Hi Guys,

Sorry I've been away for so long. Before the chapter begins I would just like to say thank you to all of you who has stuck around! I am so grateful! I am sorry for my long absence, I just didn't know how to carry on from my last chapter and has been bogged down with work from my school. Thank you again for all the nice comments . They really mean a lot to me.

Mickey x

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The dried leaves crunched under our feet as we walked through the canopy of trees. We had been walking for approximately an hour now and the heat was starting to get to me. I paused for a minute to catch my breath and wipe my brow. Although I considered myself to be athletic I wasn't used to the level of humidity in the forest. The boy, "Felix" glanced at me from time to time with a look of content as if to say that he was better than me because he didn't need to stop. I glowered at him. Of course he would be ok. Looking at him I assumed he had been stuck here for a long time. This place can't have had too much food to spare judging my his thin frame. I had made sure to keep a considerable amount of space between us though, taking in mind the fact that "Pan" (who I think was the leader of the group) had entrusted this boy with fetching me, it was better to be safe than sorry.

As the day wore on I could see that the thirst was setting in on him too. He became slower, his breath shorter. Honestly I felt a little sorry for him. When we came across a lake I decided to be nice. I led him about a feet water edge.

"Ok Blondie you stay put." I commanded, looking strait into his eyes making sure he received the order clearly. He nodded. "Good. If you even think about moving the dagger is going strait into you understood?" I gave him one final glare and made my way towards the water. Of course I had no intention of hurting him but he couldn't know that.

The stream ran fast and clear. I gradually unwound the rein I've been holding that was controlling my bounded prisoner, making sure to keep a good amount in my hands just incase he tried to escape. Leaning over the river I tore off a large leaf from one of the plants that was growing there, folding it to fashion a small cup. The boy looked at me in curiosity. I scooped up the water from the lake an drank. The water felt so good in my dry throat. After about three full leaves of water I was satisfied. Looking at the boy I could see his longing for water. I grabbed a small piece of material that was left from the boys' cloak, wet it, then cleaned my face with it. Feeling refreshed I leant down to rinse the rag again and scoop another cup full of water. Standing up I turned to the boy he immediately thew me a suspicious glance. I rolled my eyes and approached him slowly, as if he was a wild animal. He kept stepping back a few paces at first but when I stopped to show him my annoyance he stopped still. I approached him again. His face tilted as if trying to figure out my intentions. When I reached him I stretched up on the tips of my feet since he was taller than me. He lent back, weary of the intrusion. I looked at him in his silver eyes as I look a small sip from the cup to show him that the water was safe. He licked his lips. When I attempted to give him the water again he gulped it now quickly.

I almost laughed. He saw the smile that played on my lips and stopped. The cup was empty anyway. He flinched again when I lifted my right hand that held the wet cloth. I stopped, showing him that it was only material. Suspicious he stood still again. I reached up with the cloth to wipe his forehead, cleaning away the sweat and dirt there. His eyes drooped a little from the cold contact of the cloth, a relief to the unrelenting heat. I wiped the rest of his face clean of dirt and sweat. He did flinch again when my cloth came into contact with his scar. Easing the pressure of the material and looking in his eyes I reassured him that I meant no harm now. Well, now that he wasn't trying to capture me. I dabbed the material on his scar, aware that he was staring at me the whole time.

When I was finished I passed the cup to him. He looked down at it confused. I rolled my eyes and put it into his bounded hands then waling back towards the steam tugging at the lead for him to follow me. He complied. When we got close enough I stepped aside and motioned for him to get some more water for himself. This time there was no hesitation. He fell onto his knees, put the cup down onto the floor beside him and used his hands to lap up the water. I let out a laugh. His head swings back and he stares at me as if the suspicion was back, but he turns back to the water once again and kept drinking.

When he finished we rested, sitting by the water. I threw small rocks into the water trying to think of ways to find out where I was. All I accomplished was annoying myself from not being able to think of a solution. Letting out an aggravated shout I grabbed a fist full of my hair and put my head against my knees. Since I have gotten here I haven't let myself think of anything else but surviving but now my thoughts came back to me. My mother, Lucy, Kitty. What would my mother have done once she found out that I had gone missing? What would she do to Lucy? Would she fire her? Surely not, since Lucy had been in our family since my father was a child. But there was no guarantee with my mother. What would my mother do to little Kitty? I hope that Kate being the smart girl she is got out of my room when I was taken so that no blame could be put on her. But I can't really blame her if she stayed, knowing her she probably cried in my room till someone ground her. I hope that someone was her grandmother and not my mother.

Letting out another angry grunt I dispelled all the thoughts from my mind. Feeling a pair of eyes on me I looked to my side to see the boy staring at me with a concerned, no not conceded, puzzled expression. He probably thinks I'm crazy now. That could be good though, he might not try to mess with me. The crazy lady might just kill him with his own dagger.

I looked up at the sky. It was night now and it was beautiful. You can never see the stars in London, too much light potion from the city. But in this desolate place they are bright and clear. It feels as if someone was watching over me. Maybe even protecting me.

Getting back on my feet I turned towards the boy "I think we should find a place to sleep don't you?" I said softly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful calmness that night has brought. His silence seems to be an agreement. "Ok then" I said in response to his silence.

We started walking back into the cover of the forest. The canopy of trees were both familiar and different. In the darkness the tall trees and their broad leaves were more sinister. Like dark hands reaching out ready to grab onto you and take you away to some unknown place. Well, I guess I shouldn't be that scared since that has already happened to me.

A sense of peace fell between us as we made our way through the forest. The gentle rustling of branches was almost like a lullaby. I looked up at him again. He was looking strait a head, stoned face. It was as if he was a soldier.

Suddenly the wind grew around us, becoming more fierce. It blew my hair around my face. The was a flickering in the corner of my eye. I knew what this meant. Quickly grabbing hold of the dagger from within my waistband I sliced through the bounds that held the boy around his wrists. I grabbed onto his hand and looked in his eyes.

"RUN!" I shouted, dragging him behind me as I started to speed away from the shadows.