Rose was staring at the motionless body of Jess. A look of unbelievable horror frozen on the cows face. An arrow had pierced through her forehead. Her blue eyes had veen glazed by the fog of death. The eyes blink. Rose lets out a scream and staggers back, tripping herself, but then stands back up and begins running. She runs through the smoke and destruction of her home village! Houses collapsing into the purple burning flame, people screaming and fleeing in terror! Children crying for their mothers and fathers, black himanoid demons erupting burst from the ground! They begin running at horsepower speed and attack defenseless people! Rose continues to run, she runs as fast as her legs would let her! She had to get to the river! That was the only place she could think of! Surely her family was there, waiting for her so they could escape! She suddenly rams into a great black wall.

The wall opens, and she finds herself staring into the eye of the beast! It's eye as big as her home. She could see her own reflection and saw blood trickling from her forehead! Suddenly, the beast stands on all fours, it camouflaged perfectly by the night sky. It looks down at her, it's mouth slightly open, and as fast as a arrow hits, it lunges at her, giving a sound unheard before!

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA

~

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

Rose plopped down on the grass floor, falling on her hind-quarters. She had a nightmare, amd fell right out of bed. Through the door, she saw that it was day. She stood up and wiped some dirt on her already filthy dress. She then remembered who she was sharing the small room with. She looked to the other bed, and found it empty.

The memory of her nightmare was still fresh in her mind. So, she walked out of the small built cottage, and went to the river. Rose knelt down and cupped her hands. And washed her face, draining away her fears. The water was freezing, but felt relieving nonetheless. Once she was done, she looked around. Where did Caden go?

Rose looked up towards the block mountain. And to her surprise, saw that Caden was on the top, looking off into the distance on the other side of the mountain. Rose thought about climbing up to the top. But then remembered she her terrible fear of heights. She wanted to shout up to him, but couldn't find her voice. So, she reluctantly began to climb.

Her palms were sweaty, and she was only three blocks up, as she continued climbing, she thought.

'What was going to be the next plan of move?"

Her mind traced back home, as terrifying the situation was. She thought it was amazing how one day she would be washing her clothes, talking to her friend, and making dinner. To now wandering in the wilderness, with a strange looking survivor.

Rose snapped back to reality, and found hersherself on the top. Caden was still staring off in the distance. His eyes never moved though, and stayed on one particular spot. Rose squinted her eyes to the direction he was looking. But the morning sunlight was so very bright, she had to hold her hand up to block it. She saw that Caden didn't seem to notice she was there. So she spoke, trying to use a calm light voice so as not to startle him.

"Good morning Caden."

At once, Caden made a swift motion of spinning around, his arms slightly stretched at her as if preparing an attack. Bit once seeing that it was only Rose, he stood upright again, and muttered.

"Oh, okay."

Rose scratched her arm, not knowing what what to say next. Caden scratched the baxk of his neck. He was the first to speak.

"You, need anything?"

Rose gulped before answering.

"No, I was wondering where you were."

"Hmph."

Was his reply. Rose looked back to the direction he was looking, and asked.

"So, what were you looking at?"

Caden answered, turning back and looking into the distance.

"I was checking the entire perimeter."

Rose nodded, and said.

"Are you hungry?"

He turned to her, with a look of confustion. But before he could say anything, Rose said.

"Come on down, I'll fix something."

At that, she carefully climbed down the block foothill, watching her every step. As soon as she got down, though, she found that Caden was already waiting for her. The two went to the small house, and went inside.

Rose looked in chests to see what she could make, while Caden was retying his black boots. Rose found a bottle of honey and some bread. She found a knife and then cut out a couple of slices, drooled it with rich amber honey that smelled so sweet. She handed Caden a slice, then went to her bed ate her slice.

Caden was finished in two bites, he stood up and addressed her.

"Alright, now we need to plan our next course of action."

Rose nodded, "Right, we need to find a village and get help."

"Hmph, so, do you know any nearby villages if possible?"

At the question, Rose bit her lip and answered.

"I know there there are other villages, I just don't where."

At that, Caden let out a heavy exhale through his nose.

"Okay then, we got a lot to do."

They left the small house, bringing all the supplies, and went to the river. There, they discussed which direction to take. Rose was yge first to speak.

"If we go up the river, we'll find another village."

"Rose, this is a small island, not a continent. We need to pick another direction."

Rose thought. Then an idea popped in her head. She looked in her inventory and found a stick. And then found a wood block. She placed the wood block on the ground and put a smaller bock on top of that. She grabbed ad square leaf from a tree, and stuck it on one end of the stick. She paced it on top of the smaller block, and said.

"I'll spin it, and whatever direction the leaf points I'llwe'll follow."

Caden said nothing, choosing instead to cross his arms patiently.

Rose spun the stick, it apun around and around, like a moth around a candle. Finally, the stick slowed, then stopped. Rose and Caden turned to the direction the leaf was pointing. It was pointing the opposite of the river, beyond tge small built house, over the middle foothill, and across the land.

"Let's go."

Said Caden, already walking in the direction. Rose followed behind, as she did, a thought accured in her mind.

Island?