AN/ Hi everyone who's still out there. I'm not dead :P It's been so long since I was on fanfiction... I haven't stopped writting though and I'm gonna finish the story... I really enjoy writting this and if there's any of you who still likes to read it, here you go:)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kickin' it (even though I wish...)

Oh and also a tiny WARNING, this story is going to get a little bit darker in the next few chapters...

Chapter 25

The Dungeons

As soon as we were alone Jack came out of his paralyzed state and began to tug violently against the chains. Trying to get his hands free as well as escape the iron collar, he writhed and squirmed so hard I feared that he'd hurt himself. I chirped, trying to calm him down, but he didn't seem to hear me.

Grunting, Jack tried even harder. Placing his foot against the wall, he leaned back as far as he could while pushing hard. I watched him, wondering how much it would take for him to realize that there was no point. Anyone with some sense could see that the chains were impossible to break.

Jack seemed to refuse that fact as he continued to pull and writhe like crazy, and I couldn't help but admire his spirit.

After almost half an hour of struggling, Jack finally stopped. With a frustrated grunt, Jack placed his forehead against the cold wall. He was breathing heavy for a few moments before he slumped his shoulders, letting out a deep sigh.

If watching him fight against the restrains had been hard, witnessing him giving up was even harder and I found myself unable to accept it.

"Tsip," I tried, but got no reaction from the boy. Discouraged, I looked around my cage. It wasn't a very strong construction and in my human form I would probably been able to break it with my bare hands. But under the circumstances; I wasn't even able to open the door. The slightly rusty bar that held it locked in place was stuck way too hard for me to move it.

I scanned the room in search for something that could help us, not that it would make much of a difference since both Jack and I were stuck.

Having looked at every item that was within my view I let my head fall back hopelessly; and that's when I got an idea...

I wasn't sure that it would work, but the cage was small enough and the hook in the ceiling from which it hung had the right shape for it to be possible.

I hesitated. If I succeeded; there was a chance of me getting seriously injured. Throwing a glance at Jack who was still leaning his forehead against the wall, looking as he'd lost all hope, I quickly decided that it was worth the risk.

Moving to one end of the cage I leaped into the air and flew as fast as I could across it. I hit the bars with my shoulder –hard.

The cage moved.

I gave it another go and another one after that. It was a bit tricky but after a while I'd managed to get the cage swinging. Moving along the rhythm I got it to go faster and higher. It didn't take long until it was going so high that it was about to come off the hook. I pushed against the bars one last time, preparing myself for the fall that I knew would come.

Of course it all happened so fast that I hadn't got a chance to keep up with it. The cage swung off the hook and fell immediately, hitting me in the head as it did. I tumbled helplessly around in it as it crashed on the floor.

Jack jumped startled, turning around. I could hear him rattling the chains, probably trying to get to me. Groaning, I looked around the room, feeling all dizzy. The fall had been longer than I'd thought.

Starting to move I found to my relief that nothing seemed to be broken. I was a little sore, but I guess I was okay. The cage on the other hand was all disfigured and just as I'd hoped; the small door had opened by the impact.

I pushed myself up and managed to slip out of it. Spreading my wings, I could literally see the hope returning to Jack's eyes. He followed me with his gaze as I flew up to his shoulder. A few muffled sounds left him, as he tried to say something.

I grabbed the stupid cloth that was wrapped around his head, trying to pull it down. When it didn't work I jumped to the back of his head. Clinging to his hair I started to work on the knots that held the gag in place.

It wasn't easy but little by little they loosened enough for Jack to shake it off. The cloth fell from his face just to hang around his neck instead.

Jack turned around, searching for me.

"Are you okay?" he wondered concerned.

I nodded, hovering in the air. He seemed relieved and without thinking he took a step towards me, but was instantly stopped by the collar. Frustrated, Jack tugged on the cuffs behind his back, trying to get his hands free, but to no avail. His gaze fell and he leaned back against the wall. I sat down on his shoulder.

After several minutes of silence, Jack spoke;

"I'm sorry Kim." His eyes were fixed on the hard floor, as he shook his head slightly. "I messed up, didn't I?"

I shook my head but Jack ignored me.

"Like always..." he muttered. "I don't know what to do. I can't..."

The shoulder I sat on fell as he let out another sigh. Things looked pretty hopeless.

"You put your faith in the wrong guy," he said, keeping his eyes on the floor. "I'm sorry,"

"Irtsip!" I protested, shaking my head. If anything I did not regret trusting him. I couldn't have had a better ally.

It was I who constantly seemed to put him in trouble and this time it was so severe that I doubted that we would make it through.

I put my forehead against his neck, right under his jaw, trying to find a piece of it that wasn't covered by the collar. Jack closed his eyes and cocked his head towards me, appreciating the comfort it brought him.

Even though things were looking bad I couldn't help but smile. It was such a relief to know that he knew who I really was and although he'd ended up in here because of me he still didn't hold anything against me.

"Tsip," I let the tweet out as softly as I could. It was meant as a 'Thank you' and I think that he understood.

I don't know for how long we stood there. It felt like ages since the men left us in the awful room. Jack was looking around, his eyes trailing over the medieval rack and all the items that were hanging or leaning against the walls.

"I'm scared," he admitted.

"Tsip," I pressed myself harder against his neck. I was scared too. The fear of Evelyn had almost disappeared by now though. It had drowned in the terrible fear and worry for what might happen to Jack.

I glanced around the room. This was kind of a museum. Finnegan had said so, right? They wouldn't use any of this on Jack, would they?

Suddenly sounds from outside was heard. Someone was coming. Jack stiffened, listening.

"Quick, hide" Jack whispered. I nodded and was about to fly. "And Kim..."

I looked up at him. It was the first time he'd called me by my real name.

"If you get a chance to leave, I want you to take it..."

I hesitated. I wasn't sure that I could leave him behind. Jack read my thoughts and added;

"Don't worry about me. I'll be alright." He gave me reassuring smile, before gesturing for me to get going. I flew across the room and snuck in under the rack. The second after the door was unlocked and the person entered.

Jack watched carefully and I could see the slight relief in his face when the person turned out to be Bernard.

The man eyed him silently for a moment as he examined the situation. Jack shifted uncomfortably.

"Please..." Jack started, causing Bernard to shake his head and get back from his thoughts.

"What happened?" he wondered concerned. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Jack answered. "They just took me and brought me here...and I have no idea why... I didn't do anything... I..." His voice was slightly higher than it used to and he just barely managed to keep it from cracking.

"Please sir, you have to help me," he continued. "You have to let me go..."

Bernard held up a hand, gesturing for Jack to calm down.

"Have you watched the moon tonight?" he asked.

"What?" Jack looked at him confused, but shook it off. "Please, I..."

"A blade as black as coal, underneath a metal strong..." Bernard chimed.

"What?" Jack took a step back, standing as far away from the man as the chain to his neck would allow him.

Bernard watched his reaction, his hand finding its way down into the pocket of his suit. Suddenly he moved towards Jack, grabbing a hold of his arm. He pulled on it hard, causing Jack to lose his balance. The boy stumbled and was quickly forced into a position where he was more or less hanging by the neck. Bernard stood behind him, taking hold of one of Jack's hands. Pulling it away as far as it'd go from Jack's back, he managed to get it outside the circle of salt that surrounded the teen. He then brought out what seemed to be a pocket knife and pressed the blade against the palm of Jack's hand.

"AAH!" Jack exclaimed and tried to jerk his hand free. But Bernard held on to it, letting the crimson red blood zip out and cover the blade before letting go.

Jack quickly jumped away from him. Turning around he pressed his back against the wall, panting.

"What are you doing?!"

Bernard paid no attention to him, busy studying the blood on the knife. Walking over to the cupboard, he brought out one of the silver bullets. With a whipping motion of his wrist he dripped a drop of Jack's blood onto the bullet.

Jack was watching him nervously. After a few seconds or so, Bernard let out a sigh of relief and put the bullet back in the drawer.

The starry look in the man's eyes was gone and replaced with a much more sympathetic expression. Jack wasn't gonna let himself be fooled again though and I could see the didn't believe the man as he said;

"Sorry about that." Bernard used a much friendlier tone, making it over to the Jack again. "Just needed to make sure..." he mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Jack kept his back against the wall while taking a step to the side along it, trying to keep the distance between him and Bernard. Just like before the chain stopped him from making it very far. The fear in his eyes grew as he realized that there was no way for him to escape. "Please..."

Bernard stopped in his tracks, watching the prisoner for a moment, before letting out another sigh.

"I didn't mean to scare you, son," he said. "I just needed-"

"-to cut me?!" Jack filled in for him, his brows furrowed. Bernard didn't answer, which made Jack even more tensed.

"Look son, I don't have much time so let's cut to the case. There could only be one reason why they brought you here really. I know what they all think they know... and it all makes sense to them, doesn't it...?" Bernard said.

Jack looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

Bernard just shook his head, not seeming to intend to explain.

"It's not important. I-"

"Why am I here?" Jack tried again, starting to get frustrated. "What are they gonna do to me?"

"That doesn't matter." Bernard shook his head.

"It does to me!" Jack had raised his voice, his eyes beginning to water. Bernard sighed.

"Believe me boy, it really doesn't."

Jack just swallowed, not knowing what to think.

"What does matter though," Bernard began. "...is what I know, and what I might get to know."

Jack looked confused as Bernard took a step closer.

"What was it that you wanted to tell me? What do you know, Jack?"

Jack stood frozen, just staring at him. The tension in the room had grown to a state where you could almost touch it.
"Come on, son," Bernard tried. "Trust me."

An almost unnoticeable huff came from Jack and he shook his head.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" he spat. "You're working for her, aren't you?"
"Jack, calm down." Bernard put his hand on Jack's shoulder, which caused Jack to jerk away.

"Don't touch me!" he demanded, trying to sound braver than he was.

"Jack…"

"Leave me alone!" Jack began to struggle against the restrains again. Bernard continued to try to calm him, but eventually his patience had run out. He grabbed Jack by the collar of his shirt and shoved him back hard against the wall. Jack froze in his hold, stunned by the action.

"Now, you listen very carefully to me, son!" Bernard began, locking eyes with the teen. "As far as I can see you are locked in this basement with no hope of getting out. That's right, NO HOPE! You are doomed! They are gonna have their ways with you. And there's nothing you can do about it!" He was almost screaming at the now cringing boy. "You hear that! NOTHING!"

He paused, letting the information sink in. Jack swallowed. His face was pale and his wide eyes wouldn't leave Bernard's for a split second.

"Do you understand?!" Bernard pulled forward slightly, just to slam him back against the wall again. "Do you?!"

"Yes sir."

"Good," Bernard let go of him slowly. Jack let out the breath he'd been holding and his legs began to tremble slightly as the man took a step back to give him some space. Bernard watched him for a moment.

"But you're lucky," he said. "I'm here and I want to hear what you have to say. If you tell me what you know then there might be a chance to stop disaster from happening."

Jack seemed to think it through, while throwing a glance my direction, as if to ask for my permission. I doubted that he could see me where I was hiding, but none the less I gave him a nod. As far as I saw it we didn't have much of a choice.

"I don't know much, but…" Jack started.

"Just tell me, whatever it is…"

"Okay, here goes…" Jack still didn't seem completely sure that he was doing the right thing, but he'd made up his mind.

"Do you remember that bird I had with me last time?"

Bernard nodded.

"Well, I didn't really find it. It found me. It had snuck into my father's office. I didn't know by the time, but it was searching for something… Anyway, I realized pretty soon that it was special."

Jack paused, not knowing if he should continue.

"How…?" Bernard urged him to go on.

"It wasn't really afraid of me and I could… I could talk to it. It understood everything I said."

Jack glanced at him waiting for his reaction.

"That's interesting," he mumbled, folding his arms.

"Later, or today actually I found out that the bird was really Kimberly Crawford."
Bernard tensed by the mention of my name.

"That's highly unlikable."

"It's true. Her aunt told me. She had known about the curse for years and had tried to prevent it. She said that Kim had found a box in the forest and opened it."

"What's her name?"

"Who?"

"Kimberly's aunt?"

"Oh. Clarie. I think... Anyway Evelyn's soul got out and entered Kim's body and Kim's soul ended up in a bird."

"How?" Bernard raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know," Jack said, beginning to sound upset as Bernard didn't really seem to believe him.

"I swear I didn't have anything to do with any of this. All I know is that Evelyn is walking around up there doing everything that she can to fulfill the prophecy while Kim's stuck in that bird. And apparently I'm the only one who can stop all of this!"

Jack voice was high-pitched and he almost shouted out the words. Bernard just stared right through him, standing completely still. I wasn't sure that he'd listened or comprehended anything of what Jack had just said. The man tensed.

"Please, you've got to believe me. You have to let me go-"

SMACK!

Jack was interrupted by a backhand across his face that was so hard that it almost knocked him off balance and he had to lean against the wall for support.

Shocked, Jack looked fearfully at Bernard. His body was slightly trembling and his cheek was turning into a bright shade of red.

Oh how I wished that I wasn't a bird right then. If I could've I would've burst out and given Bernard a piece of my mind, with a little help from my fists…

I was so angry that I shook. Was there no one who we could trust?

Suddenly Bernard threw himself at Jack, slamming him back against the wall while covering the boy's mouth with his hand. At the same moment the door opened making both me and Jack jump.

"Quick! Help me!" Bernard exclaimed, tightening his hold of Jack.

"What's going on?" Finnegan who was standing in the doorway wondered.

"The gag's fallen off. He tried to cast a spell on me! C'mon, hurry! I can't hold him much longer."

Finnegan rushed over to help. Jack didn't move, probably too scared to try anything as the cloth was once again forced into his mouth.

"That was close…" Bernard mumbled in relief.

"Well, lucky for you I was down here…" Finnegan said. "Which leads me to the question; what were you doing down here?"

"I was just going to get the bullets." Bernard answered.

"Oh, I don't think we're gonna need them. It's the 225th anniversary tonight… We have something very special indeed," Finnegan looked at Jack, "for our very special guest…"

I shuddered, glancing over at the door. It had been left opened. Thinking about what Jack had said to me earlier, I took the chance and snuck out while the men were still busy talking. I hated leaving Jack behind, but what else could I do?

I had to get help. I had to find Claire.

Sorry for taking so long, and sorry for another cliffy, but I guess if you've read my stories for a while you're starting to get used to it by now...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and it would be awesome if you left a review, just so that I get to know that people reads it.

Thanks for reading and see you at the next chappie :)

/MJ