-Mercury, someone is at the parking area! I can see a black car from the window, Bella informed them suddenly.

Redbeard whispered something barely audible and everyone´s eyes turned to him.

-Brother...

Mercury dropped John down. He tucked the knife back to his pocket and simply bent over the boys looking them to the eyes.

-I promise you, that this is not the end of it, he informed and patted both boys to their shoulders. He gave a chilling smirk, turned on his heels and exited the room, without paying any attention to his subordinates, who followed tightly after him looking notably anxious.

When the door closed after them, John finally allowed himself to breathe. He sank to the ground and gasped for air.

-Victor… Victor!

His comrade´s hand pulled his sleeve.

-I´m alright. It´s just the nerves... He reassured the boy.

After taking a couple more breaths he had enough energy to look at Redbeard.

-How about you? The noise your leg gave was horrendous...

The younger boy´s face twisted from the mention of the leg.

-I´m… fine, he claimed.

He was deathly pale and his voice was shaky. John didn´t believe him a second.

-Yeah, right, he muttered.

-If only we could somehow get free of these damn binds! I would like to take a look at your leg. I´ve read some stuff and seen pictures. I even had an extra course of first aid in school. You see, I´d like to work on the field some day. Besides my father is always tumbling when drunk and therefore I get lots of practice. So maybe I could do something...

John´s voice faded as he remembered, how ridiculous that dream of his actually was. He a doctor? If he ever told about that to Harry, her laughter would know no end. He knew it himself, that they would never have enough money to support his studies.

John shook off the pessimistic thoughts. This was not the time for that. He needed to concentrate.

Redbeard had leaned forward and followed curiously changes in his expressions

-Then… I should help you get free, right? Then you can help me in return, Redbeard suggested. John stared back blankly.

The boy winked and waved his hands playfully. It took a moment for John to notice that for the boy to be able to do that they needed to be free. His mouth dropped. Redbeard giggled to his expression.

-How on earth…?

Redbeard waved a knife in his fist grinning mischievously. If John´s eyes served him right, it was the same one that had just scraped his cheek.

-Christ, Redbeard… John muttered.

Suddenly, an uncomfortable thought came to his mind.

-Don´t tell me, you did it on purpose!? You pissed him off to get him close enough?

Redbeard´s smug expression confirmed it.

For a moment John couldn´t say a thing. He shook his head trying to comprehend the whole insanity.

-That... that was downright crazy. I hope you know that, Redbeard? And... Even if it´s all great that you are Arsène Lupin of pick pocketing... Well, a broken leg doesn´t make our escape exactly easier, he pointed out.

-Well, I didn´t plan to get my leg broken, obviously, Redbeard pouted.

That was such a stupid comment for such a clever boy, that it made John wince.

-What did you expect then? A pat on your head? These people aren´t freaking buddhas on a straight way to Nirvana! They are bloody kidnappers, who have already murdered one innocent kid who didn´t even annoy them on purpose, if you remember? Seriously, Redbeard! You really should keep your death wish in check.

The last words came out more softly, his worry getting better of his anger.

The younger boy looked back to him astonished. Then he suddenly sniggered.

-What now?!

-May I remind you, that it was no-one but you, who actually went and bit him. That was crazy reckless if something!

John batted his eyelids feeling foolish.

-Yes... I really did that, didn´t I?

-He almost killed you for it too.

-Oh, I thought I was going to die for sure... I bit him good, though, didn´t I? I think it´s going to leave a scar... John mumbled eyes wide.

Redbeard smirked darkly.

-I think so too.

John answered with a shaky grin.

-Serves him right! ...I think.