As Keira began to reopen her eyes she couldn't help but feel like she had just slept in a puddle. Despite the extra blanket that was wrapped around her to help dry off her clothes they were still just as wet as when Jack had pulled her out of the pond. Sitting up, she began to slowly look around at her surroundings. The room she was in was lit up by a single candle resting on a nearby table. It wasn't very bright but with the amount of light it was giving off she was able to determine that she was lying in Jack's bed, just as she had suspected. However, he was nowhere to be found. She knew he was likely out somewhere on his property, likely with Buddy at his side, but what he could be up to was a mystery to her. This of course began to fill her with a sense of curiosity. She wanted to venture out into the field to find him but just when she had sat up she was able to tell she didn't have all her strength back. Nonetheless, before she knew what she was doing she found herself removing the two comfortable, but tattered, blankets that were wrapped tightly around her from warmth before sliding out of bed and heading out into the night.

Meanwhile, Jack was out in the stable preparing for their departure in the morning. Though he had never left the area of the kingdom himself, he had stories from merchants back at the marketplace of a nice small town up to the north. Seeing as it was outside of the kingdoms control it seemed like the perfect place for him and Keira to start their new lives together, though it was still a good few miles away. Knowing this he harvested what crops he could from his field and began to store them in pack for his horse to carry on the trip.

Upon placing the last batch of strawberries into the container he felt something clawing at his left pant leg and looked down to meet eyes with Buddy.

"What is it boy?" He asked as he crouched down and began to pet his head.

Buddy shook his head to remove Jack's hand from it and put his ears back as he let out a quiet whimper.

Jack smirked and placed his hand back on his head. "Nothing gets past you, eh?"

Buddy let out a series of whimpers that likely translated to something along the lines of "Why do we have to leave?"

"It's for Keira." He answered as he rubbed his head a little. "She can't stay here anymore and it's our job to help her."

Even though he was sure Buddy understood he let out another whine.

"It's not that bad." Jack began as he petted Buddy's side. "Think of it like an adventure. We'll see some new places, make new friends… it'll be fun"

Buddy shook Jack's hand off him once again before placing his paw on his leg. From the look in his dark brown eyes he could tell that Buddy knew that even he wasn't entirely ready for this dramatic change to his life. After all, he couldn't even begin to count the number of risks they were going to take on this trip. What if they got lost? What if the castle guards found them? What if one of them got hurt? What if they couldn't find a place to live? While he was packing he had also been trying to keep his mind focused on the positive outcomes of their journey but now he couldn't seem to stop the negative ones from pouring in.

Suddenly Buddy gave a quick bark before forming a smile in an attempt to encourage him.

Jack laughed. "Having a change of heart now are we?'

Buddy gave another encouraging bark as Jack began to laugh again only to be quickly interrupted by a quiet, but familiar, voice.

"Jack?" He heard Keira ask.

He turned to the direction of the stable door to see her dimly lit figure peering inside, the light from the moon creating bright streaks down her still wet hair.

"Keira," He greeted as he stood up and walked towards her, taking note of how she was leaning against the open door for support. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." She answered quietly.

"Well that's good to hear." He replied. "I got to admit I was kind of worried you wouldn't be ready come morning."

Keira looked down at the ground in disappointment.

"That's nothing to get upset about." Jack quickly told her. "You're better now, you said so yourself. I'm not worried anymore."

"I guess you're right…" She muttered as she looked off to the side.

Based off her body language, Jack could tell she was still distraught about her actions earlier but before he could say anything she spoke again.

"What I did was stupid wasn't it…?" She asked quietly without looking back at him.

His eyes wandered down to the ground and back to her before he answered. "Look, what you tried to do out over by the pond wasn't the exactly the best option." She lowered her head even further. "But I know that you've been under a lot of pressure and I can understand why you would think that would help."

Keira began to sob quietly and wrapped her arms around herself. "I just never thought any of this would happen… All this arguing with my parents… constantly running away…" She choked on her next few words. "E-E-Edwin… R-r-ra…"

Before she could finish reliving that horrid memory she found herself interrupted by Jack's comforting embrace around her. Quietly, she leaned into his chest and continued to cry, acknowledging his gesture to comfort her.

"It'll be alright." He whispered in a soothing voice after a while. "Once we get out of here there'll nothing to worry about. You'll see."

Keira kept her head buried in his chest for another moment before speaking again. "Now…"

Jack glanced down at her. "Hm?"

"Now!" She shouted as she quickly looked up into his eyes. "Let's, let's just go now! Let's just go and get out of here now!"

"Keira calm down." Jack said in much quieter voice as he placed his hands on the sides of the heavily breathing girl.

She fixed her view on his eyes as she began to try her hardest not to cry. However her efforts were in vain as the stress inside her was just too much at the moment.

"I'm sorry Jack!" She cried as she fell down to her knees and wrapped her arms back around her. "It's just been too much lately… I just can't wait to leave this place…"

Jack got down on one knee and placed his hands on her shoulders. "If you want to leave now then that's what we'll do."

He let go of her shoulders and stood back up before extending his hand out to her just as she looked up.

"We'll leave right now." He repeated as he motioned for her to grab a hold of his hand.

Confused, she grabbed his hand.

"I've got everything packed already." He told her as he helped her up to her feet and led her over to the green pack lying beside his horse. "You want to leave now?" He asked rhetorically, letting go of her hand before picking up the pack and placing it on his horse. "Then that's what we'll do."

Keira simply stared at him as he stood next to his horse, attempting to generate a response.

"Well?" He asked.

She remained quiet for another moment or two before final speaking. "T-Thank you Jack…" She said softly as she scurried over to him and gave him a hug.

As he wrapped his own arms around her, her eyes wandered down to the ground where she took notice of Buddy looking up at the two of them.

"Wait," She began as she pulled away from him. "What about all your animals? We aren't bringing them with are we?"

"Well my horse is going to be carrying our supplies so he's coming with and I couldn't go anywhere without Buddy." He answered.

"But what about your cows?" She asked.

Jack let go over her and placed his hand on the back of his head. "There's not really much I can do about them..." He replied, sounding a bit disappointed. "We obviously can't take them with but I don't know anyone who can take care of them for me… I left what food I had left for them out and kept the barn door open so they can get out once it runs out. I hope they can survive…"

Keira hung her head back down. "I'm sorry… If you didn't have to help me you could still take care of them…"

Jack sighed. "I'm sure they'll be fine, they're smart enough to figure out how to survive, it's nothing to get upset over. Besides helping you get out of here before you get hurt again is more important to me right now."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you Jack."

Jack wrapped his right arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side, giving her a quick hug at the side before spacing himself a bit from her. He then proceeded to grab the lead rope hanging from his horses halter with his other hand. Giving a light tug on the rope, the horse let out a neigh and stomped his feet around on the ground before advancing forward as Jack guided it out of the stable. With Buddy following closely behind, Jack lead the group into the forest in direction of what they hoped would become their new home.