Search and Rescue (Part 1)

[Wraith]

Wraith stood in an alley just outside the gates of the Refuge, waiting patiently. Tristan and Kennedy would be here soon, and then carriages would start to roll out as some of the employees went home for the night, and that would be their chance to get through. She just hoped they'd bring a really sturdy rope, and that the rumors she'd heard about people getting lowered down to the window and talking to inmates were actually accurate.

She just hoped he was here, for God's sake. It was her last hope.

[tshamien]

Tristan hurried up to the outside of the gate, and looked back over his shoulder to make sure Kennedy was still following. When he came up next to Wraith he made sure she saw him first so he didn't give the girl a heart attack.

[Kennedy]

Kennedy didn't wait and walked up right behind Wraith, greeting her with a surprise kiss on the neck.

[Wraith]

Wraith squeaked--very quietly--then smiled and took Kennedy's hand without turning around, because she knew those lips on her neck very well.

"Hey," she greeted Tristan, her smile quickly changing to a more businesslike expression. "Gate should be opening again any minute now. Got the rope?"

[tshamien]

"Like I'd come without the rope," he held it up to her for proof.

[Wraith]

"In my experience, it's good to review these things," Wraith said with a shrug. A moment later, the gate creaked open and a coach went rolling out. "C'mon," Wraith hissed, and looked back at Kennedy for the first time. "Stealth mode. I know you've got it down."

She made one of her swift, ghost-like darts around the side of the carriage and in through the gate, praying the other two could keep up.

[Kennedy]

Kennedy had picked up a lot from Wraith over the last few weeks. She was right at her heels the entire time.

[tshamien]

And Tristan followed behind the two girls quickly, follwing them around the side of the building.

[Wraith]

"All right. Here goes," Wraith breathed, craning her neck to see up the ladder that led to the roof. There was, indeed, a window--and Tristan would definitely need the rope to lower her down to it, leaving Kennedy to watch their backs. "Let's do this."

She looked in every direction, saw no one, and went scurrying up the ladder like some kind of albino squirrel.

[tshamien]

Tristan watched her go and shook his head. He followed up after her, checking to see that Kennedy was coming up behind them.

[Kennedy]

It was no problem for Kennedy -- in fact, she looked quite bored.

[tshamien]

After he was sure Kennedy was following at a good pace, he kept up behind Wraith, climbing his way to the top.

[Wraith]

Wraith let out a breath through her teeth while she waited for Kennedy to hop up beside them. Practical mode or not, she was nervous. "Let's hope none of the guys in there feel like sucking up to the new warden...it'd only take one of them to blow the whistle on me, and we'd prob'ly all get caught." Okay, so she wasn't much for inspirational speeches. She took the rope and tied it around her waist. "Also, don't drop me."

[tshamien]

"You're so light I couldn't drop you," Tristan said with a smirk. "I'm gonna let the rope out nice and slow, if you need more slack just give it a tug."

[Wraith]

She nodded and handed Tristan the other end of the rope. "Keep an eye on everything down below," she told Kennedy. "Whistle if you see anyone coming." She hesitated, then gave Kennedy a quick kiss even though Tristan was right there. Hey, it might be her last chance if anything went wrong.

Then she made sure Tristan had a firm grip on the rope and...jumped off the roof. Dangling, heart pounding, she waited for him to lower her toward the window.