I gave what my friend called "the most mischievous grin in the history of mankind" And then again I would answer in a sing-song voice "you forget franky" She looked at me with a blank expression. "Honestly I think you can compete with him"

I laughed "no one can beat franky at that, Nep" She responded with a laughing smile, "sure".

"But don't you think this is so cool? I mean, how many times in your life do you get to see The Riders of the Apocalypse? And at such a close distance!"

"Well…once they discover we're stalking them, it probably will be our last…" she replied seriously. I felt my creepy smile pull on my lips again. "Come on! We're going to lose them!". She huffed at me "With your "Death-radar" I don't believe that's possible". My smile only broadened. We slipped along the trees like the wind itself. A couple of years in the apocalypse had you well trained in the field of surviving. Proof had it, we've been following them for a good week and a half. Mounted on their steeds, they rounded a small cliff which I eagerly started to ascent. I peered over the edge. There they were. Grand and imposing figures. I ducked back behind the ledge and looked at Nepakang. Though she reprimanded me for following them, she had a hard time keeping her eyes off War. "See something you like?" I teased. She snapped out of her reverie and blushed. "We're too close. We should take some distance"

"Let them make the distance, it's fine" I nearly bit my tongue as I heard the horses growing closer and closer. Over the cliff? What on earth? Nep grabbed my arm and raced down the hill like all hell was on her heels (which in some way probably was). We literally dove into the bushes (not very discretely if you ask me…). Once to the ground, we started crawling away as fast and farther as we could. We froze from time to time to listen about. When the coast was clear, we moved on. You can never be too careful with The four horsemen. We judged the place where we stopped, far enough. "That was too close. We have to stop this now", "or we can just give them a day or two worth of travel, and follow at a safe distance" I said in an innocent way. She gave me a troubled look, and finally gave in (probably couldn't deny her own curiosity).

We looked for the river we had spotted on our way here. Once we found it, we set up camp. A little fire was breathed to life, and Nepakang started on the cooking. "I'm going to clean up farther down the river yeah?"

"Okay! Just be back for dinner!" She replied in a goofy voice. "Yup!" I marched down the calm resting forest. Once I got far enough, I stripped. The water wasn't as cold as I expected it to be, since it came down from the mountains. The regular stream massaged my muscles and smoothened my skin. It was so refreshing after a whole day's worth of walk (and occasional running). I walked around a little, thankful the river was only chest-deep. The bushes rustled near me making me jump. I lowered myself in the water and waited. It stopped. I waited still.

Then a head poked over the bush. It was pretty massive, skeletal, and engulfed in green flames and…Despair. I froze (I had that silly same instinct as rabbits when you blind them with the car lights on the high roads). He looked straight at me with those burning green eyes. Don't move. Maybe he'll just walk away. Maybe he'll just walk away! Funny how sometimes you get the feelings the events go against you consciously. Despair stepped through the bush and walked slowly into the river.

"No!" I whispered harshly. "Go away! Out! Pshh! Pshh!" I waved my hand at him in the opposite direction while the other hid my chest. Good-ol' Despair just looked at me happily and lowered himself in the stream. I sighed. "Fine. But don't you bring me any trouble, okay?" He nickered softly. Well I didn't expect a rider's horse to be so…positive. I had the unnerving curiosity to find out what he would feel like (being all bones and all). I set my hand out in front of me so he could clearly see my intention. He didn't budge, and actually looked quite expectant. I gradually got closer until my hand touched his nose. No reaction. He felt smooth, and not cold (like bones should be). I pet his forehead slowly, then went to his neck, and his back (The crazy thought of jumping on him and riding outta here did cross my mind). He just relaxed and enjoyed the coolness of the water. "It's nice after a rough day, eh?" He nuzzled my shoulder softly in response. I giggled. "You're not as impressive as you look when you ride into battle" He nickered softly. "I better head back. It was nice meeting you." He watched me step out of the water silently. I draped myself with my cloak, grabbed my clothes and walked away, looking at him one last time.

I all but skipped to Nepakang's side. "Guess what?" I asked with a toothy grin popping my head over her shoulder. She looked absolutely lost as to what could happen in a place like this. "You… took a bath?" she tried. "Yes, and?"

"you fantasized about death when he was actually there?" I blushed. "No." I said flatly. "But Despair decided to join me!" She gave me a disbelieving look. "I swear! And he's a really cool horse too! I actually thought he would charge me or something!"

"Which in your case should have been the logical choice" she teased. I looked at her questioningly. She waved it away and handed me my food bowl (and no, not the same as the dog one…). We devoured quickly and set to sleep, a deep yawn cracking our jaws in the process. "Oyasumi-nasai" Nep called to me. "Oyasumi" I replied, and drifted off to the dream world.

I cracked my eyes open to the light of dawn, and screamed in surprise.