The+Moonlit+Escape

__ The Moonlit Escape  __ A long time ago, in the south of France, there once stood a magnificent marble white castle. This is where our story begins… //Oh no!// I thought. //I’m going to be in big trouble, I know it! Why? Why did my clumsiness have to take over?// Time went slowly as I kept replaying the crashing sound over and over in my mind. I waited anxiously, not knowing what to say. After a long moment, the Prince gathered enough rage to destroy his own kingdom. -“Alexandria!!!” he hollered, his face turning red. I was on the verge of tears. “ALEXANDRIA!!!” The prince yelled my name so loud; I thought the ground might have trembled. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I gathered enough courage to summon my voice. -“I…I’m so s-sorry,” I said, hardly louder than a whisper. -“You clumsy fool!!! You will pay for your mistake! What will the Lord and Lady De Barbarac use for their tea this coming Sunday? Surely no other tea set will do!” he bellowed. -“I…I-” My weak voice stumbled over the words. I could only imagine what he was going to do to punish me. Just the thought of it sent shivers down my spine. -“I… //what//? What can you possibly do now, turn back time? Hope that you can simply bat your eyes at the Lord and Lady De Barbarac apologize, and hope that they won’t mind for having to use a cracked, second hand tea set? NO! Go into town and buy an even better china tea set, and if they don’t have one then-” At that moment the Prince made a hand gesture across his throat and looked at her with wild, blood shot eyes. -“Of course, your highness,” Alexandria did a low curtsy, and watched as the prince left the room. Alexandria gathered her friends, Jacqueline and Rebecca, to tell them what had just happened. -“That’s awful! He can’t possibly expect you to be able to find a tea set like that in only 2 days, it would be impossible!” Jacqueline replied. -“And if I don’t find one in time-” Alexandria couldn’t finish her sentence before completely breaking out into tears. “You have to help me!” she cried. Prince Charles was pacing around in his room rehearsing what he was going to say to the Lord and Lady De Barbarac since they were such important people. He casually strolled over to his gold rimmed mirror where he started to practice his fake laugh and smile, in case he needed it. Little did he know at that same moment, Alexandria, Rebecca and, Jacqueline were plotting their escape. -“Alexandria, come here!” demanded the Prince. -“Yes, your majesty?” she asked. -“I’m just reminding you that you only have one more day left to buy that tea set. I’m afraid that if you don’t find one soon, your time on this earth will be very limited,” he sneered. -“Yes, I understand that, your majesty,” Alexandria responded politely. -“You are dismissed now, Alexandria,” he said as he watched her go. By sunset Alexandria started to get nervous, for she knew that their only chance to carry out their plan would be tonight. Her mind was racing about the thought of being caught by one of the many guards, but then she also thought about the freedom that she would have if their plan succeeded. She didn’t know why, but the thought of leaving the castle also brought some grief to her. Maybe it was the thought of leaving the only home she’s ever had. Maybe it was the thought of leaving the other servants behind that needed her help. However, she did know that the only way of surviving through Sunday would be to escape that night. Alexandria spotted Jacqueline and Rebecca and gave them a curt nod, they instantly knew what it meant. All three of them walked side by side towards the entrance of the castle trying not to look suspicious. Alexandria’s heart was racing so hard she was amazed no one else had heard it. They were only 50 yards away from the grand entrance, but that could mean only 50 yards away from their deaths. The only way they would be able to make it out would be to run, and hope they don’t get struck by the sharp arrows of the crossbows. 40 yards away from the entrance, Rebecca yelled one simple word that rung and echoed in the halls. - “NOW!!!” Alexandria sprinted as fast as she could. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her lungs were screaming for more air, but she couldn’t possibly stop for Prince Charles was aware of this and yelled, “STOP THEM!!!” The guards in heavy metal armor, got their crossbows ready to fire. Alexandria’s mind went blank as she heard the whizzing of the arrows flying past her. They were almost out of the castle when a sharp pain went through Alexandria’s left arm. She quickly glanced at her wound, her arm had been grazed by an arrow. -“STOP THEM, YOU FOOLS!!!” Prince Charles yelled. “STOP THEM!!!” Alexandria, Rebecca, and Jacqueline ran at the closed doors and heaved them open. The moon lit their surroundings. They did it; they were out of the castle. They knew they’d have to keep running until they were far from the castle, or the guards would be able to bring them back to Prince Charles. Alexandria, Jacqueline, and Rebecca ran until their legs ached and the castle was no longer in their sights. Alexandria heaved a sigh of relief and watched the stars as her eyes grew heavy and she fell into a peaceful sleep. A long time ago, in Spain, a girl named Alexandria started a new life that ended with happily ever after.