As the sun began to set, an exhausted Gilbert - who had gotten very little sleep during the day - woke the younger two.

"It's almost night, we should get moving. Are either of you hungry?"

Ludwig nodded as Harry shook his head.

Pulling snacks out of his bag, he gave some to Ludwig and some to Harry, keeping less for himself.

"You should eat something anyway, Harry."

The boy was astonished that he was being given food. He really was hungry; he had just said he wasn't because he wasn't allowed to complain. Harry then began quickly eating his snack; he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. Last week, maybe?

Gilbert observed Harry's change in attitude and said, "Why didn't you tell me you were hungry?"

"Not supposed to."

The albino sighed.

"Okay, we need to establish some new rules. First: any rules that you had before, you don't have to follow, unless I say it's a rule. Second: don't ever wander off alone, no matter what. Third: if I tell you two to leave me and run, you have to do it, and stick together. Promise you'll follow these rules?"

"Why would you tell us to leave?" Ludwig asked, looking frightened.

"It probably won't ever happened, but just in case. Oh, and one more thing. Come here, Harry."

Harry cautiously scooched closer to the older boy, who then tied a scarf around his forehead.

"What's this for?" Harry asked, reaching up to touch the scarf.

"Your scar is kinda conspikus, so we have to cover it. I'm gonna be wearing a hat for the same reason."

"What's 'conspikus'?"

"Um… it's when people can easily recognize you 'cause of something."

"... So people will know who I am because of my scar? That doesn't make sense, I don't know many people."

Ack! I can't tell him why if he doesn't already know…

"Just trust me, okay?" Gilbert pleaded.

"Okay," Harry said doubtfully as he stopped fiddling with the scarf.

"Good, let's go now," Gilbert said, pulling out a hat to cover his hair.


The trio once again continued walking, heading north, until dawn came, at which point Gilbert set up camp. Just as he had the previous morning, he made sure that his brothers were settled down to sleep while staying awake, keeping an eye out for other people.


AN: There will probably be a bit of a time skip between this chapter and the next, since it would be boring if I just kept writing about them sleeping during the day and walking at night.

Please let me know what you think so far!