Kent ran into the tunnel, panic and terror driving him on. He didn't want to be stuck with the two rebels forever, for he was sure every day would be a living hell full of torture and beatings. He couldn't take it. He wouldn't take it. An odd sense of determination filled him and he ran faster, straining his eyes to see in the dim light of the tunnel. He stumbled, falling to the ground with a thud. Shaking the dirt off, he scrambled to his feet and started running again.
"Ready or not, here I come!"
The soldier stifled a cry of fear. Kent turned right at a tunnel split, then turned another corner and found a dead end staring him in the face.
"No!" he rasped, terror and despair turning his legs to jelly. He staggered, then fell to the ground. Covering his face with his hands, he began to sob. His sobs were so loud he didn't hear the dull thump of Ace's footsteps as the Rebel crept up on him. "Please be a nightmare! Wake up, Kent! Wake up!" Kent cried, tears streaming down his face.
He nearly passed out from terror as Ace's voice purred next to his ear, "What's wrong, Kenny? Miss your wakeup call?"
Kent screamed and spun around, falling onto his rear. Ace was kneeling on knee with his arm resting on the other. "No, please!" Kent screamed, holding up a hand to protect his face.
Ace tipped back his head and laughed. "Please no what?" he asked, turning his sharp gaze back to Kent.
"Don't kill me!" the soldier gasped, crawling backwards.
"Kill you?!" Ace exclaimed, putting a hand over his heart. He gave a hurt look and asked in an offended tone, "Why ever would I do something like that?" Then he smirked. "I mean... besides the fact you're a redcoat and the fact you've been a pain in the ass all night?" he asked, standing up to tower over Kent.
Kent couldn't believe he'd already lost, but he had. Ace had caught him. He was stuck with them forever. He bowed his head, waiting for Ace to haul him back and torture him until he could scream no more. However when Ace didn't grab him, he raised his eyes. To his shock, Ace was gone. Kent got up, stumbling before finding his footing. Where had the rebel gone? It was if he had simply vanished! Kent quickly found that was not the case.
Ace's breath brushed past his ear. "You know, I haven't tagged you yet!"
Screaming in fright, Kent bolted. He went the opposite way this time, then came to yet another crossroads. He turned right. Another dead end. Kent nearly screamed. Again?! Wait! There! A small indention curved back in the wall, just big enough for Kent to squeeze himself into. He quickly squished himself into the small space and held his breath.
Sure enough, Ace's heavy footfallls echoed down the hall. "One two… Acey's comin' for you," the rebel sang in a sweet tone that sent shivers down Kent's spine.
Kent bit his lip to avoid crying out in fear. He would not give himself away. He would not.
Ace's boots came into view and stopped right outside Kent's little hiding place. "Kent," Ace called in a singsongy voice. "C'mon, little buddy. I won't hurt ya."
Bullshit. Kent knew that was a lie. He couldn't prevent the small sneeze brought about by the dust blowing around. Immediately his hand went to cover his mouth and nose, but it was too late. Ace had heard him.
The rebel's boots stopped right outside Kent's hiding place. Slowly, Ace kneeled to where he could look Kent in the eyes. "Boo," he said, a cruel smirk on his face. "You're down to one chance, Kenny. Best make it count."
Kent pressed himself as far back into the small crevice as he could go, but he was still well within the towering Rebel's reach. Breath heavy and panicked, Kent felt his foot slip against the rock. With a wail, the Brit fell back and hit his head. His vision went dark briefly before it swam back into focus.
Ace shook his head. "You're a mess, Kent. A lying, disobedient mess. Now, I suggest you make this last run count," he growled, and stepped back. When Kent didn't move from his spot, Ace sighed. "I'm giving you another chance to run. I suggest you, you know, go now."
Kent, head throbbing, scrambled out and bolted. With the hit to his head he was disoriented and dazed. He stumbled into walls and over rocks in his drunken dash. Suddenly the sound of rushing water echoed down the tunnel towards him. An underground river? Maybe it leads out! Straining his ears, Kent noticed the sound was coming from the right at a tunnel split. A new sense of determination filling his veins, Kent forced his tired legs to move faster.
"Kent! Not that way!" Ace yelled, but there was not a trace of the usual teasing cruelty. If anything, he sounded… worried? That must mean it was the way out!
Ignoring Ace's warning, Kent ran faster until the tunnel opened up to a large cave. Midway across was a fast flowing river. The banks were solid rock and went from the cave floor down 20 feet to the fast flowing, dark water. The river was 6 feet across. I might be able to jump! Kent thought. Gathering the strength in his legs, he launched himself off the ledge towards the opposite side. His finger barely managed to grasp the edge as the rest of him dangled above the rushing river.
Kent gave a cry of despair trying desperately to hold onto the rock made slippery by the river's spray. "No! I can't die like this! I can't!" Kent yelled, looked back down behind him.
"Then grab my hand!"
Kent looked up and couldn't believe who he saw.