A few days had passed since Skye had left home and she had no idea if her mother had been worried about her. Tristan had tried to help her find her way home a few times, but they were always unsuccessful, they would either get lost and it would take them until sundown to find their way back, or they would search for the tunnel that lead Skye there, until dusk. Skye had figured she better stay with Tristan and Zelda for a while, until someone either came looking for her or when she and Tristan are finally successful at finding her a way home. Tristan and Skye had been inseparable since Skye had first came to the old ranch. She had no idea why, but she felt comfortable and safe around him, like he was a close friend that she was able to tell anything to. Everything had been perfect for Skye, except for Zelda had been acting a little weird since she heard about the Stalfos. She usually had a blank expression on her face, except, there were a few times when Skye and Tristan asked if she was alright. She would usually just give the two teenagers a weak smile and said she was fine, but they never believed it. Skye and Tristan were out looking for the cave once again when Skye heard something rustling in the bushes. "Um, Tristan," she whispered pointing to the bush. Tristan turned, holding a dagger in his hand; he pulled Skye behind him and waited for whatever was behind the bush to rear its ugly head. The two teenagers waited until something jumped out, to their relief, it was only a little brown bunny. It sniffed the ground, looking for something to eat. Tristan crouched down. "You're hungry aren't you?" He asked reaching into the pouch tied to his belt. He pulled out a small carrot and held it out to the bunny. "Here you go. Go on take it, I don't care much for them." The bunny slowly moved forward to sniff the carrot, and then it grabbed it with its mouth and began to chew. Skye stood there in awe, not just because the bunny looked adorable chewing that carrot, but also because she was shocked at how good Tristan was with animals. She crouched down next to him. After the bunny finished its carrot, it looked at Tristan with big eyes, longing for more. Tristan smiled and took a second carrot out of his pouch. "Alright here you go," he said handing it to the bunny. This time, the bunny took the carrot and hopped away with it in its mouth. "It's not the first time I found a hungry animal searching for food. I gave a small bear cub some honey a few years ago; it followed me around until we found its mother."
"Wow, you're fantastic with animals," Skye finally said. Tristan smiled and gave a small chuckle as they continued walking. Some time went by, and they had no luck finding the cave. "I would really like to know how a cave could just disappear like that!" Skye said sounding furious. "Just keep calm," Tristan said, in his usual tone, "maybe, we just aren't looking in the right area."
"No, this is the place" Skye replied. "I remember that rock right there with the moss shaped like a weird spiral and that tree with the branch hanging by a small piece. I saw them when I first came, when I reached the end of the tunnel. So it should be right there." She pointed in front of her, but nothing was there except more trees. "Maybe you're thinking it was somewhere else," Tristan said, "There's obviously nothing here." "There was. I swore there was," Skye said sounding more irritated than before. "I'm not crazy; I know that it was there."
Tristan looked at the sun. "It's almost time for dinner," he said beginning to walk back, "we should go." Skye huffed and silently followed. * * *
On the other edge of the land, the man looked into his green fire, watching the two teenagers walk back to the ranch. He then heard a knock at his door. "Enter," he said, standing up. The captain stood by the door. "You wanted to see me sir?" "Yes, prepare your men for another attack," the man said, forming a sinister smile on his face, "we will be getting the girl tonight." "Yes sir," the captain replied. "When do we attack?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," the man answered, turning toward his fire, "when they go into the woods." "Yes sir right away," the captain said before leaving. "Just you wait Skye," the man said, looking into the fire, "soon you will be mine."