Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chornus ❯ Volume Four: Chapter Twenty-Three: Escape Game ( Chapter 23 )

Escape Game

Ten hours. Teddy had to play it cool. Anna Jane was left in that cell downstairs. It all happened so fast. He wondered if she was okay.

Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink.

All of the bears looked at the table. One bear with a crown on his head stood up at the head of the table. He raised his little cup. A quick speech was made. He notioned over to Teddy. The bears all clapped. Teddy lowered his eyes. The crowned bear said more things. Teddy had to play along. Meanwhile, he had to plan to get Anna Jane out. Someone nudged him in the side. Teddy turned his head. Another bear eyed him. Her right eye twinkled. Teddy didn't know how to respond. He lowered his cup. The bear gave her a short bit. She stared mesmerized. Teddy paused and tried to think The White Bear put her arm around his shoulders. He flinched away. She gave him a look. Teddy shook his head. The White Bear looked a little hurt. Teddy bowed his head. He muttered something to her. But then an idea came into his head. Teddy looked around for a bit. He leaned in and whispered his plan. White Bear listened to every word.

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Anna Jane waited on her cell floor. She lifted her head when she heard a tapping noise. Hm? The girl noticed a small piece of crumbled up paper on the floor. Her hand inched toward it. She held her breath the whole time.

Closer… Closer… Just about there…

Anna Jane touched the paper with her fingertips. A small smile spread across her face. She pulled the paper towards her. Anna Jane pulled it open.

“Look up.”

The girl's eyes turned up to the ceiling. At first, it looked the same as it had hours ago. Anna Jane made a face.

“What am I looking at?” she asked. She wrinkled her nose as she narrowed her eyes.

Hang on. What… What is that?

One of the tiles in the ceiling had a notch the size of her thumb. Anna Jane sat up. Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped.

Whoa!

She stood up with her hand towards the ceiling. Anna Jane frowned.

“Hm…” she said. The little girl looked around her cell. There wasn't much around. Not even dust or dirt. Anna Jane puffed up her cheeks. She finally looked to her right. A cot hung off from the wall. The child looked up at the ceiling. She tilted her head. Anna Jane frowned in thought. She looked up at the ceiling again. Could she reach that notch? Anna Jane dropped her shoulders. She puffed up her cheeks and walked over to the cot. The trick was to stay quiet. So far, no other guards came by. But still…

Anna Jane had to stay focused. She started at the notch in the ceiling. Could she do it?

Five… Four… Three… Two…

Anna Jane couched down and leapt towards the notch in the ceiling.

Wham!

“Ow,” the girl muttered to herself. Anna Jane struggled to sit up. Okay… Not good. But that was just the first try. Anna Jane sat still. She looked left and right. No one in sight. Okay. The girl looked up at the ceiling. She could hear the notch laughing at her. Anna Jane frowned. No! She would not let it win.

“I have to get out of here,” the little girl said. She pushed herself to her feet and climbed onto the cot. Anna Jane counted down in her head. One more jump…

Wham!

The little girl gritted her teeth. Okay… Try again. Anna Jane got up and walked up to the cot. Take three.

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Teddy settled down in the public bath. Knowing his human friend, she was acting on his plan right now. She had always been a smart girl. Teddy looked up at the ceiling. White Bear was another matter. Could she be trusted? How could he be sure she wouldn't rat him out? She seemed interested in him and Teddy didn't understand why. The bear rubbed his forehead.

Right now, all he could do was wait. Good thing Anna Jane was a smart little girl.

Time to Escape