Chapter 3

Jaune's father led her out of the wardroom and down the hallways of the hospital, pulling her into a side room and giving her his backpack. "Clothes. Put them on and be quick about it."

"Why?"

"If they're watching the building then they'll see you with me and all of this misdirection will be for nothing. Now be quick." He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. She unzipped the bag, drawing out trainers, a hoodie, fitted jeans and a t-shirt plastered with the six guys that Yang had on that obnoxious poster she always hung in their dorm room. She hurriedly slipped out of her dress and pulled on the jeans. They were tight, but sufficient, as was the t-shirt. The black hoodie was loose and baggy. She recognised it as the one Jaune frequently wore. Exchanging her heels for the more practical shoes, she stuffed all of her clothing back into the bag and opened the door. The older man crammed a cap onto her and pulled the hood over her head.

"If anyone asks, you are my sulky teenage daughter. We have been visiting your grandmother upstairs, who has fallen and broken her hip." They continued walking along the corridors, not speaking, Weiss sullenly looking down to the floor. Eventually she heard the hiss of automatic doors opening and she looked up to find them outside. Before her was a non-descript, sliver four door car with darkened windows. He opened the passenger seat and she got in. when she wondered why he hadn't closed the door she looked out to see the doctor from earlier running towards them. Her hand drifted to her weapon, but her worries were for nought as the woman enveloped Jaune's father in a hug.

"Steven and I might stop by tomorrow. Anything you want us to bring?" she said.

"Just the basics. Thanks, Joules."

"Okay, be safe dad." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and smiling at her again before running back to the hospital, waving at them. Jaune's father got into the driver's seat and started the engine.

"That's my eldest, Julia. As you've probably guessed, she works here. She and her fiancée, Steven might come by and visit tomorrow." He said as they pulled away from the tall, blocky building. "I'm sorry about all that, but you can never tell who might be watching. Now that we're in here though, how are you doing?"

"Well," she said, pulling off the cap. "My father is in hospital, the rest of my family is in hiding and I have to be constantly watching my back in case anything else around me blows up."

"You're not wrong. But how are YOU doing?" he emphasised. She sighed.

"I don't know. I'm scared. If they got to us at our home then I no longer know where is safe. I'm worried about my father. They say he'll be alright but how can they be sure? What if the White Fang try again? What if they find Winter and my mother? If they can get to me in my home, then can they get to my friends and family?"

"Would it put you at ease if I told you that your mom and sis have a team of security officers as well as an experienced Huntress protecting them morning, noon and night, not to mention Winter's own proficiency?"

"Not really."

"Fair enough." There was a long silence, during which Weiss stared out of the window as the city disappeared and was taken over by green countryside. "Sorry about the clothing, I had to guess which of my daughters was closest to your size." He said, noticing her occasional fidgeting.

"No, its fine. How many daughters do you have?"

"Seven, if you can believe It." he replied, smiling happily. "Seven and Jaune. Julia is my eldest. She works at the hospital and lives in the city with her fiancée, Steven. They'll be stopping by tomorrow to drop off some stuff. You'll meet the rest soon."

"How exactly do you know my father?"

"I used to be a huntsman, trained at Beacon, but I got out of the game when I started a family. Now I work as a freelance security consultant. Your father hired me to help at one of his mines a few years ago. I presume he thinks I did a good job as he still calls me up from time to time." The car turned down a side road, rough and worn, that lead into a small village next to a forest. She gazed out the darkened window as the buildings passed by. A pub, a convenience store, a street of brick houses, flowers tastefully arranged in the window pots. They passed a rail station and a post office, following the road out of town and towards the woods.

The road soon began degrading, blending smoothly into a dirt track. Trees, shrubs and other plant life drifted by. Weiss's mind drifted along with them. Would she be able to talk to her friends and family? How long will I be here? I don't even know where in the world we are. The forest opened up into a clearing, revealing a large square house. A barnlike building stood off to the right of the house, and under the eaves of the front door stood a tall, scraggly boy with a shock of blonde hair. He waved as the car pulled up to the door, jogging over to them as they got out.

"Hey Weiss," he smiled, "welcome to my home. What do you think?" his positive attitude was disarming and she smiled back. "Come on," he continued "let me show you around."