Chapter 31

His eyes remained as wide as saucers and eventually, Dean began laughing. Loudly. Laughing his ass off and the stack of sandwiches hit the ground, followed by him a second later, laughing so hard he was crying.

"Fuck all, Abs!" Dean gasped, trying to stop, but it was hard. That was the craziest shit he had heard all week! "Seriously, pull the other leg, doll." He managed to say when he had finally gotten it somewhat under control, staring up into her face. "You're serious? For real?" At her grim nod, he snorted. "Prove it."

He was laughing at her and then challenging her to prove it to him! How the hell was she supposed to do that?! It was simple, really. Give him the backstory, the history, between her and Bray Wyatt, the leader of the DOV.

"The sorcerer's name is Malcolm – the one I want to save and bring back to Wonderful. He's the only known sorcerer in all of Vesperia and he can help liberate my people. All the women that are being forced to breed – raped and beaten on a daily basis and killed for not producing the right sex. For 10 years, I have watched this happen to countless women, saw boys being taken away from their mothers to be trained up as soldiers. Did you ever wonder how DOV got as big and powerful as it did in a short amount of time?" At his nod, she continued. "There's a serum Malcolm produced that, when injected into pregnant women, the babies will grow astronomically fast. Susan, the newest refuge from the DOV, is only a year old, but she looks like she's 18-19. It's all magic-based. You take Malcolm out of the equation and the DOV will have nothing to stand on, nothing to produce their serum. Bray sent me here to investigate something called Mythril, which Taker told me is a type of mineral with magical properties. Malcolm is the only one who can probably take the Mythril and produce medicine and other things Wonderful really needs that are hard to acquire. Taker believes it's a waste of resources to go save one person when he can take an army and try to destroy the DOV, but they have a lot of firepower and guns, even cannons. Taker wouldn't stand a chance right now, but if we take the magic away from the DOV, they wouldn't be able to produce any more soldiers and will start to break down from the inside out." She took a deep breath, because that was a lot to say and looked out at the water again. "One other thing – Bray will come for me, eventually. I'm supposed to be undercover here for the Mythril and…to find out about Undertaker's powers, how he does his disguises, because Malcolm told him something about a rumor where he does that. I'm…special to Bray. I'm the only woman who has never been harmed or touched in the DOV…because of him. But this destruction, this madness, has to end. And Taker doesn't agree with me how things should go down, so I have to find another way. And that's where you come in. I need your help to get Malcolm out of the DOV castle and back to Wonderful." If that wasn't enough proof for him, Abigail didn't know what else to do.

"Uh babe, one thing… Mythril, so far as I know, can only be handled by the Deadman because he's the only one who has access to it." Dean said thoughtfully, stroking the scruff on his chin as he now stared out into the water, finally nodding. "We'll figure it out. So, when are we doing this and I'm going to assume you'll be insisting ongoing, so what bullshit story are you going to tell people about why you'll be MIA?" Jury was out on whether or not he bought her story and he had no idea who this Susan was, nor did he really care. However, spiting Taker and having something fun to do was really all the motivation he needed.

"I don't have to tell people anything. Last I checked, this a free town to do whatever you want, within reason. I do know Taker has a huge raid happening on Friday that will keep him away for several weeks. That's the perfect time to go. While he's gone, we can make our way to the DOV, rescue Malcolm and bring him back. The Mythril will be dealt with once Malcolm is here. Once Taker actually sees how much good magic does for people, such as making medicines and whatnot, he'll hopefully realize this is the right thing to do. And if he doesn't," Abigail shrugged, not really concerned about that right now. "Sometimes going rogue is the only way to open someone's eyes. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this, Dean? Because there's no going back and this will be very dangerous. It needs to be me, you and one other person, if that. It might just have to be me and you going to rescue Malcolm, depending on how big this invisibility cloak is. You have to be 100% sure you're in, so take the night to think about it. Please."

She sat back down on the rock and clasped her hands in her lap, heaving a sigh. Wow… she had come into this place via the Undertaker's permission and tolerance, given her former stature… and she had absolutely zero respect for the man, his position, and what/how he did things. Dean might've been in love.

"Yeah, I know about this raiding thing they're going on. They asked Roman to go." Nobody knew jack about vehicles like Roman, he bet that had been GREAT for Steve Austin, having to come see a slumdog. "You're going to have to tell them something, Abs, you'll be gone for… awhile." Dean informed her in a serious tone. The mineshaft was, luckily for them, on the way towards the DOV, so that helped. But he had no idea what was down there. "Unless you're hoping you'll still be in their good graces when you return. Or… we just sneak you back in and they can fuck off."

It wasn't that she had zero respect for the way Taker did things in Wonderful, but deep in her heart she knew – SHE KNEW – magic was the only way to go at this point. Bray was too strong with Malcolm beside him, but that power taken away would damn near cripple him and the DOV. "Then what do you suggest, Mr. Jack of All Trades?"

Dean could be in love with her all he wanted, but that didn't change the fact she was taken. She was spoken for by Taker. They would get to that conversation eventually, she imagined, but right now that wasn't the priority.

"I'm blank, I was just gonna…go and let the chips fall where they may. I highly suggest we sneak out at night though, that way nobody sees us walking directly out of the gates. And since they're closed at night, we're gonna have to go OVER them, if that's possible…"

"Whoa, slow your roll woman, you have brass balls, babe, and I admire that, but you really got to stop making things overly complicated." Dean was bouncing on the balls of his feet, blue eyes gleaming. "You CAN'T go in or out of those gates unless it is daylight. Taker manages that shit with magic. The only time you might be able to is when he leaves Wonderful, but you can bet your sweet ass he'll have it guarded. No… I got your way out, bank on that. There's shit outside these walls people need, much like yourself, that the Deadman doesn't consider a necessity… so…" People like him, mostly him, and his boys -Shield-, smuggled those items in. "And if you're in with the monkeys, and you bail on them, you're not going to get back in so easily. I got your way out, I got your way back in. Tell them something, anything, tell 'em you're going to slum it in other parts of Wonderful. This place is fairly big, shouldn't be hard to get lost for a bit in it, right? And… can you swim?" He stooped down, rifling in the cooler and emerged with two jars of soda, offering her one. "It's orange pop, I think. Roman says it is."

"Thanks…"

Dean looked excited about this excursion for sure as Abigail popped the top on her soda, taking a long swig of it since it was really warm outside today. It sounded like he'd snuck out of Wonderful a time or two, even with Taker's magic to protect the borders. Dean was the perfect guy to ask for this task, Abigail felt more confident and took another sip of the soda.

"I'm not one of their monkeys either. Just because I work in the common house doesn't mean I fall in line with whatever is said."

The last thing she wanted to do was be known as one of Taker's lackeys or in his circle, even though she had been intimate with him two nights in a row. It would be a third tonight, as long as he was up for it. She knew she would be.

"And yes, I can swim." There was a pool in the castle; it was one of the few things Bray allowed her to do, though her bathing suit had to be white. Everything white – never again. "I know I've sprung a lot on you today, Dean. I really appreciate your help though."

"Don't thank me yet, doll, we still have to get to that invisibility cloak and I know jack shit about what's down that mine. It was abandoned before all this shit happened." As was the general trend, he'd bet that there were some nifty little traps waiting for them or something, just because that was how magic always seemed to operate when it came to its fun stuff. "At least today you're not freaking out on me." Dean figured if she was crazy, at least he wouldn't be bored.

Abigail lowered her head, feeling bad about her freak-out and wrung her hands together in her lap, having set her food aside. "Yeah, sorry about that. I had no reason to freak out on you, that was my own paranoia shining through." She felt him lift her chin with his finger, raising her eyes to meet his and saw the grin on his face. It never wavered, he wasn't the least bit mad at her for anything. "You said you were my way out of here and my way in, so how do you do it if it's not through the gates or over them?"

"Swimming." Dean let his hand drop, lacing his fingers through hers and pulled her down towards the lake. He guided her away from the work going on and started the long walk around it. "Remember yesterday, I told you this lake was fed by underground streams, right?" At her nod, he whistled. "There's a small cave, in the middle of one of those springs. I've used it as a stopping point to breathe and the springs themselves surface outside of Wonderful's walls." He knew about it, the Hardy's knew about it, but the chances of getting people in and out that way were insane, so… the risk was deemed acceptable, especially since it meant fresh water.

"How long would I have to hold my breath?" She asked, shutting her eyes when he said 2-3 minutes.

Abigail wasn't sure if she could do that, wishing they could practice doing it, but there was only one shot at that. If they failed, it was over, and Malcolm wouldn't be saved. If she could train herself to hold her breath for 3 minutes, she would have it in the bag. It was doable, right? Either that or she'd end up drowning…and if she died, well, at least she wouldn't live to see the destruction of Vesperia.

"Okay." It was a huge risk, but one she had to take as Abigail watched the channel alongside Dean, not even bothered with the fact he held her hand. Her mind was solely focused on the task at hand – getting out, retrieving the invisibility cloak, and then saving Malcolm. "I will let you know exactly what day Taker plans on leaving, unless Roman already knows that information." Taker hadn't told her anything yet, only that it would be a 'few days'.

"Tomorrow, bright and early, before the sun is up from what Roman says." Dean muttered, his mind elsewhere. "I might be able to get you a rebreather, Abs, you know what that is?" He wasn't surprised when she shook her head. "It's a mask that fits over your face, kinda like old school scuba diving, but the oxygen tanks would be tiny and here," He gestured along his cheeks. "Small enough to get you through and the tanks would hold… maybe twenty minutes of oxygen, that'd be enough for two trips. There and back again."

"Tomorrow…" Abigail murmured thoughtfully, knowing tonight would be the last time she didn't see Taker for a while.

She would have to make the most of it, hoping he would be up to it. Something told her when this was all said and done, when Malcolm was saved, Taker would want nothing to do with her. Abigail was willing to risk that since they hadn't been together all that long and…she had to follow what she felt in her heart was the right thing to do for the people trapped in the DOV.

"Dean…" She turned to face him, taking a deep shuddering breath and placed her hand on his chest. "You have to promise me something. If I don't…make it, please save Malcolm and bring him back here, no matter what." Abigail pressed her finger to his lips, shaking her head. "It's just an if, I'm not saying I'm not going to make it, but…this is dangerous, and I need to make sure I can count on you to get him back here, by any means necessary."

"Babe," Now he was covering her mouth with his palm, his free arm moving around her waist to keep her still. "Trust me, you're gonna make it. I'm going to take care of you, okay?" Her eyes were wide, and he grinned, bending down. He kissed his hand, which was over her lips, so… he kissed her through his hand, chuckling. "There, deal is sealed, right? We got this. Just… I'll need tonight to get everything ready. We can get out tomorrow night, can't do it during the day."

Now was the time to tell him they could only be friends, but Abigail was afraid if she did that, he'd back out of this and not help her. It was incredibly selfish, but she needed Dean right now since Taker refused to listen to her. This was the only way to destroy the DOV from the inside out, weaken their defenses as well as liberate her people, by taking the only source of magic away from Bray. If Abigail had to choose who she wanted to do this task with, it would've been Taker, but…he was stubborn and so was she, so she had to stick with Dean.

"Okay." She whispered, pushing his hand away from her mouth and hoped to hell she made it back alive. "I trust you, Dean." Abigail was literally putting her life, her wellbeing in his hands and could only hope it wasn't a mistake.

"Good. That's not a requirement, but good." Dean laughed, turning her around so they could head back to the willow tree. His blue eyes narrowed at what they were greeted to. "Slummin' it, Deadman?" What the hell was Taker doing way out here? "See you got that Big Evil look today."

He snorted, finding it contradicting as hell that Taker didn't approve of magic, but he used it to change up his look. Idiot. He got one of the main reasons for it. Nobody would ever be able to accurately describe who he was if caught, but Dean still didn't agree with the method and hypocrisy of it all.