“Lunette?” I asked, walking over to her, “Are you alright?”

Her face was pale and her eyes were glazed over. She swayed slightly. 

“Lunette?” I asked again.

She fell into my arms. I picked her up and plopped down next to the fire. I wrapped her cloak around her tighter and held her close. Her breathing had slowed to a steady rise and fall with sleep. 

She must've burnt herself out. The lack of nutrition probably didn’t help.

There wasn’t much I could do so I closed my eyes and slipped into sleep. 

When I awoke the next morning Lunette was still asleep. Her arms were now wrapped around me. My face heated up. I brought my hand up to stroke her long silver hair. 

“What are you doing?” I jumped at Lunette’s voice.

“Umm… nothing…” I said avoiding eye contact. 

“Right,” She pulled away, “We still have about half a day's walk.”

 How is she so calm? She was literally hugging me in her sleep and woke up to me practically petting her. 

She took the canteen from the bag. I stood up and grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t push yourself,” I said and loosened my grip. “You passed out last night from doing too much magic. On top of that, you had barely eaten anything.”

“Yeah. So what?” She said breaking free from my grip. “If I don’t push myself I won’t get better.” 

“You can’t get better if you're constantly passing out either.”

“Come on,” She turned away and grabbed the bag.
“Hold on, promise you won’t pass out again.”

I waited for a response. She turned back to me.

“Why do you care so much? We literally just met yesterday.” 

“Why did you let me tag along?” 

Her face flushed, “I don’t know! Good question.”

She turned again and started walking away. Then she stopped and refilled the canteen.

I sighed but kept my mouth shut. 

As we walked to town I occasionally asked her if she was okay but was met with silence. I eventually gave up and walked the rest of the way in silence. 

When we got to the entrance of the town I froze up. 

They’ll find me and probably kill me or-

“Like I said, you don’t have to go in, but I don’t know how long I’ll be.” Lunette finally said, snapping me from my thoughts.

“No, I’ll be fine,” I lied. 

Taking a deep breath we walked in. I stayed alert, keeping an eye on the people making sure I didn’t spot anyone I recognized. I heard the sound of change clinking and different languages being spoken. I looked over to Lunette. She was fidgeting with her gem.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’ve just never been outside of my small town. There normally aren't this many people,” She said. “But it’s okay. I’ll be fine. Come on.”

I might not be fine. I feel like I’m going to pass out.

We continued to a perfume stand. 

"Hello. I was just wondering-" she started. 

"If these perfume samples were free?" The shopkeeper interrupted.

"What no that's-"

She was interrupted again, "they are with any purchase."

"That's not-" I could feel her frustration start to simmer.

"Listen, kid, if you're not going to buy anything then beat it. You're wasting my time."

Lunette groaned and turned away. She was red with frustration. 

"Hopefully the next shopkeeper won't be so rude," she growled. 

I nodded. We weaved through the crowd pushing and dodging to the next stand. My heart sped up as I scanned the crowd. 

Was that Bruce? 

It couldn't have been. I chopped it up to me being paranoid. We stepped up to the next open shop. It was a bakery. Lunette tensed up. 

"Hello, what can I get for you?"

She didn't respond. I looked at her. She looked like she was about to cry. 

"Lunette?" I asked, gently putting my hand on her shoulder.

She snapped out of it, "huh? Oh umm yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I actually-"

"Hello, Oriana."

I got shivers.

Shit.

I grabbed Lunette not daring to look back. We shoved past people in my desperate attempt to get away. 

"Nix, why are we running," Lunette asked through exasperated breaths. There was genuine concern in her tone.

I fought the urge to respond. My first priority was getting away. As we turned the corner my stomach dropped. Bruce was now in front of us. I started to turn back but noticed he had said something. Suddenly my body felt like it was burning. I fell to the ground in pain before passing out.

I woke up shivering. Before I even opened my eyes I knew where I was. The scent of metallic blood and death told me everything. Not only that but my arms were in chains.

Shit. How long was I out?

I opened my eyes and confirmed where I was. It was the basement. I faced the dark wooden door. The door wasn't made out of dark wood. In fact, it was made out of light oak wood. It was stained with blood. The original design of the oak door was to give a false sense of hope. A weak wooden door you could break down if you freed your hands. The lack of chains around the ankles was meant to do the same. But now it just instilled more fear as one realized what was actually on the door. They just toy with you until you meet your demise. I felt queasy as I thought about what they might have done to Lunette, or will do if she was lucky enough to still be alive.

I, on the other hand, was only going to be punished. Severely. 

They wouldn't dare kill me. Because they know what I am and the potential power I have.

The door opened. It was Suzie, a small delicate child. At least that's what she wants people to think. She looked at me with her big ocean blue eyes. Her hair was black and shiny like slick, inky oil. 

She smiled revealing sharp canines that could easily cut through flesh, "hello, Oriana."

I grimaced and prepared for immense pain.