Escape!

[escape_x]

Jacob watched everyone appear, people it was obvious that everyone knew but him. Usually he wouldn't mind, but now he minded. It was making him rather cranky, in fact. He met Willow's gaze briefly as she looked up at him but in his state of annoyance, he quickly looked the other way, staring at the rock wall of the tunnel, his legs spread out in front of him. This tunnel was uncomfortable, he was cold, and he was risking his pretty little head for a girl. Life couldn't get any worse.

He turned his head and snarled at Grace. "This isn't my.. battle." He snorted and aimed his wand at one of the men they were trying to kill. They couldn't expect him to fight with his hands when he'd fought with magic, which was just as effective, his entire life. He fired a few Unforgiveable Curses, glad the Ministry was corrupt at the time. They couldn't possibly track him down here with so many Death Eaters working in there anyways. He stopped after firing two and sighed. Killing wasn't as fun as it used to be.

[Carly]

Grace rolled her eyes and snarled "Then leave. We can't be bothered saving you again anyway." Suddenly everyone stoped dead in their tracks. One Venmanter in all the madness had slipped past them and silent drove a bloody danger into Willow chest. She breathed in sharply then dropped to the floor unmoving. Her eyelids fell heavy over her green emerald eyes and her chest slowed drastically. Jason roared angerly and with one quick swipe the guys head rolled to the floor. Fang had rushed to Willow side, she forced her eyes to open and looked up at him blankly. "I'm getting sick of dying." She muttered quietly. Everyone remain silent. Even the venmanters had stopped fighting. Even a wild power could not have suvived the blow. It was the end of the girl everyone loved.

[escape_x]

Jacob snorted, happy to be leaving. They had the situation perfectly in control anyways. He went to turn, but in the corner of his eye he watched the cloaked figure slip behind Willow, driving something into her chest. He stared as she dropped to her knees and he scrambled to his feet, staring at the slender body of Willow laying on the ground.

It wasn't the first time he'd seen someone die, and it wouldn't be the last. The shock of it all was just.. a bit over whelming. Jacob couldn't say anything, and it seemed neither could anyone else. He stood with his wand clenched tightly in his hand, his dark brown eyes glued to the girl he had just met not too long ago. Tears didn't brim his eyes, even though now was an appropriate time to cry. He couldn't feel anything but a small pang of guilt and a bit of remorse for the family.

[Carly]

Shock waves crippled through Fang as he held Willow in his arms. Max became jealous and Angel and Gazzy began to try. "Come on Fang. We're going." Just like that Fang looked back at Willow "I'm sorry." He muttered before him and the flock took flight shooting up into the air. They were gone. The whole Earth seemed to stand still with Willow absence. Grace dropped to the floor in time for Star to catch her. The two sisters craddled each other. Jason fell to his knees staring at Willow's motionless body. Willow. She was always the fighter in the family. The last one to stop fighting. She'd died before but only for a few seconds and she'd been close to death countless times in the short life. Now she was gone. Jason looked up spotting Jacob. "I hope your happy!" He roared. "She only didn't concentrate because she was too busy with you. Then she tried to leave. Willow can't leave anyone without saying goodbye. She's not like that she's good." Tears streamed to Jasons eyes. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd cried. He hardly ever did. "Now shes gone." His said quietly crawling over to hug her cold body as if the warmth would bring her back to him.

[escape_x]

Jacob watched the man lay Willow down on the ground and then disappear into the sky just as suddenly as they appeared. His gaze dropped back to the motionless girl laying there. He wanted to try and bring himself to cry. He was surrounded with her siblings, all whom were laying on the ground, weeping. But he couldn't. He just couldn't muster a tear. He hadn't cried since he was very, very young. When his father left, in fact. After a whole night of crying, he toughened up, accepted life was cruel, and moved on with his life.

Jacob whipped his head around to where her brother had started yelling at him. Was he happy? No. Was there anything he could do about it? No. "Don't you try to put the blame on me, pretty boy." He growled, looking back at Willow. He sighed and turned his back on the family, starting through the tunnel. He had enough. She was dead, her family was bawling, and he was going home and sleeping for a very long time. In the morning, perhaps this would all be one crazy dream. He stepped into the entrance of the tunnel and stared down the long, black path before shaking his head and starting trudging through it slowly.

[Carly]

Grace looked at her older sister bewildered. "He left." Star hugged her tightly. "Because now he can't have her." She paused looked at Willow once more. "She knew how her story would end because she always put others before herself." Star's gleaming eyes watched her twin brother cry over his sister. She smiled ever so slightly and got to her feet. Pulling Grace up with her. Jason looked up bewildered, then he understood. Willow was gone but her spirit would remain. A war was coming and they had to let her go. Wordlessly, Jason picked Willow body up. Now lifeless she seemed so small and vunerable. Then the three headed out of the back enterance to take her to the iced over lake she'd fell in only a day before.

[escape_x]

As Jacob walked to the end of the tunnel, he almost decided on getting hammered tonight and calling in sick tomorrow. And maybe the next day. But then he reminded himself he shouldn't fall apart; there was no one to pick the pieces of him up. Plus he needed the money. With a heavy sigh, Jacob closed his eyes and apparated to the path leading up to his house where he lifted the enchantments, entered his cold house to be greeted by the snores of Andrew. He walked over to him and frowned, Willow crossing his mind. What would he do if he lost one of his siblings..?

The thought nearly made him vomit. So instead, he removed his shoes and cloak and crawled into his lumpy mattress, covering his head where he slept uneasily the whole night. He woke at ten the next morning and he slowly rolled out of bed, having his usual cup of coffee, dressing in his work clothes, recovering Andrew and then apparating to the Three Broomsticks. He didn't want to walk today. He pushed through the entrance, guzzled the fire whiskey, and resumed his place behind the counter. His emotionless eyes stared at the carpet as the few regulars sat by the fire, enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

[Carly]

Days and weeks past by since that night. Since Willow was thrown into the depth of icey water where her spirit seemed to linger. Everyone seemed to know and feel it, it wasn't her time. The world seemed a darker place without her flirty smile and rebelious attituide bouncing around the castle with not one ounce of fear. It had been about a month now, since Willow's death. All of a sudden the cold, frosty, dull atmosphere of Three Broom Sticks was broken by a stricen voice. "Theres a girl! In the pond. She's stuck!" Thats when a few people dashed out to help. However when they got there it was a very different scene.

There stood Willow. She was inches above the ground, floating. Her pale blonde hair no longer held the mutipul colors. It was pure blonde. Her green eyes seemed to shine brighter and her pale white skin, somehow seemed even paler. She looked like a perfect picture of innocence. Willow looked up apologetically at the people staring at her with open mouths. "Sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone." She smiled warmly and gave her signature smile. A pure white dress clung to her loosely and carefully she skipped across the ice making her way to the Hogs Head to grab a fire whiskey. Willow was back.

[escape_x]

Weeks flew by and all Jacob did was drag himself to work and home again. He had been a bit mopey a few days after the passing of Willow, sad that his new found drinking buddy and possible play mate was now gone. He'd eventually have to find a new one, but he lacked motivation to go to Hogwarts and mingle with the students again. The real reason? He didn't want to deal with Grace, Jason, and Star. He didn't need to see any of them, and he didn't want to see them. He had to tell himself they were freaks anyways, turning into animals and whatnot. No normal person did that. Jacob needed normal..

It was on a particular day in his normal little work place that something took place that stirred up quite a few people. Curious as to see what people were running out to look at, Jacob wondering outside just in time to see Willow, the girl he had seen die, smile like nothing was wrong and tell the people that she didn't mean to scare them. Staring after her, she skipped down to where he assumed was the Hogs Head. He ran inside and ripped off his work apron, telling Rosmerta that he was taking his lunch early. He ran through the door and sprinted down the road, stopping outside the Hogs Head to regain his breath before he pulled the door open and walked in casually, ordering a fire whiskey. He was sure Willow, or the thing that looked like Willow, was here..

[Carly]

Willow turned around to spot Jacob and waved him over with a fire whiskey in one hand. "Well hello there stranger." She chuckled softly her voice like tiny ringing bells. Then just like when they had first met. She downed the drink and shoved her coat off, straightening her white dress. She smiled brightly and order another. "It was about time I came back her for a drink." She explained with a small flirtaous grin on her face.

[escape_x]

Jacob grabbed his firewhiskey and nodded thanks, laying some money out on the counter. He took a big drink from the mug, closing his eyes for a minute. He was crazy to be in here, where he was sure so many people hated him, to be chasing a dead girl. He scowled and finished his firewhiskey in another drink, putting the mug on the counter. "'nother one?" The horrible-looking bartender asked him unenthusiastic. "No." Jacob shook his head and pushed himself off the counter when a familiar sounding voice sounded throughout the bar.

He stared at the girl, continuously telling himself it wasn't Willow. It could of been Grace; a very drunk Grace. Yes, that was it. "White.. doesn't suit you Grace." He noted in referance to the white dress. White was a pure color; a color no one he knew deserved to wear. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, starting for the door. This was mad. Willow was gone and he was wasting his lunch break chasing her twin sister.

[Carly]

Willow rolled her eyes at Jacob. "You should know the difference between me and Grace." She chewed her lip ring thoughtfully. "Grace is probably up at the castle if your looking for her." She grinned looking down at the white dress as if she'd heard his thoughts. "White is also the color of redemption and fresh starting." She chuckled "This is how I spend my free start anyway." She shrugged nodded to her uncle behind the counter who shuffled over to her with a glass in his hand. Willow downed it thoughtfully and looked at Jacob again. "What are you doing here anyway?"

[escape_x]

He should know the difference, yes. Did he? A bit. Not until they spoke or looked at him did he really know the difference. Jacob wasn't good with twins. He stopped walking when she spoke and scowled. Turning back, he wondered over to her table and sat down, staring at her. "You died." He stated very bluntly. Dead people did not come back the way Willow did. As ghosts,like at Hogwarts, yes. But so alive they could eat and drink and not be transparent; no. "I'm not looking for Grace. Your siblings hate me now." He snorted, folding his arms over his chest, staring at her.

"Yes, white is. But white, at a bar, especially a bar like this?" He raised an eyebrow suspiciously. He watched another whiskey get sat down in front of her and he shook his head. What was he doing here? " I followed the commotion." He nodded, glancing around. Half of him still believed it was Grace, but more of him believed it really was Willow. But how?

[Carly]

Willow laughed lightly watching Jacob. "Yeah I died but it wasn't my time to go." she smiled sadly "My mother and father told me that much in the waiting room." She shook her head lightly and slowly her multi-colored streaks began to reappear in her hair. She paused looked at her nails. "I'm not surprised they hate you. They probably think it's your fault." Willow smirked and rolled her eyes. "Commotion sometimes gets you into trouble you know." She looked down at the black watch on her wrist and sighed. "Well I'm best going to meet the gang at the castle while they are out for lunch." She finished her third fire whiskey and nodded "See you later Uncle B." She looked back at Jacob. It felt good to be home. "See you around." She grinned and waved lightly walking out the door.

[escape_x]

Jacob ran a hand through his hair slowly as she talked, mentioning something about it not being her time to go. That made sense, but it also seemed a bit strange. Then again, it was a magical world. Almost anything could happen and he should know. After this go about with Willow was done, he would never doubt another thing in the world of magic. "Makes sense.." He said quietly, watching the multi color streaks form in her hair. He smirked and nodded. "Yeah.. Oh well. You're older sister's pretty hot, by the way." He laughed and glanced down at his watch, noting he only had about half an hour left for lunch. He'd better save that for later.

Just as he was about to leave, she stated that she had to get back to the castle and he agreed. "Yup.. See ya." He snorted and followed her out, breaking out into a run as soon as he hit the cold outdoor air. He ran all the way back to the Three Broomsticks where he made it within five minutes. He had twenty-five minutes left for a break later. Enough for a firewhiskey and a cigarette. He pulled on his apron and resumed working until 7 when he was released to go do whatever his heart desired.