My Name is Rapunzel(15)

I looked straight at Gretta and tried to remain calm. “Remember what I'm about to say, and don't you ever forget it,” I said, gritting my teeth. “The place where we are going is my family's home. My home. You will only dwell there and you will not tell me what to do.” If the curse were ever lifted, she would leave…alive or dead. It made no difference to me. “Understood?”

“Of course, dear.” Gretta gave a wavering smile.

“Now, if you’ll please excuse us, Gretta?” Father requested.

Her eyes darkened for a brief moment. “Of course. I have a bit more packing to do. Tomorrow approaches quickly.”

Father waited until he heard the sound of the front door latching as Gretta left the cottage. “It’s going to be all right.” he leaned his head back on the seatback and his eyes drifted closed. He’d worn himself out worrying.

Seeing him that way settled it. I would be no further concern to him. I’d go along with whatever he wanted and then sort it out when my choices couldn’t hurt him or cause him any further grief.

I ran my hand over the intricate design carved on top of the trunk that had its home at the foot of the bed. For as long as I could remember, Mother had been tucking prized possessions into its cavernous belly. A wedding gift from my grandparents, it now contained all of her jewelry, the first and last quilt she’d made, and several others in between. It also held family heirlooms, important documents, and some journals. And Father’s guns. He’d promised to teach me to use them. Please, let there be time.

Their journals. Back around the time of Henry’s demise, Father and Mother had begun writing together. I was desperate to get my hands on them, but Father said I could read them after he was gone. I expected that reading them would provide me comfort as I eased into a new phase of my life alone.

Father let out a soft snore from his chair where he’d slumped. Time to move him to the bed so he could get a good night’s sleep. Our journey was going to be a long one. Thankfully, I didn't have to be in the same wagon with the witch.

***

The time had come. I helped Father say goodbye to the home he’d loved for so long. In a way, we had to say goodbye to Mother, too, and that was the hardest part. We silently made our way to the wagon he would share with me for the long journey. I helped him settle comfortably in the back.

I watched until the house was a speck on the horizon, and then I stared as the town faded in the distance. I watched the smoke from someone's chimney until it vaporized into nothingness behind me. It was over. Somehow, I knew I would never return. I couldn't. Every bump of the carriage jostled memories of the home we’d left.

I tried to sleep and enjoy the journey, but it was a futile effort. Perhaps it was the constant bumping and banging that kept me awake. Or maybe sorrow over my loss kept my mind from racing. Or, more likely, it was the fact that in the wagon behind me sat the witch who'd stolen my life. I shook my head. How could Father have asked me to spend the rest of my life, however long that might stretch for me, with her? Did he know what he'd sentenced me to?

The narrow traveling path broke free from the wooded and rocky terrain and spread into a well-worn road. My body sighed in relief as it settled into a smooth rhythm of movement. Much better for travel, but it had to mean we were nearing people, civilization of some kind. This road had been traveled many times before.

Father stirred on the pallet beside me, moaning as he wakened. The journey must have been even harder on his old bones than on me. “You okay, Father?” I reached a hand to squeeze his gnarled fingers that had once been so strong. He was fading quickly. How long would I have?

“I am at peace, Rapunzel.” He smiled. “For the first time since this craziness descended on our family.” The smile faded, and he shook his head. “I don't know what the future has for you, dear daughter, and my abilities to help you have grown very limited. But at least I know you'll be in a place where you can keep yourself safe and hidden. Plus, you'll be able to get outside and stretch your legs. There's plenty of room for you to explore and stay busy. The thought of you cooped up for—who knows how long—in that little house back home—” he shook his head, “—I couldn't stand for such a thing.”

I squeezed his hand and nodded. Hopefully he had made the right decision. It sounded logical, but not knowing where I was going, it was far easier to say that I'd rather be at the one place I’d ever known than to start over someplace new—especially with the witch in tow.

Maybe I would run away. Obviously not while Father was still alive, but he wouldn't be with me long. Maybe once he was gone I would pack a few things and take to the countryside. I could stay on the move forever. See everything. Meet new people, mingle with townspeople in various exotic locations, and experience all the things life had to offer without fear of anyone discovering who I was.