Jack meets up with them all. Acacia and Jack nearly fight. Ruby takes control
compile: 2
Without thinking, Ruby was on her feet, pressing Cora to her shoulder, who woke during the shift. “What's happening?” she mumbled.
“Shh, shh. I've got you.” Ruby waited for Jack to make a movement, but he remained in the doorway.
<What do I actually want to happen? I really don't know. What are Jack's motivations? Is he starting to shift to Ruby's side? I kind of think so, actually. Maybe he's actually impressed that she called him out.>
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jack stared at Acacia. <Lots of staring, whatever> “Scarlet's had a bulletin out for you for months. Everyone thought you'd gone to the surface.”
“He has, has he? Like hell you didn't realize I was in your master's torture chamber. You slept five doors down from where I was screaming in agony.”
Jack's face blanched. “No. I didn't. He woul—”
“Don't you dare say he wouldn't torture people. You know what Scarlet and the rest of his kind do to us. You think you're safe because you're a toadying bootlicker. Some day, you'll step a toe wrong with him and no one will save you.” Acacia gestured to Ruby. “In fact, that day might be soon if you don't get that one back under your thumb, won't it?”
“As if your fighting has done jack all for anyone. Can you really blame me for wanting to have my little comforts? He never asks for much.”
“Oh no. Not much at all. What's a little light kidnapping between friends?” Acacia tossed her head dismissively. “Come on Ruby. This man child can't do anything to you.” She strode to the door, implacable as a <simile>.
“Look, I'm sorry for what's happened between us.” Jack tried to hold Acacia's wrist. She brushed off his voice and his actions.
“I wouldn't have hurt you,” he said as Ruby walked by him. Acacia scoffed audibly. They were out in the preternatural glow of the well's globe. Jack still stood in the door of the well house, now shadowed and shrunken.
Acacia felt pity. “You can come with us,” she said, surprising even herself.
“What?” “No!” Jack and Acacia spoke at the same time.
“I don't know what he's done to you,” she said to Acacia. “And I'd like to hear soon. But I can't leave anyone to be hurt when there's anything I can do about it. I can at least try to give him a head start. You're coming with me too, right?” she asked the girl she still carried.
“Can I, please?”
“Of course. I'll keep you safe.” She kissed Cora's forehead and put her down, but held her hand still. As poorly fed as the girl was, she was still heavy. “You said this magician, Douglas, might be safe? Lead the way.” And she followed after Acacia.