Disclaimer: I don't own harvest Moon.

Okay, here's chapter 1. :)

Elli slowly opened her eyes, and took a long glance at her surroundings. She was… in a bed. The clinic bed, with a cool cloth placed over her head. She struggled to sit up, but felt searing pain rush to her neck, head and back when she did this. She let out a screech of pain.

What happened to me?

The Doctor made his appearance in the room at that sound. He approached her and put a hand to her head.

"You better relax, Elli. You're still burning with fever and you're not in great shape." He stated.

Elli panicked a bit, "W-what happened to me?! I don't remember anything!" Tears began to fall from her chocolate brown eyes. She swiftly wiped them away,

Tim sighed. "I don't know. You were lucky that Claire found you when she did. Apparently you were lying in a heap near Mother's Hill. When she brought you here, it didn't look good. I can say now, you'll probably live."

Elli glared at him sternly for that last part, daring him to joke. "What was I doing on Mother's Hill? The last thing I remember was leaving Grandma's…"

Tim shrugged, "If I knew, I'd certainly tell you. For now, we're just trying to get you better. We'll worry about who hurt you later."

"How do you know anyone hurt me? I-I could have just tripped right?" Elli pleaded, looking frightened. Tim stared back into her eyes, and shook his head.

"I don't know. I'm sorry. I just am not certain yet, Elli." He answered.

She didn't even know what her wounds looked like. Were they all bandaged up? Was anything bleeding? Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed to get up. At least, not for a couple of days. She could barley sit up without her head spinning, let alone stand or walk. Her injuries and what had happened troubled her. She really couldn't remember a thing that happened, and that scared her the most.

People from the village began to visit her. Ann was the first, to Elli's delight. The redhead rushed right to Elli's side, a disapproving look crossing the tomboy's face.

"How could you just go wondering in the woods like that El? There are crazy people out there you know!" Ann scolded, but hugged her friend gently while doing so.

Elli sighed, "Ann, I don't even remember what happened to me! I don't remember walking out into the woods! All I remember is leaving my grandma's!" Tears began to fall from her eyes again.

Ann looked a bit regretful, but also a little annoyed, "Come on Elli… Pull it together. You're a tough girl." She patted her friend on the shoulder, a reassuring gesture to her.

Elli nodded, "Thanks…" she looked back up. "Tell me… How do I look?"

Ann blinked, "What?" She narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I thought you weren't like those girls who always cared about their looks. Unlike most people in this town." She rolled her eyes.

Elli shook her head with a small giggle. "No… I meant, how do my injuries look? I mean, how bad is it…?

Ann looked her friend up and down. "Well, from what I see, it looks as if someone beat you up. Your face is all bruised and scratched. Your arms have gashes on them. Your neck looks like someone took a bite out of you for crying out loud."

Elli frowned. She knew there was more to her injuries then that. She felt pain in her lower back whenever she moved after all. "…That bad?" Elli asked fearfully.

Ann smacked her friend's shoulder, "Yeah. Don't worry though. You'll get over it. It'll pass like all things."

Elli winced in pain at the contact of Ann's hand, who rolled her eyes.

"Get a grip El. I'm not here to cry over you. I love you and all but…" She folded her arms, "Just get better, got it?" She looked at Elli jokingly.

Elli laughed, "Ok. Whatever you say Doctor Ann."

"Damn straight!" Ann boasted. She smiled warmly and looked up at the clock in the clinic. "Hey El, I've gotta get going. You know how crazy my hours are."

Elli nodded, "Ok Ann. Thanks for coming to see me. You're the best."

Ann gave Elli a strange look and tossed her head the other way dramatically, making her exit quite memorable.

Elli smiled, momentarily forgetting about her situation. She was immediately reminded of it when the doctor knocked and she turned her head sharply, only to feel searing pain in her neck.

Doctor seemed to look guilty at her literally pained expression, "How are you feeling?" he asked sincerely.

Elli took a gasping breath. "I-I'm better…"

He nodded, "Well, Stu and your grandmother are here to see you." The doctor stepped aside and allowed a small boy to rush inside the room.

"Elli! Are you okay sis?" Stu rushed to see Ell. He looked uncomfortable somehow.

Elli smiled at her brother, "I'm ok Stu. I'm just glad to see you!" She tousled her brother's already messy hair.

An old lady was slowly brought in on a wheel chair. Doctor brought her close to Elli's bedside, then took his leave.

"Grandma… you didn't have to get out of bed to see me." Elli muttered, feeling slightly guilty.

"Nonsense dear. You're my grand daughter. You can't expect me to just stay in my room at a time like this!" Ellen smiled warmly at her granddaughter.

"It's really not that bad, grandma…" Elli tried to sound convincing, "You don't need to worry about me."

"But sis! You were sleeping for 3 days!" Stu stomped his foot, "I thought you died!" Stu yelled.

Ellen looked slightly alarmed, "Stu! I won't have any of that yelling! And how dare you say such a thing! Apologize to your sister."

"…Sorry sis…." Stu looked down, his apology barley audible.

"It's alright Stu. I'm just glad to see you again."Elli smiled with her brown eyes.

Ellen looked down at the child, "Stu, why don't you go run off and wash up for dinner? I'll make you something special tonight."

Stu's face immediately brightened; "Yeah!" he cheered and bolted out the door. Elli watched him leave, then turned to her grandmother.

"Is there something you want to say, grandma?" Elli asked.

"I just want you to be careful dear. Wondering off into the woods isn't safe to do at night. You never know what could be waiting in the shadows."

Elli blushed, "Grandma! You sound just like Ann!" she giggled, "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself! It's not like I'll get eaten by a werewolf or anything like that." She joked. Ellen didn't laugh.

"Just be careful dear. " Ellen whispered.

Elli began to feel very concerned. What was with people? She wasn't killed. It was just an accident. People were blowing it way out of proportion.

Elli began to feel much better a couple of days later. She could walk many steps now, with ease. She headed first to her full length mirror to analyze her wounds.

It was worse than she thought. Her face indeed looked like she had taken a beating. Her neck had a couple of pairs of cuts. Her back had two large slices right down the middle.

There was a sound like someone cracking a twig beneath their feet. Elli turned swiftly around to see a dark shadow looming over her. She narrowed her eyes to make out who it was. She backed up slowly, not quite certain if it was friend of for.

"My, my… Quite a pretty little thing, aren't you, sweetie?"

It sounded like a male's voice. One she didn't recognize, so she backed up farther.

"Sit still little girl. I want to take a look at you…" he cooed gently.

Elli began to panic and stumbled backward. She tripped over something, a rock. The figure wasted no time. Immediately he was on top of her, pinning her down to the cold grass.

"Hello pretty girl. What's your name?"

Elli let out a gasp of breath and shook her head. Tears fell from her eyes and she shook violently. Who was… that man…? Had she run into him at Mother's Hill? Yes… she remembered that voice now. She just didn't remember much else until he had asked for her name.

Tim entered the room casually, probably looking for something. When he saw Elli's crying shaking form, immediately he rushed to her. He put a hand on her shoulder and hugged her lightly.

"Elli… what happened?"

Elli shook her head, and managed to choke out a response "N-nothing. I'm fine… It's just… nothing."

Time looked suspicious, but didn't press this. "Make sure you're getting enough sleep, and water. Alright, Elli?"

She nodded weakly, "Of course… Doctor. I'm feeling better now. I think I'll take a walk. You know? To clear my head,"

Time nodded eventually, "Yes. Fresh air will do you good, actually. Just be careful not to get to hurt. If you feel weak, come straight back."

Elli smiled, "Thanks for worrying about me… It means a lot to me."

With that, she made her way outside. Everywhere she walked, people gave her looks of disgust (Manna and Anna basically) but most gave her sympathetic looks.

Elli found herself sitting at the beach, contemplating her thoughts. She really did feel much better. In fact, she was beginning to feel much stronger than she'd ever been. I guess this falls into the category 'What does not kill me will make me stronger. Haha. She laughed to herself.

No one was around to laugh with her however. It was beginning to grow dark, and the poor girl was immensely hungry. She sighed and began her walk back to the clinic. People gossiped and laughed and non-stop talked all around her.

They can never be quiet… she thought and squeezed her head in pain.

The stars were coming out now, and Elli felt stronger than ever. She was hungrier than ever as well. I need food… I need meat… blood…