Author's Note: This story is set after Tom's training as a Spook even though I know Joseph is still writing the last books, but this is just how I wish things ended, especially for Tom and Alice and the whole story is on Alice's POV, hope you like it. I do not own anything, all those rights go straight to Joseph Delaney. R&R :)

Chapter 7: Going to Pendle

The next morning, I woke up with the sun rising. I couldn't wait to leave and rescue Tom, so I got up and went to the kitchen quickly. When I got there, Meg was setting the table for breakfast.

"Good morning, Alice," she said. "Why are you up so early?"

"Good morning, Meg. I couldn't sleep," I said sitting in my usual place.

"I can imagine what's going on your head. I feel the same way every time John goes somewhere far to work. He is not the same. He won't admit, but he is getting old. He thinks he is immortal and invincible and that's why I fear for his life. I know he has experience, but I am afraid that one day he won't come back."

"Mr. Gregory knows how to take care of himself. Don't worry, Meg. But I understand what you are talking about. My heart almost stops when Tom gets back home hurt. It's horrible," I said playing with a spoon.

"One day, will understand why you feel this way. It took me a while to do so, but of course I'm older than you. You are too young to understand this kind of feeling," she stopped behind a chair and smiled at me.

Meg went to the oven and started to make the eggs.

"It's so good to have people around me. If John is not home, I feel so lonely. Andrew barely talks to me. I really like Tom but I just wanted for you to stay more."

"I know, Meg. I feel alone sometimes too but you have to understand. Tom needs us."

"Don't worry, Alice, I'm not complaining," Meg got up.

She started to put the eggs and the waffles on the table and I started to make a plate.

"What if…" she started. "I go with you? I can be helpful."

"It's not a bad idea, but you know Mr. Gregory better than I do. He would never allow it."

"Allow what?" Jason asked entering the kitchen.

"John! I think I should go with you," Meg said putting a jar of orange juice on the table as Old Gregory entered the kitchen.

"Meg, you know that's not a good idea," Old Gregory said.

"I can't see why. Andrew knows how to cook. He will be fine for a few days without me."

"Meg, please! You don't need to come. You'll be safer here," Old Gregory tried to smile at her.

"You never let me go out. I'm going to save Tom with you and this conversation is over. Now, eat your breakfast," Meg pointed at the table.

We all ate breakfast in silence. Nobody dared to say a thing. After breakfast, Jason and I waited in the front hall for Old Gregory. He was still discussing with Meg. He didn't want her to come. It could be dangerous, not only for her but everybody as well. When Old Gregory came to us alone, he said Meg wasn't coming. We left in silence. It wasn't a sunny day, the clouds covered the sun, but it wasn't going to rain, not so soon, at least.

It took the whole morning walking to get near Chipenden. When lunchtime came we stopped, Old Gregory ate his usual small piece of cheese. Jason and I shared a small sandwich, but there wasn't time to rest. As soon we finished our lunch we got back to the road. In the middle of the afternoon, we got to Jack's farm. We could see him cleaning the pigsty. Ellie was carrying the milk to the house and a little girl, who was probably Mary, was helping her.

When we got closer, Old Gregory turned to Jason.

"You may talk to your brother for an hour, no more than that. The girl and I will stay near. I believe we are not very welcome here."

Jason nodded and headed to the house. Old Gregory and I sat down on an old tree branch that was on the ground.

"You shouldn't have said to Meg to come with us. It could have saved us time and problems," Old Gregory said.

"I didn't say a thing. It was her idea. She feels alone," I looked at him, he was staring at the house.

"She doesn't know what she's talking about. I'm always with her."

"Not always, right?"

Old Gregory looked at me in shock.

"What? Did you really think I would be stupid enough to believe that you had retired? I am actually impressed that Tom hasn't noticed anything yet," I looked away.

"Yes, you're right. I didn't retire. Tom wasn't exactly confident when he became the Spook. I didn't want him to come to me asking what he had to do. So, I said that I retired to make him more confident of his work. But he can't take care of the whole county alone. Now, I take care of problems only near Anglezarke. Tom was my best apprentice. Just don't tell him that I said that about him. He would get to vain," Old Gregory explained.

I stayed quiet and Old Gregory didn't say a thing either. A half an hour passed when Jason came back

"Ok, we can go now," he said.

Jason had a sad expression in his face. Old Gregory got up and started to walk. We just followed him.

"Are you ok?" I asked Jason.

"Yes," he answered, but then his expression changed and he looked at me. "Actually, no. I'm not ok. It's just… Ah! Never mind."

"You can talk to me if want to. You are Tom's family, which makes you my family too. I'm not going to judge you. Trust me," I said smiling at him.

"I never thought Jack would talk to me like the way he did. Especially when I told him I was with you and Mr. Gregory. He went insane! He told me that I shouldn't talk to you and saving Tom was a stupid idea. He also said you were eluding me and a load of other things."

"Yeah… Let's just say that Jack and his family didn't have what I would call nice experiences with us," I said. "I'm sorry he treated you like that. Since Tom became Old Gregory's apprentice, Jack started to treat him badly. Tom's luck was that your mother still ruled the house. Now, Jack is the owner and I'm sorry to tell that but he has all rights to fear for his family. Even though, he didn't have to be rude."

"Yeah, I guess," Jason answered.

We continued to walk. Old Gregory looked back once in a while, just to make sure we were following him, but it was not like he cared. I knew he wanted us to give up, but he was going to need our help and I refused to give up on Tom.

When we got to Pendle, the sun was setting, but we had nowhere to go. The church where we stayed for the first time Tom came to Pendle was abandoned, dirty and half of the ceiling had fallen to the ground.

"We can't stay here. This place is awful and this is not even safe. We wouldn't last not even an hour here," I said.

"That's the only place we have to stay. Stop complaining, girl," Old Gregory pointed out.

"I have a friend that owes me some favors and he lives with his wife not very far from here. His house is a little isolated, so I believe is a good place to spend the night without those witches know where we are," Jason said.

"Fine, let's go," Old Gregory turned to him.

Jason led us to his friend's house. The house needed a new painting and the moths had eaten half of the door. Jason knocked on the door and a man opened it, but when he saw Jason, he tried to close the door as quickly as he could. Jason, however, was fastest and with his hand stopped the door being closed.

"Hello, Mark. I see you remember me. It's time to pay me what you owe."

Mark tried to look more relaxed.

"Jason! What are you doing here in Pendle?"

"None of your business. My friends and I need a place to stay. I thought you wouldn't mind to help us, right?" Jason was serious.

"If I let you in, will my debts be erased?" Mark asked.

"Not all, just some of them," Jason said.

"Fine, come in," Mark finally opened the door.