Save ourselves- One Direction

Avery

Roxy's words had made me doubt that anyone would actually go along with my idea, but one evening later I was surprised by Harry as well as Daisy and Liam.

Harry had come up to me after work and approached me.

"Is there actually any time left for me to plan our bad date? How far along are you with your plans?" he asked with a grin.

"I think you still have enough time So far, unfortunately, I only have ideas that I have to drop right away. I thought about escaping across the water, but then we'd either drift into the open sea or get caught by the guards. We would have to somehow find a way to get to the main gate without anyone noticing," I explained my findings so far so quietly that no one but Harry and I could hear.

"Get to the main gate unnoticed? Not a chance!"

"Okay, so both main gate and the water fall away...are there any other ways out of here?"

"Not as far as I know. This is a peninsula after all. So there can't be that many ways out."

"What about the small island we can see from the beach? Is there any way to escape there?"

"The little island? Forget it, Tom Hanks had a better chance to escape in "Cast Away". There's nothing on that island. Just an abandoned barn and a small patch of forest. That's all," Harry said contemptuously.

"Have you been there?"

"Yes, a couple of times. Hempton keeps the firewood and some straw stored there for the winter. But hiding there wouldn't be a good idea. There's nothing there to survive on."

"Hmm, and apart from the caretakers? Doesn't anyone else go to the main gate?"

"Only if you are seriously ill or injured. In the courtyard, in front of the gate is the house with the infirmary. There is always at least one attendant outside the gate. And he is armed."

"Armed? With what?", I asked skeptically.

"A rifle," Harry replied, curtly, as if he were about to tell me the weather for tomorrow.

"A rifle? An air rifle or a real rifle, like for hunting?", I inquired in disbelief.

"A real rifle."

I felt sick.

"And if someone tries to escape? Do they shoot at the person?"

"I haven't been there yet, but I think if they do they only shoot in the air, or they have blanks as ammunition. As a deterrent," Harry tried to reassure me a little.

"But you don't know that for sure."

"Avery, it was made very clear to all of us very quickly that any attempt to escape would be pointless. Do you think I really wanted to find out for myself if the guards would shoot me if I ran?" asked Harry sarcastically.

I had to agree with him. The thought really wasn't very comfortable.

"I'm sorry, you're right. It's just...I need some kind of idea."

I massaged my temples. Harry eyed me sideways for a few moments and finally ran a hand through his hair.

"Maybe you don't have to think alone. It always works better with two, doesn't it?" he said with a small smile.

It took me a few seconds to understand what he was trying to tell me.

"You've changed your mind?!", I echoed in disbelief.

Harry nodded slightly and his smile widened a little.

"Yeah, I mean, if I'm going to plan a lousy date, I might as well make escape plans with you and maybe something will turn up that will help us get out of here."