********** POV: ANJU *************

I was silent for the rest of the day as we travelled. As we walked, I sighed and every now and then looked back at my father who begged forgiveness. I know he meant no harm when he said we could not stay with Kafei and his family, but for some odd reason I just can't seem to get him off my mind.

As the sun finally set below the trees, I stopped walking and slowly sat down on the forest floor. There was still not sign of a way out – anywhere. I have no idea where we are or where to go, but I do know that we shouldn't stop travelling, but we must.

My stomach is grumbling louder than ever and my feet are aching. My head is spinning from how hot it is and my body feels like it wants to sleep for a full day just to recover from all the emotional turmoil. I can't believe I'm breaking down this easily … I can't. I have to be strong. I have to be strong for Grog … for Kafei.

"You know, Anju," my father said as he sat down beside me, "there is a reason why we couldn't stay with that other family. It was better off this way."

"I know." I sighed. "I just can't help shaking off the feeling I had when I saw Kafei. It was like we instantly clicked."

"You have no idea what kind of people they are." My father continued. "They could have attacked us and taken our things while we were sleeping. That boy could have been playing you just to get you weak and then attack when you were in such a deep daze you wouldn't even notice it happening."

"Kafei wouldn't do that to me." I protested.

"You don't know that." My father raised his eyebrows at me.

"I do!" I shouted, slamming my hands down at the ground.

"You do not know him!" He hollered back.

"I know by the way he looked at me!" I stood, tears filling my eyes. "The way I looked at him! He would not have hurt us and now I'll never know him! This is all your fault!"

"It was for your own good, Anju!" He pointed his finger at me.

"It was not!" My hair stuck to my lips. "It was for yours! All you ever think about is yourself! The only reason why you followed me in the first place was because of how it would look on you! You don't even care!"

"Enough!" He waved his hand through the air and my mouth fell shut, silent. With my chest heaving and my whole body trembling, I spun on my heels and stormed away, hugging my body as I did. Choking back tears, I feel to the ground, refusing to look back at my father.

I don't know when I woke up, all I know is that I did. It was the middle of the night and my father and his workers were sleeping behind me, my father's snores echoing through the forest. Standing up quietly, I looked at him before tiptoeing away.

I don't know where I was planning on going, all I wanted to do was to get away from my father and to find Kafei. My heart would lead me to where I needed to go – I just know it. I didn't even take food with me, I knew I would somehow find a way to fend for myself.

As I walked through the dark forest, I found myself startled by the littlest gust of wind. At every hurl of wind, I froze up and whipped my head in the direction, praying that there was no monster, or these things called Stalfos that were myths told to me as a little girl. Even more so, I hoped Kafei walked out of the trees and tell me he left his parents to find me as I did mine.

I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw the shadow of a boy standing far away. Excited, I smiled and my heart began to flutter. I broke into a sprint, excited to see Kafei again. As I ran, I held out my arms, waiting to embrace him. Just before I reached the silhouette, it disappeared.

Standing in the middle of the forest trying to catch my breath, I looked around confusedly. I had seen a boy here, I know I had. There is no way he disappeared this quickly, so where is he? Was he playing games with me? Was he trying to trick me? My heart fell as I thought that maybe my father was right all along.

I became mesmerized as a purple fairy flew in front of me. The only fairies I've ever seen have always been with the Kokiri and the Hero of Time, Link. What was this little fairy doing out here alone? As I stared, I blinked slowly. As my eyes opened, a child stood before me. Shocked, I jumped back, shrieking.

He wore what appeared to be battered clothing, some made of a straw-like material. His shoes were red and pointed at the ends and had yellow buckles. His face … I couldn't even see his face because it was covered by this … mask. His laugh cackled and chilled me to the bones.

"Eh-hee-heee…" He laughed and I stared cautiously. "You have the smell of fresh cucoos … you must be from outside the forest. But why, why, why are you here now?"

I said nothing as his head bobbed back and forth and his wrists circled. Leaning forward and placing his hands on his lips, he titled his head and looked at me before springing up and circling me. He circled faster and faster until I couldn't keep up with him. I held my forehead, trying to stop the world from spinning.

"Hee Hee!" He finally stopped. "Look at you! A little girl who has fallen in love with a boy she cannot have."

My heart dropped as he said the words. How had he'd known? Shaking in fear, I took a step back and opened my mouth to talk but closed it again. Swallowing I looked behind me and pointed.

"I should go," I said crackly, "besides, my father be furious with you if he found out you talked to me."

"Even if your father were to come now." He stepped towards me. "He couldn't handle me. No one can. Why don't you just think for a minute about that blue haired boy … Kafei."

My heart sank lower.

"Aw, boo hoo." He tilted his head in the other direction. "Why the sad face? I'm just having some fun with you! Come on, I can help you!"

"I really don't think you can." I disagreed. "I'm leaving now. Good-bye."

I turned away and began to walk. With the heavy feeling that eyes were on me, I slowed down and turned back to look at the boy. He stood in the same spot, eyeing me under his mask. Not sure what to think, I faced forward and screamed. There he was, standing in front of me. The same boy.

"I can help you." He cackled. "Don't you want to see the boy you love again?" He teased. "I could make that happen. I could make your father accept."

Thinking about it for a moment, I said nothing and looked to the ground and I pushed my way around him.

"I know where your brother is." He called after me and my face dropped. I turned back to look at him. "That's right. I know where Grog is. I helped him, too. He is no longer a monster because I helped him. I can help you, too. I can give you the life you want. The one where your father accepts Grog, were Grog is not sick and seen as a monster, and where you live your life with Kafei. Isn't that what you always wanted?"

I stared at him, speechless. Had he really helped Grog? How would he have known his name, his sickness, and that people viewed him as a monster if he hadn't of helped him? Then again, how did he know that I loved Kafei and everything about my father? I was lost in my own though, I had no idea what to think. I watched as he held out his hand.

"Take my hand, Anju." He sounded inviting, yet dangerous. "Take my hand and all I said will be yours. All you have to do is take my hand."

I watched his hand move with his breathing. I watched as my own left my chest and moved inch by inch closer to his. My heart told me no, but my head told me yes. This was wrong, I knew it. I knew I shouldn't trust this boy but my hand still moved closer and closer.

"ANJU!" I heard my father's voice behind me. "Don't touch his hand!"

It was too late.