285 Escape Plan

CHAPTER 285

~OUTLAW'S VILLAGE~

By the time Jareth got everything he needed settled out, he went back to meet Astrid.

She was sitting idle where he left her on the bed. He entered the room, dropped their bags on the ground and went to sit beside her.

The way he did everything, anyone watching would think they were packing from the other house due to the damage it encountered.

Little did anyone know that was not the case at all.

Snow decided to stand guard outside just in case any one of those miscreants wanted to play smart. Jareth agreed and told him to come inside and rest when he feels tired as they would be busy all night.

"Astrid, is there anything else you would like to take before we go?" His deep voice resounded in her ears, giving her a certain kind of warmth and assurance.

Slowly she shook her head before replying. "No. I do not want to spend another hour here, if it is possible."

"It is possible but right now if we make our move, they would all be on high alert and I would have to engage in battle with them."

"Then let us fight our way out of here, please."

Jareth looked at her and could see a tiny bit of fear still lingering in her eyes. His heart clenched at the thought that she was still suffering due to the experience she almost had.

At that moment, he threw caution to the wind and did what his heart wanted. He pulled her in close and hugged her tight to him in the most protective way ever.

"It is okay. I am here with you. You do not have to fear anyone and anything anymore, okay?"

"Okay," her voice came out muffled as she buried her face in his chest and wept silently. By the time Jareth felt the wetness of her tears on his chest through his shirt, he pulled her back from his embraced and used his hand to wipe her tears away.

"Hey, Astrid, I am here with you. You know why I am not taking you out now?"

Astrid shook her head and cleaned her eyes before she looked back up at him expectantly.

"It is because…" he could not bring himself to tell her the truth as he knew he would make her worry.

She noticed his slight hesitation and placed her right hand on his chest then managed a small smile for him.

Watching her smile, made his own face to light up and his uneasiness, dissipate gradually. Jareth took in a deep breath as his eyes fluttered close, then exhaled slowly, opening his eyes as well.

He was ready now to spill the beans to her, even though she may get angry at her.

"I am not at full strength, Astrid. I won't be able to handle them all if they charged at me with all they got."

"You have me."

"I cannot let you do that, besides you are not supposed to show your powers to them. So it still narrows down to myself and Snow leading this escape."

"No, that also depleted what was left of my strength but it was not the cause."

"What was the cause?"

"My sleepless nights and stuff. I was not at full strength when we went fo the huntng expenditure and I had to battle three beasts and run down here to beat that good for nothing up. If I fight now, I may end up losing."

"I understand. It is okay then. Promise me, Jareth. You must try and catch some rest before we go."

"Okay, but I am supposed to watch over you."

"I am certain no one would disturb us after today's incident. Your body needs to recuperate, Jareth. Please sleep."

"Fine. Only for two hours. Wake me before midnight."

"I would."

He sat up straight and held her hands in his before entering the bed and lying down.

The way he lay, his legs were to the headboard of the bed while his head was close to her thighs with her hands still in his.

'Sleep tight, Jareth.'

~TWO HOURS LATER~

Soon it was time for them to escape from the village. Jareth picked another bag containing supplies he had been stocking up all these days and swung it over his shoulder.

With everything set, he held her hand and woke Snow up.

Apparently the little beast himself went inside and slept close to the duo as he too was tired.

As much as Astrid wanted to join them and rest, she could not as memory of earlier that day started replaying in her mind.

Slowly, they made their way out without making any noise since most of the villagers had already gone to bed by this hour of the night.

All that remained were one or two guards at different locations in the village.

Tip toeing pass one guard, Astrid suddenly felt someone touch her shoulders and she was pulled away into one corner.

Jareth heard her gulp from the suddenly pull she got and turned around only to not see her by his side.

"Astrid," he called out her name in a whisper, but he could not see her. Both himself and Snow retraced their steps and found Astrid standing at the back of the house facing someone as they talked in a whisper.

"Astrid?"

Jareth called out to her again, but when she turned her head to look at him, Jareth saw a face he never wanted to see except his fist wanted to.

"Cari!"

Withoiut wasting much time, Jareth stalked over to where they were and yanked Astrid's hand away from his, then pulled her to his back as he blocked her view from Cari.

"What do you want?" Jareth asked. His tone was laced with impatience as he stared down at the merman.

If not for the fact that they were planning on escaping without bringing the attention of the guards, Jareth would have beaten him blue black by now.

"I want in."