Aiden finished rolling up his pant legs and placed his worn-out prison shoes and socks in his bag. Although it was hard for her to see in the dark, he was trying to avoid getting too wet. His feet had been toughened from over a year of hard labor, mostly spent on his feet â€“ often without shoes. The streambed shouldnâ€™t be all that bad to walk on, he figured. Eventually he led the way into the stream, his feet sinking into the oozy softness. The water was cold â€“ damn cold â€“ but nothing could dampen his spirits. He was finally free.<br/><br/>He looked away into the darkness before answering her questions, struggling to see the lights downhill through the forest canopy. â€œThe town center is about a mile, so it could take us an hour going downstream. That should still leave us plenty of time to... borrow some new clothes and hide until the first bus shows up. The general store should have bus tokens we could borrow as well.â€ He smiled and tried to sound hopeful as he responded to her second question. â€œAt the latest theyâ€™ll fund us during breakfast, when our dummies are still sleeping in our beds. By then we should be in Grand Central, and long gone.â€<br/><br/>After a few steps he could see that Carina was attempting to walk down the middle of the stream, and had allowed the water to wash up to her hips. â€œWhoaâ€¦â€ Aiden said, stepping over to her. He reached out and took her hand. It was cold [ooc: OK?] â€“ clearly the chill of the water was affecting her.  He gently guided her back to the shallows. â€œJust a little water will throw off the hounds,â€ he said without incrimination. â€œWe donâ€™t need to get that wet. I donâ€™t want you getting pneumonia on your first night as a free woman.â€ Although it was hard to see, Aiden wore a gentle smile as he spoke.<br/><br/>Once they started off again Aiden took off his pack and button-down sweater. The sweater was a gift from his mother, one of the few things he had been able to keep in the prison. Once an expensive, fashionable item, now it was a bit worn and threadbare from constant wear. He placed it around Carinaâ€™s shoulders without waiting for her to object. â€œYouâ€™re cold, this may help. When we climb out you can use it as a towel.â€ There was genuine concern in his voice as he spoke.<br/><br/>A little while later the soft mud became somewhat unstable, and Aiden slipped slightly but didnâ€™t fall. In response he reached out and took her hand once again [OOC: OK?]. â€œWeâ€™d better hold on to each other, seems a bit slippery here. It would be bad if one of us gets hurt or completely soaked.â€ Unless she objected, he held on to her hand the rest of the way.<br/><br/>The walk as slow and chilly but they got through it â€“ invigorated as they were by the escape in progress. Eventually they came to a low, stone-arch bridge where a paved road crossed the stream. At Aidenâ€™s suggestion they climbed the large rocks and dried themselves off on the road. The night was pitch black and no one could be seen or heard. Once they had gathered their things, Aiden led them down the road towards what he thought was the town square. He was right.<br/><br/>Within minutes they were behind the large five-and-dime store on Main Street staring at the back door. Aiden searched the ground and found an old, rusty nail that had been discarded by the trash. He silently bent it around the railing with his bare hands.<br/><br/>â€œJust like the old days,â€ he whispered to Carina as he inserted the nail into the doorâ€™s large key opening and turned it a few times. After a moment a quiet click brought a smile to his face. Aiden had spent years as an anarchist before being captured, and apparently he held onto his some  skills. â€œAfter you,â€ he said, beckoning her enter the store with one hand. â€œAnd make sure your shoes are dry, letâ€™s not leave any footprints.â€<br/><br/>He entered behind her slowly, closing the door silently behind him.