Half way down the corridor Jack leapt into the air to float out of my reach.
"Ugh no fair!" I complained as I fished around my pockets for something to throw at him.
I hurled the mystery item at him, only realizing it had been my iPod after the fact.
"Ooooh, what's this?" He grinned, floating back down.
"It's an iPod, genius." I snatched it back from him.
"A what now?" He gave me a curious look.
I explained how the compact device played music, how North had Given it to me the first time his Yeti's ambushed me, unsuccessfully.
I handed him one of the ear buds, and placed it gently in his ear when he just stared at it confused.
"Wow that feels weird." He made a face, earning a small giggle from me.
"Hmm...what song? I suppose I should start you out with something light...Owl City it is."
The music flooded our ears, and I couldn't help the huge smile making it's way to my face.
Please take a long hard look through your text book'Cause I'm historyWhen I strap my helmet on I'll be long goneCause I've been dying to leaveYeah, I'll ride the range and hide all my loose changeIn my bedroom'Cause riding a dirt bike down a turnpikeAlways takes it's toll on me
Jack smiled at me, us both humming along.
I've had just about enough Of quote "diamonds in the rough" Because my backbone is paper thin Get me out of this cavern or I'll cave in (I'll cave in, I'll cave in...)
If the bombs go off the sun will still be shining (The sun will still be shining) Because I've heard it said that Every mushroom cloud has a silver lining (Though I'm always undermining too deep to know) Swallow a drop of gravel and blacktop 'Cause the road tastes like Wintergreen The wind and the rain smell of oil and octane Mixed with stale gasoline
I'll soak up the sound Try to sleep on the wet ground I'll get ten minutes give or take 'Cause I just don't foresee myself getting drowsy When cold integrity keeps me wide awake (Awake, awake, awake, awake...)
Get me out of this cavern or I'll cave in (Cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in...)
Get me out of this cavern or I'll cave in
I'll keep my helmet on Just in case my head caves in (In case my head caves in) 'Cause if my thoughts collapse Or my framework snaps It'll make a mess like you wouldn't believe Tie my handle bars to the stars So I stay on track (so I stay on track) And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back
I won't even look back...
"So, what's your story?" Jack asked after the music faded out to nothing.
I bit my lip, frowning and not really wanting to think about it.
"Well...I died saving a young boy, he told me his name was Jayson..."
"EVERYONE WATCH IT! WE'RE ROBBING THIS JOINT!"
This joint, meaning the bank I was in to cash in a paycheck.
A woman screamed, cowering with her young son behind her legs.
While the men were preoccupied shouting at the tellers to stuff their bags with money, I stealthed over to the small boy and his mother.
"Hi, I'm Rachel, what are your names?" I smiled kindly to them.
"M-Marianne, and this is my son Jayson." She stumbled over her words.
I nodded bending down to be at Jayson's height, "Ok, just relax, I promise everything will be ok. So I'm going to try to distract them...while I do that, I want you and your mom to make a run for it, ok?"
He nodded, fear still filling his chocolate eyes.
"I'm gonna count now, and on three." I whispered to them both.
They nodded and I took a good deep breath to calm myself. I was scared witless, but I couldn't let this boy get caught up in this, he had such a long life ahead of him.
I looked over my shoulder and yelled "THREE!"
They took off for the door and I towards the robbers, tackling one to the ground, blonde hair falling in my face.
"WHAT THE-?" The man under me thrashed and yelled as I did my best to fend off him and the knife he held, though he managed to make a small slice on my stomach.
I hissed in pain, punching him in the jaw as hard as I could.
Before I knew what was happening, I fell backwards to the floor with a small 'thud'. Searing pain shot through my chest. I struggled to look up and saw the smoking gun in the other robber's hand.
I had been shot...
I wanted to panic, curse at the man, and scream for help, but my voice didn't come out of my mouth, just a weak whimper. I knew if I moved I would just bleed out faster, so I stilled myself, hoping for help to arrive soon.
The doors to the bank burst open as a few cops ran in, and out of the corner of my now blurry vision I saw Jayson being held back by his mother.
"RACHEL!?" He cried out.
"And that's the last thing I heard or saw...before waking up in the forest during a rain storm." I sighed, sniffling a bit.
Jack threw his arm around my shoulder as we neared the end of the long hall way.
"Wow, that's a crazy story...you must be really brave to risk your life for a stranger." He patted my shoulder and removed his arm as we entered the dome topped room with the globe.
Blah, Tooth was glaring at me, again. But all I really was focused on was how safe Jack's cool arm had made me feel.