Sorry the chapter seems kind of short. ewe Anyway, I meant to post this earlier but Microsoft Word was having issues with locking up my docs so yeah. Also if you happen to have free time, feel free to answer my poll! Thank you and enjoy!

The next night, Willow was forced to do work as she was told. The girl sighed as she brushed off her skirt and sat down on her porch. It was always the rural part she hated about her aunt's house, especially the farming she was cut in for. Only fire was the one she paid attention to, not this petty farming! She didn't understand why the authorities wanted to send her here in the first place. Willow felt more secure living by herself anyway.

Reluctantly, she did the work though it did cost more hunger and energy in which she began to feel more degraded than usual, as she was only a little girl then.

Her aunt's house was smaller than what she'd imagine as well. Being told that her niece was a firestarter, her aunt hid all of her matches in the house, saving her lighter on a top drawer where she'd never reach. That's what made her cry the most that night, but she was thankful for the bear she had. Its company was better than none. Not to mention the cushioning of her bed was terrible. Overall, she had a rough first night.

In the early morning, Willow snuck out when her aunt was still asleep and headed into the forest immediately. It was normal for her to break the rules, especially since there was no one to guide her in the right direction. Besides, it was Wilson she looked forward to and nothing could stop her now.

She waited by their meeting spot, a stone statue in the shape of a fancy, though eroded, arch. It was a while before he finally showed up, and she ran towards him when he did.

"Wilson! You're back!" Willow gleamed happily as she tried to hug him, but he slid out of the way, resulting in another face plant.

"When will you ever learn?"

"S-sorry!" The girl dusted herself off and stood off. "Where are we going today?"

Wilson shrugged. "Wherever the road takes us, I guess."

"Can we play with fire?" Willow asked with hope in her glare.

"… Absolutely not."

"Why not?" She growled, crossing her arms.

"You know why," he huffed in response. "Perhaps I can acquaint you to another location."

"Whatever."

The child gazed around inattentively as she followed the gentleman down an old, faded trail, unaware to her current surroundings. It was only the sound of dirt sliding between her feet that kept her awake. Every few minutes, she would ask if they were there yet, but was only replied with an impatient, "No."

However, she had seemed to lose a bit of her temper when Wilson stopped suddenly, leaving her to realize that they were still deep in the woods.

"Seriously? We're still here? Are you planning to slaughter me or something?!"

Wilson made a sign for her to be quiet as he looked around with a glint of worry. "Shh..."

It was quiet for a while, but over by her left side into the bushes was a dark, glooming creature hidden half behind a tree. Startled, Willow took a step back, hiding behind Wilson.

"Wilson, why is there a human child with you?" It asked with a gruff voice, eyes narrowed. "You know it's dangerous."

"She's just a friend, don't worry," Wilson mumbled with a hand hovered over her.

"Don't touch him child, or I'll eat you." The spirit licked its lips and threw an eerie smile before dwelling back into the shadows of the forest.

Wilson sighed and strolled on. "Don't mind him."

"Was he another spirit?" She asked, still shaky from the experience.

The gentleman nodded.

"Whoa."

It was only a short moment before they finally arrived at a lake, just about the size of her house. Lily pads were scattered about, and Willow ran over by the shore to play with it curiously. That day, they had managed to do all sorts of stuff together, but she still failed to manage the discovery of any recent knowledge on Wilson's past.

She had thought about this while he lay on the luscious grass, with her picking out a good bouquet to burn later. Throwing a glance, she swore the man had looked like he was sleeping. Her one chance to see what he looked like!

Slowly and quietly, she set down her soon-to-be-scorched flowers and placed her hands on his mask, lifting it up shakily.

It was just a few seconds later when she saw his face. His eyes were closed as if he was sleeping, thankfully, but it was his handsome features she noticed the most. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, causing her to scream and slam the mask down in surprise.

"Agh! Willow!" What was that for?" Wilson asked as he rubbed his face from behind the mask.

"I-I just wanted to see what you looked like…" She stuttered back sheepishly.

"Did it look real?" He asked.

"Did what look real?"

"The nap."

She thought about it for a while, nodding her head. "Yeah…"

That night, Wilson had walked her home once again. Day after day, she'd sneak out into the woods to meet up with him and play. Like the usual child does. Her aunt was still unaware of her wrong-doings as well. It was only until her last day of being at the house did she have to spill the news to the man.

"Can I tell you something, Wilson?" She asked as they walked home, the dusk sun setting far beneath the trees.

"What is it, miss?"

"…I can't see you tomorrow," Willow hesitated.

"Why not?"

She sighed. "My aunt said that every winter we have to go visit some of her relatives up north. I don't know if I'll see you again."

Wilson pierced his lips. "Will you be here next summer?"

Willow laughed, noticing her mistake. "Yeah!" The girl smiled as she flicked her lighter, the one she managed to finally get.

"I promise."