The Watchman

Chapter 3-Jesse

I woke to the sound of water dripping. I sat up and winced. A blinding pain shot from skull. I reached up and touched the tender spot; hissing. My memories of the previous night came rushing into my head, and I realized where I was. I was in the London prison. I moved my stiff body up off the hard stone floor and walked over to the bars. I looked around for a guard, or an escape, or anything to get me out of this rat infested dungeon. I need to get back to the gang. They are in danger!

"There isn't a way out. If that's what your so frantically searching for."

I jerked my head up, causing another wave of pain. "Who's there?" I asked the dark cell across from me.

A man stepped into view, a very handsome man if I might add. His expression was haughty, but his clothes were less than impressive. "Who are you?" I asked wary of the person.

"I could ask the same of you." He looked aggravated.

"Yes but if you did, this conversation would be pointless now wouldn't it." I said impatiently.

He seemed to think for a moment before stretching out his hand through the bars, "Finn."

I took his outstretched hand, "Jesse."

"Where are you from Jesse?"

"Your awfully nosy for someone who didn't even want to give their name." I stated with more venom than I initially intended.

"Yes well you and I are going to be here for a while so why not make conversation?" He shrugged and then sighed.

"Whatever, you can go ahead and stay in here, but I'm getting out." I thought to myself of all the ways I could get out, but infuriatingly enough, the only way I could think of was something I despised: working with someone else.

"How do you reckon your going to do that?" He leaned forward, listening attentively.

"With your help." I said is I took off my outer shirt. Luckily I still had my wraps on.

"I'm sorry what? When did I agree to this?"

"Just now." I pulled a stool up into the center of the room and looked around for a metal bar or pipe. Luckily there was a water line that ran directly through my cell. I tied my shirt around the pipe and made a loop on the other end.

"What are you doing?!" His eyes were wide.

"I'm going to hang myself, duh. Now when I say okay, I want you to yell as loudly as possibly for the guards, and tell them that I'm hanging myself."

I noticed his silence, and realized he was staring at my chest. "Your a girl?!"

"Yes," I said exasperated, now will you help me or not?"

"Only if you help me." His face was serious.

"Fine." I sighed and put the loop over my head. I turned my back to the bars, grabbed the shirt with my hands, and kicked the chair out from underneath me.

"Okay go," I whispered as I held myself up.

"Guards, guards! Get down here quick! She's hanging herself!"

Footsteps sounded almost immediately, and I began to struggle as If i was actually dying.

"Oh hell!" One of the guards said as he opened the door to my cell. I let my body go limp, and the guards walked around to get me down. As soon as one was within range, I wrapped my legs around his head and twisted my torso; breaking his neck. The other guard in the cell shouted, but I kicked him in the head, which knocked him out cold. I dropped down and headed for the last man in the hallway. He grabbed his gun and aimed, but before he could shoot, he was slammed against the bars behind him by a pair of hands. He crumpled to the floor. I looked up at Finn.

"Thanks mate."

"No problem." I grabbed the key ring from one of the guards, and my shirt from the pole. I unlocked Finns cell. "We have to go, the other guards will be here soon. Do you know the way out?" He nodded and led the way.

I followed him through winding tunnels, until finally we emerged from a drainage pipe. The moment we saw daylight, we both collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.

I looked over at Finn, "How many times have you been in there? You knew those tunnels like someone who had been in them many times." I chuckled.

"Oh more than you can count. You'd be surprised how many times the South Side Gang rats people out." His gaze darkened after his last statement and so did mine.

I bolted up and backed away from him.

"What's the matter with you? What I've got a rat on me or somethin'?" He searched his back and looked at me confused.

"Your in the South Side Gang?!" I could feel the rivalry in me start to boil. My hatred towards the South Siders was all but consuming me.

"Yeah? Don't tell me your scared. You cant be that self-righteous, I mean you were in jail." He shrugged and got up. He brushed himself off and looked at me.

"Your a South Sider."

"Yes, we have established that. What exactly is your problem with that?" He sounded exasperated.

"I'm a Westy." I said as I grabbed a stick.

"What?!" He backed up as well.

We stared at each other in silence; sizing each other up.

"How about we forget this day ever happened?" He asked as he put his hands down. "You helped me escape, when you didn't have to. If we don't kill each other then we are even. I personally don't like to have debts." He held out his hand. "Truce?"

I watched him and made sure he didn't have a knife hidden somewhere. I dropped the stick and took his hand in a firm handshake. I may hate his gang, but I value my life more than my hatred for someone I have never met.

He nodded at me. "No offense, but I hope we never meet again Jesse."

"Ditto Finn."

With that, we both backed up slowly before taking off in opposite directions.

As I ran through the forest, I couldn't help but remember his face. His black hair and green eyes were striking. I had to admit he was extremely good looking, even if I hated him.