“Let’s head out at dawn. Then should be the least amount of fighting then. Let’s sleep first.” Medea said.

I nodded. It didn’t take long before sleep overtook me. 

I sat on the ground stacking rocks in piles. When I placed the final stone on the tower It wobbled and fell. “Awww…that could’ve been the biggest one.” I muttered in disappointment. I heard rustling in the bushes beyond the shack where it was. A little creature came out. I gasped in excitement.   It had light ginger fur and pointy ears. White on its snout and chest and black-tipped ear and paws.  It looked like a cat but not quite. I got up to follow it. Its ears swiveled toward me as I got closer. It glanced up with its brown eyes, bounding off into the forest.

“Kitty, wait!  “ I cried out, running after it. “I wanna pet you!” Running deeper into the forest as I chased it.  I finally caught up to it kneeling down to it. “It’s ok I’m not going to hurt you….” I said softly plucking berries off a nearby bush,holding my hand out to it. It approached cautiously sniffing  then eating the berries. “Can I…touch you?” I held out my hand over its head. It sniffed my hand suspiciously, then nudged my hand. I smiled. I gently pet it. I gasped. “So soft!” I gently stroked it.  It started licking my hands, making me giggle.  After a while it jumped on my shoulder and thrn my head trying to eat my hair. I giggled again.  I felt it walk around on my head sitting then making an almost squeaky bark kept eating my hair. Then nipped me. I jumped when it did. It settled curling up beside  me its bushy tail over it’s little black nose.  I gently stroked it. It yawned revealing sharp teeth. It has fangs like me sorta. I touched mine briefly. “Are people scared of you two?” I asked it.  I caught the scent of a human approaching. He emerged before I could move. A man looking older than Papa  in a uniform towering over me.. With  has grey streaks in his blonde hair. I stood up carefully.

“Hello little boy are you lost?”

“No-no-sir.” I glanced around nothing looked familiar everything smelled the same too. How far did I go?  

“Come closer, let me see your eyes boy.”

I shook my head. Backing away faster. I heard rustling sounds as the little creature bounded away.  My heart picking up its pace. Lunging  forward he grabbed  my wrist. Yanking me toward him. A strong beam of light shone in my eyes. 

“Eyes of crimson, feline like dilation, cold skin. It’s my lucky day. I didn't think I’d find a vampire while I’m traveling.” I tugged against his grip. He slapped me in response. Knocking Papa’s glasses off my face.   

“No!” I yanked hard  against reaching for the glasses. 

“You won’t get  away you little brat!”  He produced a dagger from a pocket. It glowed with a magical aura.   He raised the dagger and-shadowy hands  covered my eyes. I felt the dagger plunge inside my stomach. He yanked it out. I could smell my own blood.  I felt to ground. All my senses focusing on the wound and it’s pain. Fear flooding my system. “Papa! Papa!” I screamed. “Papa help me!” 

Jin calm down. It’s just memory.  A woman said voice echoed in my mid.

I could feel myself hyperventilating.  My blood spilling out into a growing pool. 

Jin calm down! You’re alright.

The man yanked me up by my hair. “Ow!”

“Where’s your papa little vampire!”

I woke up breathing hard my body covered in cold sweat.  Medea’s arms around me. Stroking my hair.

“I’m sorry Jin…I didn’t mean to pry into your head. I tried to stop you reliving it but it didn’t work.”

It was her trying to help me through the nightmare. “Can you stop any nightmares i have?”

“Only if they’re a memory. Normal dreams aren’t real.” 

“Please do that.”

Medea pulled on her chemise. “I will. “ she paused. “Let’s head out now hopefully this war zone isn’t large.”  She rummaged through her clothes on the floor, her back to me pulling something out. “Your glasses fell off, I suspect they’re important to you if you don’t need them.” She handed them to me. 

The familiar scent of Father that clung to the glasses set me more as ease. I got up getting dressed. Atleast the clothes my magic conjured didn’t disappear…

…

Most  buildings were collapsed and discolored rubble strewn across the streets holes in thd roads. Carriages overturned.  There’s something beautiful and tragic about this. I thought as I walked.  Atleast there’s no corpses I can see. The Hireath must’ve done a good job evacuating everyone. “Captain-*cough* Medea, Was it really worth it sacrificing your position and going on the run with me. Why did you do it?” 

“Because I fancy you.”she took my hand and kissed it.

My face flushed. Why does her company make me feel like  this? Do I? “I think I may fancy you too. You kept my secret and didn’t treat me differently.”

“Can I kiss you Jin?” 

I blushed looking away from her. “Didn’t you kiss me a lot yesterday?” 

“I did but you’re being too sweet,  I almost can’t help myself.” 

Medea began leaning In slowly. Should I deny it? Should I move away. I don’t know. What should I do?   “Ye-yes.”  When our lips met I melted.