The Trio of Trouble

Chapter One, A Slim Escape

Chapter One

A Slim Escape

     I sped as fast as I could, soaring over the rooted, leaf covered terrain. The pack on my back weighed me down, slowing me slightly. Behind me, shouts of angry men echoed though the air, causing me to quicken my steps. Beside me, a stocky, tall figure fled, a large grin on his face.

"Waaaaahoooooooo!" He shouted, as he punched the air in glee.

I rolled my eyes, and dodged another tree. On my left, a tall, skinny form appeared.

"Jacos! Be quiet, we had almost lost them!" The tall boy, Marco scolded.

(A/N pronounced, Jay-co-s & pronounced Mar-so) Jacos kept grinning, and rolled his eyes.

"We're almost at mountains!" I shouted.

     I sped up, a new confidence, flowing through me. We were close enough to the mountains, that I could see them, despite the night's thick darkness. I prepared myself for the steep climb up the rock filled slope to a small cave, that had been pre planned for us to arrive in. I leaped up, landing stiffly on the rocky mountainside. Pain erupted in my knees and hands, rocks jabbing into them. I kept moving, knowing if I didn't, it could cost my life. Behind me, I could hear my compainions leap up the mountainside, following close behind. I could still hear shouts comming from the dence woods behind me. In the corner of my eye, I could barley see a beam of torchlight, piercing the darkness. I kept moving.

Almost there, just a few more yards.... I encouraged myself.

     Sweat lined my brow, and my heart was pounding. I struggled to fill my lungs with air, I couldn't seem to get enough of it. I could see my destination, a huge rock sat in front of the cave entrance. In a moment of sheer relief, I jumped hoping to get to the cave faster. My landing was disastrous. My foot twisted back, causing pain to shoot up my leg. I screamed in agony. I started falling, so overwhelmed by pain, I could no longer hold myself up. I slid down the mountain side, unable to stop; my only thought was the pain I was in. Rocks stabbed my flesh, and my head spun. I landed at the bottom of the mountain, hitting the dirt with a thud. My head pounded, black and red dotted my vision; I couldn't even make out full thoughts.

"Jack!" Marco called, and started rushing back down the mountain, followed by Jacos. The light from the forest, got closer. I turned my head, and to my horror, I saw a large group of men running right at me; touches, shovels, and a few swords in hand. I needed to get out of there. I pulled myself up, trying to move quickly, but that pain was to great to rush myself. A second later, Marco was next to me, he jumped forward in front of me. Jacos was behind me, he grabbed my shoulders and started to hauling me to me feet. Marco, faced the townspeople head on; he lifted his right hand towards them.

"Val iss a maca!" He shouted.

     A split second later, fire appeared out of no where and formed a tall hot circle around us. The men where forced to stop, but they didn't stop trying to figure out how to get around the fire. They spat curses and swore at us. The fire circle grew in size, almost twenty feet up now. Jacos started to drag me up the mountain, I, being unable to climb myself. Jacos was strong, but he was struggling with my extra weight, grunting with effort. We where almost at the cave, and Marco still hadn'e followed us, still holdong the wall of orange hot flames.

"Marco!" I called, "Hurry!"

     Marco looked up at me, breaking some concentration, and causing the fire to lower. Sweat lined his brow, and his face was pale in the orange light. Marco turned back to the wall of fire, and spoke a slur of inaudible words. Suddenly, all the townsmen fell to the ground, along with the fire. Marco, turned and headed up the mountain, moving slowly, obviously worn out.

"Jacos," I commanded, "Go help Marco I'll get to the cave myself."

     Jacos looked unsure at me, and I replied with a glance that told him if he didn't do what I commanded, he would regret it. Jacos dashed down towards Marco. I started to pull myself up, trying to ignore the pain that lingered on me. Pain shot once again up my leg, and I fell to the ground again, and started to slid. I quickly regained myself and was able to stop my decent before I could fall any farther. I struggled up the mountainside, being forced to crawl upwards; I had almost reached the cave. I climbed over the rock, and into the cave, carefully maneuvering around. I sat on the cold ground, breathing hard. A few moments later, Jacos and Marco clambered inside, joining me, both panting for breath.

"This better not become a trend," Jacos said, "Because, I'm not going to save the both of you again."

     I grinned. That was Jacos for you; it didn't matter the circumstance he always had something to say about it.

"Those men will wake up soon." Marco said, after a few moments. His words where slurred together, I knew he was exhausted. "We'll need to keep moving." He finished.

"You need to rest." I said.

"I'll rest when I know I'm not going to get my head lopped off in my sleep." Marco replied smartly.

"Sorry my friend." Jacos said, "You've chose the wrong life to expect that luxury."

Marco chuckled. "Let's keep moving then." He said.

     My stomach twisted. I wasn't sure if I could walk with my twisted foot; but I wouldn't let the boys know that, we had to keep moving. I followed them out of the stuffy cave, and into the open air. I pulled myself up, and attempted to walk on my injured foot. I went down flailing. Lucky for me, Jacos' quick reflexes saved me from another tumble down the mountainside.

"Thanks," I muttered.

Jacos set me on the rock.

Marco stood in front of me, "What's wrong?" he asked.

     I hated to admit I was hurt, it was a strong blow to my pride; but I new if I didn't do something I could kill myself on the steep slope.

"My foot," I said pointing to my left ankle, "I think I twisted it."

     Marco, started to rub my ankle feeling around, trying to figure out what was wrong. Pain ran up and down my leg. I gritted my teeth, refusing to cry out. Marco pulled off my boot, and kept rubbing it.

"It's not swollen, but it feels..." Marco said, "I think it's broken."

I groaned. Why now?

Suddenly, before I could protest, Marco spoke a slur of ancient words, in healing of my foot.

"Marco-"

     I gritted my teeth, more pain sprouting in my ankle. I could feel my bones and muscles fusing back together, as the result of Marco's spell. After a few moments the pain subsided, and my foot felt completely normal, stronger even. Marco didn't fair as well though. His skin was white as the moon, sweat glistened his face, he looked like he was going to pass out.

"Fixed." he said.

     With that, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed backwards falling unconscious. Jacos leaped forward catching Marco before he could plummet downwards. I jumped off the rock and grabbed Marco, checking his pulse. Please, please don't be dead. I pleaded mentally, I swear if you are-
I sighed in relief. Marco would live on.

"Idiot." I muttered, glaring at Marco's unconscious face. I looked back up at Jacos. "He'll be fine, but we're gonna have to carry him until he wakes up."

Jacos groaned.

"I'm telling you," he said, "You guys are dead weight."

"May be," I replied, "But we're important dead weight. How many times have I saved your hide?"

"Point taken." Jacos admitted.

     We swiftly pulled Marco up, sharing his weight. Luckily for us, Marco wasn't very heavy. Yes, he was very tall but he was so thin, he was lighter than any average boy his age. So, Jacos and I carried the limp Marco over the mountains all though the night, moving as quickly as we could, knowing if we slowed we had more of a chance of being caught. The life of a thief is tough, but it was the one we chose.

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Hey I hope you enjoyed that!

I really enjoyed writing it! I think you guys are going to enjoy this. It's got lots of humor, though it's a bit violent (Thus the action category) but they are thieves, they're kinda bad guys. But lovable bad guys. Just make it clear, Jack is a girl, and she has nothing to do with me (Besides the obvious: I created her Jack: Wait what?) we have same names but we are almost nothing alike. If you have any questions, or maybe you would like to make my day and just say something nice, please comment!! And vote! And fan!! And check out my other books!! Dedicated to @Monkeywed123 for commenting first! And being awesome!

And also I promise future chapters will be longer. I know this one is quite short.l

Farewell my imaginative friends!

-Jack