Jed sleeping behind Heyes, was woken abruptly when he was almost knocked out of bed, as his cousin jerked hard, his hand flying backwards to smack him hard on the head. At first Jed was annoyed at being woken so violently, but as he rubbed his head where he'd been whacked, he realised Heyes was still asleep. So he figured it was just another bad dream, which they were still both prone to having sometimes, so decided to wake him gently. But as he touched him, he was startled and more than a little worried at the huge amount of heat coming from his friend, even though he was shivering so hard that Jed could hear his teeth were chattering.

As Jed hesitated, not exactly sure what to do, Heyes shifted uneasily, ending up far too close to edge of the mattress, prompting Jed to jump out of bed and grab hold of him quickly pulling him back to the middle. Though Heyes continued to toss and turn, mumbling to himself, he was safely settled away from either edge, despite the narrowness of the bunk.

Jed still keeping a light hold on his cousin to make sure he remained safe, listened to his friend's wheezing gasps, and his chest tightened, while his heart sounded loud in his ears, as worry left him a little breathless. He stood there for several minutes, unaware of the cold floor on his bare feet and ignoring the chill seeping into him.

He'd noticed that his cousin had been tired and sore for a couple of days, but hadn't pushed when Heyes had claimed there was nothing wrong with a smile and a wink. "Its just all this planning for getting us away safe is keeping me awake." With that he'd put a finger over his lips and said. "Now, we better not talk 'bout it anywhere, but the dorm at night, in case someone is listening."

Desperate not to be overheard by anyone at all, because he knew there was too heavy a risk of being reported and punished, and so having their plans derailed, Jed had accepted what Heyes had said and changed the subject. But now he hissed at himself, annoyed, that he'd let Heyes con him, when he should have known better, especially with the grippe being so rife in the home in the last few weeks.

Jed still clearly remembered how the fever had taken their grandpa, and his determined attempts in recent weeks to damp down the fear of losing his cousin were easily undone, as he continued to listen and wince at his friend's painful sounding breathing. Though fairly sure his cousin wasn't that aware enough to understand what he was saying, he still leant into to him and with a slight shake in voice, told him fiercely."Hang on, Heyes, I'll be right back."

With that, after a final worried glance at his cousin, and without bothering to head to his own bed to dress, he simply ran out of the dorm in search of an adult, his bare feet slapping on the dusty floor.

Not paying much attention to anything, other than getting to the sick room as quickly as possible to get help, he very nearly collided with someone as he turned a corner. A heavy hand on his shoulder brought him skidding to a halt. "Woah there, Curry...you shouldn't be out of bed!" He looked up into the irritated gaze of Simpson, the English Master, who moved his hand to lay on his chest, as he said with a some irritation pushing him back. "You aiming for another caning, boy?"

Jed stared at him, torn between irritation at being stopped, and some relief that he'd found someone he could tell, if he could only get him to listen. He knew he was courting trouble, but as he was too worried to care, he didn't bother attempting to school his expression into calm. He simply shrugged the hold off and said fiercely. "It's Heyes, he's sick."

Simpson his own face angry, glared back at him, showing very clearly how little he appreciated his attitude. It was obvious that he was considering that this defiance meant he was due a reminder of his place in the world, the dark room or a caning came into Jed's mind, knowing with his luck probably both. He was hardly reassured when the man asked sharply. "And how exactly do you know this boy? Sneaking outta your own bed again? You know the rules. I think you'd better come with me."

Jed blinked then, and his shoulders slumped, before he swallowed hard, feeling the defiance melt away, as concern took over, and he heard the plea in his voice, as he said quietly, meaning every word. "Sir, punish me later if ya gotta, but please just take a look at my cousin before ya do. I can't lose him too."

Simpson's heart softened, almost against his will, at the panic that the usually reserved young man had given up trying to hide, and he nodded once. "All right, Curry, show me...but if this is some kinda ploy, it won't go well for either of you."

It only took Simpson a cursory look at the boy, on arriving in the dorm, for him to realise that Heyes was indeed sick, and looking over at his cousin, who was hovering worriedly behind them, he said. "All right, boy, I'll get your cousin to the sick room. But you go wait outside the Dean's office, as we're going to have a discussion about your attitude, once he's settled."

Jed's expression flickered, and Simpson could easily see the battle between compliance and anger in the boy. But he also easily saw when compliance won, mostly he was sure because of worry for his cousin, and so wasn't surprised when the boy gave a heavy sigh and said softly. "Please Mr Simpson, lemme come with you, then after, you can take me to the Dean's office yourself, and I won't be no trouble whatever happens."

Hannibal moaned, and the younger boy paled, his whole attention shifting to his cousin at the sound, and he reached out to pet his arm, as he said so quietly that Simpson had to strain to hear him. "I'll come see ya, soon as I can, after they lemme out of the hole."

That soft tone, which was clearly just meant just for his cousin, convinced the teacher that the words weren't an attempt to con him into changing his mind, which was something he wouldn't put past the older boy.

A feeling confirmed when the boy looked up at him, his face blank, and his shoulders slumped, it was a look familiar to the master as the boy's way of accepting he had done all he could. "He ain't real heavy, Sir, I can carry him, if you don't want to. I just need you to explain that I ain't lying."

Simpson shook his head, wondering how on earth the lad expected to lift his cousin off the bed, let alone carry him. It was then that he decided that he wouldn't insist on punishment. It was obvious that Jed's behaviour this time, had merely been a reaction to worry for his cousin, and the only lesson he'd take from being sanctioned for it, was that caring was bad, which was not something he wished him to learn. "All right Jedediah, just this once I'll let your defiant behaviour in the corridor go unpunished. But don't think that means that I will allow this attitude in you on a regular basis, anymore than the other masters' do. I am not a soft touch, is that clear?"

Jed gave him a bright, grateful smile, and nodded fiercely. "Yes, Sir, and thank you, Sir."

"Now move back, so I can lift him. Don't argue with me, you try and carry him, I'll be giving the nurse two boys to care for...and she's already busy enough that one more will be challenge enough."

ASJ

Heyes dragged himself out of a confused fog, and as he did so murmured. "Jed."

The younger boy sleeping lightly on the floor by his bed, woke at the sound and was soon in his feet. "Right here, Heyes...you sure had me worried."

Blinking dazedly at him, becoming aware of the shadows still round him, concern hummed as Heyes' confusion faded a little, and he realised where he was. Clearing his throat, he said worriedly. "You oughta be in bed."

Jed shook his head, squinting at the watch he held in hand. "We got a bit of time before they come checking...I've timed them." Heyes stared down at the familiar watch in his cousin's hand, and he frowned, wondering why it wasn't under his mattress where he usually hid it. Jed grinned at him, before his expression sobered. "Your watch works better than mine, besides I figured it'd be safer with me anyways while you were here."

Heyes nodded, and felt himself get dragged back towards sleep, but just before he slipped all the way under, he said faintly. "This don't mean we ain't gonna run away next week, don't worry."