A/N: ok wow this is SOOOOO overdue. but guess what? my writers block is officially GONE and i know where i'm going w/ this story! abso-fabulously-lutely! and look out cuz i'm coming out w/ a new story, but its gonna be in the Fairy Tales section. its gonna be my funny story (or at least my attempt at one) but whatever, check it out! ok yeah stop reading this, start reading the story!

Moving On

" Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Unknown

It was Eric that took the job of hero.

"Come on! Addy might still be in there!" he shouted in my ear. I felt his firm grip on my arm as he half dragged-half carried me up the slope towards the flames. By the time we were within ten feet of the house a sickening gust of smoke engulfed me making it practically impossible to breathe. I was slowly shaking myself out of my reverie.

"Eric, you search the downstairs, I'll check the upstairs. Hurry! The walls are going to cave in at any moment!" I cried over the sounds of breaking glass and crackling wood from inside. Eric thrust open the back door and a huge smoke cloud billowed out, but he and I charged on. Once inside the house instinct overcame my other senses. I scrambled past Eric, and made my way down the hall and to the stairs.

Looking up at the stairs wasn't promising. They looked as if they were about to collapse, but I knew I had to try. I decided that running up them would be best (stupid, I know, but what else was I going to do?) and surprisingly I made it. Once atop them things became more complicated. It was now obvious that the fire had started up here. It became so hot that my vision blurred. But I couldn't just stand there, I had to find Addy.

Making your way through a burning building isn't something that I would recommend when you haven't yet eaten breakfast. Ashes were flying into my mouth and down my throat to burn my stomach, making it churn. I made my way across the upstairs hall, looking into each blazing room and coughing. I passed Eric's room first. It was in complete ruin.

"ADDY?" I yelled over the crackling of flame. There was no answer, so I continued on. Down the hall was my room, this I knew. When I reached it, I saw (through hole in the door) a crumpled figure lying unconscious on the floor just behind it. The remains of the door were the only things that remained in my way. Backing up, I threw myself full force into the door. It broke into splinters that I could feel sticking into my arms. "Addy!" I cried, rushing over to her. I had to act fast, the house seemed as though it would cave in around us. Using what seemed like my last ounce of strength and adrenaline, I swung her over my back just as the floor caved in.

I landed in a heap on the ground, Addy next to me. The last thing I remember thinking was that I was such an idiot, and the figure above me should just let me die in peace.

"… You just found her in time. I really don't know how to thank you."

"I just wanted to help, really. She should be alright now."

My eyes flew open. The first thing I felt was considerable pain. I could have sworn I had awoken just after getting run over by a carriage with a huge boulder inside it. My head felt as though it had grown quite a bit, but the skin had stayed tight over it. Burns, I supposed. The next thing I felt was anger. Wasn't I supposed to be dead? The next and last thing I felt was—

"ERIC!" I screamed with relief. I had never been so happy to see that face, which was sitting next to me, in my life. I sat up so fast that blood pounded into my brain, causing my vision to cloud for a few moments. Then I reached over and hugged him.

He hugged me back, whispering, "Geez, Liana, I'm alright." While he hugged me, I took in my surroundings. It seemed as if I was behind our house in the meadow. I was sitting on the blanket Eric and I had shared during our excursion this morning. Above us on the hill sat the smoldering remains of our house. I felt a lump in my throat as I gazed upon them, but quickly switched my gaze to the person kneeling over me.

He was a boy, about my age, with short blond hair and a broad face. He had the air of authority and great ability. Eric released me and stood up next to him. I decided to be blunt.

"Who are you?" I asked. The boy smiled.

"Tristan. And you are very, very weak. Lay back down or you'll make that headache worse." I opened my mouth to protest but a glare from Eric made me do what Tristan said.

"Tristan saw what was happening and came to rescue you." Eric said, putting emphasis on the word rescue. This, of course, had the effect he had hoped for.

I glowered at him and declared, "I didn't NEED rescuing. I was fine."

"You were about dead when I found you! There was no way you could get up. Half the house was on top of your legs." Tristan said defensively.

"Well I was all set to die and you just went and totally ruined that for me." I knew I was being unreasonable, but I honestly hate being saved. I'm not helpless, I can save myself! Most of the time. "So, where's Addy?"

Eric seemed suddenly uncomfortable, and a pained look crossed his eyes. "Liana, no one blames you, really, you did all you could. Tristan, well, he tried too. She was already gone."

It took a minute for Eric's words to connect with my brain. A whirlwind of feelings collided inside my heart. First was the feeling of loss. Addy was gone, she wasn't coming back. She wouldn't be there when I woke up in the mornings, she wouldn't be there when I woke up in the mornings, smiling, laughing . . . but most of all loving. She was like a mother to me, and just like my real mother, she was gone. Gone before I fully understood what was happening, before I could comprehend. All I had now was the memories in my heart.

Next was the feeling of guilt. She was in my hands! I had her, why oh why did I have to fall! She's dead, gone, because of me. Me! My selfish, irresponsible, self. Where was I when the house started on fire?

I should have been there, I should have helped her, done something--

"Hey, Li, there was nothing you could do. Okay? No one blames you," Eric said, softly. He knelt downto helped me to my feet, but I turned away from him. A single tear was making its way down my cheek, cutting through the ash and soot that wascovering it. I brushed it away, reprimanding myself. Pull yourself together, I thought, scoldingly.

"I know that," I said in reply to Eric, finally taking his hand and allowing him to pull me up. "So . . . what do we do now?"

It had only just occured to me that we were without a home. Where would we go? We didn't have any relatives nearby. And how would we get wherever we decided to go? Had the stables been burned as well?

"I've been thinking about that. Do you remember how Addy always talked about the woodsman our parents used to know? Bruan, I think his name was. I remember visiting him when I was little, and he used to be a very close friend of our parents. He's only a few days of riding away."

"Yes! I remember him. He used to be a swordsman, right?" I asked.

"I think so. He lives just a fathom or so away from Knoxville. If we're going to leave, we should go now." Eric stated.

"Well, I can come with, then. I'm headed that way," Tristan put in. His voice made me jump; I had forgotten that he was there.

"What? No, we don't need you. Why would you want to come anyway?" I spat. He was so . . . so . . . argh! I don't know, I just didn't like him.

"I'm very talented with a sword, and with all the rogues and such on the road, I might be useful."

"So is Eric! He's a wonderful swordsman and I'm good with a bow and arrow. We've no need for you!" I shot back.

"Liana, if Tristan is heading that way anyhow, maybe he should tag along. You and I are only two people--" Eric cut in.

"And three is better?" I said stubbornly. Why was Eric on his side? We didn't even know this man! He could be a murderer, or a rapist, or something just as terribly dreadful!

"Well, he did save you."

I looked at Eric, fuming. That comment had been way below the belt. "Fine," I said. "Well then, let's go. We needn't be wasting time here."

And with that I stormed off towards the stables. This would be a long journey . . .

One last word
Well, how about that? it's still somewhat short, i know, but i had to update. another one will be coming soon.

thanx to all my wonderful reviewers, i hope u review again--magicmunchkin, enchantedl, Lela-of-Bast, ElvenSilver, CaptainFantastic, fairypixie3, scooby-doo-poo, and my lovely sis, romancewithexplosions.

i hope ur all having lovely summers!

amelia