Run.

Keep running, keep runningkeeprunningkeeprunning. Don't stop-!

SSSCCCCRRREEEEEEE!

I had to stop myself from covering my ears as that ear-piercing screech echoed around through the forest. I had to run. I have to keep running from that thing. I've suffered enough already from them, the last thing I wanted was to be attacked by one of those monsters.

As I jumped over a fallen log and zigzagged through the trees, I could hear the ominous sound of heavy footsteps coming right behind me.

Come on, come on! Why won't it stop?!

But as those thoughts ran through my head, a sudden pain shot up through my leg, making me stumble and trip over. I gasped when I tried to get up, only for the pain to get worse.

'No…come on…get up!', I thought to myself, trying and failing to get back on my own two feet. I only managed to get as far as a nearby tree when that monster showed up.

A giant bird creature with a long neck and oval body, similar to that of an ostrich…if not for its blood red and black feathers, its razor sharp beak and talons, medium sized wings and four muscled legs.

SSSCCCCRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!

I covered my ears and backed up as far as I could, as the monster slowly approached me, snapping its beak constantly. My breath quickened in pace and in my rising panic, I brought my arms out towards the beast and with what energy I had left, created a fireball in my hands, throwing it at its face.

I saw the monster back off and screech in pain, but it turned back towards me with so much hatred. I didn't register the wing that charged towards me until I was whacked forcefully to the ground.

The pain…there was so much pain flowing through my body as I began to flutter in and out of consciousness. I could barely see the monster approaching again out of the corner of my eye…and I could do nothing.

…Is this it? Is this how I'm going to die?

…But just when I thought it was all over-

"HEY, BIRD-BRAIN!"

SSCCCRREEEEEEE!

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, huh?"

I turned my head as much as I could to see the monster run toward the voice, only for it to screech in pain as something sliced against its body, out of nowhere.

What…?

The monster began swinging its talons wildly, but every time it did so, more cuts and wounds began appearing over its body and legs. All the while, the sound of someone giggling could be heard. Eventually 'and amazingly', the monster gave a final screech before its wings opened up and it took to the sky, flying away from the area…and me.

As I tried to get up from the ground, I gasped when a figure suddenly appeared out of thin air. But when they started to approach me, I couldn't help the whimper that came out of my lips and I closed my eyes, curling my body up as I did so.

Oh god…what are they gonna do to me? Are they gonna hurt me? Are they…are they with them? Are they gonna take me back?! I-I don't-

The feeling of arms gently wrapping around me stopped my line of thought. I felt my body being carefully pulled and my head leaning against someone's neck. My body started to shake and I could feel the tears building up in my eyes. …But then I heard the voice.

"Shhhh…it's alright. It's alright… I'm not gonna hurt you. You're safe now...shhhhhh…"

That voice…that was the same voice I heard distracting the monster's attention away from me. A…male's voice, I figured out. The…the same one holding me against their body. Ever so slowly, my body's shaking started to slow down as words of reassurance and comfort continued to whisper in my ear. When a tear managed to fall down my cheek, I felt a hand hold my cheek, brushing away the tear.

The last thing I knew was the feeling of being carried before everything blacked out.

It was bright.

That was the first thing that registered in my mind as I slowly regained consciousness. I blinked away any blurriness from my eyes, my vision meeting a white ceiling. I began to look around the room I was in. It wasn't just the ceiling that was pure white, the walls were just as white as well. The floor thankfully, wasn't the same colour, going for light brown wooden flooring. There was a door to my right, a window and a mirror to my left. Looking down, I realised I was in a bed, with white sheets over my body and a white pillow against my head.

Taking the chance, I slowly began to sit up, pausing when I felt my body aching in protest. I looked around the room in confusion. 'Wasn't I out in the wilderness before?', I thought to myself. But then the memories came back to me.

The monster.
The injuries.
The chase.
The voice.
The words!

Gasping, I wanted to get out of the bed as fast as I could, but I stopped when I realised I wasn't wearing my clothes. My…boring brown 'villager' clothes, that had been torn to my knowledge from the chase, had been replaced by white 'seriously, what is up with their white?' clothes. My injuries had been bandaged up, and when I lifted up 'my' shirt, I saw the bruise that had formed on my side.

I groaned to myself. Yep, there's no way I can get out of this place in the condition I'm in, especially not with the bruise on my side. I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. Honestly, I wouldn't say I was a 'muscle man', even though I would hope to be physically strong. Then again…that is where my powers over fire come into play, right? I saw my short dark brown, almost black hair messed up from 'bedhead', and my brown eyes looking tired from lack of sleep.

As I observed my appearance, touching the small bit of facial hair under my lips as I did so, I didn't notice the door open and someone coming in…until I saw them appear in the mirror.

"Hey."

I drew in a breath and held back a yelp as I quickly turned around to the stranger behind me.

The stranger was a man, looking at least 5 years older than me, with really short light brown hair and bright brown eyes. He was wearing a grey shirt, dark blue jeans and light blue and white sneakers. He seemed like a normal person, the only notable thing being the light blue cloth tucked in his left jean pocket.

This man began to giggle at my reaction, before speaking, "Glad to see you're finally up. For a minute, I thought you'd be like Sleeping Beauty and I'd have to kiss you to wake you up."

I froze as he spoke to me. ...That's the voice again…

Is this the man that saved me?

I looked away from his face. "…Did-did you…save me…?", I spoke quietly, my own voice box feeling used for the first time in a while.

"Hm? Of course I did! I couldn't leave a fellow Monuko out to die by those monsters, now could I?"

I shot up at his words, quickly regretting it as my body ached once again from the fast movement. "Y-You're a Monuko as well?", I couldn't help but ask, the words slipping out of my mouth.

In response, the man smirked and brought his arm up towards me. I gasped when his hand and arm suddenly vanished, then reappeared in front of me. "Invisibility.", he answered. "I kinda have enhanced senses as well, but that's not really important."

That would explain how he got that bird monster to retreat.

"But anyway!", the man snapped me out of my thoughts. "The name's Nanners, but you can call me Adam."

I tilted my head as he said that. 'Adam? That's his name?' Then I heard 'Adam' continue, "And what about you? What's your name?"

"I…", I thought about whether to give him my name or not. I mean, I've only just met him and I don't know anything about him…but he did save my life, and he could've hurt me while I was unconscious but he didn't. But also…for some reason, something about Adam made me…want to trust him. Perhaps it was because he comforted me in my time of need? I don't know…

"…Ch-Chilled. …My name is Chilled."

Adam smiled at me, quite unlike the smirk he gave me earlier. "Chilled… Quite ironic, considering your 'fire power'." With that, he giggled once again at me, but unlike before, I began to smile and giggle with him as well.

I paused when I felt a hand stroke my hair and I looked up at Adam in confusion. I tilted my head when I saw Adam had a strange look in his eyes. It was weird…like there was some kind of feeling going on behind it, but I didn't know what it was.

Before I could say anything though, he retracted his hand from my hair and began to leave the room. I whined in protest, which I quickly stopped and blushed from embarrassment. Wh-why did I feel sad that Adam was suddenly leaving? Was my body really that desperate for human contact that I just don't want him to go?

It seemed Adam heard my whine 'much to my growing embarrassment' and turned to look at me. He gave a gentle smile at me, and spoke, "I'll be back soon, Chilled. …Maybe I'll bring Ze with me to see you too once he's free." He chuckled when he saw my worried expression. "Don't worry. I promise he's harmless. Besides, I have a feeling you two would be good friends."

With that, he turned back to the door and opened it, giving a final glance to me. "Take care, Chilled. I'll see you soon." And he closed the door.

I was left on my own again. …And yet it was strange. Before, I was scared. I wanted to get out as soon as I could. But now…I don't feel like that anymore. I lied back down on the bed, being careful of my injuries and pulled the sheets over me, snuggling into the bed.

Maybe being here isn't so bad after all…if I get to see Adam again.

AN: Er...what did I just write? XD

Okay, so...explanation as to what is going on. This is meant to be a Fantasy AU, where there are people known as 'Monukos'. Monukos are humans or humanoid creatures with magical/supernatural/extraordinary powers. They can range from physical abilities (like wings, claws, fangs, fur, etc.), to more mental and magical abilities (like fire magic, telekinesis, transformation, invisibility, etc.) However, in some parts of the world, normal humans believe Monukos are dangerous and are judged because of it. Luckily, not all of the world is like that, as there are 'sanctuaries' for Monukos, including a city determined to be a safe haven for both humans and Monukos. That city's name is Nobuko City.

...And that's it. That's as far as I thought of with this AU.

So yeah, I hope you enjoyed it! ^w^