaked open the door and cautiously stepped inside. The vault was filled with tons upon tons of gold bars and precious gems. "Woah."

"Do you see the elixir?" Jest called from outside the vault.

Cath looked around carefully. In the middle of the room, she saw a a glass table. Slowly, she approached it. On the table, there was a brown leather box.

"Cath?"

The Queen of Hearts opened the box delicately and pulled out a glass bottle. There was a tag tied around the neck of the bottle with the words "Invisibility Elixir" printed plainly on it. "I found it!" She exclaimed with delight.

"Great," Jest sighed in relief. "Now let's get out of here."