Party crasher

Using the key I unlock the first floor door. Foot traffic will be heavier due to the party but the ground won't hurt so much if I have to go through a window. I hurry down the back hall toward a door that will lead to the back garden. I hear footsteps so I hide behind a large vase as a maid scurries on by mumbling her worries. I get up and try taking off just to smack into someone tall.

Jack and my mother are standing there. Panic sets in. Caught already!?

"Hurry now Jack." Says mother looking around.

Jack grabs my arm and I'm thrown into a nearby dark room. Loud armored footsteps are heard running down the hall with shouts to find me. Jack tells them he saw me go into the back garden. Their footsteps split, most go toward the door I wanted to use then a single set heads off to inform the others.

The silence after the guards leave feels deafening. Is it safe? I go to open the door but the nob turns. I step back resting my hand on the swords hilt. Jack and my mother step into the room.

"They left but I would avoid the back garden for awhile." Jack tells me.

"You two are helping me?" I ask confused.

"Yes my sweet Sophia." My mother says walking to me. She holds her arms out for a hug. This may be the last time I can hug her.

"I'm sorry for the way I had to raise you but the least I can do is let you go live a free life. Rox seems like a nice guy even if he isn't human." Her words are soft and kind. I run into her arms and hug her tight. "Your father and I will help you get out."

"Father?" I push back and look at her in shock.

"Check the rooms she couldn't have gone far!" A guard commands and loud footsteps begin thundering down the hall.

"This way dear." Jack says grabbing my arm and pulls me into a secret passage way I never knew was there. He starts leading me in and out of rooms and down hallways. The look of worry on my mom's face is still in the back of my mind as we left her behind. We go through a few more secret passage ways that connected little rooms only accessible by these tunnels. Finally Jack pushes a knee high door taking us into a small side garden.

"What was mom talking about earlier?" I quietly ask Jack.

"You weren't ever supposed to find out." Jack sighs. "Long story short. Your mother found out she was carrying you while Earl Charles was away. She did what she had to do and luckily you were a small baby so claiming you were born early was easier."

Jack looks around and makes us duck into a bush. A pair of guards run by.

"So you're saying... The man in there isn't my father." I whisper pointing to the house. 

"That's right. Thankfully you took after your mother and not me. You did get my ears though." He smiles. "Your mother and I want you to be free. You should have heard her talk of how well you were doing on your own. She had to say what she did at your place in case ears were listening but you should have seen her smile. We are so proud of you." Jack wraps me in a hug. 

"So your my dad?" Tears well in my eyes.

"Yes dear." He says gently.

I'm happy about this yet sad. My mom has to hide her love for Jack but knowing the person I thought was my father isn't really my dad feels good. This also explains why Jack was a little more strick with me but would also send my favorite snacks to my room. It'll be hard on Chris and my parents when I leave but I belong somewhere that isn't here.

"We love you. Now go before it's too late!" Jack, I mean dad says sending me off.

"Tell everyone I love them all very much!" I say over my shoulder and take off into the night.

I'm running through the maze of shrubs til a guard spots me. I turn and run the opposite way. More appear to my right and I end up driven back into the house. Not just any part of the house, the main room for the party. Everyone is in their fancy gowns and suits. I'm standing there in a faded and stained black and white dress, holding a sword. I don't even want to know what my hair looks like. This, this really isn't good.

"Oh my! I knew it!" Belle an Earl's daughter snickers. Father I mean Earl Charles told me to be friends with her to learn her family secrets but this one has a box of rocks for brains. 

Belle snickers more. "She was ruined and her family hid her and it looks like she's running away again."

The crowd mumbles. Charles doesn't look very happy either. Guards close in and I'm slowly being backed to the bay stained glass window with our family crest of a wolf and two crossed swords. I should say my mother's family crest. Charles here was a very poor Earl when he married mother so grandpa on my mom's side had to build this mansion for them. I draw my sword and parry fairly well against the guards as they charged me one by one.

"Can no one do their jobs!?" Charles bellows. 

His displeased cry shakes me a little but a different emotion takes over. I'm not as scared as normal, I'm filled with rage. Charles walks on who ever he can and finds underhanded ways of getting ahead. No wonder mom found love elsewhere and hid it. I have Rox but only if I get out of here alive. I whistle as loud as I can. Maybe Rogue is out there. I pray that he hears me!

Charles makes his way to me drawing a sword. I whistle again. Please Rogue!

"Who do you think you're signaling for!?" Charles yells.

Charles raises his sword high. Rox taught me how to deflect this. I step with confidence to the side and guide his blade away from me. He swings from that side. I lower myself and guide his sword above me. I don't have stamina or strength but there are ways you can wear out your opponent or get them off balance.

"You vile!" Charles yells swinging violently I can barely keep up with his swings.

"Rogue!" I yell then try whistling.

Glass shatters behind me and a low growl rumbles through the room. Girls scream and most of the party goers try fleeing. Charles stumbles backwards.

"G-get. K-kill it!" He screams at the guards who are shaking and slowly stepping backwards.

"Rogue come." I say snapping my left fingers. He comes and crouches a little so I can get on him. Once I'm on he stands tall. I see mom and dad watching from the edge of the room with a small smile on their faces. Chris' grin is ear to ear while he leans against a wall. Belle is hiding under the piano.

"Belle I only said that color looked good on you because I wanted to see you in ugly dresses." I call out to her. I point my sword at Charles. "You disowned me so you better keep your end of the deal and leave me alone."

I rip my dress some so I can ride easier.

"Well enjoy the party folks. This just isn't my thing anymore. Bye!" I smile as I hang on to Rogue tight. With that cue he bolts from the house through the shattered window. 

What's this feeling? My shoulders are lighter and not stiff, the turning in my gut is gone, and my heart doesn't feel so confined. Is this what freedom feels like? I feel, stronger, as if I can take on anything.

Rogue takes me to where I buried my sword. Rox's bag is gone, he must have taken it. The clothes in my bag are wet and mildew smelling so I'm not able to use them. I dig my sword up at least then discard the guard's. With my sword strapped around my hips I remount Rogue and take off into the night.

Hours go by of Rogue running. I have no idea where we are. It took us a few hours to get to my par- do I still call that place my parents? Technically both of my parents are there... I give up. I'm too tired right now. I will ask someone else another time. I look around and of course nothing looks familiar.

"Rogue? Are we lost?" I ask Rogue.

"Huff." Rogue grumbles as he walks through the forest.