I wanted to ask him how he knew, but I clamped my lips shut, unwilling to confirm what he was saying.
"Give me the wolfsbane," he instructed. I hesitated, unwilling to let go of it.
"We don't have time for this," he said when I refused to give him the syringe. He stepped forward and with reflexes I couldn't combat took the syringe from me.
"Don't try to get out by the main gate," he said while he injected the wolfsbane into his leg. He winced slightly at the pain. I stood there, wide-eyed, unable to process what I was seeing. Why on earth was he injecting himself with the liquid that would weaken him?
His words penetrated my confusion. "At the back, there is a gate that isn't as securely guarded as the main one. But be careful, there is a guard on the outside who does a sweep every hour on the hour."
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, trying to figure out if he was trying to talk me into a trap. There would be no reason for a trap; he already had me at his mercy.
"You have to get out of here before they discover what you are," he said, starting to sway.
I caught him and sat him down on the floor.
"Why are you helping me?" I asked, still suspicious.
"If you don't go now, both of you will be caught."
"How?" I asked, trying to make sense of it.
"It doesn't matter. Go before you are discovered," he instructed as he lay down, too weak to sit up. "Don't take any obvious paths in the forest. Make sure you keep out of sight."
I nodded just as he closed his eyes briefly.
"Be safe," he said. Stunned, it took me a few moments before I stood up.
I didn't waste any more time questioning. I went straight to Dean and got him to his feet. As quickly as I could, I led him out of the study and through the house. At the back door of the house I collected my backpack and we slowly made our way through the back of the property, keeping close to the darkness that the walls of the property provided. Dean was out of it but he followed me without making a sound.
A couple of times, when I saw or heard a Keeper, I would press Dean up against the wall and keep as still as possible.
At the back gate, I didn't have a watch so I patiently waited until I heard the sound of footsteps on the outside, signaling the guard was busy doing a sweep. We only waited a few minutes later before I stood before the gate and held the lock in my hands. With a slight pull I managed to break it, thankful that I was strong enough.
I had no idea why Harrison had helped us but I followed his instructions. Later, when we were safe, I would be able to process what had happened but for now I needed to concentrate on escaping. Once we were outside the property, I made sure Dean and I stuck to areas off the main paths.
My muscles ached but I refused to rest. Dean's added weight was putting a strain on me but I didn't want to stop. We were so close.
Quietly we persevered and the sky was starting to lighten. We were almost at the compound where Kyle and my pack was. Home. But I shook my head. Not anymore.
I needed to get Dean close enough so he would be discovered by the guards, but I had to ensure I left before anyone saw me. I stopped for a second to wipe the perspiration from my face and catch my breath.
"I can try and walk on my own," Dean offered in a whisper, but I shook my head. He was still too weak.
We got just a few feet away from the compound. I stopped behind a few bushes and helped Dean to sit down.
"Why are we stopping?" Dean asked. His eyes were more focused now, even though his body was still weak.
"I can't go back," I told him, unwilling to explain why.
"You have to," Dean said, closing his hand around my wrist. His eyes were anxious and afraid. "There are Keepers out there hunting us."
"Just do as I say," I told him, not wanting to think about what I was going to do once he was safely inside the compound.
Through the gaps in the bush, I could see a couple of guards talking. There were no Keepers in sight. It had to be now.
"Yell for help," I told Dean as I began to back away from him.
"Where are you going?" he said.
