Chapter 3- Pressing Onwards
The crescent moon hung low in the sky, offering Malon and Link little lighting. Although Malon hadn't wanted to travel after night, she'd heard the rumors; Link insisted that they press on.
"But Link!" Malon protested. "Haven't you seen those moving skeletons? There scary!" Malon cried.
Link sighed. "Malon, I have a sword for that reason. If you're too chicken, I'll take you back to the ranch."
"Aiiiee!" She shrieked, seeing one of the dead guys inching towards Link.
"What!" He yelled, pivoting.
"Link!" Malon called, pointing behind him.
He turned around quickly, but not quick enough. The dead thing lashed out, scratching Link's arm deeply.
"Ouch!" He yelled, and he slashed the thing's head off with one instantaneous swipe.
Grabbing Malon, he dove into the creek. Malon fought his iron grasp, imagining fresh air.
Link broke the still surface. "Are you trying to kill me?" He and Malon yelled in sync.
"No! I need to breathe! I'm not used to people grabbing my waist and pulling me into deep creeks!" Malon shrieked, pointing crudely.
"Well get used to it, Malon!" Link yelled back. "We have to swim the creek to get to Kakariko Village safely. Swim." He ordered.
Taking a deep breath, Malon performed stroke after stroke, barely able to keep up with Link.
"Wait up!" She said weakly, spitting out a mouthful of salt water. "Link?" The stillness crept in around her. "Link!" She screamed, climbing out of the creek and twisting the folds of her dress. "Link!" She repeated.
She ran to the bank of the river where it split into two smaller streams. "L-link?" She called nervously, swallowing.
"Boo!" Yelled a voice
"Aiiiee!" Malon tripped and fell into the creek, struggling to swim.
"Link!" She roared ominously.
"Sorry! Sorry!" He managed to gasp between laughter. "It was so funny!" He slapped his thigh.
Malon came out, her sopping hair plastered to her face. "Keep going. Gotta get to Kakariko." She mumbled.
"That's right." Link's tone changed. Getting to Kakariko was business.
Malon and Link plodded on. Malon couldn't stop thinking about how Link was the same boy from seven years ago. He acted so much more mature.
Link couldn't stop wondering about Malon really being seventeen, and him faking seventeen. He was really only ten in a grown-up's body.
By the fading glow of the moon, and the first rays of dawn shining through, Link spotted Kakariko Village.
"Here we are!" He called. "Kakariko Village!" Malon felt better now that they would be safe in the town walls. Malon and Link faced separate directions; Link towards the moon, and Malon towards the sun.
But the peace didn't last for long.
From behind Link and Malon's backs, a dead guy popped up, attacking Link.
His scream could have woken the dead. Literally.
Two other dead guys popped up.
Hands shaking, Malon retrieved her bow, and attempted to shoot one. The arrow whizzed aimlessly through the still air.
Link took out his sword, shoulder bleeding. He swung at the creatures, scattering them.
"We're doomed!" Malon shrieked. She took another shot and missed again. Link swung the heavy metal blade again, but to no avail. These creatures were stronger and smarted than the last batch.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" A rooster bellowed out.
Paralyzed, the dead things sunk into the ground, defeated for now. Malon fell back, the fatigue overcoming her.
Only once she glanced toward Link. His shoulder bled excessively. He laid on the ground along side her.
Her last thought, "Link needs a doctor," echoed through her mind. The blackness swiftly entered.
A/N: The plot thickens! I hope this is as cool to read as it was to write. Please, R&R!
