For the most part Lothering was a quiet little farm town. Nothing much ever happened here and that was the way the Hawkes liked it. Malcolm Hawke had moved his family here when his oldest Leigh turned five years of age and his twins were only three. They had been there for eleven years and the Templars had only ever came close to the family once. The quick wit of Leigh had saved their lives. Malcolm was in their barn training his youngest Bethany to control her magic while his other two children were tending to the crops that were ready to be harvested.
"Carver slow down you are going to make Ol' Bets have a heart attack." Leigh Hawke had her hands on the harness of the old mare to slow her down. Her younger brother scowled at her from atop the wagon.
"I want to be done with this. I have better things to do than muck around here."
"Is that better thing to do Peaches?" Carver jumped from wagon and swung at his sister. "I think I hit a sore spot. Come one little brother you know full well you can't catch me." He growled at her and charged. Leigh was there one second and gone the next. Carver hit dead air and wheeled around looking for her.
"Come out here and fight me like a man dammit."
"I am not a man and if Papa heard you swear like that he would tan your arse." Carver could not get a bead on where her voice was coming from and it irked him to no end. The field they were in was very open and the tree line stood over a quarter mile away. He could not fathom where in the name of the Maker his sister was hiding.
"Now whose swearing, just because you are sixteen doesn't make you an adult Leigh. Now get back out here and help me finish bringing in the squash before it gets dark."
"Sure thing." Carver jumped when Leigh's voice sounded loud and clear from right behind him.
"Shit don't do that you will give me a heart attack before I am twenty."
"Ah little brother I plan on having you around for many years to come even if it is just to annoy you." Carver rolled his eyes and went back to the wagon. From his elevated position he could see the tree line clearly. Something caught his eye scrambling from the tree line followed by at least six Templars.
"Leigh get up here." His sister hopped up in one fluid motion and followed his pointed finger. "What the hell are they chasing?" Leigh could see the person that was being chased clearer than her brother and she cursed loudly.
"They are chasing a mage. Get back to the house, warn Papa and Beth. Stay there and make sure they are safe. I am going to make sure they don't get anywhere near here if I can help it."
"How are you going to stop at least six heavily armored and armed Templars?"
"With stealth and a lot of luck, now get out of here." Leigh always carried her dagger with her, it had become a habit she adopted since the last time the Templars stormed through Lothering. She would not let anyone take her family from her without a fight. She ran as fast as her legs would take her in the direction that she saw the armored men go. She wished she had had time to put on her leather jerkin, she felt naked. "Maker how can they run this fast in that heavy armor?" The sounds of yelling made her screech to a halt. What she found stoked the fire of rage in her.
The mage they had been chasing was on the ground bleeding from his mouth like he had been backhanded by one of the Templar's heavy gauntlets. His robes were torn and dirty. It looked to her that he had been on the run for a while. She watched the one Templar grab the mage by the back of the neck while he brought his dagger against the poor man's neck.
"Not so cheeky now are you?" The mage just laughed then spit blood in the knight's face. That action brought another metal hand across his face this time it left a nasty gash. The mage stared at the Templars defiantly and laughed.
"Alright my fine gentlemen you have had your fun, but I really think it is time to take me back to the Tower, don't you?"
"I think we should just end it here and now." The Templar that held him said.
"We can't, they want him back alive, but whose to say we can't have a little fun with him first." Another one put his hand hand on his friends shoulder and laughed. "Yes I do think this will be fun. I say we strip him down and take turns. What say you?"
"I knew that all of you just wanted to see me naked. I have been told I was very well endowed by the ladies in the Tower, but I am sorry to say I am not into gents."
"Who said we were giving you the choice pretty boy." The mages brown eyes went wide and he struggled to get away. Another blow came and sent him reeling to the ground. Leigh could not stand by and let these men brutalize the mage. She took her amulet off that she always wore and hid it in a knot hole in the tree she was hiding behind. "Sorry Pash I need to be able to cast if I am to stop this. I will not let this man suffer under them. I think the need a dose of their own medicine." "Leigh you can't, you are not ready!" "I have to be or they will hurt him and I won't allow that." "Leigh please..." Once the amulet was off Leigh felt her mana return. It felt like she was high as it coursed through her veins. She heard the mage scream as they started to rip his robes off. It pushed her into action.
"We will make you pay for insulting us."
"I think not Templar. Now back away from him or I will be forced to do something unpleasant to you." The six men turned around to find a young woman with glowing red eyes. Her features were obscured by shadow from the canopy above them. One of the Templars ran at her and in a flash she disappeared leaving him to swing his sword into a tree.
"By the Void what is that?" One of them looked around frantic to find the woman. He visibly shook with fear til the leader barked orders.
"Cleanse the area of magic and use disrupt, looks like we will really have a good time tonight." Evil laughter rang around them like it was coming from everywhere. The mage even looked around with wide eyes.
"If you think you are getting you dirty hands on me Templar you are sorely mistaken. I am not someone to trifle with."
"She is the Witch of the Wilds."
"That is just a tale told to little children to scare them straight. She is just a blood mage."
"I don't need blood magic to stop you fool." Tendrils of magic took each of the Templars hold. They struggled, but could not break it's hold. The woman appeared next to the accosted mage and helped him to his feet. "I am quite powerful enough without resorting to that evil practice." She held her hand out in front of her and brought them to their knees. Leigh turned slightly and smiled at the mage. "Are you alright?"
"Ye...yes, please don't turn me into a toad." She couldn't help herself and she giggled at the absurd notion.
"I can't turn people into toads, but I can do this." She rocked her hand back and forth making the men bow lower to the ground. "Now my fine knights I want you to strip to your skin." They all looked up at her in horror.
"We will not bend to your will bitch." Leigh clucked her tongue and shook her head. The tendrils bore into their chests making the mage turn his head away. His skin turned a little green and Leigh heard a wet sound hitting the ground. He had thrown up and a pang of sympathy ran through her.
"It is not hurting them. I don't want them dead, but they do need to feel as we do. Helpless, scared, maybe they will think twice before abusing another mage again."
"But...it's blood magic."
"Have you seen me cut my arm to use my blood to fuel this. Look at my arms do you see the telltale signs of me ever using blood magic." The man looked over her body and found no sign of scars that would be there if indeed she was a blood mage.
"Then my lady I apologies for my assumptions. What are you going to do to them?"
"Make sure they never forget this day as long as they live." The tendrils pulled the men to their feet, each able to move their heads, but nothing else. "You can protest all you want, but your bodies are under my control, not fun is it, being helpless? Not given the choice of what you can do, where you can go. This is what mages feel like everyday under your heels. Now strip to nothing." Armor started to fall to the ground piece by piece. Til they they stood in front of the two mages stark naked. Leigh did not look them over and tried to keep from blushing as she did this. The last man she had ever seen naked was her brother and he couldn't be called a man at the time, he was only three. She heard the mage snicker behind her before he covered his mouth to stifle a louder laugh. Leigh whispered in his ear. "Enjoying this are we?"
"It is about time they get a taste of what they do to us, but now what?" A wide evil grin graced her lips and she turned back to the very bare men. Her voice was edgy to the point of being frightening.
"I think we should hang them from the trees and let them think about the way they act toward their fellow man." The six men's eyes went wide, all they heard was hang them from the trees. One began to sob like a small child and began to beg.
"Please I don't want to die. I just received my knighthood, I swear I will never treat a mage badly just let me live."
"I have no intentions of killing any of you. You will hang from the trees, but not by your necks. I am nothing if not merciful, unlike all of you." The ivy vines that adorned the trees seemed to move with a mind of their own as they snaked around the Templars. Some of the men screamed as they were lifted up in the air. "Now you will stay there for a while and think of what you have done. If I were you I would not struggle too much it attracts predators and we don't want that do we? Have a good night boys and don't worry about your armor, you will find it on the other side of the forest about ten miles from here." The armor floated away toward the edge of the forest as she had stated. The mage stared open mouthed having never seen a spell like this before. Leigh motioned for the mage to walk ahead of her as she lead him the round about way to get him back to the village.
"So where did you escape from?" She gave him a questioning look. "What Circle did you belong to?
"Oh, I have never been in the Circle." Leigh's hand went up to her neck so her fingers could twist her amulet, only to find her amulet not there. " Shit, stay here I have to go get something I swear I will be right back, just don't move." Before he could protest she vanished leaving him in the darkening woods.
"Great, why did she have to leave me in the middle of nowhere with no magic to defend myself. Maker I hate the wilderness."
"You do know the louder you whine the more attention you draw to yourself from the wolves that live in these woods right?" He jumped not ready for her voice to be so close to him. He wheeled around almost hitting her with his staff. She dodged it and twisted it out of his hands. "Whoa, calm down. I am not going to hurt you, not after I went to all the trouble of saving your arse."
"Sorry, just jumpy. I have spent the better part of my life stuck in the Tower. I have lost my nature sense."
"Not a good thing to lose around here. Don't worry I will make sure you get through here safely." His shoulders loosened under her touch. He had not really noticed how cute she was. Her black hair framed her heart shaped face and stopped just shy of her chin. The things that got him the most were her eyes, haunting gray eyes. They were so pale that they almost looked white. Her skin was cream colored and his mind went to a naughty place.
"So you live around here alone?"
"No I live here with my family."
"Ah, can I say your man is very lucky, you are a ravishing woman, my lady." She looked at him in mock horror then began to laugh.
"Maker, I am not married. I live here with my parents and my siblings. How old do you think I am?"
"Old enough to be married it would seem. I am sorry for assuming, it is just that someone as lovely as you would be beating men off with a stick."
"I prefer to beat them off with these." Leigh brandished her daggers and the mage gave a audible gulp.
"You sure your not a blood mage?" She glared at him and he held up his hands in apology. "Please don't turn me inside out."
"No wonder they wanted to hurt you, you can be right annoying."
"All part of my charm my dear. How long will you keep those men up in the tree?"
"Long enough for me to get you out of town and safe. A day maybe a little more. I have a spell up that let's me know how they are doing. If any of them is in trouble I will go and help. First though I better take you to my Papa so he can get you healed up and a good meal in you."
"Your father is a mage?"
'Yes, from Kirkwall. He and my mother came here to get away from the Templars." The farm house came into his view and a dull ache in his heart threatened to double him over. It looked like his home before the Templars came for him. It was a simple stone structure with a thatched roof. Dried herbs hung from the wooden over hang leaving a enchanting scent through the air. A large barn stood right next to the house with a fenced in field. A high pitched whinny could be heard and a lot of cursing over it. "Shit, she is at it again." Leigh broke into a run right for the paddock. A black well muscled filly reared and bucked trying to dislodge the rider on her back. "Carver you idiot get off of her!" The mage could only watch her run at try to grab the reins to settle the beast. A large firm hand slapped itself on his shoulder and turned him around.
"You must be the lad my boy saw running from the Templars." Malcolm Hawke was a burly man, and for those who did not know him,quite intimidating. He was over six feet tall, with black hair and the same haunting gray eyes his daughter has.
"Ye...yes ser." Malcolm looked him up and down seeing the damage the Templars had done to him, but then his eyes went to the paddock and his two children. He rushed past the speechless mage and jumped the fence.
"Carver get off that damned creature." The young boy dropped off the still bucking horse while his sister still hung on to the reins for dear life. "Let go Leigh!" The girl gave a grunt as she tried to swing her arms around the filly's neck. Once she got a hand full of mane she swung her small fame into the saddle. Her hands still had the reins and she pulled up with all her might to control the head of the animal.
"Whoa girl, easy...easy now." Her voice came out softly and the horse started settling under her control. With one last rear up to dislodge her rider the filly gave up and pawed at the ground.
"Void take that horse. She is crazy, I was working her out and everything was fine, then all of a sudden she just snapped. Papa she is not going to work out if we can't ride her." Malcolm put his hand out to help is son off the ground. Carver dusted himself off and stared balefully at the horse. He watched his sister swing herself off the filly and lead her back to the barn. Malcolm pushed him gently toward the house so he could see if there was any injuries. "Who in the name of the Maker is that?" He had noticed the mage still standing there in awe of what he had seen his sister do. Carver saw the mage's eyes never left his sister til she was out of his sight and a wave of rage coursed through him. He ran at him pushing him over so he could stand over him menacingly "Stop staring at my sister you prig!"
"Carver enough. The boy has been through enough today. Help him up and go inside. Your sister and I will be along shortly." The tenor of his father's voice told him to behave himself. His hand shot out and pulled the mage to his feet. Malcolm made sure both were in the house before going to see him daughter. He found her taking the tack of the flighty filly and whispering softly to it.
"What happened after you sent Carver back home?" Leigh stared at the ground and kicked the sawdust that lined the stall. "Leigh I want the truth. Did you use your magic?"
"I...I had to Papa they were going to...they were going to hurt him." Her father's face softened and he hugged her to him. "Why do they hate us?"
"They fear what they don't understand or what they are jealous of. You took a great risk today, not only for yourself, but for all of us. Those Templars most likely have his phylactery or part of it. They will be headed here next." Leigh opened her belt pouch and handed her father a small vile. He looked up at her and smiled. "Ever my little sneak I see. It looks like they only took a little of the full sample, so he is not safe here for long. In the morning he will have to leave, but for tonight he can stay, heal and get a hot meal in his belly."
"Thank you Papa." She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before run to the house. She found her brother staring at the mage with a look of disdain as they sat at the dinner table. Bethany was helping her mother set the table and bring out the food. Leigh put her hand on the mage's shoulder and squeezed it. He looked up at her with a weak smile, but his body stayed tense.
"I shouldn't stay here. I am putting you all in danger if they find me." A large hand clapped the vile in front of the mage and he gaped at it. "How did you get that?" Leigh just shrugged her shoulders and smiled
"She is a little thief that's how she got it."
"Well my dear baby brother we all can't wield a sword the size of a ogre, so I stick with what works and sneaky works for me." Carver rolled his eyes and stared dishing out food to his plate. Leigh took the mage's plate and started to pile food on it for him. The smell of it made his mouth water. "Here and don't be shy for seconds there is plenty." He looked around the room and saw a warm friendly family, well save Carver, but the rest smiled politely at him. Nodding to urge him to eat. Malcolm gave a small prayer over the meal before the began the feasting.
"You from the Tower here lad?"
"Yes, ser. I am not from Ferelden originally though. My family hailed from up north."
"Ah, you are an Anders then? I can see it in your features." Leigh looked at the mage wondering what her father was talking about. The mage had blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. His face was well rounded, almost like he had not quite lost the baby fat from his childhood. His warm brown eyes had a hint of amber in the making them look even warmer. His arms were thick as was the rest of him, but he was not fat just had a small layer of extra padding over his muscles. "What school do you study?"
"Creation and healing. I can use fire and ice, but not as strongly."
Papa is a healer too." Bethany's small voice sounded from next to her father. She looked shyly at the mage then went back to her dinner.
"It's true, there is no finer skill to have. I see it as a blessing not a curse."
"I wish the Templars saw it that way. Maybe they wouldn't manhandle me as roughly."
"Well lad you can stay the night, but in the morning we will get you back on the road. I will not deny help to a fellow mage, but I must protect my family."
"I understand ser, I thank you for your kindness thus far."
'Your welcome lad. You will have to stay the night in the barn since the house is a bit cramped, but it is a warm night. Once your done eating I will help you make a bed to sleep in and heal those cuts on your face. Leigh will pack you a bag to travel with full of food and potions. We also have to give you some clothes. Your robes are in tatters."
"Wearing archon robes just screams I am a mage come and get me to the Templars." He shot the oldest girl a withering look which only made her laugh harder. Her father clearing his throat made her quiet.
"She is right lad. I think we have some clothes around here that would fit you so you blend in better. Carver give him some of your old shirts you have grown out of and trousers too. I have pair of boots that are too small for me that should do the trick." When the dinner was finished Leandra and Bethany cleared the table while Carver went to fetch his old clothes. Malcolm and Leigh went to work packing him a travel pack full of survival necessities. Then Malcolm set out to heal the damage the Templars had done. "Your lucky lad, I have seen them hit people and tear off full cheeks with those bloody gauntlets."
"It helps if you roll with the hit. It stops most of the major damage."
"Sounds like they like hitting you lad. I am taking this is not your first escape attempt?"
"No, this is number five. It is also the furthest I have ever gotten. Normally they catch me with in a day of two, this time has been at least two weeks. I have a good feeling about this time." Malcolm chuckled and ran his hands above the skin on the mage's face. The cuts and bruises started to disappear and he gave a sigh of relief. "Maker that feels so much better. Thank you."
"I will show you to the barn and help you settle in." The two men went out to the barn and Malcolm showed him where he could settle in for the night. He was thankful to have a roof over his head for the night since it started to rain not long before they left the house. "It is not much, but it is dry. I will warn you to stay away from Shade. She is a right mean filly. My eldest is the only one she seems to respect. Ol' Bets won't bother you she is too lazy and Mouse should leave you alone too."
"Mouse?"
"The cat, she doesn't show herself much. Skittish little thing, but a great mouser. Night lad, try to get as much sleep as you can."
"I will again thank you ser. It means a lot to me." With a nod Malcolm was gone leaving the mage alone. "I wish my family had been like this, maybe those prigs would have never got their hands on me." He knew he was speaking to himself, but it made him feel better. Life of a Circle mage was a lonely one, sure there were many other people around them, but you could never get close to anyone. It was too easy for the Templars to use it against you. He settled himself into the makeshift bed and let his eyes close. Sleep took him shortly after.
OoO
He wasn't sure how long he was asleep, but her felt someone staring at him and he flew out of the hay with a start. The dark figure held it's hands up to signal they were not a threat. His eyes narrowed when he could not call his mana up. The effects of the Templars powers were still with him.
"Take it easy it's just me. I wanted to check to see if you were alright out here." The sound of his savior's voice made him ease. She stepped out into the dim lantern light and he sank back down to his bed. She was wearing a old pair of trousers cut off at the knee and a loose fitting linen shirt. The clothes had seen better days, but to him she looked sexy and impish. A wave of desire ran through him.
"You scared me, sorry runaway mages normally are on edge all the time."
"I understand why. What they were about to do to you was horrible enough to think of let alone have it happen. Why are they aloud to do that to people?" He smiled at her naivety having not been raised in the Circle.
"It keeps us in line, makes us think we are nothing more than weapons for them to use. We are slaves made to jump at their every whim. Be grateful you have a family that cares enough for you not to give you to the Circle. I envy what you have here."
"I'm sorry. It sounds so hollow, but I am. No one deserves to be caged just because the Maker gave them the blessing of magic. I wish there was a way to change it."
"Many have tried, all have failed little Dove. I hope I never see them cage you, it would be a sin." A blush crept up her neck and he brushed a lock of her hair out of her eyes tucking it behind her ear. In the Circle he was quite the ladies man. His charms could get even the most fridge of women to grace his bed or closet, or even a secluded corner if the need called for it. With the girl in front of him it would not be a challenge, she was warm and alive. He felt a twinge of jealousy rolled in him. She had not been spoiled by being caged. She had a life he wanted, but was never sure he could have.
"Do you hear that?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. A low moan sounded from the other side of the barn. She dropped to crawling position and crept up to see what was making the sound. The mage followed close behind her. The sight that met Leigh's eyes made her turn back around and bury her head in her hands.
"What is it?" He peered over her shoulder and saw her brother well engaged with a young lady. "Good maybe he will be in a better mood in the morning." He felt her smack the back of his head and he stifled a yelp. 'What did you do that for?"
"My brother is only a kid, he shouldn't be doing that. Let alone with Peaches of all people. She has had ever guy in town." Leigh's voice came out a angry hiss.
"I was younger than him when I had my first...anyway it is nothing to be ashamed of. Have you ever tried it?" The look of utter shock almost made him laugh out loud. She glared at him and began to crawl away from the sight of her brother's tryst. He took one last look and shook his head. "She is right Peaches is very experienced. Lucky boy." He turned and followed after her, he found her out of the barn and under a huge willow tree. The rain was still falling, but only as a fine mist. "Are you alright?"
"Just fine." Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest and she did not look up at him.
"You are a horrible liar. So your brother got lucky, what does it matter?"
"It matters because I am the oldest and every guy I have ever met has been scared shitless of me. None of them give me the time of day."
"Well their morons. You are quite cute, if I do say so myself and if those guys are scared of you it is only because you can kick their asses. Most men hate that, I personally like a girl would can take care of herself. I think it is sexy." The blush returned and she had a small smirk on her face. She had not noticed how close he was standing til she turned her head up to look him in the eye. His lips brushed against hers softly and she froze. "I will take it you have never even been kissed before either am I right?"
"Not really." Her voice was barely a whisper. He leaned in again this time his fingers laced into her hair and with his other hand he pulled her flush against his body. This time she relaxed and kissed him back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he took it as a sign to deepen the kiss. His tongue teased her lower lip to gain entrance which she granted him gladly. He was overwhelmed by the taste of her, it was a sweet taste mixed with a hint of spice. He let out a low groan and pulled her up so her legs could wrap around his waist. She let out a squeak in surprise, but did not push him away. Lust washed away any guilty feeling he might have had for trading her kindness for this. He was a selfish man and to him she was there and willing. She broke their kiss first to catch her breath. Her eyes were wide and her body trembled. "I am just another conquest for you aren't I?"
"What? No,..I...Maker's breath. Do you think I am that self centered?" He was, but that was besides the point. He did not want to break this girl who risked everything just to save his sorry hide. He owed her much more than just a simple taking of her innocence, but he did not know how to be any other way. He did not know how to show his gratitude without giving his body to whomever he was grateful to.
"I...no, I just don't want you to feel you have to do this to thank me." He searched her eyes and found nothing but sincerity, kindness. Inside he wrestled with his desire to take her and his honorable side that said to stop. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers, his honorable side had finally won out over his libido.
"Forgive me my lady. I am nothing but a cad and a snake. I repay your kindness, but trying to take advantage of you. You should go back to your room before we do something you will regret. Your first time should be with someone you love not some random mage you happened to bump into in the woods." She untangled herself from him and leaned into his chest. This took him by surprise, most women would have smacked him by now or at least told him to jump off a cliff.
"I am a mage who else would understand better what I am other than a mage." She made a good point, he was a mage and most people could never understand what they go through. The constant hounding by the Templars, the endless whispers from demons in the Fade. Why let some stupid farm boy find out what she is and spoil her? Why not let her be with a person who is just like her? He opened his mouth to speak, but she pulled him to the other side of the tree to hide. Her brother had finished his fun and was heading back to the house. He could see the silhouette of the girl sneaking back to where ever it was she had come from. Once Carver was back in the house she led him back to the barn. "You would think he would have done that somewhere else 0\knowing full well my Papa put you in here. I swear he can be really insensitive sometimes."
"I am use to it."
"Still, it's rude. I should let you get some sleep you are going to have to get up early to make it past town before midday."
"You could stay and keep me company if you would like."
"If Papa finds me out here he will skin us both. I would rather not let that happen since I have saved you skin once already today. Good Night."
"Night little Dove." He noticed she did not make a sound as she left, it was mystifying to him. If he had not seen her use magic with his own eyes, he would have sworn she was a rogue. With a huff he flopped back down on his straw bed and fell into a fitful sleep. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep before someone shook him awake violently.
"You have to wake up now! Templars are coming!" He opened his eyes and saw the sour faced brother standing over him. The sounds of people scrambling around could be heard in the barn. Malcolm was taking the old mare and saddling her while the younger sister checked over their packs.
"Lad, get on your feet and gather your things. They will be here any minute." The older mage hopped up on the old mare and pulled his daughter up behind him. "Leigh is Shade tacked?"
"Yes Papa, I have my pack and his already. Get out of here, we will be fine."
"Maker watch over us. Carver you know what to do. Keep your mother safe."
"Yes Papa." With that Malcolm nudged the mare's side and took off. Leigh grabbed the mage by his shirt and pulled him toward the demonic filly. He baulked when she pushed him toward the beast.
"You can't be serious. She nearly killed your brother."
"I am serious and the Templars will kill you if you don't get your arse in that saddle. Now move." He had never rode a horse before, he didn't even know where to begin to even mount up. "Carver give him a hand up."
"Come on magey, up you go." For being a young teen, Carver was surprisingly strong it took him little effort to throw the bewildered mage on the back of the horse. Leigh deftly slide in front of him and took the reins. "Be careful sister."
"I will Carver. I will return as soon as I get him far enough away and safe. Take care of everyone for me." She squeezed her brother's hand then kicked the filly to get her moving. "Hold on to me or you will fly right off." Her warning came a second before the horse took off like it was chased by the archdemon himself. The mage had a death grip on her waist as they crashed through the forest and into the pitch black of night. Fear gripped him not from the break neck speed on which they were going, but the fact this girl was willing to put herself in danger for him. All he could do was hold on and pray as the rain started falling again. His life was now in her hands.