As Noah and Belia strolled into their cave, Noah hung on Belia, her own body drooping. Noah let out a yawn loud enough to reverberate through the trees.

He lazily lifted a hand and said, “Good night.” Enya glanced at Pandora, who was watching them go. Pandora waved back with a cheery smile.

“Good night, don't let the mosquitoes bite!”

Enya shivered, thinking, No, don't leave me alone with her. I can't handle her as well as you. Enya scrambled after Noah and Belia, refusing to listen to Pandora's next words.

“Wait! Don't leave me out here alone,” Pandora said in a whine. Pandora followed Enya into the cave. “Enya, let's sleep together.” Enya looked at Pandora, a deep pit in her stomach swallowing her whole, and flung herself over Belia, next to Noah.

As Enya kneed him in his stomach, Noah coughed out, “Ack! Jeez, Enya. Warn a guy before you attack him in his sleep.” Noah looked over at her, holding his stomach.

“I'm sorry. Just, don't let her lie next to me,” Enya said, whispering. A loud thumping noise raced in her head.

Noah stared at her pleading gaze and huffed, “Okay, but you owe me.”

“Sure, whatever.” Noah climbed behind Enya and pushing her back lightly, motioned for her to scoot closer to Belia.

Waiting for Enya to finish moving, Noah laid as close as possible to her, their backs almost touching, and said, “Here, Pandora. There's plenty of room next to me.” Pandora squinted, seeing how close everyone was to each other. The corners of her lips fell.

“Okay,” Pandora said, her voice soft.

~

Ugh! Wet?! Why is my arm wet? Enya thought, swatting at her arm. Her hand hit something hard. Enya's eyes shot open to see Belia nudging her arm with her nose, her gaze flashing with terror as they darted towards the cave's opening. Enya followed her gaze, her stomach twisting. “They're here, aren't they?” Belia nodded once.

Enya stood up and crept towards the cave's opening. She listened for any noises. Not hearing any, Enya peeked her head outside where the darkness roamed free.

Damn, I can't see anything. Enya tiptoed back to Belia and whispered, “Wake Noah for me, okay? And Pandora, too.” Enya threw her bag on and ran outside before Belia could respond. She climbed a tree, only going as far as a few feet, and waited, waited for movement, the cracking of tree branches, the crumbling of leaves.

As Enya reached her fifth tree branch, quiet footsteps invaded her ears. Enya stilled, her chest touching the thick branch. The steps grew closer.

Adept. I can't even hear the leaves scattering across the floor crumble under your weight. Enya counted seven silhouettes closing in on the cave. A corner of her mouth lifted, excitement coursing through her veins. But, are you as adept as me?

The intruders neared the cave and crouched down into position, everyone hiding behind a tree. A tall, large man lifted his right hand and pointed to the cave three times. Everyone stood at his signal and crept forward. Enya took this as her cue.

Enya lept down, toppling the slim person underneath her to the ground. A shriek echoed through the forest.

A woman? Well, whatever. Enya punched the woman in her jaw, knocking her out. I'm sorry, Enya told her, facing the person coming to the woman's rescue. Enya ran towards them. You, too.

Enya pushed off the ground, her right leg bent underneath her, and her left leg outstretched. The bottom of her foot collided with the person's face, producing a breathy wail, “Ugh!” A crack infiltrated the air surrounding Enya, causing her to flinch.

That's got to be painful. I'm so sorry I broke your jaw. Enya turned on her heels, heading for a person about to enter the cave. Her fist rose in the air and smashed against their abdomen, the person much taller than she, but unlike the last two, this one turned slowly, glaring at the young girl. Ah, you're the leader, Enya realized, staring at his cruel eyes.

“Found you,” a low, menacing voice said. The man reached a hand out towards Enya's shoulder.

His hand an inch away, Enya duck low and swept a foot across his ankles, bringing the large man down. She swung her leg in the air and slammed it down against his chest with all her might. Her ankle crashed into bone. The man groaned.

As he doubled over, Enya aimed to punch him in the jaw, but a hand seized her wrist. Enya looked up, her nostrils flaring, to see Pandora.

“Come on, while he's distracted, let's get out of here. Head to the marketplace. The crowds will provide cover for us. We can make it if we run.”

“Are you kidding? What about the people there? Do you really want to involve all of those innocent people in this?” Enya said, almost in a whisper. Behind Pandora, Noah peeked out of the cave and ran up to them, Belia following closely behind.

“We should get out of here while we can. I don't see anymore bad guys. We can figure out where to hide while we run,” he told Enya, his tone laced in fear.

“Are you guys really that stupid? We can't just run wherever! We could head straight into a trap for all we know.” Noah exchanged glances with Belia. Enya huffed to herself, irritated with the fact the others were willing to put others in harms way. This is why I wanted to stay alone, to avoid all of this.

Enya scanned the area around them, thinking of a plan before realizing something. Noah said the other intruders disappeared. She searched for silhouettes, finding none. The three Enya took down vanished, too, even their leader, who she wrestled only moments ago.

A hand seized her shoulder, and as Enya glanced up at its owner, she looked into pained eyes. Pandora's eyes.

“I know how you feel, Enya, but we can't just stay here. Those guys are gone now. It might be better to hang out in the marketplace for a while, and come up with a plan there.” Enya slowly nodded.

“You might be right.”