As midnight drew nearer, the New York air grew colder. The chill wind whipped against Jake's bare chest, but he paid no heed. Right now his only thought was Rose.
She had now been unconcious for three hours. Jake knew the longer she was in a coma, the more chance there was that wouldn't survive.
Jake, Trixie, and Spud had all been silent for the longest time. There was nothing to say, but they shared the same thought: they had to escape, and soon.
The door rattled. The three friends instinctively formed a protective half-circle around the wounded Rose.
The door opened, and a figure stepped inside the cell. He was hidden in shadow, but his silhouette was that of a tall, muscular man.
The Huntsman stepped into the light, and Jake clenched his fists, ready to defend his friends.
The Huntsman walked right past them. He dropped to one knee beside Rose, and shook his head grimly.
He stood up and turned to Jake. "You have to get her out of here." he told the young dragon. He handed Jake a vile filled with blue liquid. "What's this?" Jake asked.
"Linoreum." the Huntsman answered. "Tastes awful, but it'll cancel the affects of the chlorisalium. You'll get your powers back."
Jake looked skeptically at he potion. "How do I know this isn't a trap?" he said dubiously. Spud plucked the vile from Jake's hand. He shook it, examining its thickness. Then he sniffed it.
"This is linoreum, alright." Spud assured his friend. "I remember studying about it earlier (told you that was important)."
Jake tipped the vile back, and drank the liquid. A sour expression came onto his face, one that, at any other time, would've made Trixie and Spud laugh. But right now, escape was their main focus.
Jake dragoned up, then gently lifted Rose into his arms. He bent down, and Trixie and Spud climbed onto his back. Jake flew torwards the door.
The Huntsman blocked his path. "No," he said. "You run the risk of a guard seeing you. Take the window."
Jake flew up to the window. In a surge of determination, he ripped the unicorn horn-enforced bars away using his dragon teeth.
The Huntsman watched as the American Dragon flew into the night. He knew Rose would be safe. Now to deal with Rebik.