Jasmine  

XIX  

No. This can’t be happening. Not again. Think!  

Come on Jasmine. You can’t be captured again. Think, think, think!  

Okay, okay. Calm down. I think the one who is holding Cairo back is Zaro, and the guard holding me back is either Tashe, or somebody else. I have to get us out of here, before they drag us out, back towards the jail, and a potential execution.  

My eyes land on the tables surrounding us. I see some forks, some knives... all of these could be useful, ... if my hands were free.  

Also, everybody is staring. Oh great. Then, I see Cairo. His head is limp, and his eyes are closed. HE FAINTED?! Again, at the most inconvenient time.  

Ugh.  

...Wait...  

Fainting...  

That reminds me of when they knocked me out when I was first captured...  

I take one last look around, and make a mental note of the nearest table. There’s no knives, but there is a frying pan, left there by one of the waitresses, probably. It’s only about a foot away; I should be able to get it, if this works.  

Alright Jasmine.  

Ready?  

Let’s do this.  

Cairo  

XX  

…  

Jasmine  

XXI  

I close my eyes, and relax the muscles in my neck, making my head go limp. I hear some shuffling, then the guard holding me loosens his grip, and speaks to Zaro.  

“Boss, I think she fainted too?!”  

“Wimps, the both of them.” Zaro exclaims in a deep, raspy voice. “Just sling her over your shoulder, like last time.”  

YES! I’m being carried just like the last time they captured me. Everything is going to plan.  

The guard slings me over his shoulder, and I can just barely touch the pan with the tips of my fingers. Come on... just a little more... a little farther...  

I can hear Zaro’s footsteps move away. They’re starting to leave. I have to grab it before my guard leaves as well...  

I GOT IT!  

I frantically grab the silver pan, it’s smooth handle almost slipping through my fingers. Eventually, I get a good grip, and clutch it in both of my hands.  

Alright Jasmine.  

3  

2  

1!  

I hit guard holding me in the back of the head, and I can hear the pan make a clanging sound as it connects. He drops me immediately.  

Startled by the sudden noise, Zaro turns around. His look of shock turns into a look of anger, but before he can do anything...  

Cairo wakes up.  

He bashes Zaro in the head with his own, and takes advantage of the now-bleeding Zaro’s shock, and manages to grapple free. Ro runs over to me, and I can see he looks scared.  

“W-what do we do now?” he frantically asks.  

I look over his shoulder. Although he’s injured, Zaro is still quickly making his way towards us, heavily leaning on tables.  

“You’ll pay for this!” he bellows.  

We have to get away. Fast.