Jayce raised his rock and struck the larger man’s head from behind. Molly swiftly executed the same action on the shorter individual before he could pivot and raise the alarm. Blood flowed profusely from their injuries as Jayce flipped them over to prevent any stains on their attire.
She observes him with curiosity. He rose and dusted himself off.
“Assist me in dragging them into the bushes; we will require their garments.”
Molly resembled a juvenile in adult attire. The man’s garments draped from her physique akin to a dress, yet she endeavoured to tuck the shirt into the trousers and cinch the belt as securely as possible to prevent them from slipping off her form. Wearing a coat, it appeared quite acceptable. However, she recognised that it was still glaringly evident that the garments did not belong to her.
Jayce was somewhat oversized for his garments. His muscles exerted pressure against the fabric, and he was one abrupt turn away from tearing his clothing. He donned a hat and tucked a portion of his black hair underneath it.
He scrutinised her with the audacity to appear amused. “I occasionally overlook your diminutive stature,” he remarked softly. Molly adjusted the sleeves slightly to prevent them from extending beyond her hands before she gathered all her hair into the perspiring hat atop her head. Jayce’s idea was nearly brilliant, yet she feared that acknowledging it would provoke him to insult her once more to maintain a sense of balance.
“Indeed, let us hope no one scrutinises the size of my garments too closely,” Molly whispered in response. He grasped her hand and guided her back towards the door, holding the keys firmly. Her stomach churned as they approached, and she endeavoured to suppress her nausea.
Upon emerging from the bushes, they both straightened their posture and resumed their duties. He released her hand as soon as they returned to the main path. She employed her feet to obscure the bloodstains left by the other guards; she lacked the time to experience remorse for her actions.
He surveyed his surroundings nonchalantly, while Molly averted her gaze until they arrived at the door. He placed the keys in her hand, and she examined the door before attempting to insert the keys individually. Fortunately, it required a dozen attempts before she identified the correct one. She opened the door, and they swiftly entered before closing it behind them. Her head whirled in conjunction with the surrounding room.
The hall was significantly brighter than she recalled and appeared to extend further than she initially perceived when Joseph had guided her through it. It may have been attributable to the daylight, yet there was no opportunity for contemplation. Several guards traversed the hall, prompting both individuals to swiftly conceal themselves in a shadowy recess of the wall until they were no longer visible.
“Which direction should we take?” Jayce murmured into her ear. His warm breath elicited a slight tickle as she tucked her loose hair behind her ear. It was not the appropriate moment to concentrate on his proximity to her. It nearly caused her to overlook her lingering anger towards him.
“At the hall’s terminus, we turn left to find a green door. Subsequently, we turn right and proceed to the end, where the cells are located,” Molly whispered. She glanced around the corner of the wall. “They are situated behind a large, dark door. We may need to locate a guard stationed near the cells to obtain the keys. I doubt these individuals possess them.”
Jayce nodded and stepped back into the hall’s light with a confidence beyond her aspirations. Molly adjusted her posture and proceeded. He assumed the lead and proceeded down the corridor, his hat slightly tilted to obscure his eyes. To her, they were an unmistakable indication of his identity, yet she questioned whether many of the rogues would share the same perception.
They traversed past several guards who did not regard them even once, regardless of her seemingly absurd appearance. She endeavoured to remain in Jayce’s shadow. Molly observed the increased presence of guards compared to prior instances. It appeared as though they had doubled within a mere few days.
They discovered the green door and entered nonchalantly, as though it were their destined location. He shut the door behind Molly, and they both surveyed the vacant corridor. In the vicinity, two voices reverberated against the wall during a conversation, and Molly feared encountering a guard who might identify her. Will they execute her this time?
Jayce must have perceived the expression on her face, as he gestured for her to remain while he retrieved the keys from her pocket. Molly attempted to enquire with her gaze, but he had already turned the corner before she could do so. Molly suppressed her anxiety, leaned against the wall, and permitted herself to breathe for the first time since donning the uniforms.
The voices diminished despite Molly’s efforts to listen intently. She commenced counting mentally but swiftly lost track as her thoughts drifted to Jayce’s whereabouts. What if he proceeded to abandon her here? What if he had been apprehended elsewhere and she was unaware? What if someone observed her here and recognised her identity precisely?
“Hurry.” Jayce murmured. Molly nearly startled; she had not even noticed his return. Jayce seized her arm for stability and placed a fresh set of keys in her hand.
“Are these—” Molly began to enquire before Jayce muted her with a glance. She despised his proficiency in that regard. Molly squinted at him, and his lips curled slightly before he turned and proceeded down the hallway once more. Molly accelerated her pace to match his exasperatingly lengthy strides. She could only speculate that he derived satisfaction from her irritation—indeed, she did as well. His irritation was increasingly becoming the pinnacle of her day.
They turned right and proceeded towards the dim door at the end of the corridor. Everything about it urged caution, and that was when Molly recognised they were precisely in the correct location. Now she perceived with clarity; the situation was far more dire than she initially believed.
A youthful guard occupied a chair adjacent to the door, holding a book. He appeared unconcerned about potential complications, and she was merely relieved that she did not recognise him. She could only wish he had observed her during her captivity in those very cells. Although there was no assurance, she wished he refrained from doing so.
“Shift change,” Jayce announced, startling the boy. She refrained from attributing blame to him, as she had nearly done so herself.
He appeared somewhat perplexed. “I am required to be here until dinner.”
“I did not enquire, did I? I was dispatched to relieve you and conduct an inspection.” Jayce maintained his head at a slight angle to obscure his revealing expressions. Molly mirrored his actions while positioned behind his substantial figure.
“I must speak with Mr. Hugh. I do not wish for this to adversely affect my salary,” the boy muttered as he rose. Molly experienced a surge of panic in her chest, recognising its permanence.
Jayce seized the boy’s arm. “He personally dispatched me. Refrain from troubling the supervisor due to your desire to remain idle all day.”
He liberated him and propelled him slightly down the corridor. The boy scowled at Jayce’s back, while Molly swiftly averted her gaze to prevent him from seeing her face. After his departure, Jayce unlocked the door.
Molly enquired, “From where did you obtain those keys?”
Jayce emitted a derisive snort. “Two guards were stationed here besides that juvenile. I apprehended one individually and confined him in a closet.”
Molly gasped slightly, “Dead?” Jayce cast her an irritated glance as he swung open the expansive doors.
“Certainly not. I am not entirely devoid of compassion.”
“I did not intend it in that manner-“
