Let's be *Naughty*

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Koda raised her eyebrows. "Well, then," she said. "If you don't care if you die, then I suppose I don't either. Though it seems a rather pathetic attitude for a skaa thief."

[echolight4eva]

"Do you see a way to escape?" he asked, gesturing around his cell. The room was made of thick stone, with one tiny window barred with iron, and a heavy door that wouldn't budge easily.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Koda had started to turn away, but she paused when he spoke. "For you?" she said. "No. Now, with help from the outside..." she trailed off, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

[echolight4eva]

Noah gazed at her and felt the ghost of a smile shadow his face. "And are you suggesting that you would help me?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Of course not," Nikoda replied. "After all, I could be executed too. However..." She smiled wickedly. "If you stand in the back-right corner of your cell at nightfall, something interesting might happen." After that, she turned and left, her dark hair bouncing with each step.

[echolight4eva]

Noah gave a soft grin and shook his head as she left.

At nightfall, he did exactly that.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Behind him, nearly silent and out of sight behind Noah's form should any guards pass, a hidden door slid open. "Noah Cooke?" said a quiet, rough voice from inside.

[echolight4eva]

Noah whirled around. "Who's there?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"A friend," said the voice impatiently. "Or, at least, an ally. Are you coming or not?"

[echolight4eva]

Noah paused a moment, then decided it was well worth the risk. He nodded. "Yes."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Then come," the person snapped. There was a shuffling as they backed away from the opening, making way for Noah to come in. He'd have to get on his hands and knees and crawl into the darkness.

[echolight4eva]

Noah kneeled down and crawled forward, feeling the way with his hands. His still-stiff ankle made this hard.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

The cramped stone tunnel seemed to go on forever in the patch black. If it weren't for the shuffling and ragged breaths ahead of him, it would have been impossible to tell if the stranger was still in front of him. Eventually, though, they emerged into a night cloaked in thick mist.

[echolight4eva]

Noah shivered as soon as they emerged into the night. It was cold. He then looked around to find his savior.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Strangely, the man had disappeared. The street around Noah was completely empty save the ever-present mists.