THERE ARE SOME SECRETS WE CANNOT ESCAPE.

WOW! It's time. This chapter is the tip of the iceberg. Buckle your seat belts, everyone. This is going to be a bumpy ride. From here on in, things are not going to be very pretty, just warning you now! Please do leave reviews!

Gaston strode along with Sarah leaning on his arm, taking her home. Belle and Adam followed. After supper they would return to the castle with Lissa and Maurice. As soon as they reached the shoe cobbler's, one of the constables ran up to them, calling, "Captain! Captain!"

"What is it?" Gaston asked.

"There's been some trouble at Monsieur Pierre's that might require your attention." The constable replied.

"What kind of trouble?" Adam asked.

"It's complicated." The constable shook his head.

"All right." Gaston sighed, turning to Sarah. "You go ahead without me, dear. I'll be along shortly. And don't be alarmed by the armed men around, they're only guarding the house."

"All right." Sarah nodded. Gaston kissed her head and sent her along. Adam and Belle followed him to Monsieur Pierre's to see if they could help. They found Jacqueline with her husband on the back porch with Dr. Tanner and Dr. Travis.

"What happened here?" Gaston asked professionally.

"Poor fellow slipped off his barn ladder and broke his leg." Dr. Travis said.

"I didn't slip, you know-it-all scamp!" Pierre growled. His wife was pressing a bloodied rag to his head. "I told you five times already, I was pushed!"

"Pushed?" Adam, Gaston, and Belle all sputtered.

"Are you all deaf? I said pushed!" Pierre hissed.

"Doctor?" Belle looked to Dr. Tanner.

"He's got a nasty gash on his head too. Could have a concussion."

"Don't think my husband is making wild tales." Jacqueline moaned. "We've had little children and small animals. In all our years of being married, he has never fallen from a ladder."

Just then, Stanley burst into the yard. "Gaston!" He panted, groaning.

"What is it, Stanley?" Gaston looked to him.

"I don't know." Stanley was rubbing his head. "Something hit me. I went to check on Lefou and he was locked in the barn! The others have also been disturbed. I think you better come!"

Gaston gulped hard, hoping his boys were only getting edgy, but he had a terrible sinking feeling. He marched as quickly as he could toward home. Belle and Adam followed. Maurice caught up to them. "Why does everyone look concerned?" He asked.

"Papa, something is happening!" Belle exclaimed.

The moment Gaston reached the little cobblestone path leading up to his front door, he knew something was wrong. Very wrong! Jesse was ferociously barking inside. The constables, Tom, and Dick were all holding their heads, groaning. Gaston dashed into his house and looked around for anything amiss. Some nick-knacks were scattered on the floor, one of the dining room chairs was in the middle of the parlor rug, and it looked as if there had been a tussle. "LISSA!" Gaston hollered. "SARAH! If you're here, answer me!"

"Gaston, listen." Lefou told him as he walked inside. "I hear something." They barely heard a muffled voice. It was coming from the corner near the stairs. Gaston rushed to it and thought he heard a small, muffled voice inside the chest. He threw open the lid and gaped in horror.

"Sarah!" He gasped. Sarah was curled up inside the chest, her hands tied together and a gag tied around her mouth. She looked up at her husband with huge frightened eyes. Gaston couldn't stand to see her looking so petrified, and he quickly bent down and reached in to pull her up. Lefou helped him get her to her feet.

"Gaston! What's happened?" Adam asked as he and Belle appeared with Maurice. Gaston effortlessly scooped Sarah into his long arms and quickly carried her over to the sofa.

"Sarah!" Belle covered her mouth with her hands. Maurice removed the gag from Sarah's mouth and Lefou untied her hands. Gaston stooped down close to her.

"Sarah, dearest, are you all right?!" Gaston panted. "Have you been hurt?" Sarah clung to him, shivering. Gaston pulled her close to himself, and quickly ran his hands over her body, checking for any signs of injury.

"N-no. I'm not hurt." Sarah tried to speak. "Just very frightened."

"Are you sure?" Gaston persisted, softly touching her face.

"Y-yes, dear. I'm just so relieved to see you!"

"Same here!" He quickly gave her a tight hug, engulfing her small frame inside his swaddling arms. His masculine strength and warmth comforted her immensely. "What happened?" Gaston asked her, the manic concern in his eyes not eased yet.

"Where's Lissa?" Belle asked.

"I...I don't know!" Sarah wailed. She stood up, but held onto Gaston who firmly gripped her to himself. "I came back and heard Jesse barking viciously. I entered and these two tall men in black hoods grabbed me." Sarah trembled as she remembered.

"What?" Adam stared in concern.

"I was so afraid!" Sarah swallowed. "I thought they were going to kill me! I tried to ask what they wanted, but they bound me and shut me up in the chest!"

Gaston's face clouded over and he tightened his already vice-like hold on his wife. He was dangerously triggered that she had been attacked. His sweet, innocent Sarah. Who would do such a vulgar thing? They would pay dearly for this! He would make sure of that! But then he still had a lingering, nauseating fear deep in the pit of his stomach. His wife was safe. Shaken up, but safe. But...where was his sister?

"I'm so glad you're all right, my love." Gaston kissed her head hard. "But, where is Lissa? Is she all right?"

"I told you, dear. I don't know!" Sarah replied sadly. Lefou rushed through the house and outside, as did Maurice and Adam. They looked in the barn, the shed, everywhere. Belle waddled over to Sarah and wrapped her arms around her while Gaston quickly, anxiously searched the house for his sister.

"I'm glad you're all right." Belle told Sarah softly.

"Thank you." Sarah exhaled deeply. Lefou, Adam, and Maurice reentered the parlor.

"No sign of her! We even checked the root cellar and the barn loft." Adam spoke first. Just at that moment, Gaston returned. He leaned forward with his fists up against the walls of the hallway. He looked deeply worried. Something was very wrong.

"Where could she be?" Maurice asked.

"You don't suppose...those fellas took her away, d-do you?" Lefou stammered timidly.

"They couldn't have!" Gaston replied curtly. He didn't want to even think of that! He barged outside and summoned all his men, demanding to know exactly what had happened and why Lissa wasn't anywhere to be seen. They all gave him the same answer, that 'something had hit them hard on the head, and were so dazed they couldn't function'. Gaston was not satisfied. Gaston continued to impatiently badger them but only to be replied to with the same clueless, shamed faces. Turning on his heel, Gaston went back into the house.

"Gaston?" Sarah gulped in a small voice. "This is for you." She handed him a note. "I just found it on the table, with Lissa's whistle. I don't recognize the name."

Gaston's countenance went from ticked to petrified as he took the whistle in his hands and stared at it, the icy fear pressing on the gas in his veins. "I gave this to her!" He cried. "I told her to use it if she was ever in trouble and needed help." Everyone was startled at the look of extreme fear on his face. Gaston the great hunter was not a man to let his fear show! Then his eyes fell on the note Sarah was holding.

"You said you found it with that?" He pointed out.

"Yes." Sarah nodded.

"Give it to me." Gaston whispered. He took the paper and began reading. His heart dropped into his stomach and his blood froze as the cold-hearted words glared up at him:

"Bonjour, Captain!

It's good to see you again. You are looking fine. It's been a while, hasn't it? You don't remember me, do you? Well, you ought to! You remember my brother, Charles? He was mortally shot, in the midst of a scouting expedition when we served together in the army. You promised to fetch the doctor to help him.

You remember now? I do! I've remembered it every day since. I've been looking for you and an opportunity like this for years! I'm only sorry that it took me this long. It's time for you to receive your comeuppance, the just reward of your deeds. Your sister is with me! That's right, I took her, and she is at my mercy now. How did you feel when you couldn't find her, Captain? Huh? Panic? Fear? Anger? Helplessness? If you did, then I've accomplished more than I thought possible. Oh, don't worry, Gaston. She's all right...for the time being. But as to whether she will continue to be, all depends on you!

How did I pull this off, you wonder? I thought you'd never ask. I am an ex soldier after all. It was easy, really. I slinked around your house, carefully making sure no one was watching then did your dog in. While everyone was focused on him, I snuck into your house and stayed up in the attic all this time until you finally left this evening.

Let's play a game of Hide and Seek. I set the rules. You follow my clues, then you should be able to wrap this up swiftly. If not, I'm afraid your pretty little sister will reap the dire consequences. I honestly hate the idea of messing up her perfectly sweet face, or making her a public scandal in front of her friends because she became involved with someone, unmarried! Ah, see? You're already infuriated, and wanting to wring my neck, are you? That's just what I wanted to know. All right, you great hunter. Let the game begin! You'll find your first clue on the bridge across the small river beneath your quaint little village. You must figure out exactly what that clue is and the next one yourself without my help, your sister's life could depend on it!

You have three days, Captain Gaston the Hunter, three days to track down where I am hiding your precious little sister. If you haven't found her by sundown of the third day, you will never see her again...alive! That's a promise.

You'd better start investigating quickly. Time is ticking away, and every hour counts! I've never known you to back down from a challenge! I am eagerly looking forward to seeing you again. Good luck!

Private Andre Benoit"

"Oh my g-" Gaston's heart caught in his throat. The color drained from his face and he went ghostly pale. He covered his face with his hand. He'd brought this on himself, and his loved one! He was sickened to think of his innocent sister being held at the mercy of this vindictive man he'd wronged. There was no telling what the fellow ex-soldier would do to her! Gaston hated to imagine. After what had already been going on around here...

"Gaston?" Belle asked gently. "Are you all right?" Gaston looked as if he was about to throw up. He was very close to doing it!

"Gaston?" Adam spoke a little louder. "What's wrong?"

Gaston panted, handing Lefou the note. "I did this." Gaston gulped, trying not to shed tears. Words could not describe the shame, remorse, and guilty anguish he felt right now. "I've brought this on us. It's my fault, and now he's going to make Lissa pay for it! She didn't do anything, and now he's going to punish her for my crimes!" At this point, he couldn't keep the tears inside any longer.

"Dear g-" Lefou inhaled sharply, when he'd read the note.

Gaston had to step away. He stumbled into the kitchen and leaned his head on the door frame. His eyes were misty and his fist was raised to his mouth. He winced painfully. This was all his fault...again! Only this time, he didn't believe he could reach Lissa before it was too late! She might be dead already. He'd broken his promise. He hadn't taken care of his sister, like his mother had trusted him to. He'd failed both of them. His gut gnawed at him big time, every time he began to picture whatever ugly scenario Andre may create with her. "No..." He bit his lip hard. "Please, God! Don't do this. Don't let her die because of me. Please! Please, Lord God, I beg You!! Don't let this happen!" His shoulders shook as he silently wept.

Sarah quietly came up behind him. She hated the extreme distress on his face. It cut her to the core. She gazed up at him sadly and rubbed his back. She touched his arm, making him face her. "We'll find her, Gaston." Sarah said softly. "We will! I know it." Gaston's lip quivered. He didn't deserve Sarah's gracious kindness, her love, or encouragement. Not after what he did. But as he gazed into her glistening blue eyes, all he saw was hope and kindness. He hung his head, trying not to sob out loud. Sarah stood up on her toes, and kissed his wet face. She softly stroked his scruffy cheek. Gaston grimaced hard and pulled her tightly into himself.

"I can't believe this." Lefou shuddered.

"Do you know who this fellow is, Lefou?" Adam asked him.

"Yes, I do." Lefou hung his head. "We served in the war with him. But I think Gaston should be the one to explain to you what happened. I don't know all the details."

"Here, Belle. Sit down." Adam told her. She'd been on her feet for a while. He brought her to the sofa.

"My darling Sarah," Gaston looked remorsefully into her eyes. "I have to explain about this. And you're going to hate me when I do." He hung his head.

"You're my husband." Sarah shook her head. "You've told me what you used to be like. If this is part of that...I'll listen. I may be very disappointed in what you're about to say. Maybe even angry. But I know that that isn't part of who you are...anymore!" Gaston pressed a loving kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you." He sadly smiled. Sarah walked with him back into the parlor. "Guys, I..." Gaston swallowed hard before beginning, "We need to talk. There's something I have to tell you."

"We're listening." Adam said, touching Belle's shoulder. She gratefully clasped his hand.

Gaston hung his head in deep shame. Shame wasn't strong enough word to describe how he felt. He hated himself. Sarah watched his every move, and she could see his every muscle constrict tensely through his clothes. "This...this Andre," He began, "Lissa isn't the one he should kill. I...I am!" Nobody said a word. They just watched him pensively, bracing themselves for his confession. "Andre was a private under me in the army. Lefou knew everyone, and Andre was one of his pals. Andre had a brother...Charles." Gaston winced. He looked at Sarah. She was so sweet, he hated to tell her this. "Darling, I think you need to sit down for this."

"I will when I'm ready." Sarah said, hugging herself.

"Charles and Andre were good brothers." Gaston continued. "One day...one day, we were on a scouting expedition. Lefou stayed behind at the base on this one. Andre and his brother were a couple of the soldiers under my command. Anyway, we were searching for signs of the enemy, when...someone started shooting at us. We fired back, and attempted to flee. Charles...Charles was mortally wounded, but Andre his brother refused to leave him behind. We...I took care of the enemies taking us down. Andre begged all of us to get help. I...I told him I would. I promised to find a medic and bring him back as quickly as possible. Charles died in Andre's arms."

"How could that be your fault?" Sarah asked. "You didn't know there were enemy soldiers waiting over there!"

"Did you?" Adam asked. He and Gaston had become friends, but knowing the guy's past, he wouldn't put it passed him-in the past-to eliminate someone he felt was in his way.

"No, I did not." Gaston said. "But it was still my fault."

"How come?" Maurice asked.

"I never did return with a medical officer." Gaston clenched his fists, his face dark and regretful. "I...I...I did return to camp. But...Andre had to leave his brother, promising to come back for him. When he made it back to camp, he...he found me..." Gaston furiously slammed his fist down on the table, startling his listeners. His knuckles screamed at him from the brutal force they'd received but he ignored the pain. "He found me...relaxing, drinking hard cider with some buddies." Gaston covered his face, his whole body shaking. "They didn't make me do it. I...I chose to. The colonel was happy with how I handled the enemy fire, so I decided I deserved some relaxation as a reward-seeing as Charles was most likely dead already-." Sarah looked away, her face fallen with disappointment. Gaston growled loudly and punched the table again.

"Gaston..." Lefou whispered to him, trying to calm him. Though Lefou himself felt sick too, as badly as the night they'd left Maurice to the wolves. Tears were streaming down Sarah's cheeks as she watched her husband being eaten up with guilt, and taking in this ugly truth.

"Andre was outraged." Gaston said, his lip quivering. "And he had every right in the world to be. He went bizarre and went for me. He was put under lock and key for attacking a higher ranking officer. He vindictively protested, but they assumed he was delirious from combat fatigue."

"Ohhh, Gaston..." Belle shook her head sadly. As if what he had done to Maurice wasn't enough!

"He wants revenge." Gaston winced hard. "But I'm the one he should punish, not Lissa! I wish he'd just shot me dead on sight when he saw me after all these years! Everybody would be a lot better off!" Sarah looked up at him hurtfully. This was bitter to digest. Gaston had warned her that this kind of thing might happen, but she had told him she knew him for who he was now. She sniffled. Gaston couldn't bear to face her at this moment. Nevertheless, Sarah quietly came to his side and gave his arm a squeeze.

The room was heavily quiet for the longest time. Even Lefou was at a loss for words. Adam cleared his throat and finally spoke up. "Don't you think you should head down to the bridge right now?" He suggested. "Standing around here moping isn't going to help us find Lissa!" Everyone else looked up at him hopefully, glad that Adam was showing some authority and trying to take some charge of the situation.

Gaston slowly faced him. "I'll go." He said, and grabbed his hat.

"Let us come with you." Maurice said.

"No, Maurice. I appreciate your concern and your friendship." Gaston shook his head. "But she's my sister. I'm the one who did this to her. It's on me, not anyone else. So, I must be the one to save her." Then he walked out the door, not waiting for anyone.

"He can't do everything by himself." Belle remarked.

"That's what I keep trying to tell him." Sarah groaned.

"He won't be by himself." Adam said firmly. "Belle, will you and Maurice wait here, please?"

"Of course." Belle nodded, smiling. Maurice agreed.

"Come, Lefou." Adam said.

Gaston kicked the gravel on the street and growled loudly to himself every step of the way down to the bridge. He'd hated himself when Lissa had been afraid of him as she'd recovered from her turbulent illness, and when he'd been showered with forgiveness from his now dearest friends in the world. But all that seemed like nothing compared to this! He absolutely hated everything about himself now. The only thing that kept him from running into the woods and actually taking his own life at this moment was that Lissa desperately needed him! She needed him to come save her! But how? It felt impossible.

How could this have happened?! He'd set up an entire brigade of armed men to watch over her and...Lissa had been stolen from right under their noses! And so efficiently too. "My poor sister!" Gaston wailed to himself as he made his way through the darkness to the stone bridge. "Oh God, let her be all right! Why did I have to leave her? She trusted me. I turn my back and she's gone. I failed her! Again! It's my fault. It's my fault!" He wept bitterly. "Oh, Lissie, I can only pray that you're unharmed right now!" He sobbed as he leaned forward on the bridge wall, falling to his knees. "I'm sorry, Lissie. I'm so sorry! I did this to you. I'll try to get you out of it, I promise! But I don't know if I can."

Adam and Lefou had caught up with him. They gazed sorrowfully at each other, then Adam approached the broken, haunted army captain. "Did you find it?" Adam asked, holding up his torch. Gaston shook with weeping, shaking his head.

"Go away, Adam." He said in a muffled voice. "I don't need your pity. Just go away."

"Look, someone has kidnapped one of my people. It's my job to put a stop to it. It's my job to keep my people safe." Adam pursed his lips.

"Then put me out of my misery." Gaston muttered sadly.

"Gaston, come on!" Lefou blurted. "You can't think like that right now. Lissa's in terrible danger. She needs you! She needs us all to work together so we can find her."

Gaston hung his head, mournfully running his hand over the bricks, when his fingers brushed against a rustling crinkled object. Gaston snatched it and tried to read from the torches' flames, but his vision was blurred with tears. "Let's take this back to the house so we can form a plan." Adam told him. He and Lefou pulled Gaston to his feet and they all returned back to the Legume home.

Adam first went to Belle's side. "Are you all right?" He asked, covering her stomach and gripping her hand. Belle gazed at him tearfully.

"The baby's all right." She sniffled. "But we have to find her! Oh, Adam, what are we going to do?"

"Shh." Adam told her tenderly, stroking her hair. "We will find her! I give you my word."

Gaston, still blinded with tears, handed the note to Lefou who read the clue aloud. "A mother's love lasts forever." Lefou spoke. "What is that about?"

"Your mother is dead, isn't she?" Sarah asked Gaston.

"Yes." Gaston whispered.

"Maybe that's it." Adam spoke up. "She is dead, yet Andre's pointing you toward her."

"Your mother's grave!" Lefou told Gaston.

They heard horses neighing outside and then there was a knock at the door. Sarah went to open it. "Excuse me. Can I help you?" She asked curiously. Four strange men, dressed in formal uniforms, were standing outside the door.

"Yes, Ma'am. Is the man of the house around? We'd like to speak with him." The first man said.

"Gaston?" Sarah turned her head toward him. Gaston stepped forward and came out. Everyone else followed to listen.

"Sirs? I am Captain Gaston Legume." He introduced himself. "I am the inspector of this district. You wanted to speak to me?" He noticed that the men were wearing badges and uniforms! Who were they? What did they want with him? Of all times!

"Aye. I am Lt. Bouvier." The first man said, shaking Gaston's hand. "These are my men: officers Gillette, Leroy, and Rousseau. I am in charge at the Marseille prison."

Gaston's face tightened. Have they come for me?! "How can I help you?" He asked nervously. "I'm afraid you have caught me at a most distressing, inopportune time!"

"Begging your pardon, Captain. This will not take long." Lt. Bouvier said calmly.

"We're looking for a fugitive." Officer Rousseau announced grandly. Gaston stiffened. Everyone else waited with baited breath.

"Captain, have you seen any strangers in your parts lately?" Bouvier asked.

"A phantom." Gaston muttered.

"We're looking for an escaped convict who we believe might have made it this far." Bouvier continued.

"What is he wanted for?" Lefou asked.

"For murder!" Rousseau jumped in again. "He's very dangerous. And there's a one thousand livre reward for his capture, dead or alive!"

"Pardon me." Adam stepped forward. "I am Prince Adam, the monarch of this small kingdom. We have just learned that one of my subjects has been kidnapped! We are in the middle of a tense situation. Please make you business brief."

"My deepest apologies, Your Highness." Bouvier nodded.

"What is the name of this fugitive?" Adam asked firmly.

"His name is Andre Benoit." One of the other officers answered.

Everyone gasped. Gaston was so stunned, so horrified that he became light-headed and couldn't see straight. He face became white as a sheet again. "NO!" Lefou shook his head. "That can't be! This cannot be real!"

"Oh, Gaston..." Sarah gulped, coming to his side. Adam gripped his arm.

"Sir? Are you alright?" Bouvier asked. "Maybe we should send for the doctor."

"Are you sure about this?" Adam asked him.

"Sure as h-." Rousseau sneered.

"I'll thank you, sir, to watch your language!" Adam growled at him. "There are ladies present."

"Oh. Beg your pardon." Rousseau shrugged snarkily. But Adam didn't believe him.

"Monsieur," Maurice spoke up as he stepped forward, "this cannot be coincidence! We just learned that this fellow Andre you speak of is the one who has kidnapped Captain Gaston's younger sister and is holding her as a hostage somewhere!"

"You're fooling with me." Bouvier sputtered.

"It's no joke, sir!" Lefou spoke up. "He even left a note!"

"You say this man is w-wanted for m-murder?" Sarah asked shakily.

"I'm afraid so." Bouvier nodded glumly. "You see, eight years ago, he was imprisoned for threatening his captain in the army. He was let out for a brief time and in that time he has committed four murders. Swore revenge on them or other.

'Anyway, first he terrorized these men's families for a while, always being sure to keep himself well hidden. Then, one by one, he killed the men. He'd do it in spacious intervals so no one would pick up on his activities. But once his victims were dead, he boasted about it and said that they'd gotten their comeuppance. He's been in and out of prison several times since then. He always manages a sudden escape.'"

"He's been in our custody the passed two years." Officer Leroy added. "Recently, we were transporting him to a different location as our institution has become overcrowded. Soon as his feet hit the ground, he assaulted all the guards and escaped. We believe we've tracked him down this far."

"Yes. It was him." Gaston fought to keep a steady voice. "He's been stalking my sister, only we had no idea it was him! Today he beat our watchdog. And..."

"That explains it then." Adam said. "Jesse attacked him when he assaulted Lissa that one time. He knew he couldn't effectively take her without getting mauled again. So he put Jesse out of commission today, so he could snatch her tonight!"

"Who were the other men Andre killed?" Maurice asked.

"They were a Morris Lefevre, George Brun, Austin Aucion, and Vincent Dubois." Officer Leroy answered.

"Why, Gaston those were the same soldiers who..." Lefou's face went white and he felt like he was going to throw up. "Oh my g-!"

"The ones I was drinking with that night." Gaston finished for him.

TO BE CONTINUED…

That's right. After consideration, I decided to make this part of the story into a two-part, otherwise this one would have been even more lengthy than it already is. Thanks to everyone who has followed, favorited, commented, or even just read it! I have never before written a story this long before! Glory to God for giving me inspiration, and especially giving me ideas for the fill-in chapters.

If you want me to post soon the next/first chapter of what happens next, please do let me know! We can't leave Lissa hanging, can we? Chapters to come soon, fingers crossed!