Start of the escape

It has been ten days since John started following these bandits. He talked with everyone and asked the same questions, but no one knew more than Finn. Even Arthur who was supposed to be second here didn't know about their destination. Today bandits warned them that they are entering a city which is where they will be staying for a night. Ever since the massacre, John had the same nightmare, because of this, the ghost inside his head grew stronger every day. Since he didn't know how to cancel this magic, if it goes on, he will affect others, he didn't felt any pressure because of it. He spent only ten days with other kids and even if he felt, that they could become friends didn't mean that he will focus his whole time on discovering a way to repair a thing that could only affect them slightly. His second power progressed slowly, so slowly that even John started to feel that something is wrong.

'That's not right. If this power progresses so slowly, then the leader of enemies would need to spend at least fifty years to achieve his current strength or even longer. Maybe training by moving pebbles isn't right? But I don't have any idea what can be wrong with it?'

"John! Can you take Emma now?"

John's thoughts were cut off, by Finn, who was at his limit already. And after placing Emma on the ground this little girl already started running towards John, he bent down to let her jump easily, onto his back, and he started carrying her. Even if their age was the same, the difference between them was rather big. John was more than a head taller than her. After carrying her for 5 minutes, beads of sweat started appearing on Johns's forehead, but he forced himself to keep going until the eighth minute passed and he decided to give up since he still needed to walk for God knows how long. When the sun was already disappearing behind the horizon, John was finally able to see their destination.

'Today is a good time to try and run away! If we work together, we should be able to create a plan that could work! I know that we can't take on any of the mages, but sooner or later I will get my revenge, for now, I need to have at least a safe environment to increase my strength steadily. If this city is big enough, we could hide without bandits noticing us, but for this to happen, we will need to kill the one who can sense us.'

John was filled with hope, and he approached everyone once at a time telling them that he wants to talk with them after they arrive at their destination. Once they were at the gates of this city bandits gave guards a couple of bronze coins, and they let them in with kids without even asking their purpose of bringing them here. Most of the houses were built from wood here when they were walking past the market there were a few houses, built using wood.

'This city is big enough for us to stay. Even if we will need, to start as beggars, I have memories from my previous life with me. I can use them and think of a few solutions to make quick money.'

"We will stay here and as always take kids to slums, and four of you will stay with them for the first half of the night after midnight, other four will come and change you."

After explaining some more, John was taken to slums that were close to them with other kids. Bandits started minding their own business since their boss wasn't here. They didn't pay too much attention to the kids and started looking for some women who would like to earn a bronze coin and celebrate with them their bountiful hunts this year and left only one behind to keep an eye on the children.

"So, what do you want to talk about with all of us, John?"

After gathering everyone, Finn was first to break the silence.

"Don't you think that it's a perfect time to run away?"

"What? Do you know what will happen to us if we fail?"

Everyone was surprised by the topic that John started, and at the same time scared, of the consequences, they will face if they failed.

"Listen! It's our only chance to get away from those bandits! Do you want to be treated like a thing and sold to someone who can do anything he likes to you? If we can get away today, then we will somehow survive! If they want it or not they need to move sooner or later if they want to get back or snow will keep them here whole winter!"

After hearing what John had to say they thought that it's their only opportunity and started to waver. After a moment of silence, someone asked:

"So, what's your plan?"

"We will kill the ban-"

John wasn't able to end explaining because Arthur started shouting.

"You want to ki-"

This time it was John's time to block his mouth with his hand and warn him.

"Do you want to let them know what we are planning? Now, let me explain my whole plan. I know that killing someone sounds horrible, but they brought it upon themselves! Didn't you hear when they said that they will stay in the same place as always? It means that they always repeat their crimes! They don't deserve to walk on this earth. Now let me continue. After taking down this guard someone needs to go and inform enemy leader that one of the kids ran away, he can sense us so he will certainly come and aside from this we need to take him down too if we don't want to be found immediately after escaping. Then we will stay hidden for a couple of days at the same time. One of us will always watch gates to leave the town until they leave. That's all I have."

"I'm in."

Just after John ended talking, Thomas voiced his stance and Grace, as always, had the same opinion.

"What will we do after getting free? "

Clara voiced out her doubts.

"I have a few plans to make money, don't worry, we will certainly live better than now, I swear."

"Then, I agree to try your plan."

"Me too!"

Leo voiced his approval.

"Can we not do it? I think that maybe later they will treat us better."

Luke was against risking their lives.

"So now we have five votes for yes and one vote for no. If there is anyone else who agrees we will do it."

"Okay, I will agree, but first you need to tell us more about your strategy."

'It went better than I thought, it seems they hate those bandits and our current life as much as I do.'

The outcome already was decided when Arthur joined John's side.

'Tonight is the night that we will escape.'

John thought to himself and anticipated this event before starting to explain his plan with more details.