Curse - Septiplier

28: Mark's Proposal

Jack's POV

I was patient. More patient than I had been in a long time, and I waited in silence. I was lying on my bed, and staring at the ceiling and watching the rays from the sun pouring through my window as they moved across my room. My door was locked and barred shut, my windows were closed and the curtains drawn shut so no one outside could look in, and I remained very still as though I wasn't here. I heard footsteps up and down the halls, above and beside me from guards on the roof. My father was shouting and searching for me, he came banging on my door and demanding my presence, but I ignored him. I waited.

My eyes closed, and eventually I felt myself fall asleep, but my intentions were still strong, and I awoke before my body went into REM sleep for the night. I jerked awake, blinking and staring at my now dark ceiling as night had fallen many hours ago. I sat up quickly, and made my way silently to the door. I leaned against it slowly, as not to disturb the wooden floors beneath me or the old door into making any noise. I listened, and I heard no noise coming from the hallways. I backed up towards the window, drawing back the curtains and opening the window as quietly as possible. I leaned out, and I found the darkened city below silent and asleep, the rooftops empty and no one in sight. I grabbed my jacket and slipped through my window.

I crouched as I moved along the rooftop, my eyes warily darting in all directions in case someone was to see my escape. I took each step slowly as not to disturb anyone underfoot by running along the rooftops, and I made my way over to the entrance of the castle where two large posts stood tall as a way of showing off our grand entryway. I hardly noticed them anymore, having lived in the castle for so long, but now that I needed them, they were the only thing that I noticed. I leaned over the top of the roof, grasping at one and swinging myself over the side so that I was hanging parallel to the pillar. Then, as quietly as possible, I allowed myself to slip down the side until my feet touched the ground. Once they touched the ground, I jumped out of sight, and peered around to make sure I had no assailants or witnesses to my grand escape. After a few moments of silence, I made my way to the stables, crouching low to the ground but moving with speed.

Agro snorted at my presence, nipping at the bit in his mouth and pulling at his restraints. I hushed him, rubbing his neck with my hand and leaning forward to untie him from the post he was tied to. I turned him around, and froze when the sound of footsteps echoed from the office in the back. I saw the light of a torch, and I knew that I didn't have the space to hide, nor the time to put a saddle on him properly. I jumped as high as I could, sitting up in a jerky and uncomfortable looking fashion as Agro darted for the entrance. I gripped his mane as he flew through the doors and down the cobbled path as we left whoever came to check on the horses in dust. Once we crossed the bridge, I slowed Agro down and he trotted through the streets at a rather slow pace. I knew where we were going, but the village was much different at night. All the torches were unlit, and only a few buildings still had a light on in one of the rooms.

Mark's house just so happened to be one of them.

Once we arrived, I slipped off of Agro hesitantly. I wasn't sure how to feel about the fact that it was still stretched into the early hours of the morning and he was awake, moving around even possibly. I looked at Agro, who seemed to stare back with uncertainty at the situation. I swallowed, rubbing the back of my neck as I released the air I had been subconsciously holding in. I raised my hand to knock and paused, mentally preparing myself, and then allowed a light knock as to not raise alarm to anyone but him.

The door opened surprisingly quick, and Mark's gaze met my own with surprise, shock, and almost fear at seeing me. We didn't say anything to one another, we stood in the silence and drank in the other's presence. It had been a long time since I had been on my own with him, just the two of us, and we both seemed to have a draw to simply being with one another. Then, Mark's gaze dropped and he stared at the cobbled road beneath my feet and refused to make eye contact. I couldn't say anything as my eyes traced his features, his mouth and lips still tantalizingly close, his figure normally in an erect posture and smiling, now hunched over and unwilling to move or even meet my own gaze. Without warning, he turned with a somber expression and began to shut the door. I slammed my hand against it, pushing against his body strength as he tried to shut me out, and we met gazes again.