Author's Note: Sorry for the very long delay…if you haven't already heard, Hurricane Charley wreaked total havoc on Florida. I still have no power and am posting this using a gasoline generator that can run like two appliances at a time. Very RENT-ish. I do not ever want to end up living in RENT. Email me if you want my very scary story of a tree falling on my house complete with pictures…yes. It's almost scarier than this story. Ok, wait, yeah, it's lots scarier. Anywho, I've had this chapter written for a while, but I wanted to make sure I could continue with the story after this chapter. I almost dropped it. Almost. Try to enjoy…and don't tell me this wasn't predictable. What I can say is…it gets worse before it gets better. But if you stick with me to the end, I promise you won't totally hate me. Much. Four or five chapters to go.


Chapter 32

"So much for high security!"

"Shh, do you want them to find out we've foiled their trap and come running?"

"No, b-but—"

"No buts. Be quiet. They may send a morning patrol out. They did that sometimes when…before."

"Quick, get back! One of them is coming right now!"

Elphaba woke slowly, her head clouded by remnants of a dream, though she couldn't put her finger on what the dream had been. The voices swam in her head, spinning and turning, mixing with her thoughts so she wasn't sure if they were real or some figment of her twisted imagination. She opened her eyes at last, in time to see Liir and Fiyero jump back from the door and a rather large, rusty tiktok go by. It glanced at the cell only momentarily before trundling on down the corridor.

That was strange, thought Elphaba, closing her eyes again. She knew from her days at Shiz that it took the tiktoks several seconds to process what they saw. A cursory glance like that wouldn't be enough for the guard to see anything in the cell. The moisture must be affecting them. There was no other explanation. But it was certainly something that could be used to their advantage.

Elphaba waited until the noise of the tiktok was completely gone, then sat up again and stretched. The moisture in the mines was effecting her too, she could tell already. Her head was spinning and throbbing painfully, and her skin felt clammy and sore. Her legs felt weak, and for a moment she was afraid to stand. A wave of hopelessness washed over her as she realized she was going to have to lead their escape in this condition.

"Good morning," said Fiyero brightly, pulling her to her feet. Elphaba didn't have the heart to ruin his good cheer by telling him she wasn't well.

"Progress?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

"The idiots left the door wide open," said Liir triumphantly.

"Well not exactly," corrected Fiyero. "But it wasn't hard to cut through the latch with a pocketknife. I'm amazed they didn't take any of our supplies away."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Elphaba.

"If their system is still the same as it was…before," said Fiyero tentatively, "and I'm relatively certain that it is, all but a few guards will be down in the mines by now. They stay there for most of the morning. If we can find a way to distract the guards, we have a chance."

"I'll go," said Liir hastily.

"You certainly will not," said Elphaba just as quickly.

The boy had developed an alarming heroic streak overnight.

"Why not?" asked Liir. "I can do it!"

"Why not?" said Fiyero, surprising Elphaba.

She held up her hands in resignation.

"Fine then. What's your plan?"

"Send Liir out, have him make a lot of noise. I'll follow a few seconds behind and help him fight off whatever…interest he's gathered. While we keep them busy, you escape into the woods, then we meet you," said Fiyero slowly.

"And you expect me not to fight?" asked Elphaba indignantly, though she knew she was not capable.

"Elphie, not unless you have to…look, I know you're—"

"Fine!" she snapped, more firmly than she'd meant to. "Fine, if that's what you both want…who am I to stop you." Elphaba rubbed at her eyes and massaged her temples. Fiyero gave her a concerned glance and she glared at him.

"Can I go now?" asked Liir impatiently.

Elphaba looked up and down the corridor to check that it was clear, then threw up her hands.

"Fine. Go, boy. Go be a hero."

Liir opened the door, glanced back over his shoulder at them, then turned and ran down the corridor and out of sight. Elphaba shivered. She had seen fear in that last glance.

"You okay?" asked Fiyero, gently laying a hand on her shoulder. Elphaba shrugged him off.

"Yes," she said briskly. "I will be. Once we get out of here."

Fiyero nodded.

"I should go," he turned to leave, but Elphaba stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Wait."

She leaned up and kissed him quickly, then pushed him gently toward the door.

"Be careful."

Fiyero smiled, trying to look confident.

"I will be. See you on the other side." He turned and went out the door at a jog, and was gone.

"See you on the other side," Elphaba murmured under her breath.

She waited a few, agonizing minutes, then made her way down the corridor. She had to guess that the others had been successful since she met with no resistance. Voices came at her ears as she exited the mine into the light of day.

"Stop it, you big buffoons," shouted Liir recklessly.

Elphaba made it out of the mines just in time to see him baiting a group of tiktoks. He'd stolen several axes and was holding the rusted front panel of a retired tiktok before him as a makeshift shield.

"You can't get me," taunted the boy, and he took off toward the marshes.

There was a sharp crack of thunder overhead, and suddenly Elphaba noticed the black clouds that were blotting out the sun at an alarming rate. She clutched her cloak closer about her slender frame, glad for the hundredth time to have the extra protection.

Just then she heard shouts nearby and whirled to see Fiyero battling with a Gale Forcer and two tiktoks. He too had managed to take an axe. She took a few hesitant steps in his direction, unsteady on her feet. Something clutched Elphaba's ankle from behind and she screamed, falling to her knees, cursing as moisture from the grass burned her legs through her dress. She twisted in the grasp of her captor and managed to roll over far enough to see that it was a very large, very rusted tiktok holding her leg prisoner. She kicked out with her free leg and the thin metal arm holding her ankle snapped off. The tiktok rolled backward, protesting in a language she could not understand. Elphaba pried the severed metal hand off her ankle and threw it as far as she could. Adrenaline surged through her veins, energy she hadn't thought it was possible to muster.

Elphaba shook herself and looked around for Fiyero as the first few fat raindrops began to fall. She knew that she should find shelter, but her mind screamed that she had to find the others first. She could not abandon them if they were in danger.

Fiyero was several yards away, still fighting for his life. Elphaba stood paralyzed with fear, unable to think. As she watched, he struck the Gale Forcer a fatal blow to the side of the head, and the big man fell to the ground, writhing in agony. The tiktoks began to advance on him, unhindered by the glancing blows of Fiyero's axe on their metal housing. He backed away, looking suddenly afraid.

The rain was growing harder, and Elphaba pulled her cloak up over her head, the sting of the water on her face and hands dulling her senses. She watched the scene before her play out as if in a nightmare.

Fiyero continued to back away, unaware that he was about to come upon an obstacle: the wishing well they'd found the previous day. He hit the stone at the base of the well backwards and stumbled. The tiktoks wasted no time in plunging their axes deep into his unguarded chest.

Elphaba was snapped back into motion as something heavy collided with her back, sending her hurtling several steps forward. She turned to see Liir battling a tiktok that had no doubt been about to stab her in the back. There was another crack of thunder, and blue-white lightning shattered the sky.

"Run!" shouted Liir.

Elphaba obeyed without hesitation; the pain had become too great for coherent thought. Just when she thought she could not run anymore, she spotted a rocky overhand shielded by tress. She huddled under it, her back to the rocky wall, her knees drawn up to her chest.

After what seemed like an eternity, Liir slipped through the overhanging branches, breathing heavily. Elphaba raised an eyebrow at him, too exhausted to speak.

"They've given up. The rain finally got too bad for them. I don't think they'll follow us."

"And Fiyero?" asked Elphaba, though she already knew the answer.

Liir hung his head.

"He's…gone," said the boy, then added in a softer tone, "Mother."


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