Chris breathed deeply and stood motionless for a while. He quickly snapped into action when he realised Annika was still tied up, "I'm fine physically but mentally's a different story" Chris cut the rope and stood still, he wanted to move, to run to safety, but Tucker lying on the life made Chris re-think his whole purpose. Chris hated death, pain, murder. Although the man wasn't dead yet it still hurt Chris to know what he was capable of doing. He drew in a deep breathe and looked towards Annika, "Let's get out of here".

Annika stared at Chris. She was half annoyed because he wasn't moving, but half of her was saddened for him. She didn't want her problems to interfere with his life and make living harder for him. The sad half of her won so when the ropes fell from her arms she shot up from the chair and threw her arms around Chris. "Thank you" she whispered in her ear. "I have to explain all of this and I promise I will... it'll just have to wait a few hours" she pulled away from Chris, grasping his hand in her own and tugging him toward the door in the corner. "I'll get us out of here if I can. You just follow" she opened the door and slowly crept around the corner. "We can make it. Let's go" she gave Chris a firm tug then ran toward the door. She practically dove into the sunlight, grateful her legs weren't rubbed raw. She looked back to make sure Chris was still with her even though her small hand was still nestled in his larger one. She glanced around the small area to see Shout anxiously prancing around. "What is he doing here? " she hugged Chris for a split second before taking off toward her horse. When Shout heard her speaking, he spun in a circle and trotted to meet Annika again. Annika wrapped her arms around Shouts neck and her roan horse lowered his head over her shoulder. He lifted his head and nickered to Chris. "Come on Chris" Annika reluctantly pulled herself away from Shout and stepped to the side. "You get on first. I'll piggy back"

Chris stood in shock as Annika hugged him but was quickly finding himself gliding down a hall. He smiled and breathed in the smell of nature, "I am definetly not the reason he's here" Chris laughed, he pulled himself onto the horses back, "You behave yourself" He whispered into the horses ear. "Wanna hand up?" He asked Annika lowering his hand.

Annika giggled as Chris spoke. "Did you ride him here then?" She asked as he mounted. Annika grabbed his hand. "Yes, thank you" she jumped up, grabbing the back of the saddle with her free hand and hoisting herself on. She wrapped her arms loosely around Chris's stomach. "Go go go" she chanted, her head hovering over Chris's shoulder. "We gotta get out of here before he tries to get us again" she shuttered at the thought then pulled her hair into her hands so it didn't knot while they rode

Chris smiled and reached onto the horses mane. They galloped along until they reached the castle, "Let's get inside" he dismounted and handed the reins to his stable hand, "If anything happens to this horse tonight you will not be working here anymore" He hissed. He clasped Annika's hand in his own and pulled her towards the castle, he only let it go when they reached inside. "Ok you've got a bit of explaining to do" he said grabbing a glass of water

Annika rode silently. She hopped off and gulped at the tone of Chris's voice. She ran after Chris, trying not to get her arm ripped off. She stopped and looked down. "Yes... yes I do. So you know how it is being alone in a castle. Well I only had one friend and his name was Tucker. Tucker and I became closer than anyone could imagine and he and I secretly got engaged years ago. That was when I noticed he didn't want me and only wanted the crown. He kept asking me questions and expecting me to answer them as soon as he wanted me too. I ended up selling the ring and breaking it off with him and sending him away after he had a major fight with me. He had been gone for about two years and I haven't talked to him since... that is until today. I was brushing down Shout and someone kidnapped me and took me there. He was demanding answers that I did not have. He wanted me to tell him how to become king and how to destroy the monarchy. He claims he still loves me but he only wants the crown. And now that I really think about it, I didn't love him. He was the only guy I knew so I had no clue what love was like" she looked down, ashamed of her past and the people she was affiliated with. She hung her head, a breath escaping her lungs that she didn't know she was holding.

Chris looked towards Annika his eyes filled with relief and comfort, "i'm so sorry you had to go through that..... i'll always be here to help you....if you need" he gazed into her eyes for a second but turned away as his mother starting calling out, "Chris? Chris?" He sighed, "I'll see you in the morning" he said smiling towards Annika.

Annika was about to thank him when his mother called for him. "Yeah... see you in the morning..." she gave a weak smile and started toward her room. She climbed the stair and closed the door to her room. She changed into a soft but tight crop top and plaid pajama pants and crawled into her lush bed. She had to have tossed restlessly for two hours before she finally sat up. She looked around the dark room then decided to go visit someone. Annika fiddled with her copper hair as she stood infront of the door, debating wether or not she should acctually knock. Her hand lifted and knocked softly against the wood. "Chris..?" She whispered "Can I come in?" She let her hand fall to her side then stepped away from the door, gazing down the hallway

Chris walked to his mother, "what's up" "oh nothing just checking to see where you are" Chris sighed and walked back up to his bedroom. He laid there for ages until he heard the soft knock he got up from his bed and opened the door, "Annika, are you ok? Come in" he said opening the door a little wider

Annika sleepily nodded. "I couldn't sleep and thought we could talk" she stepped into his room, looking around for a second. She sat down on the corner of his bed. "Tucker didn't hurt you did he?" She pulled her arms into her lap, hoping to conceal the rubs and bruises covering her arms and hands.