Horse King (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 14 - Jail Break

Alexis's POV:

I closed my eyes for a while. I couldn't think straight. I wasn't claustrophobic but the walls were closing in on me. Richard had come by several times to try and convince me to tell the truth. I wouldn't do it. Every time he went away angry. He didn't understand that nothing on earth was going to make me tell. I knew Erik hadn't done anything wrong so I wasn't going to turn him in.

I stood up and walked to the window of the cell. I thought about Erik and wondered if he would even bother to come after me. There was no reason he should. It would only get him in trouble. The jail was on the outside of town and through my window I could see the hills where Erik lived. The sun was setting and cast shadows on the hills. I squinted and saw two forms moving straight for me. One was black and the other was white. As they drew closer I saw one was Erik's black mustang and the other was Iridescent. I held my breath as I realized that Erik had come to my aid. He stopped several hundred yards away and dismounted Squall. A small form ran toward my window and I realized it was Jewel. She ran to the window and whispered,

“Mama, are you alright?” I laughed slightly and looked behind me. No one was there.
“I am fine, Jewel. Don't worry about me. Thank-you for bringing Erik to me.” Erik had reached us by now and whispered,

“I will always come to get you out of trouble. You can give a full explanation later but let me get you out.” He pulled out piece of cord and cut through the bars in a matter of moments. I gasped and he laughed slightly.

“It is called diamond dust. I am not as stupid as you might think. Here is a rope. Climb out.” He tossed it to me and I managed to pulled myself out. The jail was old and hardly made to keep smart inmates in or, in my case, inmates with smart friends. Once I had landed on the ground outside the jail, Erik whistled and both of the horses galloped toward us. I heard some yelling and realized that someone must have seen to rider-less horses coming towards the jail and suspected. The moment that Iridescent stopped, I vaulted onto her back and turned her toward the hills. Erik grabbed Jewel and flung her on the back of Squall. A few moments later we were gone. I didn't realize until then how fast a mustang could go. I felt like I was flying. I thought I heard the sounds of pursuit but no one caught us. By the time the moon was starting to creep over the sky we had thundered into Erik's yard. I jumped off and after Jewel had slid to the ground Erik leaped off. He turned toward Jewel and said,

“Would you go into the house, Jewel? I need to speak with your mother.” He glared at me. I smiled and said,

“Go on, Jewel.” She grinned and ran to the house. Erik led Squall and Iridescent into the barn. He unsaddled Iridescent and started to brush her down. I could tell he wasn't happy. He stopped for a moment and with one hand laid across her neck said,

“Alexis, what were you thinking? Why did you refuse to tell the truth? You could have gotten out without this on your record.” I shook my head and said,

“I don't tell on my friend, ever. Not ever. I couldn't have lived with myself if I knew I was part of the reason you might have gotten caught. And I can't lie at all.” I didn't bother to tell him that I was in love with him and there was no way I could go back on it. I wouldn't betray him. He threw the brush into a corner and walked over to me.

“Alexis, you could have gotten hurt. I am not worth that.” He turned away from me and I said,

“Erik, you are worth it and I did. I am willing to pay the consequences. If I wasn't then I never would have befriended you.” He looked at me and said,

“There is no way someone is that good of a friend. Tell me why you really did it.” He towered over me and my resolve broke. Something inside me and I shouted,

“YOU KNOW WHY!” He took a step back and I continued, “Because I LOVE you! I am in love with you! That is why!”