Sorry that this isn't really that long of a chapter but... It's a chapter like... Let's just say it's like the calm before the storm. Yes, that's a good way to put it.

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Anna sat with Nicholas and Nathan on resting rock. Michael though, would not spend any more time with them then he had to. He'd show and tell Nicholas many things, but when Nathan or Anna would come by, he'd immediately leave. He'd would only glance at them, but he did his best not to look. This was because he felt that Anna would rather be with his friend, then him. So, his friend was no longer his friend.

Anna felt the wind blow her hair out of her face and she looked away from the ground to Nicholas. He was clearly deep in thought. She could always tell when he was. His eyes would be narrowed slightly, his mouth moving softly. He's always done that since Anna could remember. So, she looked to Nathan who also lifted his gaze from the ground to Anna. They held eye contact and Anna felt her cheeks burn, so she quickly looked away, back to Nicholas, "What are you thinking about?"

Nicholas suddenly snapped out of his thoughts he looked at his sister, "Nothing really."

"Oh?"

He nodded then stood up, "I'm going to go pick some apples for mother... So she can make a pie."

Anna smiled lightly, and taking this as a form of permission to do it, Nicholas made his way away from them.

Slowly she let out a breath as she looked up to the sky.

"A bit chilly... Don't you think?" Nathan asked her.

"Yes, but it is the start of autumn... Then it'll be snowing and constantly cold." She looked back to him.

"Yes... are you cold? Right now, I mean?"

"A little bit."

Nathan took off his jacket and held it out for her to take, "Put this on."

Anna felt a smile tugging at her lips, but she shook her head, "I'll be fine."

"No, I insist...Take it."

"Nathan, I mean it, I'll be fine. It isn't that cold anyways."

"I don't want you to be cold though. It would be rude of me not to give you my jacket."

"You're not being rude. You offered me your coat...That's very polite, gentlemanly like."

"Anna, take it." He said softly, tilting his head to the side, watching her.

"I don't want you to be cold."

"I won't be. I'm fine. Not cold at all. I'm perfectly fine."

"You put it back on right now, Nathan."

He looked down at it then back to Anna, "Anna-"

"No... You can keep it."

"Please?" He asked with such a look on his face that she no longer could deny him of it. She took it, and put it on. Anna looked at him. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Anna said nothing but looked up to the tops of the trees. "What do you think is beyond the forest?"

"The towns are, of course...And then more towns and people after that..."

"Do you think the people in the towns are really as wicked as everyone says them to be?"

"No, Anna...I don't think so."

"So then they tell us that to-"

"They tell us that so we're not tempted into trying to cross the forest to get to the towns. I'm guessing."

Anna pressed her lips together as she pulled the jacket closer to her body. She tucked her hair behind her ears and looked down to her feet letting out a silent sigh. Though she had the jacket on, she felt chills running up her arms. It felt as if someone was behind them, watching them. Nathan and Anna turned around at the same time, but, as far as they could tell, they were alone. Anna and Nathan looked as each other and Nathan stood up, "I think it's time to be getting back to the village."

Anna looked around and gave a nod of agreement, "I think your right." She fell into step with him, walking back to the village. Once again, she looked behind her, and from the corner of her eye, something made a quick movement. She quickened her pace into a near run, and Nathan did the same.