I was now in the woods, following the scorch marks back to camp. I noticed how every eight trees had different marks. It started with a fire, then a gem, a skull, next a drop of water, an owl, a lightning bolt, and lastly a heart. This camp! I thought with great sarcasm.

I head a snap and turned around with neck braking speed.

"Hel-hello? Who's there? Answer me!" I was getting frustrated. I had a short temper and today was not the day to piss me off. "COME OUT HERE YOU COWARD!" I shouted. My feet were swept under my body and I was thrown on my back. I laid there, still at first, until I heard the panting, growing louder until I could feel the breath on my neck.

I turned my head to see an enormous dog looking at me with inquiring eyes. It was actually really cute after you looked past its flesh tearing teeth. Then it drowned me in slobber. The thing licked my face until I couldn't see. Or breathe. Or scream for help.

"MRS. O'LEARY! GET BACK HERE NOW! GET OFF OF HER AND GET OVER HERE!" Mrs. O'Leary obeyed immediately and stopped assaulting my face. The boy who called her, dark hair that framed his pale face and brown eyes that made his features smaller, looked like he was going to kill her.

"You lay a hand on that dog," I began, "and Gods so help me, I'll inflict the worst-"

"Who the hell are you?" He asked, not looking so angry anymore, but you could tell the anger was still there. It took me longer than it should have to realize that he was a tortured soul, and he had seen too much death for his age.

I felt my chest deflate as I said my name. "Jordan. And you are?" I asked, still staring at him. He was wearing all black except for a brown leather jacket. He was definitely lonely, misunderstood, and worst of all, felt like he didn't belong. I wanted to give him a hug, but I didn't even know his name.

"Nico DiAngelo. You okay? You seem a little…" He let his sentence carry off into space.

"No!" I screamed, but obviously no one else could hear me. "I'm not okay! My mom told me to leave, my brother is crazy and… and…" I lost it. I started sobbing uncontrollably, my body jerking violently as I did so. I was wet, and even though it wasn't cold outside, I was freezing.

"Gods don't cry." Nico laughed. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders and cradled me in his arms. He smelled like vanilla and cinders. I rested my head on his chest and he kissed the top of my head. "You'll be okay. As long as you're here, you'll be okay."

And with that, we drifted off to sleep.