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"Alright, you can let go of me now!" Jade yelled, trying to shove the male rebel's hand off her arm. He let her go of her and she whirled around to face him, "And leave."

The man gave her an unimpressed scowl. "Make it quick, girlie." He went to turn around but before he could fully turnaround he crumbled to the ground his eyes rolling into the back of his head.

Jade blankly stared at the man before her eyes rose to meet Beck's. "So, you do have the ability to move quietly." She commented dryly.

He frowned. "That's what you're thinking about right now, really?" He let the rock in his hand drop to the ground and shook his head, looking away from Jade and back towards the canyon. "I think it's more important to get out of here before they notice."

Though she wanted too, she couldn't argue with that. Wordlessly, they both moved back into the black surrounding forest, trying to put as much distance as possible between them and the camp.

They moved through the forest blinded by night, unable to clearly see what was in front of them. They both moved with purpose over twigs, rocks, and roots soundlessly. Their only light coming in sparse in-between doses of moonlight breaking though the thick leaves on the trees.

"I don't get a thank you?" The male asked lightly, a few paces ahead of her.

Her eyes narrowed at his outline before her. "Why would I thank you for something you had to do?" Her ears twitched at a noise behind her, "And shut up."

"They're many yards behind us." The boy told her. "Watch out for that log."

"I see the fucking log." She gritted out and stepped over a fallen tree.

"I was being helpful." He commented. "Civil… but I forgot you don't understand that."

"You do mutt?"

Beck was quiet and didn't answer. It would be better, he realized if he were to keep his thoughts to himself. They moved on.

Then, Beck turned around suddenly and Jade bumped into him. Before the girl could yell at him he was pushing her into a tree nearby, just as a pack of projectiles zipped through the air, hitting trees with loud thuds.

"I thought you said they were yards away!" Jade hissed into his face, which was right in front of her.

Beck simply removed his hands from her shoulders and gripped her wrist and dashed to their left, as shouts sounded and leaves rustled. They ran. The group of rebels in pursuit, they eventually came to a stop, Beck forcing her to hide behind a clump of bushes with him.

It wasn't long before they heard foot falls.

"Which way did they go?" One of them asked.

"Oh, they're around here for sure," Another man said.

Beck slid the only dagger he had out of his belt. There were only two of them; he watched them through the gap in the bush. One was tall, the other shorter and carrying an oil lamp.

"I think they're hiding." The tall one commented. "The girl and her faithful mutt are hiding." The man shouted, speaking directly to them. "Could you imagine Hector, being a pet?" He laughed and Hector laughed with him. "Though I wouldn't mind being Jade West's pet I guess…" The man said lightly. "My dad said very nice things about her." He laughed. "Oh yeah speaking of my father, Ms. West, he misses you a lot. Had us come out and get you just because he missed you, how long has it been?"

Beck glanced toward Jade, though it was hard to see her, her troubled eyes shone brightly. He frowned.

"So as you can see Mr. Pet, we aren't going to let her go that easily. I am also fairly certain it wasn't your choice to save her. So, if you could give her up nicely we may be able to discuss with you our proven way to do away with the tattooed collar." The man said.

Beck wondered was that true. If so…He glanced towards Jade who was looking at him, her face indifferent. He could tell she thought he was going to take the offer.

"What will it be, Mr. Pet?"

Beck thought about it for a few seconds. Then, he motioned for Jade to be quiet as he backed up, staying low, he carefully moved around.

Jade watched him go, wondering why he hadn't given up their position. Yes, what the man had said about having a way to remove the tattoo was likely a lie, but Beck would have no way of being aware of that. He could take the chance. Honestly, she would have if she were him.

A twig snapped on the other side of the men and they both turned around to face it. Then, from the other side a rock sailed through the air, hitting its mark – the lantern. The fluid inside coated the man and the fire caught him and soon man was completely covered in flames.

It was an awful sight and his wails of pain and anguish filled the night. They all watched him burn and run around in circles – Jade, Beck, and the man's partner, who had backed away from the man once he had caught fire. They watched in an odd sense of amazement as the man wailed and his body burned, before falling to the ground completely still, but his body continued to burn.

The man seemed to come out of his daze and shrug his cloak off throwing it over the man before the woods also caught fire.

Beck, who was hidden, snapped out of his trance as well and darted over to a stunned Jade, and took hold of her arm and began running with her once again. The loud shouts of the other rebels finally arriving already reached their ears.

An hour later they both were moving through a slow moving part of the West River, the black sky had begun to lighten. They had yet to speak to one another.

Jade frowned at the back of Beck's head, once they were on the other side. He began rolling down his pants legs and putting his boots back on. She was confused. He honestly didn't have to save her.

She licked her lips, tugging her cloak hood over her head. "Thanks," she managed to say with difficulty.

He glanced back at her. "I thought you didn't thank people for things they had to do?" He asked lightly. "You don't think I would really fall for his claim to have a way to remove this right?" He motioned towards his neck.

She made a face but it was hidden under her hood. "Let's go."

(GW)

Tori paced back and forth in front of the narrow road which led from the woods. The most likely rout Beck would take if he was to return. She was nervous and hadn't gotten any sleep last night. The girl came to a stop and peered down the hill again, running a sweaty hand through her hair. She glanced towards the very steadily rising sun and swallowed.

"He'll come back… with your sister." She glanced behind her at Andre and Robbie, who were watching her. She frowned at them.

"How are you so sure?" The girl asked Robbie who had spoken.

"That's the type of person he is, if he gives his word, he will keep his word." Robbie told her glancing at Andre.

"Only, Beck didn't give his word." Tori said quietly. She turns back to the narrow path, her eyes widening upon seeing figures heading up. "Jade!" The girl screamed darting towards her sister, throwing her arms around her tightly.

"Oh" Jade groaned patting her sister's back lightly. "Tori…" Jade mumbled.

"Yes?" Tori sniffed loudly, not letting go.

"You're crushing me, let go."

Tori quickly let go, backing up wiping tears from her eyes. "You're alright?"

"Yeah" Jade answered and glanced towards Beck who was looking around them.

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