But because life is how it is, this was far from salvation. My hands were still bound back, and my fingers, once so adept and dexterous, now felt like dull stumps. I looked at Jack, but he was slumped back into himself, trying to understand what happened, still unsure about his role in the grand scheme of things, and as such, he was unable, or possibly unwilling to help. I smiled at him, just for myself, and turned to Cuss-Bert.
- Help me! - I scream-whispered at them.
As if waking from a dream they opened their eyes and looked at me. For a brief moment confusion settled but then understanding came, and soon enough I saw a tentative smile creeping onto their face.
- Hey! - they whispered.
For a moment I forgot everything. The pain, the ringing alarm bells, that told me my charge was to
