“I’ll do my best. If I don’t make it and they find my body, have it returned to Ruth for me. She’s the innkeeper at Wellspring.” Titan might be like a brother to me but Ruth has been more than an aunt to me. She’s like a mother to me but I’d never tell her that.

“Alright. I’ve met her before from the few times I’ve visited on vacation,” Titan says thoughtfully, “but it was long ago when I was just a boy.”

“That was most likely before I had to move in with her because I don’t ever remember seeing you there,” then I folded up my arms. “So you used to take vacations? And you can’t take one now for me?”

“Not at this time. Until we learn more about Oakheart, I can’t leave,” he says. Work comes first to him. I think Titan’s true love is his job.

“Okay. I hope to see you again. I think you knew where to find me.”

“At The Coral Point? You’ve managed a pretty risky job for being relatively weak.”

“That hurts but what I don’t have with strength I have with speed,” I say then I look up at the sky. Time is just flying by. It might still be early morning, but I don’t want to risk it turning night by the time, I get home. “So goodbye I have to run before it gets late.”

I run through the gate then turn back to wave at Titan who waves back at me.

Outside of the village is still covered in thick snow. One step and my leg falls straight throw the snow. The road is hidden under five feet of snow. I won’t be capable to quickly run home. At least I know how to get home from here. After walking for about ten minutes to enter into the forest, I’m already more interested in going back. Maybe I should just wait for Moon Valley’s traveling merchant to come back. At that time I detected the sounds of horses and remember how those knights looked. I advance one foot in front of the other as quickly as I can.

The prevailing wind whispered through the dark, empty trees. Fierce winter was here, and with winter arrived the hollow, murky dreadful nights. I dart nervously from one specific direction to the next, carefully searching for a visible path to take before my overwhelming fears seized me. Swallowing against a tightening throat, I chose a direction as my steps hurry the harder the wind howls.

The majestic trees groaned as their overhanging branches swayed. My feet sped up, my pace accelerating as if to race the very wind itself. Just a bit farther, just a while longer and then I would be secure. Safe at least for the night. The luminous darkness was closing in. I tremble as a dark chill ran up my spine.

The forest is considered Special Wilds. There isn't anything special about it. It might be special if you miraculously survive a night in it. I guess that makes me special, but I don’t desire that to become a habit.

By Cristina Collazo