The quiet creaking woke the redhead, who tiredly sat up, the man releasing her tiny hand instantly.
"Now what?" Ellis asked, helping Nia climb through the bars, keeping her close to his side. She still didn't look well, pasty faced and frail.
The man smirked then turned around, kneeling down to the ground at the corner of his cell, he yanked up a series of loose boards. Beneath them was a gaping hole, twisted tree trunks intermittently twined around the sides of the tunnel.
"Whoa." Ellis mumbled, raising his eyebrows.
"This'll let out back in the forest a bit away. Head straight for her village, she can tell you how to get there. Go, now."
Ellis abruptly stopped, gaze instantly narrowing on the man, he opened his mouth to question how he knew where Nia lived, but the man cut him off, "I said to go."
Ellis nodded, levering Nia down into the hole with unusual gentleness. He watched as her red hair disappeared into the darkness of the hole, the sounds of her stumbling footsteps resounding back.
"Are you coming, old man?" He asked, starting to climb in himself.
The man slowly smiled slowly, looking towards the door of the prison as the confused voices of soldiers drifted towards them, "I've been here for years you know." He murmured.
Ellis nodded uneasily, glancing towards the door then back to him, "Then it's time to get out."
"There's only way out for me." His grin didn't vanish, "It's time for me to take the hard way out instead of hiding in here like a coward."
"Old man, just come with us!" Ellis insisted, grabbing at his arm.
"Promise me you'll take care of that little girl with out, she seems like a really good girl. I'll do my part to protect her too." The man withdrew, firmly patting Ellis on the shoulder.
Ellis, in understanding, slowly nodded, brow furrowing as the soldiers heavy footsteps became louder, right outside the prison door, "What's your name, at least?"
"Dag."
Ellis nodded, dropping through the hole. He glanced up as boards suddenly covered the hole, Dag's face showing just briefly, his green eyes twinkling as he winked.
Ellis stared at the wooden boards, listening for just a moment as sudden yelling ensued, before dashing down the small cylinder, jumping over the tree roots, nose full of the smell of rotting wood and dirt, eyes widening suddenly at the sight of a crumpled Nia just ahead of him.
He scooped her up, cradling her tight against his chest as he ran on through the tunnel.
"Where's the guy?" She mumbled into the warmth in his chest, tiny arms circling his neck.
"He's finally free." Ellis responded, teeth clenching.
They had to move, and they had to move now. It was only a matter of time before they were chased.
Finally, after nearly a half an hour of running through the tunnel, Ellis broke free through the forest floor, sitting down for just a moment and holding Nia against him.
The portion of forest they were in was so thick and dense with trees and tall shrubs that hardly any sun could break through, and Ellis smiled in relief. The old man had really known what he was talking about, after all.
He sank to his knees, still feeling the effects of that drug as well. He was exhausted, and carrying Nia wasn’t helping.
A cute meow caught his attention, and he turned curiously to glance down towards it. Beside him, peering out through a bush, was a small calico kitten mewing softly at the pair. No doubt it had wandered from the nearby village. At least that meant it was close.
Nia gasped, suddenly more awake as she crawled out of Ellis's lap, reaching towards the kitten, which tentatively moved towards her hands. Nothing like a cute fluff ball to make someone feel better.
She scooped the kitty up, snuggling it against her face, "What a sweet girl!" She cried, kissing its forehead.
"And why do you just assume it's a girl?" Ellis accused, glaring at her, "It could be a sweet boy too!"
She arched an eyebrow, petting the kitten for a moment, "It's a calico – they're all female." She sighed, shaking her head at him, "Stupid."
Ellis frowned, he wasn't good at taking embarrassment well, "At least I'm not short and ugly! And personally, I think it looks like a boy!"
Nia whirled, grabbing the kitten, which gave a surprised shriek of a meow, and shoving it's underbelly into Ellis's face, "Is that enough proof for you?"
He jerked back, falling back into the tunnel as Nia gave a cackle that would've outshone any proud witch.
"I get it, kid!" He spat in revulsion.
"I think I'll name her Daisy." Nia said innocently when Ellis was back at her side shaking the dirt from his hair and pouting.
"I think Rex or Bloodthirsty Warrior fits her better." He muttered, promptly ignored.