The hilltop was empty today.

Olivia's first clue was the lack of any nagging questions or creepy compliments, but soon enough she realized that the mountain was missing something else. Some… presence of sorts, which she'd gotten used to. Most people had a certain vibe they gave off, but few had such a strong presence that she would notice it without being reminded. Apparently Mr. Stranger was one of them. That was… definitely something.

When she went to sit down by the log she used as a landmark, though, her foot bumped something soft, and she reached down to find a small, burlap sack lying by the end of the log.

Warily, Olivia sat down beside it, fiddling with the fastening and pulling it open. Reaching inside, the first thing she felt was the smooth skin of an apple, then a small, wooden container with a latch. Flipping it open, she lifted the lid, and the air filled with the smell of fresh cake. Was this… from the stranger? He'd left her food?

No way she was eating it.

Unless… lifting the apple, Olivia grazed her fingers over the surface, searching for any bumps or bruises. As far as she could tell, it was perfect. She lifted it up, imagining the red skin shining in the sun. It wouldn't be poisoned or drugged, would it? How did one even drug an apple? At least, without leaving any marks.

Lowering it back down to her mouth, she took a small, hesitant bite. It tasted perfect as well, crunchy and sweet, and though she searched she didn't find a single flavor out of place. It seemed harmless enough.

So she ate it. Even if it was drugged, so what? The stranger wasn't around, she would sense him otherwise. She had a good few hours before she had to go home, and her only plan was to lie in the sun and be lazy, so it didn't really matter.

She ate the cake too. It was very rich, so she only ate a few bites at a time over the course of the next couple of hours. She doubted she had ever had something so sweet in her life. It was nice.

The afternoon dragged by slowly, and Olivia absolutely loved it. There was little wind and the sun was warm, she eventually took off her coat and dozed off on the log. Who needs self preservation when you're dumb and angry?

She drifted in and out of consciousness for the next couple of hours, confident from the lack of footsteps and voices that she was alone.

She wasn't.

"Do you wanna hear something weird?" Isaac's thoughtful voice interrupted his sister's quiet sulking.

"Sure."

"I've never seen your eyes."

"I doubt there's much to see." Olivia rolled over in his direction, prodding at her bandaged eyes. "I could take this off if you want."

"Not right now. It's dark."

"Mm." A few moments of silence, then Isaac rolled over towards her on the other side of the room. "I want to come with you up the mountain sometime."

"Uh, okay." Sure, maybe having her brother around would deter Mr. Stranger. "Why?"

"It's dull here in the city. It's like watching grass spread." Her younger brother complained. "I wanna see if there's something to what you do every day."

"I don't know. You can try, sure, but most of the reason I go up there is because it's boring." Olivia pointed out. "Call me an introvert, but I'm much happier where there's no one else to bother me."

"That's fair." A shuffle as he threw an arm out from under his blankets. "Maybe the view will be nice?"

"That's what I've heard, anyway."

"Not a shock." Isaac fell silent, and Olivia contemplated letting the conversation rest, but eventually decided to take the opportunity to have a specific talk.

"There's someone else that likes to come up there. A man."

"Oh?" Isaac wrinkled his nose as he spoke. "What kind of man?"

"Kind of creepy?"

"And you didn't tell mom?"

"Why in the Nether would I do that? I'd never be let out of the house again." She huffed, flipping back over. "Anyway, he hasn't really messed with me. I just wanted to let you know in case we run into him."

"Right. Noted." Isaac was quiet for a moment. "You think I could take him?"

"Hard to say, I'm not sure what his figure is. But, I think he's a blacksmith, so maybe not."

"I can beat a blacksmith."

"Well, when push comes to shove, you'd better."

"Again, noted." Again, the room fell silent. Olivia snuggled into her flat pillow, intending to go to sleep, but something was off. It took her a few minutes to realize it, but soon enough she recognized the tingling feeling that crawled up and down her spine.

She was being watched.

Bones clicked and rattled on the forest trail, accompanied by the thump thump thump of dozens of pairs of footsteps. A skeleton horse lead the pack, a hunched figure perched on the undead beast's back.

The man lifted his hooded head as the city came into view, glowstone lamps shining cheerfully in the darkness. A tall, obsidian wall surrounded the city, but the gates were crafted of iron and guarded by a couple of sentries at best.

Preosan had enjoyed peace for a long time. Too long. Years upon years of prosperity had left them fat and lazy, with a wealth of resources that they refused to share while smaller towns died of starvation in the dead of winter.

Time for that to change.

The man gestured forwards, and his army of undead swarmed forward, around him and towards the city walls. Stars shone from the man's eyes as a hint of a smile appeared on his face, nudging his mount in the direction of the warm city lights.

Tonight, they would feast.