Twin Madness - FOLIE À DEUX

v - lié

The lid of the chest was hardly closed when Harry heard the chapel doors burst open. Jackie was breathing loud again, and Harry could move just enough to clamp his right hand over his friend's face. He couldn't afford to give them away. Right now, if they were found, Harry wouldn't be able to pull the razor Jackie took from him.

Their only hope was Magnus. God, why did Harry even consider this?

Harry heard the heavy feet falter near the door. Two sets. Considering the short time after their escape, he wouldn't be surprised if it was the two walls of muscle the Red Admiral kept as bodyguards.

Harry inhaled some dust. He forced his fist into his mouth to keep from audibly choking, face screwing up with the effort. His vision blurred and he felt tears form in his eyes.

Slowly, everything faded out, sounds and sights and feelings, like they were happening behind a wall. All Harry's could hear was his harsh breathing and his heart thumping in his ears. His vision faded to black momentarily. When he came back to himself, he could make out voices beyond the trunk.

"...haven't seen any kids," a distant voice said, chuckling. "Tellin' you mate, nobody here but me n' God,"

"Pete, c'mon, he's high," a deeper voice wheedled. "He don' know nothin',"

Another voice grunted. "Don' smell like weed in here."

"Er, ah..." the first voice stammered. It was then that Harry realized it was Magnus talking. Magnus coughed, and when he spoke again it was in the same forced dreamy voice. "Yeah, no weed in here... I'm not smokin' anythin'... bad for the lungs, innit?"

The deep voice rumbled a laugh. "So what're you on? And more importantly, wouldja mind sharin'?"

Harry heard a shuffling sound from beyond the trunk. "Ah, just some... sick edibles, yeah! I'm in the sky right now... but I'm all out. None left to share, sorry mate,"

Harry heard a frustrated groan. "Just my luck, innit, Bradley? Le's go... you 'ave a good one, yeah?"

"Totally," Magnus said, followed by two sets of retreating footsteps. The chapel doors clicked shut, and they were gone.

Much lighter footsteps raced to the trunk and it was popped up. Magnus was looking down at them, hair messier than ever and a look of total relief of his face. He extended a hand, which Jinhai took. Harry got out on his own, but Jackie sat there for a moment.

"I hate small spaces," he managed. His eyes were bright with unshed tears.

Harry offered his arm to help Jackie out. "Don't worry. We're not going to do any of this again."

Magnus huffed and shook his head. "Don't you see? You're in danger. You can keep hiding in boxes and spend the rest of your time at Wool's looking over your shoulder, or-"

"-or we could join you," Harry finished. "What's your gang called again?"

"Haven't got a name yet," Magnus admitted easily. He shrugged. "Still in the early stages. Which is why you want to get in now,"

"You sound like a salesman," Jackie said. He cocked his head. "You sell stuff?"

"I'm not a dealer, if that's what you mean," Magnus told him, bristling. "But I've invented a whole new form of economy at Wool's and I want to exploit the hell out of it,"

Jackie nodded once and held out his hand to shake. "Alright. I'm in, big man."

Magnus' face broke out into a grin and shook Jackie's hand. "Good to have you on board. Jack, right?"

"Jackson Lettiere," he corrected. "Jackie for short, though,"

Harry groaned. "You two are such idiots. Fine! Fine," he griped. "I'll join a gang with you two! Just on a whim! We'll be gangsters!"

Jackie clapped him on the back. "Knew you'd come around,"

Magnus smiled at him and shook his hand. "Welcome to the team, Harry,"

"Yes, well," Harry said. "This team needs a name."

"Oh, I had a few ideas," Magnus said, smiling mischievously. "I always liked The Great Red Dragon,"

"We can't be red," Jin pointed out. "The Red Wings already have that,"

"Dragons feels kind of stereotypical," Harry mentioned.

"No way! Dragons are awesome!" Jackie protested. "I want to be a Great Dragon!"

Magnus shrugged. "I think that's settled, then?" He sent a questioning look to Jinhai and Harry.

Jin clapped him on the back. "We're in."

Harry rolled his eyes and gave a long-suffering sigh. "Yeah, we're all going to die."

"Think positive thoughts, Harry," Magnus told him.

"We're all going to die quickly?" Harry tried.

"Close enough."