Hi! My name is Ellison Moore. I’m a princess, but a fugitive, if that makes sense. My story is basically any Disney princess’ story. My parents wanted me to marry a prince, but all the prince’s bragged, and only talked about themselves. Only difference from the movies and my life? Well, there’s two differences. First of all, this is real, second I ran away. I was on my own for about 2 months, until I ran into Luke Thorne in an alley. We were both running from guards. I was running because I was a fugitive, Luke was running because he broke into a store, attempting to steal something, but the guards noticed before he could. So technically he was only trespassing. Anyways, we decided to partner up, and that was the best thing in my life. We started dating, and I taught Luke how to fight with a sword, because I had (thankfully) taken sword class at the castle. Now, anyone who tries to mess with us, they’re toast. “Elli, your dad will be leading this group.” Luke says. “You know how they are to me.” I sometimes let my family catch glimpses of me, but when Dad saw Luke, he was pissed, since Luke isn’t a prince. “Let him come.” I say, shrugging. Luke groans. I sigh dramatically. “Fine, we can go.” I say. “Nah, I guess we can stay,” Luke says, leaning on a rock. He smirks. “Princess.” “I told you not to call me that.” I whine. “But you’re my princess.” Luke wraps me in a hug and kisses me. When we pull apart, I smile. Ten minutes later I hear hooves beating the ground. “About time.” I say, sheathing my sword, which I was sharpening. “So, this may be bad timing, and I know I’ve had like an hour to ask you this, but… what’s the plan?” Luke asks. “Don’t die.” I say, plainly. “Got it, duly noted.” Luke rushes towards a bush to his right. I watch as Dad tells the soldiers to split up, and rushes towards me. He stops his horse right before it runs me over. Which it looks like it’d be happy to do. “So, it’s been what? A year, and you’re still chasing me.” I say. Dad scowls, and points a gun towards me. “You flying solo?” I ask. “Don’t make me pull this trigger. Just let me bring you in, and you’ll live.” Dad says. “And then what’ll happen? You’ll let me rot in prison? I think I like the idea of being free. Running? Sure, but at least I’m free.” Dad frowns. “Then you leave me no choice.” He pulls the trigger. A bullet flies inches past my ear. I sigh, then whistle. My white mare, Angel races towards me. “Sorry, but I gotta go.” I say, hopping on Angel. I kick, and she runs towards the woods. “Boo.” Someone says from behind me. I reach for my sword habitly. I look back and see Luke, riding his horse Bullet. I breathe a sigh of relief and let go of my sword. “Please don’t behead me.” Luke says. I laugh. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s a habit at this point.” I say. “So, wanna make camp somewhere around here?” Luke asks. “Let’s get a little further from Dad, then sure.” I say. Luke nods. We ride like 10 more minutes, then stop to set up some sort of a camp. Two sleeping bags, a teeny fire, and a small pile of firewood. “Do you want me to take first watch?” I ask. “Nah, I’ve got it.” Luke sits down on the ground and stares down the mountain. I sigh, then nod. I lay on my sleeping bag and almost immediately fall asleep. I wake up to pitch black darkness. I sit up, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. When my eyes adjust I stand up and walk to where Luke is. Or at least supposed to be. I look around but don’t see Luke anywhere. I call repeatedly. “Luke! Luke! Luke! Luke!” I sit down on a rock, trying to calm myself down. Suddenly I feel a gun on the back of my head. My breath catches. “Where is Luke?” I ask whoever is behind me. “I’m sorry.” A familiar voice says. I look back and see Luke. Tears come to my eyes as he ties my hands behind my back. “I’m sorry.” He says again, voice cracking this time. “Why?” I ask, trying my best not to cry. “Your dad promised me freedom, I promise I’ll try to break you out. Please, just trust me.” Luke says. “But… how can I now?” Luke sighs. “Just trust me, I’ve gotta take you to your dad. But I will try to break you out. I promise.” I sigh. Luke pulls me up and walks me towards the castle.
“Ah, Luke. Good job. I’m surprised.” Dad says when we walk into the throne room. “What are you going to do to me?” I ask. “Well, you gave me the idea. Let you rot in prison.” Dad says. I grumble. “Guards. Grab Ellison. Luke. You can go. You won’t be chased anymore.” The guards take me from Luke and push me out of the throne room. I feel Luke’s stare on the back of my neck. The guards take me to the dungeons. They untie my hands and push me into a cell. Then the guards leave. I turn around and look around the cell. “So, I have a cell mate.” Someone says from the top bunk. “Oh, and it’s the princess.” I look up. “Who are you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I’m your cell mate. But I’m Mark Graham.” Mark jumps off the bunk and walks up to me. “So, you finally got caught. After what? A year?” I blink. That’s basically the words I said to Dad. “Uhm. How did you get in here?” I ask. Mark shrugs. “I trespassed an inch over the stupid palace borders. Apparently that’s a lifetime penalty in prison.” “Dang. I didn’t know our laws were so strict.” I say. Mark chuckles. “Yeah, they’re pretty brutal.” “So, I’m guessing there’s nothing to do in here?” I ask. “Unless you wanna fold and refold the sheets. Nah.” Mark says. I nod, then look around. Suddenly the door to the dungeons opens, bringing bright light into the dim cells. I hear running then someone’s at the door of our cell. “Ella, hurry.” Luke says. I raise my eyebrow. “Wow, you came back.” I deadpan. Luke sighs. “I’m sorry. But I’ve got like 5 minutes to get you out.” I sigh. “Can you get two people out?” “Uhh, sure. Just hurry up.” Luke looks at his watch. “Come on.” I say. Mark follows me. Luke leads us towards a wall. He presses a stone and the wall slides open for us. I stare, stunned. “I had no idea that was there.” I say. Luke chuckles softly, before leading us into the tunnel. Behind us the wall closes again, looking like a perfect, normal wall. We walk into the tunnel. To our deaths? Maybe. But side by side, we walk into the unknown. To be continued… (If I remember.)
