I roll over and feel a warm body next to me. I quickly open my eyes and see Jayden next to me sitting up and reading a book. I sit up and he sees me look startled.
"You all right?" he asks.
"How long have you been there?" I suddenly feeling self conscious.
"About half an hour, why?"
"Just wondering." I get up, out of the bed and stand, staring at the crystal sitting on the bedside table next to him. "Hey, sorry about last night. I'm glad Molly knows first aid, otherwise I would've had to take you back to the crazies."
"Mmmm." I buzz in agreement, not liking his use of 'crazies'. I look around the small room. It's a wooden lodge that looks like it just came out the movies. I go over to the window and lean on the sill. I stare at the birds and squirrels hoping about outside, living life without care. I envied them. I hear a curt cough and turn around. The lady that saved me stood in the door. I assumed she was the lady that Jayden called Molly.
"Hi, I'm Molly." She said with a smile. She was pretty with golden brown waves of hair tied up into a ponytail. She had a light patter of freckles on her nose and grey/blue eyes.
"I've made some breakfast if you want some." Molly said gesturing out the door.
"I've actually gotta go, but thank you for your hospitality." I said as I went to walk out.
"You can't even stay for breakfast?" Jayden said getting up from the bed. I suddenly felt bad for leaving so early. Wait, what? I was feeling bad? His powers were working over me but I couldn't really resist.
"Umm, ok, I'll stay for breakfast, but then I'll go home."
"Thanks." Jayden said as his lips curled into a smile. He subtly slid his hand around my waist, but not subtly enough. I awkwardly moved his arm off, but he must've done it subconsciously, because he didn't seem to notice when I did. I walked into the small dining room and sat at the two seater dining tabled as Jayden sat in an armchair in the corner of the room. Molly came in and slid a plate of hot food in front of me. I thanked her and she walked back out. I grabbed my knife and fork and dug in. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until I was presented with delicious food. I slowed down when I started feeling full and eventually put down my knife and fork when all the food was gone. I got up and went to the room. I walked in and made the bed. I looked around and took the chance. I grabbed the crystal off the table and sifted my options of escape. I couldn't go threw the front door without being seen. I couldn't ask to leave, so I only had one last option. I had to escape rebel style. I quietly crept over to the window, hoping that Jayden wouldn't get suspicious. I quietly opened the window and popped my head out. I looked down, to see if it was much of a drop. It was just a bit higher than the average height of a first story window. It gave the hope that I won't break any bones. I put the crystal around my neck and stuck my legs out the window. I was sitting on the edge of the window and was just about to jump out.
"What are you doing?" I spun my head around to see Jayden running towards me. I jumped out of the window just in time and landed on my feet. Adrenaline pumped through my body, urging me to run. I started running in the direction of the house and didn't stop. I was sprinting through the forest, trees were blurring past me.
"Come back!" I heard an angry growl behind me. I didn't look back. I just kept running. Then I saw the clearing. It was so close. I ran into the clearing and un did the hatch. He was getting closer in my peripheral vision. I flipped the lid open and slid in and shut the lid, just in time to hear the banging. I stood on the ladder, waiting until he stopped banging. I heard him walk away with heavy thuds and I let out a big sigh. I slowly climbed down the ladder and entered the room with all eyes on me.
"I was so worried!" Lili ran up to me and hugged me. "Don't you EVER run away like that again, do you hear me?!" Lili was on the verge of tears and I felt bad for putting them in so much stress.
"Where have you been?" Oscar said cooly.
"Didn't Autumn tell you?"
"No, I thought she was with you?"
"I sent her back here though..." There was a pause after I said that.
"They must still have her then."
My jaw dropped.
YOU ARE READING
The Ringmaster's Keeper
Fantasy"This year's challenge," Claudius said as the medieval bridge lowered behind him, "is them." He took a step to the side and gestured towards him. Austin. When Beth is sent to a magician's mind to retrieve her boyfriend's memory of her, she finds o...
