I wrapped my Christmas presents today. They look very horrible, because I have no idea how to wrap things. But at least they have character! :) Umm...I cannot wait until Christmas, even though we currently only have 10 or so gifts under our tree, most of which are for my friends. Yeah...

Will was running. He had no idea what was chasing him, but he felt a rush of terror when he felt it getting closer. He looked around, realizing that he was unarmed. He tried not to focus on that, trying only to run faster. He thought that he was gaining distance and relaxed. Then, he felt himself falling. He felt fear overtake his body, and his limbs froze, he hit the ground face-first, and only just managed to avoid landing on a rock. He pushed up from the ground, but the thing was too close. He turned just in time to see a creature covered in shadows raising a sword to peirce Will's body.

Will woke up, breathing heavily. He sat up, and realized that it was pitch black outside. He barely had time to remark on this before he felt something cover his mouth.

His breathing was cut off for a second, and he began to struggle, not caring about how much noise he made. The thing backed off for a second, and Will was about to yell the alarm, when he saw George standing beside him. He let out a breath.

George beckoned him outside, and Will went. As soon as George had closed the door, Will started yelling, "George, was that really necessary? I thought you were a burglar or something!"

He rambled on like this for a few minutes, while George waited for him to calm down. Eventually, he did, and George said, "I thought of something. We can't talk about this around Horace. Who knows if he even realizes that Alyss was reaped?"

Will looked at him. "Why do we have to discuss it in the middle of the night, though?"

"People who didn't know Jenny can't hear this." George said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Will let out a heavy breath. "What?"

George motioned for him to be silent. He gestured down the road, and they saw the unmistakable shadow of a Scotti guard illuminated in the moonlight. George started in the opposite direction, toward the woods, and Will reluctantly followed.

They broke through the woods, watching the road intently for any signs that the guard had seen them. They breathed a sigh of relief when he turned back the other way.

Will turned to George, trying not to be unnerved by the darkness that had engulfed them. "What?"

George looked around, as if to make sure no one was around. "Do you remember what Alyss had told us about what happened when she went in here that day?"

Will looked at George in disbelief. "Of course. How could I possibly forget?"

George looked around again. "Why was that guy in the woods? The guards couldn't possibly have known that they were going there."

"What does this matter? It happened two years ago."

George looked around once more. "Will, do you realize that there could be archers in here right now?"

"Why would there be? And stop looking around like that. You're starting to look like Horace."

George looked at Will impatiently. "Will, there could be something in these woods, or, even, beyond these woods that the Scotti don't want us to find."

Understanding dawned on Will's face. "There could be a rebel army beyond these trees."

They both looked deeper into the forest. They heard an owl screech, and Will jumped. He looked back at George. "What good will this do us, though?"

George continued looking into the forest. "We could join them."

Will sighed. "George, we can't go through the woods, confronting who knows how many soldiers, just to join an army that might not exist."

George looked dissapointed. "We will always be in danger if we stay, though. Even if Alyss does survive."

Will shrugged and started walking out of the woods, keeping carefull watch for the guard. George reluctantly followed him.

They walked back into the house, trying not to make any noise. Will looked at George. "You're right, but we can't risk it right now."

Yeah... please review because then maybe Alyss won't be harmed in the next chapter. Oh, and please vote in my poll for this story over whether Will should meet Gilan, Tug, or Halt first in this story.