Nicole 1744- 1748

Nicole 1744- 1748

I ran from that hell house that night and never looked back, I couldn't... I could not bear to see my mother standing by her burning house, watching me leave her. I knew she saw me, for Yuna stopped for no one except myself and... My mother.

I took only my flute and Yuna with me. I ran into the dark cool air of the forest letting it relieve my sorrow and fear, letting it cool the heat from the flames that I had effortlessly cut through like a knife into hot butter. When my eyes first saw the beautiful flames and the destruction that they were causing, I suppose I became lost within them for a moment.

Wanting to reach out and touch the wisp of fire as they shot up from the blaze, I felt my feet take action and my body being thrust through them. Not knowing what had happened till Yuna and I were on the other side. I heard my mother cry out my name as I tumbled onto the charred floor by the garden entrance. I then dashed out that door blindly, not knowing where I was headed... I just ran.

I ran till sunrise. Exhausted, I happened upon a small abandoned cave and slept there, letting my aching body fall to the cold earth. I waited till sunset to look for food and supplies. I brought leaves and tree-limbs in my new home for warmth and eating a few wild berries that were left in the forest to keep some strength.

I stayed in that place and slept for days, Yuna stuck by me only venturing out for food and play, coming into the cave during the day and venturing out into the night with me as I "hunted." I would wash in the stream near the cave during the hottest part of the day to remove any parasites and dirt that had ended up on me, drying off in the blinding sun before retiring to my new home.

I now knew what hunger was. My mother had always pre-pared huge meals for me and forcing me to eat them most of the time. I survived for a few days on the small amounts of wild berries and fruits that I came across, but soon I began to feel what strength I had drain immensely. I needed food, desperately and that is when I began hunting.

I soon became accustom to the strange sounds that the night brought. My eyes are "like a cat's" my mother used to say for I could see in the dark just as well as I did in the light. I observed the people of this strange land, sneaking over to their homes in the dead of night searching for any signs of unguarded food that I could take.

That was when I met him.

One night, after the blinding sun sunk beneath the hillsides, I had come upon this young boy. He looked around my age, maybe a bit older and was carrying a small bag as he walked down a small path that cut through a thicket.

I sat motionless in a large oak and watched him as he slowly walked on. That when I heard him say,

"Why hello there, what might you be doing out here little fox?"

That's when I saw Yuna. My heart went racing and my breath quickened immensely as she slowly walked towards him. Thoughts flew through my mind.

Will he hurt her? What should I do? Do I wait?

That'd when Yuna came over and began to yap at the base of the tree that I was sitting motionless in. I tried to send her away without success and soon was spotted. The young boy stood at the base of the tree staring intensely at me as I sat motionless, hoping to conceal myself without effect.

"Excuse me? Is there any one there?" the boy asked hesitantly and politely.

I then silently and quickly slid to another branch of the tree and made my way down. I come down the back of the tree, unnoticed and slowly making my way for Yuna. The young boy did not notice me till I tried to make me escape for Yuna stepped on a small twig. Its miniscule snap turned the boy's attention directly to me.

I stood motionless as his blue eyes locked on mine. I stared at him intently, watching for any sign of threat or danger as he slowly walked towards me. He came only a few feet away from me before I felt my feet take an instinctive step backwards, he saw this and stopped immediately.

"Miss? Are you alright?" he asked softly as he saw the fear that I felt race across my red eyes.

"Who are you?" I replied, my tone stiff and firm.

He began to speak when I noticed Yuna racing towards me. I knelt down to catch her as she leapt into my sore arms.

"YUNA!" I cried out and then winced as her small body slammed into my arms.

"So I see that this is yours?" the young boy inquired, a slight grin on his face as I stood hugging Yuna tightly. "Where do you live?"

"You did not answer my question." I retorted, letting a small smile sweep across my face.

"Forgive me Madame," he replied, "Sam Dawson, at your service me-lady." He continued and bowed slightly as he spoke.

Yuna jumped out of my arms as he rose. Yuna then began to gently nudge my legs.

"Nicole. Nicole Rose Demira." I replied, curtsying slightly, still not taking my eyes off of him.

"A pleasure to me you Nicole." He replied, "It is late, would you mind if I escorted you home."

Yuna frantically began to nudge at my legs pushing me towards him as her eyes pleaded,

"Tell him the truth! Do it! You need food and a proper shelter! You need him!"

"I have no home." I replied softly, averting my gaze from him and folding my arms into my chest.

He stared intensely into my eyes with a concerned look and replied, "No home? Where have you been living?"

"Is that really any of your concern?" I retorted sharply, feeling his stare cut through me as I turned my head away from him.

"I did not mean to offend you." He said apologetically, "It is just..."

"Just what?" I inquired feeling my curiosity take over.

"Your to beautiful to be a homeless." He continued, bowing his head away from mine.

I felt my cheeks turn red and my heart begin to race once more, shutting my eyes tightly.

He's not referring to me the so called monster. Is he? Why is acting this way?

My mind wanted me to run, to flee, but my body did not allow me. I felt his gaze return to me as he slowly reached out and grasped my hand.

I flinched as his hand touched mine, gasping as I opened my eyes, feeling a tear roll down my red face.

"Oh I'm sorry." He said softly and apologetically releasing my hand.

I looked up into his blue eyes as Yuna began to once more push me ever closer to him. I smiled for the first time in ages and slowly reached for his hand, grasping it hesitantly. He stared deeply into my red eyes and I too stared into his.

"Shall we milady." I smiled and nodded calling Yuna who had my flute in the pack that was on her small back.

Never had I felt so safe.