Chapter 6

Rapunzel smiled as she searched the broom closet for any missing pieces. She had forgotten when she shoved that Flynn Rider person inside that it was where her grandmother kept her costume stuff. Nothing in there was real and that was the idea. Sometimes she wasn't even sure herself which was the real stuff and which was a fake.

She did notice a few things gone from the shelves, but she wasn't sure if Grandmother took them or not. She did hear her say that she didn't have anything at all with her, but she always said that.

Flynn had gone back to the bathroom where she could here a few beeps and clicks from what sounded like his cell phone. That was the reason he told her he came here in the first place. He was the window washer and he dropped his phone somewhere; he was sure that it fell on the terrace.

Rapunzel shook her head, locked the broom closet door and walked out onto the terrace where she found that it had started to rain. That would be a bad omen if Grandmother's flight was delayed, but that depended on how bad the storm was. Everything always flooded and the city shut down due to poor drainage systems on the island. It always took a day or so to clear everything up.

She heard the toilet flush and Rider opened the door.

"Do you always use your phone in there , Flynn Rider?" she asked, staring at him.

Flynn smiled and shook his head. "You'll have to start calling me Eugene from now on, Rapunzel. Flynn Rider out on the street is dangerous."

Rapunzel frowned. "And why is that, Eugene? Anything I should know about?"

Eugene shook his head. "It's just that Flynn Rider happens to be a made up name, that's all. Named for the…"

"The Adventures of Flynnagan Rider," they both said it together. Rapunzel laughed. "I read that along with a handful of books. Grandmother brings home books that I can read. She picks them out for me. I'm not allowed to watch tv, movies, and I've been limited to the outside world. That's why…" she looked down at her feet. "That's why I need to get out of here."

Eugene shook his head. "All you do is read?"

Rapunzel shook her head. "No, I bake cookies, pies and cakes. I clean and do laundry and I play with Pascal. And I sketch and paint a bit. I'm good at it too. Grandmother loves my work.

Eugene brightened. "Can I see some of it?"

Rapunzel took his hand and brought him into her bedroom, which was loaded with paintings galore. They were all stacked up in a corner.

Eugene's eyes widened as he searched through the pile. "This one of Corona Harbor in the moonlight is especially beautiful."

Rapunzel nodded. "I know, that's why I need to get out. I would love to actually go there. See the sights, do things I've never done before."

The rain was coming down harder now and Rapunzel sighed. If it continued like this…

"You know all the roads will flood," Eugene said, shaking his head. "You know what happens when it rains around here, don't you?"

She nodded. "Grandmother always mentions it, especially when she has to get around."

Eugene frowned. "So knowing that, you're absolutely sure that you want to do this?"

Rapunzel nodded. "Yes, this is the only time I've got. She wouldn't know the difference. She'd be back within the week. It could be a little adventure?"

Eugene stared out the windows. "You know, you've got the best view of Corona Harbor and the Outer Mountains from up here. "

"Eugene,"

"Why don't you go yourself?"

"I wouldn't know where to go and I'm sure that you know all the best places to visit."

Eugene sighed. "Alright, how do we get out of here?" Rider asked, searching the room for an exit. He only saw the elevator until Rapunzel smiled.

"I have my secret entrance and exit," she said, taking him by the hand. "And no, Grandmother doesn't know anything about this."

Eugene stared as he watched Rapunzel climb down a set of stairs that led out of the penthouse area and into the main stairwell. She had gone this far only, always afraid to go any further, afraid her grandmother would find out. Pascal followed the two down the steps down to the ground floor. She reached the door and threw it open.

"Pascal," she said, picking up the schnauzer and nuzzling it. "I'm free. I'm finally out of the tower. Now I can see the big city with my guide to help me." She looked up and watched as Eugene slowly descended the staircase.

The dog barked softly and licked her face in agreement. Rapunzel brought the dog closer, and then placed him down on the sidewalk. Pascal ran over and jumped all over Eugene as he reached the sidewalk as if they were already old friends.

"Get him off me," Rider said, brushing Pascal away.

"Alright, alright, take it easy," Rapunzel said, calling Pascal to her.

Pascal looked at Eugene and with a tilt of his head, turned and ran toward Rapunzel who picked him up.

"Where do you want to go?" Rider asked when he saw Pascal safely in her arms.

Rapunzel shrugged. "I have no clue, Flynn Rider. I was hoping that you'd show me around the big city. My grandmother has done a great job keeping me in the dark all these years. I would love to see some of the sights."

"It's Eugene," he reminded her. "Eugene Fitzherbert." He looked up at the sky. "Hey, it's stopped raining. Maybe we're in luck, although I truly doubt it."

"Then let's go before it starts again."

Eugene frowned. "Come on, Rapunzel. I find it hard to believe that you're not allowed to see tv or movies, hear satellite radio or own a cell phones? You have seen them, right?"

Rapunzel smiled and nodded. "Yeah, they're in the apartment. Grandmother hides them in her room. I'm not allowed to even talk about them."

Eugene Fitzherbert smiled and shook his head. "Well, I guess you're going to learn them all from me. Come on, beautiful, I've got a lot to show you."

And he grabbed her hand and pulled her around the corner where they both spotted Maximus sitting in front of the building keeping his eyes on the doorman. He hadn't noticed them until Pascal barked. Maximus looked up and his eyes narrowed.

"I thought we got rid of him," Rapunzel said, looking back at the german shepherd.

"So did I," Eugene answered. "Maybe we can shake him. Come on, let's get out of here."