"Brother…"Maryline panted, and fell onto her hands and knees, on the hot, dry sand, exhausted from running." I feel so weak… My legs feel weak…" She panted, and closed her eyes. Kiechi stopped the moment she called him, and walked to her. He kneeled onto one knee, taking deep breathes un-evenly, resting one arm on his knee, and moved his other hand onto her shoulder. "Do you want to rest here for a while? I mean…-Uh?" He paused, and watched Maryline turn over onto her back, taking a deep breath before scooting close to him. Kiechi gave a small smile, and picked up Maryline, cradling her like he used to when she was a small infant. She snuggled into his brown dried blood stained white T-shirt, while Kiechi watched her, making a promise to himself in his head, to protect Maryline with his life.

Morning came, and the two found themselves in a twin sized cot, in what it seems to be a shed. Kiechi was the first of the two to wake up, and notice the change of scenery. "Uh-Ugh…"He slowly pushed himself to a sitting position, and looked at all the tools that leant against the plank walls, the hammers and screws and others, how they hung loosely on large hooks under built in shelves that carried tubes of glue, and boxes of nails, and other small items. He turned to Maryline, moving his legs under himself, and shook her shoulder." Maryline…" He whispered franticly. "Maryline… Maryline, wake up." Maryline stirred, and opened her eyes slightly. "Maryline… Wake up. Come on." Maryline looked at Kiechi. "What is it, Kiechi…? I was in the middle of a beautiful dream…" She said. Kiechi grabbed her wrist. "We have to get out of-" The doorknob then turned, and pushed the door open. A tall man, with coral green eyes, small facial hairs on his lower jaw and shoulder length blonde hair, smiled at the two. He wore a white collared button up shirt with cuffs on the end of his long sleeves, faded denim jean overalls, black/brown loafer like shoes, and orange circular sunglasses, that were set on the middle of the bride of his nose.

"Well, hello there, kids!" The man said, smiling. He raised his hand, which was his own way of waving hello. Kiechi stared at the man, and growled, standing up, and pushing Maryline behind him. He balled his hands into fists, and held them out a few inches away from his face, getting into some sort of fighting stance. The man blinked, and waved his arms. "Woah there, kid! I don't want to fight you! I just wanted to say good morning and that breakfast was ready! No need for scratches, scrapes and bruises." He said, and smiled, sweatdropping, putting his hand behind his head.

Maryline poked her head out from behind her older brother, and blinked. "Break…fast?" She asked. The man looked at Maryline and smiled. "Well, hello there little lady." He said, and took a step to them. "Don't you look-" Kiechi then picked up a nearby pillow behind himself, and threw it at the man's head. "Yikes!" The man said, dodging the pillow just by an inch. "We're feisty, aren't we no-" "Stay away from my sister…" Kiechi growled, reached, and grabbed another pillow. The man blinked, and smiled. "I can clearly see that you love your sister dearly… Well, I'm Ericks, and if you want your breakfast, you can find me at the house next to this." Ericks said, smiling, and walked out of the shed, shutting the door gently behind himself.

Kiechi watched him go, and crossed his arms. "Hmph… Good ridden…" He murmured. Maryline crawled and sat at the edge of the cot. She smiled happily, and jumped down, walking to the door. Kiechi looked at her and blinked. "And where do you think you're going?" He asked, keeping a stern look on his face. Maryline looked back at Kiechi. "I'm going to get breakfast! Want to come?" She asked politely, smiling happily. Kiechi blinked, and un-crossed his arms, jumping down from the cot. "Eh… Fine…" He said, and gave a smile. Maryline cheered, smiling, and headed out the door, heading to the house next door. It was made of dark, dense wood, painted brown. It had a long porch, as long as the house itself, and a window next to the screen door, that seemed to be opened. On the porch was a wooden rocking chair, and a side table next to it, that had knitting needles on it, that were attached to blue unfinished blanket of some sort.