Soft footsteps echoed from the small dirt trail into the unexplored forest surrounding a town know as Ruetek. Actually the town is known only to the people who inhabit it. Traders do not come here because they do not know it exists; there are no visitors, and all who are born in the small village stay in the village. No one makes them, its just sort of an unwritten rule. No one has left the village in over 200 years, and though the empire had forgotten the village, the Gods had not, for the peoples crops and live stock grew well, and the people did not suffer from inbreeding, though most frowned upon it.

The girl stumbled without losing her balance, and without missing a step. Life was too boring for her to even care. When she was little, she would be suspicious of every noise, every movement. But at the age of 15, she had done and seen what she thought was everything the little town had to offer.

She pushed back her long golden blond hair letting the warm summer sun beat down on her face. Her long legs carrying her swiftly down the road, where she would most likely be joined by – She quickly smoothed out her short sleeved light green shirt and dark brown shorts.

"Here we go." She whispered to herself. She halted at the home made branch n' barbed wire fence gate, looking out into the fields of endless corn. There was a woman in a small garden beside an oaken wood house, dull and shaggy with age. The woman held a hoe in one hand and a basket of tomatoes in the other. Her long sky blue dress dragged along on the ground, and white apron stained with dirt. Her face was already beat red from work when the day had just begun, though it was already unbelievably hot. The woman looked up as Jessica made her way through the gate.

"Oh, I haven't seen you in ages!" She cried. She leaned her hoe against the house and laid her basket of tomatoes on the ground. Jessica outstretched her arms for the incoming hug.

"It's nice to see you too Mrs.-." She choked out. The woman held her at arms length.

"I've told you several times before, just call me Leeane." She squeezed her one last time, than went back to her garden.

"But anyway, I'm sure you came for Reigme?" Jessica shrugged." If he's not busy…"

Leeane sighed. "Well he cannot go. The fields need tending and Jerry and I can't do it alone. But if you'd like to stay until he's finished, you know you're always welcome."

Jessica smiled. "What can I do?"

Leeane set Jessica to work plowing the weeds from her garden while she plucked the tomatoes and wild onions. Jessica poured herself into her work, and in no time sweat was running down her face and neck. After several hours of hoeing, picking vegetables and trips back and forth from the river for water, Leeane finally called her into the house. Jessica happily followed her in and was handed 3 canteens of water and 2 whicker baskets of food. One was smaller, and filled with enough for one person, while the other was loaded for two. Jessica smiled.

"How can I ever thank you?"

Leeane smiled warmly. "Just keep coming round, helping us out and keeping Reigme out of trouble and you'll never be in our debt. Now go before the boys starve to death!"

Jessica turned and hurried out the door stuffing the water into the baskets at the same time. Jerry wasn't far from the house, which wasn't a surprise. Jessica quickly handed off the food and continued her search for Reigme. She started off at a fast walk, but her hunger and excitement drove her to go faster. She jogged around in the field, seeing no trace of him until-

Jessica ran dead into an unseen victim, cursing as she fell. "What the hell?!" Reigme threw his scythe to the side as he was knocked off of his feet, landing hard on his back. The hot dust settled over them as they lay panting, Jessica laying sprawled over Reigme. She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, her insides flipping wildly. "I brought you lunch." She laughed and slid to the ground beside him letting him sit up. His darkly tanned body drenched in sweat was covered in a thick layer of dust. Jessica giggled helplessly. "Where's your shirt?"

He shrugged like she knew he would. "Don't know, But I'll find it later, and I might need help." Jessica smirked as she wiped at the sand on his muscular chest and stomach.

"Right now, all I can think of is the food!" Reigme laughed and dug out a sandwich. "I could do this forever."

Jessica smiled and grabbed a sandwich for herself. "Well, give and take a few parts…" She mumbled. Reigme smiled.

"I could only agree with you on that." Jessica blushed furiously. "Less talking, more eating." She stuttered. They wolfed down their sandwiches and chugged the water.

The first sun was already past its high point in the sky, and a cool summer breeze teased the corn. Small clouds drifted lazily by every so often blocking out one sun or the other.

Reigme stood and stretched, dust poured off of the back of his pants. "I guess I'll see you later."

Jessica jumped to her feet. "No wait, let me help you so we con go swimming, I don't want to go by myself." She quickly dusted herself off, and began repacking the basket. "I'll run this to the house and be right back, Okay?"

Reigme shrugged. "I guess, but if I were you-"Well I'm glad you're not because I'd never get any help." She flashed him a quick smile then trotted away.

"WELL THERE'S NO REASON FOR HER TO BE HERE WHEN SHE NEEDS TO HELP OUT AT HOME, WE HAVE A FARM TOO YOU KNOW, AND SHE DOESN'T NEED TO BE HNGIN AROUND YOUR BOY EITHER, I DON'T TRUST HIM ANYMORE THAN I TRUST YOU!"

Jessica sighed wearily and snuck around to the side of the house, slipping in through the back door, sitting her basket beside the smaller one then knocked twice on the counter. She was answered by Leeane knocking once.

"Well," Leeane started. "As I said before, She is not in the field, but in the house helping me peel some potatoes." She finished loudly. Jessica quietly dug through the cabinet drawers until she found a peeler and dug into the potatoes beside the sink.

"I saw her walking to town and invited her to join us for lunch, and when she finished she offered to help us and wouldn't take no for an answer, so because she helped me in my garden, she will join us for supper, unless you think otherwise."

Jessica smiled. Leeane was a crafty one for sure, and was full of ingenious scenarios. This had happened 7 times before, and each time she had come up with a new reason to buy some time.

"Jessica," Mark ordered. "After supper, come straight home, do you hear me?"

"Yeah," Jessica called from the kitchen. Her stomach fluttered wildly. "I heard." She squealed as his footsteps faded. Leeane flew into the kitchen. "Hurry dear. I mean to keep my promise to your father and let you and Reigme go swimming too." "How does potato soup sound?" Jessica nodded vigorously and washed off her potato.

45 minutes later the basket was repacked and ready to go. Leeane handed Jessica the basket and canteens. "Have a good time, and you still have a while before you have to get home." Jessica took the basket and left.

"Reigme?" She called as she tore through the field. "C'mon, your mom said we can go. Reigme where are you?" Approaching footsteps slowed her. "C'mon I don't have much time." Reigme appeared, shaking out his shirt. "Ok then lets go." They quickly made their way out of the far side of the field where the river ran deep. They both laughed as they collapsed on the gravel bar.

Jessica sat the basket down beside her. "I don't know about you, but I'm going to swim before the day ends, the food can wait. And I'm sorry I took so long, Mark showed up and Leeane bought me until after supper, then I'll have to hurry home where I'll probably get grounded."

"Again?" Reigme groaned."

Jessica sighed. "On top of that I won't even get to see y- , uh, I mean, well, your mom seems to get pretty lonely…" Reigme shot her a quick glance.

Jessica blushed. It's still really hot, are we going to swim or not?" Reigme grinned.

"Whenever you're ready."

"I'll be ready for anything at anytime."

He tore off his pants. "You knew I was coming, you're wearing your swimming shorts!" Jessica laughed and undressed. Her brown and blue bikini showed off her slim torso and long legs. They raced for the water and dove in, gasping as they hit the icy water. "It's cold!" she shrieked. Reigme laughed. "I'm already used to it." He dove under and emerged again seconds later. "So, what exactly are you going to do in a few years anyways?" Jessica frowned. "What are you talking about? I'll end up marrying some idiot guy my parents choose for me, have 10 kids, work the fields and clean house or fun. That's how it's always been…you know that."

Reigme nodded and smirked. "I bet my parents choose a fat, childish girl who likes to clean house and wants 10 kids." They both burst out laughing. Even though the joke wasn't very funny, happiness didn't come often.

Time seemed to fly by on the gravel bar as they ate and talked. Their swim clothes were completely dry by the time the sun had disappeared behind the hills.

Jessica gasped as she looked away from Reigme. The sun had long disappeared and it was nearly too dark to see. "Reigme, I'd walk home with you but I really have to go." Reigme stood.

"No, I'll walk you to your house its fine." Jessica smiled.

"Well I guess we'd better get going then." She grabbed her clothes and the basket and started for the house. They took turns holding the basket until they were both fully dressed and had reached Reigme's house.

They both slipped inside where explanations were given followed by goodbye hugs. Reigme and Jessica left and raced down the road, both happy just being in the moment. A summer breeze whipped around them carrying away their worries and drying their clothes.

After a few minutes, they slowed to a walk. Fireflies danced around them, twinkling like stars in the sky, the silver moon shone down on them, guiding them down the dirt road. Locusts and crickets joined into each others song and the trees rocked back and forth with the soft melody.

They found themselves drifting closer together as feet receded to inches, and inches to nothing. The walk had been quiet until the firelight of Jessica's house came into view.

"Well," Reigme turned to Jessica. "I guess this is goodbye for a while, but if you ever come by…I'll be waiting…"

Jessica smiled. "Thanks, I'll remember that, and I'll come by as soon as I can." Before she realized what was going on, he had wrapped her in a hug. After a while she slowly pulled away. Reigme sighed. "I'll see you later, and please, be careful. Whatever it takes to live another day okay? Remember that, and think of me." Their eyes locked for a brief moment.

"Thank you, and how could I not?" She reluctantly turned, slowly making her way back to the house. Reigme spun and ran in the opposite direction fighting his urge to turn around.

Jessica stepped onto the ground level wooden deck, her heart pounded almost unbearably, her stomach churned furiously, begging her to run after Reigme and never return home.

Mark was sitting in a rocking chair fast asleep; bow in hand, a mass of arrows on the porch next to him, his head rolled to the side. She crept past him and quietly opened the screen door, sliding inside. Her two brothers were fast asleep, but her mom was the one she would have to worry about. She dropped to her knees and crawled through the pitch black house and into her room, where she quickly changed into her night clothes and slipped into bed. Her mind raced with thoughts of Reigme. She replayed being at the river and her walk home, then the hug, but most of all, was what he said. He had never hugged her like that before or at all for that matter. She curled up, fighting away the butterflies. She knew when she went to sleep, she would be doomed to wake to her parents arguing and the second she would leave her room, Mark would fly down the hallway and scream at her and tell her she couldn't leave the house for a week leaving her with her thoughts of….and his voice and what he said, trying to figure out what he meant. She was completely unable to stop thinking about him…

Her mind drifted off, finally too tired to continue but still able to create dreams, sweeping her away from reality.

The moon swam across the sky, almost completely full. The stars seemed to have doubled during the day but the Gods frowned upon the tiny village, and at the girl who lay sleeping, for with the moon…her life would forever change.

"YOU WANNA WORK DO YOU?!" Mark screamed as he shook Jessica awake. His eyes were bulged from his head and his forehead was wrinkled into his much receded hairline.

He jerked her out of bed and onto the floor. "GET UP!" He screamed. Jessica slowly got to her feet, her body shook with anticipation, and she could hear her brothers screaming from the doorway, begging him to stop. Reigme's words came to mind. "Whatever it takes to live another day…" She sucked in a breath, ready to defend herself.

"WELL IF MRS. LEEANE SAYS YOU LIKE TO WORK, WELL THEN WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF IT!" Jessica bared her teeth and growled as adrenaline coursed through her veins. Mark licked his thin lips. "GET IN THE KITCHEN!" Jessica tensed and slinked into the kitchen, watching him as she passed ready to block his belt with her arm. He would never know it didn't hurt, because he was too thick headed, so sure of himself, and of his "power".

"YOUR GONNA DO THEM DAMN DISHES!" Jessica looked at the sink, every dish had been soiled. She shrugged, rage filled her, but if she got through the day….She filled the sink and washed for three hours, then he set her to work on the laundry where she found clothes of her own she hadn't wore yet. She could hear her brothers outside laughing and running around. Her mind wandered far away to the forest. She longed for a life of freedom, to be able to fend for her own life and wield a sword freely…to cut down her foes…

"Jessica," Jessica whirled around. Water sloshed from her hands to the floor. Her mother stood at the door, her eyes red and swollen. "Where were you last night? We were worried about you…" Jessica turned back to the clothes. "Yeah, that defiantly explains the bow and arrows."

Terri blinked in confusion. "I don't know anything about that, but what were you doing?" Jessica sighed in annoyance. "When we sat down for supper we all got to talking and when we finally left the supper table it was dark out so I came straight home." Terri nodded thoughtfully. "They are very nice people…"

Jessica saw her chance and took it, Terri was lonely because Mark was a power hungry monster. He had denied her any friends and Jessica saw her chance to bring her mom around, and maybe talk Mark into shortening the grounding to only a couple days and out of the mass of chores she would be stuck doing.

"Yeah," Jessica started. "Nice people who want to be friends. They are the kind of people who would go on Sunday picnics with us. You love to cook and so does Leeane. You could sit with her and swap recipes, talk about the weather, mom she wouldn't care, and neither would you, do you know why? It's because true friends out side of their own family are rare, and she is one that would take that chance, because their family has woken up from 200 years of being too good to talk to anyone outside of their family!"

Terri stared at the floor, tears streaming down her raw swollen cheeks. Jessica fought the urge to smile. ("Hook")

"I believe you are wise beyond you years, but too stupid to do anything right. You should by now know that when you remain gone after the first suns high point, your father will know where you are and expect only the worst. Honestly, you leave long before anyone wakes and come home well after dark, what are we to think?"

("line and") her thoughts stopped short Jessica grimaced and no longer felt the urge to smile.

"I am not a child, I will be 16 next week, I deserve a little freedom before you marry me off, and at any rate, I only go at most twice a week!"

Terri clutched the worn fabric of her long green dress. "We try to keep you away to save you from getting you heart broken. You should know your father will try to marry you to the richest of the men. I-I just do not want you to suffer…" Jessica gaped at her. "I appreciate that you feel that way, but how do you think I feel now? Do you honestly think this isn't suffering? And I don't understand how you believe you are saving me from heartache, when it's not even like that…"

She felt herself nearly choke on her words. Terri smiled sadly. "You are only fooling yourself if that is what you believe." She shot a glance at the front door then disappeared from Jessica's view.

Jessica turned and made a mad attempt to finish the clothes, angry at her-self for being so cocky. Minutes later her efforts had paid off, but her rest was a short one.

Mark stomped through the house. "Hang up the clothes when your done then get in the fields. I want most of the corn harvested by the first suns set."

Jessica slowly got to her feet and loaded up the wicker basket full of wet clothes and rushed outside, avoiding Mark altogether. She loaded up the clothesline in record time, left the basket for later and snagged her scythe making a beeline for the farthest point from the house, but closest to…Reigme.

She shook her head. Butterflies filled her chest. "Why can't I stop thinking about you?" She sucked in a breath as she looked up into the sky, tears pulled at her eyes. "My heart feels torn in half. I long for you to hold me the way you did last night…I want you so bad but I-NO!" She slapped herself hard enough to make it sting. "I will not give in, I-He, no; I won't let myself become weak. He can only bring me pain in the end…But then why-"She smacked herself again. "Just stop. I don't, I-I, I should deal with this later.

Reigme leaned back against a dirt bank, mere yards from her, his legs crossed and hands in his lap, smiling sadly. In his heart he felt the same way, but it swelled knowing she felt so strongly for him.

The day passed slowly, but not without amusement, as Jessica sang for the rest of the day. Her emotions poured into her already strong voice.