Chapter Sixteen: Moonlit Edge
Bunnymund and Jack were surprised to say the least at this declaration and looked at each other with a mixture of bewilderment, doubt and the slightest hint of excitement.
"Hold on there, mate, first things first, I thought it had been decided I had chance to leave sooner" the Australian claimed, shaking his head and holding up a hand as though to slow the events down and let his brain process the sudden speech of Man in Moon.
"I don't know, I didn't do law school, all I know is that one of your…victims…died in hospital a few weeks ago, due to natural sickness but there is controversy regarding it to be your fault, and you know citizens, march around with signs and cry over kids and shit, they want you in here for life mate, but the law states that your predicted twenty five year sentence is going to be put into action, although no more than that…at least"
"At least?! Jesus, fuck…these damn people can't make up their fucking minds!" Bunnymund growled and shook his head with frustration. Jack looked up with concern and held his hand with a firm, cold grip that Bunnymund gave a grim smile to; Manny let them share this little moment before proceeding.
"Obviously Pitch was going to lose his marbles at some point, I am surprised it wasn't sooner after the event with Hook, but now he has become…like a controlled villain or something, much more cunning and less physically brutal. What he wants is complete dominance of the prison and he can't do that with loose ties and distractions –which is where you come in, so once you are gone he can focus his mind on satisfying his control-freak urges. Look I don't even know anymore…I am tired"
Manny pinched the bridge of his slender nose with his index finger and thumb. He looked tired…he looked irritated and stressed, all he wanted was forty winks but the deal with his old and current friends was occupying his time. Jack actually felt if Bunnymund and Jack left, the dark haired older man would get some peace.
That is when Jack realised how guilty he would feel knowing he would be leaving allies in the prison whilst he and his Aussie lover ran off into the sunset, IF they could even pull it off in the first place. This brought on the following question from the white haired prisoner.
"So…Manny, how exactly are we going to get out?" he inquired, feeling the comforting wrap of Bunnymund's arm around his waist as the Aussie then added.
"If it is going to be dangerous or put Jack at risk you can forget it, I would rather rot in here than get him in trouble or worse" he growled and Manny rolled his eyes slightly. Jack blushed, inwardly smiling at the protective nature of his lover. But Manny dismissed this and continued explaining.
"I am going to send you a letter in with your meal as so no one hears us now, explaining the plan, if you want to go through with it, sit on the usual bench in the yard tomorrow, if not, stand by the wall, alright?" The two nodded.
"Hey Manny, what is happening with Hog then?" Bunnymund asked and the pale eyed older man who turned to the Australian with a meaningful look.
"Well they found him half dead and squealing like a stuck-pig down the corridor, something to do with you I assume, and that's not just because he was cursing your name"
Bunnymund sniggered at this and Jack made a sound of amusement as Manny let loose a grin.
"Either way, you will probably get kitchen duty or something, he is on a death sentence and a low piece of scum so no one really cares" Man in Moon spoke honestly before turning to leave with a trusting wink.
Bunnymund turned to Jack and sighed, a shaky, nervous smile that expressed a lot to the younger man who tiptoed up to kiss his lover on the cheek.
"It's going to be fine, can you imagine escaping though? How would we even pull that off?!" he giggled, his whispering fluctuating between excited mutters and hushed words. Bunnymund pursed his lips but shrugged and cuddled Jack close.
"I don't know Frostbite; maybe I can…get out early or something"
"Is that even how it works?"
"They managed to fuck around with my sentence didn't they? Let's…let's just see what happens, yeah?"
The subject was soon dropped as Jack stood up and stretched, Bunnymund following swiftly afterwards.
It was nearly time for duty/lesson so the two cell-mates said goodbye and went on their way, Bunnymund less anxious now that Hog had been assuredly kept in confinement.
In fact, Groundhog was in a straightjacket, for six hours, in a small, dim lit room 'Had to think about what he had done' in short. He was snarling and swearing against the binds at first before he fell to an uneasy silence of anger and…unnaturally so for someone in his situation; someone in his situation ought to be rocking back and forth, feeling guilt and shame…and an undeniable fear of death, but Groundhog was consumed with an animalistic lust, a violent, vile emotion that left him drooling and erect.
All he could think of was how much he wanted to eat into the flesh of Jack Frost and impale him on his raging genitalia until his white skin was painted red, he also wanted the Aussie bastard to watch him spoil his blue-eyed lover, whilst chained to a wall with blades in his hands.
A psychologist at the prison deemed Groundhog to be something of a danger, this psychologist was a young woman who had worked hard for her place and was known as "Belle Tinker" blonde hair wrapped in a bun and pale, mischievous green eyes that matched her tone as she declared Groundhog to be kept in confinement until his death sentence, for the safety of other inmates and staff.
Manny found her quite intriguing when he first overheard this and relayed it to Bunnymund during his food duty, Bunnymund had the small twinge in his mind asking why Man in Moon could move about so freely, but he dismissed the nagging realisation at the good news, grinning and grabbing Manny by the shoulders and shaking him with the good nature of an Aussie.
Meanwhile, as Jack turned into his lesson, Pitch stopped his path with a defiant arm and Jack looked up in surprise, having not seen the older man in some time, but he perfectly reasonable and after taking a sharp breath of air in through his nose, asked the following.
"H-Hey Pitch…what do you want?" he smiled anxiously and Pitch returned the expression with his own velvety soft grin that unnerved the white haired prisoner more than a gesture of anger would have.
"I assume Man in Moon has pressed forward my proposition, but unlike him I am not patient enough to wait for the code in the yard, so want to ask what you think…now" he leant forward and his teeth glinted enough to remind Jack of a shark.
"W-Well…I don't know…Bunn-We don't know" Jack felt bad about mentioning the Aussie's name around the victimised dark haired man and Pitch visibly grimaced at the name, only breaking his pleasant posture for a moment.
"Either way, what are your feelings on the matter, surely the idea of leaving this hell and running free with your oversized pet is more than just appealing? I am surprised you are not jumping at the chance really" Pitch claimed with as much charm as there was insult, Jack gave him a strange look and sighed.
"I don't know…it…it's kind of scary don't you think? Running away after everything that has happened so suddenly, I don't know if I can do it"
Pitch shrugged, closing his honey gold-silver eyes.
"Well, whatever, if you want to wait for twenty five years…" he claimed and wandered off with a superior stride that both impressed and angered the blue eyed inmate who pursed his lips, narrowed his eyes and thought about what the older man had proposed.
"Pitch, wait!" he called, jogging over at the man who dramatically turned with 'surprise', Jack Frost figured Pitch ought to stop being such an asshole right now or he was going to get punched.
"How are we even supposed to escape, what's your plan?"
Pitch smirked.
Oh my god what were they doing, was this seriously happening?! They were doing it, they were escaping. Yeah, you might have missed the explanation, the consistent hesitation of Bunnymund and the encouragement of Manny and Pitch but either way, here they were.
Bunnymund was gripping his lover's hand hard enough that Jack was sure he was losing blood in his right wrist. But he appreciated the physical contact to soothe his electrified nerves.
They were just outside a small wall of the prison, it was dark and starless…a new moon so the ebony consumption of the surroundings was obscure except for the harsh beams of light coming down from the security system at the top of the building.
The plan was relatively simple, dreadfully risky and about to be put into action, they just had to wait for the signal.
BOOM.
All the lights went out and there was a moment of frightful silence before there was a panicked bustle from the guards and staff guarding the perimeters of the prison. Jack turned to Manny who almost seemed to glow despite the darkness and inhaled fast, grabbing him into a clumsy embrace, a sob escaping his throat as he grabbed Bunnymund and ran.
They ran quick as damn rabbits across the darkened, damp field and didn't stop. They had until the staff figured out Pitch had deactivated the lights and a cold beam landed upon them like horrifying spotlight.
Bunnymund couldn't breathe, the lash of the night air was unfamiliar and freezing his throat into a stale coil of fear as he sped up. He and Jack matched a good sprinting pace at least, but eventually let go of each other to use their arms to propel themselves even faster, the nearest clump of trees was at least a five minute race away but the haven was near and the sickening jolt of hope shocked the Australian as he realised what he was doing.
Then he burst out laughing, probably not a good idea as he had to contain his oxygen to maintain his impressive speed but he burst out laughing nonetheless and after Jack's initial surprise, the white haired prisoner joined in and had to keep himself balanced as he near stumbled.
They silenced themselves as they came closer to the trees as the main entrance up ahead would most likely have guards who would hear their hysterics so as stitches built up in their sides and breath escaped their lips in shuddered rasps, they undeniably slowed down. When they got to the trees, they collapsed and clawed at the ground, convulsing and lying on their backs in the overgrowth as they caught back their life-energy before lying there silently.
"We…aren't a-at the gate yet…the light will b-b-be on soon, we need to g-go" Bunnymund managed between deep gulps of oxygen, eyes blurring and adjusting to the dark and blinking fast as he balanced himself. Jack made a sound of agreement and shakily got to his legs, gripping his knees.
They fumbled through the short density of the shrubs and trees before getting a good look at the darkened gates where several guards were tripping around helplessly. Pitch was sure keeping the lights off for some time; he was good at bringing the darkness for sure.
Jack thought of how Manny had helped them climb out the window in one of the offices, unoccupied by the staff member who had been drugged and tied up by Leprechaun and Huntsman. Wolf occupied the other guards on that level by starting a "fight" with Dracula who were both grinning as they got sent to detention.
Jack was snapped out of his recollected thoughts when a loud snap then boom meant the lights were back on. Both he and his lover froze as their hearts got caught up in their throats.
"Oh god…no…we can't go back" Jack whimpered and Bunnymund pulled him close to kiss his forehead a few times and hold him close.
"We will just have to run for it" the Australian claimed.
"How do we get through the gates?!"
"…We climb over the wall"
"It's barbed wire!"
"Dig under it…"
"They will find us before it is deep enough!"
Bunnymund scowled and nipped at Jack's ear with playful vexation.
"Shut up, snowflake, I am thinking"
Jack was feeling too much of an adrenaline rush to roll his eyes and simply stayed quiet, nuzzling into Bunnymund's chest as he calmed himself, it felt like hours had passed until Bunnymund figured they ought to just run for it, it was their best bet. But before they had even left the shadows of the small natural growth, the loud yells of guards broke their concentration and sent Bunnymund and Jack into slow panic that eventually progressed to shivering terror.
"Over there, go!"
Slithers of torchlight flashed into the leaves and branches and the two cell-mates ducked and held their breath. Oh god this was it, they would be punished and separated and Bunnymund would serve out his thirty year sentence and Jack would probably be raped by the end of his.
That is when the flash of a dark, tall and oddly familiar figure went by and headed straight for the gates.
A/N: CLIFFHANGHHAARRRRRR.
-LAW09
To The Secret Winds: Wow, steady on there, don't get too emotional just yet when there is so much more emotion to come! *evil laughter*, either way I am both frightened and flattered that you are getting so into it! Although when you claimed "Die in a hole" I laughed so long and loud, it freaked out the neighbours so thank you so much for such an incredible review! Thanks so much for the praise!
To Kid Darkness: Pitch-sense! Haha! Thank you so much for the lovely review, spun your head round? Oh my, I am glad I enthralled you so! So you suspicious of Pitch? We will see, eh? So glad you are getting into it, you are a simply wonderful reader, thanks again!
To LadyMinuailwen: I love your reviews, they are so refreshing after doing long review replies so :D
To Cookie Guest: Yes! They are breaking out, omg! Break the fourth wall and shove doom cookies down someone's throat now that is a threat, it really made me laugh reading this review. Thanks so much for the lovely review!
To RueRajaram: Thank you, it won't happen again…or will it? *jumps on desk to avoid suddenly rabid elves* Anyway! Thanks for the review and the constant beloved threats from your good friends North and Tooth! Thanks!
To slyangelfox: Believe me, my law accuracy has probably gone horribly out of the window, but thanks for taking the facts into consideration, personally I am not sure, but if it works in my fiction, I don't mind, I hope it doesn't bother others too much though. Thanks for another wonderful review, Pitch's motives are odd but I am glad you figure it a twist! Thanks again for the review!
To WulfeNight: I'M EXCITED TOO, AHH! Sorry, needed that out, thanks for such a lovely, uplifting review!
To SnowBunny14: Aww you dear! Thank you so much for the praise and love! I love you too! For such a sweet, uplifting review, thanks for getting so into it, I hope you enjoy the rest! Original?! Yay! My favourite word of praise!
To the black raven: Oh wow, I am sorry to hear that, I hope you get much, much better soon! By the way, it won't let you paste emails on Fanfiction, you need to space them out or something, and I am trying to think of a safer way of you passing on the information! Thank you for the review, I am sad it's ending too but thanks for all your reviews!
To Warriors-Café: You have a glorious username, and thank you! It is such an honour to know how pleased you are with it, and I am thrilled to be considered original so I thank you! I hope you are waiting and NO, YOU ARE AMAZING!
To yay: Haha, Pitch fan? Always good! He can indeed be a hero sometimes, thanks for the appreciation and the review!
To I'mBelleGoose: Oooh, a twist! Groundhog indeed deserves what he gets and I am glad you are getting into it! It is completely natural to feel worse for someone you know better than someone you don't, especially if that person is Bunnymund ;) Evil laughter tends to do that, haha, wow, and thanks for the interest in my next story! I am hoping it is as successful as this one! Thanks for the wonderful review!
To all my favourites and followers, thank you! Love you all with the depths of my heart.