1794 (A Frazel AU)

The Escape (Part two)

Hazel and Marie were running with the freed slave that Frank got for them, to lead them to freedom. Bobo, he said his name was, lead them across the property where a cart was waiting on the other side. He held Marie's arm, while Hazel clasped her hand tightly.

Bobo stopped suddenly, causing everyone else's breath to hitch. He listened, then his own eyes widened.

"Slave hunters are here already", he whispered. "How? It's like the master bought the dang police force."

"What do we do now?", asked Marie.

He looked her dead in the eye. "Run."

Marie started running so fast she looked awkward. Her knees went up too high and her hair flew all over the place. Honestly, she looked like a deer in heels.

Hazel was trying not to laugh at her very comical mother, and it would be funny if she wasn't in grave danger.

Horses were closing in on them, the sound of their hooves hitting the dirt becoming louder and louder. Moreover, they had hunting dogs on their trail, meaning they really had a slim chance of escape. Beautiful.

"Sons of horses", Marie cursed as she continued to look behind her.

Bobo tried to calm her. "Miss Marie, the hunters are not going to catch up, but if you look back you'll slow down."

One of the dogs howled, then gunshots fired. Someone screamed and Hazel, wide eyed, recognized the voice.

"Micah", she whispered, and without thinking ran in the direction of the noise.

"'Azel", Marie yelled. "'Azel!"

"Shush, if you go that you'll alert them to our direction", Bobo warned. "We'll head for the cart and if she doesn't come back in time, we'll leave."

Marie looked beyond offended. "Are you telling me to leave my daughter behind,"

Bobo stayed silent for a moment, as if decided what to do.

"Well?"

"Go to the cart and hide under the tarp. I'll go after her."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hazel was almost to where the noise came from. She was so close to saving him.

She stopped right behind a tree where the slave drivers couldn't see her. Why am I doing this? He's a traitor. A snitch. Snitches get stitches.

Hazel fought with her morality in her head. He's still a slave, like me.

He betrays everyone.

To survive.

And does that make it better.

Yes it does.

Hazel found a long skinny stick that was perfect for a whip. She plucked the leaves off as she listen to what the slave drivers had to say.

"How much do go think he could go for Kronos?", a young, pale blond man asked.

His accomplice had black hair and dark pits for eyes, but it was hard to make him out in the darkness of the moonless night. His aura though was enough to make Hazel shiver.

"It doesn't really matter now Octavian, since we would have to give him a deserving punishment. And considering he helped in the death of Master Mars, he would be put to death."

"Can't we just do it now", Octavian asked, loading his gun, "Quite frankly I'm willing to kill one of these freaks."

"Well if we do, he wouldn't serve the correct punishment. Relax."

"But-"

Hazel jump up and whipped Octavian's hide, followed by Kronos backside. She was aiming for their heads, but she hadn't realized that they were on horses. Octavian panicked and shot the gun, but his aim was off by a mile, and it hit a tree several yards away from Hazel.

Unlike most slaves, Hazel knew the secret of the gun: they can only load ammo once before the need to reload. So she took the opportunity to whip Octavian's hands, causing him to howl in pain as he sang like a sailor. Kronos took aim at her, but Hazel whipped his horse's buttocks, and the animal reared, neighed and ran away. Micah looked like a scared animal, leaned against a tree trunk.

Octavian jumped off his horse and made a stupid grab at Hazel, but she kept him beyond arms reach by slashing he stomach continuously. Before he could recover, a boulder of a rock hit Octavian in the back of the head. He collapsed, unconscious.

Bobo heaved, too far out of breath for a four-five year old, although he would never admit it. "You broke several laws while simultaneously attempting suicide. What is wrong with you?"

Hazel smiled. "It's a survival tactic", she reached her hand out to Micah. "Wouldn't you agree snitch?"

Micah gave her a look and took her hand. "I guess." He stood and smiled at her. "Thanks."

Hazel nodded slightly. "You're welcome. Come on, he'll help us to freedom."

"Wait", Micah muttered, "Really?"

"It's my job boy", Bobo sighed. "Although we'll all get caught if we stay here. Your mama is waiting for you, let's go."

Hazel grabbed Micah's wrist. "Come on."

She and Bobo led the stunned teenager to the cart, where Marie was paced the width of it, anxious. However, when she saw Hazel, her eyes showed immediate relief, then immediate anger.

"You stupid chile, I should whip you for your insolence", Marie took her up into a hug. "Are you alright baby?"

"I'm fine Mama", Hazel smiled, hugging her back.

"Are you sure?"

"Get in the cart Mama."

"Okay."

Marie hopped in and slipped under the tarp, followed by Micah and Hazel.

Micah still looked stunned, taking in deep breathes. Hazel tapped his knee, "Are you alright?"

"Um...", he blinked. "I..." Suddenly he broke down in tears. "Is..is this really happening?"

"Yes Mica'", Marie patted his shoulder. "We're going to be free."

"After so long, after having to betray everyone to survive", he looked at Hazel. "Do I really deserve this?"

Hazel gave him a light smile. "More than anyone."

Bobo cleared his throat. "Y'all gonna have to lay down if y'all wanna be free. Otherwise you'd look like odd cargo."

And with that, they were off to freedom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember when I said I couldn't update because of school? You guys can thank Corona for this. Last chapter coming next week. Chao!