"We're not falling for your lies again!"
The Drawing Board painted itself an angry, tearful face.
The other Oddities crowded before their Cells, glaring at Annan with resentment.
"Why not hear what he has to say first?" said Candlehead, who had been betrayed one fewer time and still felt a faint trace of goodwill.
"I just realized there's a huge flaw in my plan..."
"Someone shut him up! He's lying to us!"
The headless Werewolf gripped the bars and roared, but did not dare rush out and attack Annan.
"...Even if you get out, it won't help. Your true forms are still here."
The Dungeon grew much quieter.
"No matter how far you run, the Warden still controls your true forms and can bring you back... That was my mistake. I can't believe I missed it. But it may turn out to be a blessing..."
What Annan said next caught the Oddities' attention.
"I can move freely. So I'll open your Cells, and at dawn, you can take your true forms with you and escape the Warden's control..."
The Oddities did not know whether to believe Annan. One Oddity, dripping water all over, sobbed softly. "A crooked merchant toyed with me when I was alive, and now that I'm an Oddity, you're toying with me too..."
"This time, I'll take the risk with you."
Click. Annan opened its Cell door.
Hope stirred again in the other Oddities. This time, it really seemed possible...
"Can I join you?" asked an Oddity that had run back to the Dungeon.
"You're welcome to."
The headless Werewolf hesitated. "Can I trust you?"
"Trust me," Annan answered earnestly.
"Mr. Warden, I've spotted signs that the prisoners are trying to escape again."
Outside the Church just before dawn, Annan called anxiously toward the building. "It's