Escape!

[escape_x]

Jacob laughed quietly at her when she said she was always forgetting it. Perhaps she should tie it around her waist or something. Though he was sure it was just a little game of hers she played with boys. But hey; Jacob was perfectly all right with that. When she asked him if he wanted a fire whiskey, he blinked in surprise. About to pass up the offer, he sighed when she pushed through the crowd of people. Shaking his head, he flopped down in the chair next to hers and rested his elbows on the table. He looked around, watching the crowd of shady characters that came in here. He was kind of glad he hadn't of applied here. It was far too dismal.

He blinked a few times when she shoved the fire whiskey in his hand and he smirked, glancing up at her. "Ah. thanks.." He pressed the bottle to his lips and took a few swallows then set it down on the table. He shivered a bit as that oh so normal tingly feeling passed through his body. "It's Jacob." He shrugged, stating simply. There'd be no need for last names right now. She'd surely know his family if he told her his last name. He smirked and watched her down the rest of her bottle, shaking his head. He was sure this was at least her third. Ah, drunken girls were always the best. Shame he had to go back to work in fifty minuets.. "And your name is..?"

[Carly]

"Willow, Willow Fells." Willow said thoughtfully placing her coat over her lap. She looked at one of the boys on her other side. "Go get me a Fire Whiskey." He stood up and obeyed getting her a drink and handing it back to her. She played with her hair and downed the bottle. "Ahhh see I told you I could get served. Plus it my uncle." She snorted slightly "Of course he doesn't care about me...just money." She rolled her eyes then added thoughtfully "Kind of like my mother and father." Oh course if she hadn't of been drinking she wouldn't of been spouting this crap to a complete stranger.

She sighed deeply "Man I'm bored." She looked at him again "What time do you finish working today then Jacob?" Maybe she could still have fun. It just wouldn't of been till later on. She looked at the empty bottle in her hand wondering if she should get another or quit while she was ahead. It didn't matter to anyone what she did, maybe her brother and sisters but no one else. She didn't just want to have fun anymore she wanted to carry on her game. Jacob was the challenge and the first she'd had in a long time.

[escape_x]

Fells? Of course that name sounded familiar. Yeah, he had gone to school with her. He wondered if this was one of the girls that Charlotte was always bickering about. More than likely. Jacob smirked when she ordered another whiskey. Well, she knew how to take control. He liked that, but he wouldn't let her know that in the near future. He finished the rest of his drink and slid the bottle towards the middle of the table, looking at her as she talked. Ah, sap stories. He chuckled. "Yeah, well I knew you'd get served here. But I'm not working here so I could care less." He shrugged a shoulder, looking over at the man behind the counter. Short and greasy looking, the same as when he came in here a year ago seeking a job. The thought almost made him sick.

He looked back to Willow as she spoke. "Yeah.. I'm bored too." He nodded and yawned. Checking his watch, he muttered "I get off at four." Only a few hours away. He looked at the empty bottle he'd just placed on the table and wanted another, but he knew Rosmerta wouldn't let him work if he had one more. And he needed the money. He ran a hand through his hair, staring down at the table. Should he stay here for the remainder of his break or just head over to the Three Broomsticks? He was thinking he should return. Clearing his throat, he stood up and pushed in his chair. "Well, it was nice to meet you Willow. Don't forget your jacket here. I won't be able to return it to you." He smirked and turned his back, walking towards the door.

[Carly]

Willow smiled watching him stand. "I'm sure you'd find a way to get it back to me. You know, you'd get to see me again." She laughed "Who knows, you might see me wondering around Hogmeade when you finish work." She nodded and turned to the boy next to her. "Tell the guys I'll be back tomorrow, I'm going to stay out. Of course I'll be there for the party." The boy nodded making a mental note of it in his head he stood and got Willow another drink. This time without instuction.

Willow laughed "Well thanks there goodie too shoes." She opened the bottle and pulled her coat on. Maybe she ought to go for a walk to pass some time. She thought it over in her head. Young girl alone in Hogsmeade, no a good idea. She smirked were any of her idea ever good? "Hold the door for me Jacob." She stood and finished her drink. "Catch you guys later." She smiled and waved at the boys blowing them a kiss goodbye and following Jacob to the door.

[escape_x]

Jacob couldn't help but laugh at her statement. Of course he'd see her again. He worked at the School, at a Pub, and if he was really desperate, he now knew where she came to get a few drinks. He shook his head, smirking a bit. "Oh will I? You should probably be up at the school by the time that I get off work." He raised an eyebrow, turning his head to look at her. He watched the boy run up and get her another drink before he looked away. What a whipped boy; he must of been desperate. Jacob laughed and leaned up against the door, not really wanting to leave yet. This girl provided him with entertainment. It'd been a long time since he'd been around a female that wasn't his sister and well.. you know. He shook that thought from his head and watched her slip on her coat.

"I'm holding it." He didn't know where she thought she was going, but it probably wasn't going to be good. She was on the brink of being drunk and she was planning on walking around outside, he was almost sure of it. He couldn't say he liked the idea, but it wasn't his place to boss her around. Had it been his sister though, he would of personally escorted her up to the castle. When she blew them a kiss, he snorted and walked out the door. "What a charming young lady you are." He said sarcastically, starting his trudge down the snow covered path towards the Three Broomsticks. He was hoping that by the time he got there, the rush would be over and the kids would be starting their way up to the castle. That was a nice thought. He sighed, watching his breath hover in the cold air.

[Carly]

Willow watched Jacob leave and shouted after him "See you around Jacob!" She laughed and continued down the path to the more run down part of Hogsmeade, it was better to stay in the places her brother least doubted her to be in. That way he wouldn't find her, he was way to over protective in her opinion. She fasted a coat up and made her way down the small back ally way. It was dark but it didn't bother her much. She sat down on a bench and looked around at the different shops, there wasn't much there. Nothing really for her to do. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. If she went back to school there would be nothing to do there either.

Willow looked at her feet. Slightly drunk and bored what in the world was she supposed to do. Finally she stood up and wondered further down into the other back allys. Hogsmeade wasn't that bad when you knew the place, maybe she'd get a house there when she was done in school. She looked at her watch, it was only three o clock. Finally she wondered into a old book store not really sure were she was.

[escape_x]

Jacob held up his hand in a farewell when she shouted goodbye at him. He really couldn't help but wonder what she was going to do. Shaking his head, he pulled this thick robes closer to his body and wondered through the snow filled town for a bit, humming quietly to himself. A habit he'd picked up, and one he wasn't quite fond of. Pushing through the door, the bell tinkled. He huffed and looked around at the Pub. The students had slowly started to trickle out as it drew later into the day. "Hello Jacob." That familiar sing song voice greeted him and he gave a gruff hello back. He wondered behind the counter and pulled off his robes, hanging them up only to replace them with an apron. He went back to work instantly, serving butter beers and sandwiches. He had been so busy, he hadn't even had time to think.

Four o'clock finally rolled around, but he was still serving the older people coming in beverages. Rosmerta tapped him on the shoulder and reminded him he was off now, and he nodded. "I know." She smiled and Jacob took off his apron and slid his robes back on. He waited for the line of Hogwarts kids to proceed out the door. When they were all finally gone, he stepped outside. Forgetting that Willow had said she'd probably meet him, he pulled his hood up and looked towards home. Hopefully his brother had started a fire in the house. Yawning, he reached for a cigarette, but frowned and pulled his hand away. He didn't need one right now. Looking around, he slowly started to walk away from the warmth of the Three Broomsticks to his cold little shack on the outskirts of town.

[Carly]

Finally when Willow was done she continued walking without really paying that much attention. Suddenly she realised the ground had gotten slippier. Looking up in shock she realised she'd walked right out onto a iced over lake. She whinced when she took a step forwards and the ice cracked. She went to go back and it did the same. "Oh just great!" she muttered. Deciding she couldn't make the jump across the ice and would only go under if she did she sat down. Great now she'd have to phone Jason. Pulling her phone out extremly unhappyily she flicked it open. It had to signal so she stuffed it back into her black coat pocket.

Finally she decided to just wait. Sitting down she looked into the water. It was icey cold when she touched it. She lay down on the cracked ice only it cracked down the middle. She screeched. She splashed madly trying to get her grip on a piece off ice only it find it to brake. Her vision was blurred from so many drinks she couldn't tell which parts she already tried. Her body felt like ice and she pushed up finally finding some solid ground she pulled herself up and collapsed in a heap on the ground freezing. Note to self, stop drinking.

[escape_x]

On his way home, Jacob had to take some of the back allies and walk by the little iced over pond. He hated walking by it in spring; it always smelt so horrid. Yeah, you could tell he wasn't the outdoorsy type. That was definitely Andrew's area of expertise. In the winter at least you couldn't smell the stagnant water. He picked up the pace a bit, pulling his robes tightly around him. It was rare that he was eager to get home, but the darker it got, the colder it got. With hardly any body fat, it was hard to stay warm. He resisted the urge to hum to pass the time. He was drawing nearer to the little body of water where he was sure there was going to be someone there. Snogging or sitting alone. There usually was.

This time though, he was surprised to see just who that person was. He saw a little body crumpled up on the ground, shaking and.. wet? Jacob raised an eyebrow and nudged the body with his foot. "Willow?" He raised an eyebrow, looking around. Leave it up to him the play hero. He sighed and pulled out his wand, muttering a spell. She was dry instantly, but not necessarily warm. So he conjured up a little floating fire and decided she was all right. He continued on his way, but only a few footsteps before he felt he should go back and pick her up. Sighing, he turned back and scooped up her tiny body, the floating fire orb coming with. At least it gave off some warmth. He held her close to his chest in attempts to make her warm. Evil guys never did this, so why was he? He huffed and kicked open the door to his tumbling little house and set her gently on the couch. He wasn't sure if she really wanted to be here, but at the moment, she had no choice. He went and gathered his comforter he used and dropped it on her, waving his hand to get rid of the fire.

Andrew, his brother, in the meanwhile was sitting on Jacob's bed wrapped up in his own blanket, reading one of the books necessary to become a DADA teacher. He stared at Jacob for a moment before looking at the lump on the couch. "What's with the chick? Date rape?" He snorted. Jacob glared at his little brother. "No. I found her. One too many fire whiskey's." He couldn't help but laugh as he got himself a cup of hot coffee, making sure to leave his warm winter robe on.

[Carly]

Willow groaned slightly knowing she'd have a hang over in the morning, lucky her. She rubbed her eyes a few times as if it would allow her to see propperly and suddenly vanish the propites of the alcohol. Who was it that had picked her up? She couldn't see properly but the blurred vision and the vocie was familiar. Thinking it over she suddenly remember, it was the man from earlier on. Jacob. She snuggled deep into the warmth of the blanket and quite easily could have fallen alseep. She shook her head waking herself up. She stummbled to her feet slightly "Jacob?" She called out to him and when entered smiled sheepishly.

"I just wanted to say thanks." She explained "Never really been outdoors aware so ice, isn't good when mixing with me." She ran her hand through her hair out of habit and waved her hand to the door. "I'll just be going. Thanks again." Usually she would have loved the oppitunity to stay over night and talk to a cute guy but he seemed different to other guys and since he stopped her from freezing to death she decided she's let him be and not bother him anymore. Game over. Challenge finished. So what it was dark? So what she couldn't see properly, she was sure she could get back to the school quit easily.

[escape_x]

[sorry. my internet keeps crapping out on me]

Jacob found it quite humorous how much she had drank. She was going to have a hangover in the morning, but that at the moment should of been the least of her worries. Had she been out there much longer, she probably would of died. Of course, it wouldn't of been his problem, but it would of weighed heavily on his conscience. Boy, he was becoming a softy in his old age. He snorted at that thought, him only being 20. Shaking his head, he downed the hot black coffee and set the cup back on the side of the sink, turning as she called out his name. He was surprised to see her on her feet so fast. But she was staggering; the alcohol was no where near ready to leave her system. "Yeah, you're welcome. Sit back down." He stated bluntly, turning back around to rinse his cup out. He listened to her go on about the out doors. He could tell she wasn't one for the outside, but she couldn't recognize ice?

He set the cup down when she mentioned she was going. Well that wasn't happening, not under his watch. Her vision was sure still to be blurry and it was already dark outside. She wouldn't make it to Hogwarts and he'd have to go out and find her cold body again. "No. Sit back down and cover up with the blanket. You're still too wasted to be leaving. Besides, you'd never find you way back." He stated bluntly and harshly. If he hurt her feelings, well then who cared. He was just trying to be the nice guy. He head his brother laugh quietly from across the room and mutter "I'd listen to him if I were you." Jacob laughed quietly. "Thanks Andrew." He leaned against one of the counters, his arms folded across his chest and his brown eyes locked on Willow, making sure she followed his orders.

[Carly]

"Sorry, I don't do listening to other people that well." Willow laughed "I will find my way back. A fox has good senses." She nodded and closed her eyes becoming her artic fox form. She flicked her tail from side to side and turned to the door. Hoping up on her back legs she opened the door. Her vision still wasn't the best but it was much better now. It sucked not being able to communicate in an animagous form though. Quietly she muttered a thanks, that came out no more than a low whimper. The she turned and headed out the door.

For the first time she could remember, she had become tired of playing games, tired of being her. She sighed slightly and stuck her nose into the snow sniff out her earlier trail she began to follow it, slowly and carefully. She couldn't help but keep loosing her mind in thoughts of her way on living. It was weird, Jacob came along and suddenly she wished she wasn't the way she was, she wanted to change. She could of swore that for once, she was the one falling for a guy and she hardly knew him. She bounced through the snow picking up the peace a little.

[escape_x]

Jacob shrugged and leaned down to untie his boots, placing them by the door. "Your problem then. See you later." He turned his head while she shape shifted and he wondered over to the bed where his brother was, picking up a book. He had to study himself if he wanted to become a Potions master. It was just a matter of finding time anymore though. He sighed quietly as he heard a low whimper and the door open. He got up and shut the door, not even looking at the figure in the snow. "You tried." Andrew murmered, pulling the blanket tighter around him, continuing to read. He was the most determined out of all the siblings. It actually made Jacob proud. He nodded and patted Andrew on the shoulder as he wondered over to the lumpy couch, curling up in his blanket. He closed his eyes and sighed quietly.

His mind was stuck on Willow. It had always happened. He'd play hero, he'd try to be nice and they'd run off. He couldn't blame them too much though. He did have a very harsh attitude and not the best manners. But he figured with a girl like Willow it wouldn't sway someone. Any girls he got with anymore was for a good one night stand and then he'd move on. He would never see them again. Jacob opened his eyes and stared at the front door. He slowly started shaking his head. He wanted to promise no more mister nice guy to himself. But he knew that was a promise that couldn't be kept. He seemed cold and emotionless, but he was coming to find out he was quite the opposite of that.

[Carly]

Willow finally made it back to the castle but only to find that the castle gates were locked. She lay down and wrapped her tail around her and slowly fell asleep. She awoke the next morning the the bright warm sun and birds singing somewhere in the Forbidden Forest, the gates were open so she let herself in. Her head ached badly but she tried to ignore it all she could think about was the day before, with Jacob. She turned into her human for and made her way to the common room. No lessons for her today, just a whole day in the forest. Detentions would follow afterwards but that was life.

She sighed in the bathroom looking at her relefction. What had happened to her? Two years ago she was a godd kid...now well now she was just a spolit brat. She picked a brush of the side and made a vow to herself to change her ways, give money to people who need it, stop drink, stop stringing guys along. Willow smiled brightly at herself a new her. The idea she couldn't help but smile at. A Willow that apart from today would follow rules and work hard. -

[escape_x]

Jacob had sat nestled in his blanket for hours, deciding to start on one of the Potions Book that the current Potions Master at Hogwarts had given him. He planned on taking over the position eventually, but not anytime soon. After a few hours, he thought about going out and looking for Willow to see if he could find a frozen, unconscious body but he thought better of it. He was sure she at least made it somewhere near the castle. After a while he'd quit worrying and passed out on the lumpy couch, letting his brother have the slightly less lumpy bed. You'd think for a rich family they'd have better furniture. His mother was stingy though, and he knew he wouldn't see a drop of that money until she died. Sure he was a spoiled boy.. when he was at home. His mother was an interesting individual and he couldn't ever really make up his mind if he hated her or loved her..

He slept very uncomfortably that night. With the couch, being cold, and just bad thoughts before he went to bed always added to a highly uncomfortable sleep. When he woke up in the morning cold and sore, he sighed and quickly dressed himself in new clothes, pulling on his boots and robes. He was running late for work, so he didn't have his morning cup of coffee. That was never a good thing, but at least he could have a fire whiskey waiting for him to start the morning off. With that, he hurried to work, running through the cold. He shoved through the door just in time for him to down his drink he was much awaiting, throw on his apron and take his spot at the stool. There he would wait for the morning regulars to come in until he break. Then he'd go out and smoke a cigarette, then he'd come in and finish up with work, go home and sleep. His life was so boring and repetitive. He sighed, leaning against the counter, staring at the door.