Prologue

Half awake, and half asleep, the moon was at it's highest peek of the night. There lies a world you can escape to, your dreams. Nightmares can ruin this, therefore entering your dreams causing chaos. Dark secrets linger into your thoughts as you try to escape this frightning world of wonder. You don't know what causes it, or how it comes to be. This nightmare, though has been troubling Emory for weeks now, not leaving her mind as it joins her each night in her slumber. 

The moon was hidden behind the dark grey clouds, gushing tears of water down on to the twilight floor that lied beneath. As they hit the ground they created sparks of blue flames, devouring the lush green grass into ashes. The moon, being cradled by the clouds, was listening to the lullaby of the roaring flames. The flames traveled on, devouring everything in it's path, looking for more destruction. Thunderous roars and flickering lights apeared from the dark, grey, night sky. The stars were cowering behind the clouds, not daring to show themselves to the blue, fiery, flames that arose from the tears of the clouds. The roars of the burning flames were louder than thunder, showing how fast it could crumble the tree's in it's path. A mist of blue smoke arose from the flames, towering up into the grey clouds. Each second the flame climbed itself to the clouds, and past the stars. The moon revealed itself to the flames as the grey clouds opened gently. In the dawn of dusk this uproar had happened. The fire still roared, covering it's marvelous body over the grass. The rain cried more and more, as tremendous flames arose. Roses were now black, no longer the vivatious red it used to be. Streams were devoured, just like the whole land. The flames roared, finding more and more land to destroy as it cried no mercy. 

Emory woke up and found it was just the same nightmare, she been cursed with for weeks. From the time she thought she heard whispers seeping from behind every door, she had this dream each night. It was haunting her, getting worse and worse. She slung her feet from the bed onto the side, letting them dangle. She rubbed her eyes and thought,"Why must I be cursed with this nightmare each night?", she covered her eyes with the palms of her hands and sobbed, thinking of the nightmare again. The world she had escaped to was her obvious dislike, so loud and it was coming for her. It devoured her family, all her biggest dreams and hopes. She shook her head into reality. She slung her legs back onto her bed and drifted off back into her nightmare once again. 

Chapter 1. Just A Dream

Emory rubbed her eyes and cracked both her knuckles. She hung her legs from the side of her bed and jumped down. Rubbing her eyes she got dressed and managed to get herself down the stairs into the kitchen."Same dreams my darling?",said her mother. Emory nodded and wiped the sleep from her eyes. Sloping herself off the chair she slugged over torwards her backpack.

"No, no, no!",shouted Emory, running after the bus. She wasn't all that swift in the mornings, so she gave up. She sighed, tightening her backpack around her shoulders. As she started walking she kept seeing dark shadows clouding the corners of her eyes. Turning her head sharply she saw noting. She panted with fright and ran. Right when her feet met the school grounds she stopped seeing the shadows. "Maybe they are scared of teachers.", She smirked. Walking torwards the school she was frightened by her best friend Kaedan, who slung her arm around Sophia's neck."Sup Emory.", spoke Kaedan."I am fine, you?". "Im great, now that you ask."

Kaedan and Emory, an odd pair, yet inseperable. They had differences of course, yet it was always hard to find them. The biggest thing they had in common was believing in the dark shadows of the night, and thats all they ever talked about. Behind this scheme of course, someone believed they were just a nightmare waiting to happen. Well, thats what they thought. They believed they knew this someone, a spirit. "Spirits aren't real, loosers." , the kids would tease. While Kaedan thought it was imature and rude of those children, Emory thought it was getting to her. Emory was never the most popular girl, in her school, in her neighborhood, or in her family. She is hidden behind a whisper, or a shyness. If only and but, she wished. Kaedan on the other hand, is quite the same. Kaedan has sworn to Emory, that they will be friends forever. Kaedan was one who made promises, she can keep. This is why they had stayed friends for so long, that and they were both easy to hang around. They were almost made for eachother, you can say. They get past differences and both are like sisters. If you heard both of their likes and differences, you'd think they would be sisters. Yet, sadly they are not, though it brings them together more. This friendship is not what you find in movies, not the fake friendships. This was true, real, and fondly NOT made up.

"RRRRiiiiingggg!" . The piercing sound of the school bell was sounded off. It was of course dulled by the footsteps of scurrying students, running down the hall with a swift pace. Emory crept forward for a cunning surprise to Kaedan. Yet with a silent creek of the tile floor, Kaedan turned swiftly,"I can hear you, ya know", she smirked. Emory sloped down sarcastically and poked out her lip. "It's ok honey, I will take you to Brusters for an icecream, ok?", sarcastically spoke Kaedan, faking an accent. Emory gently punched Kaedan and walked along. When they reached the end of the school grounds, where the street splitted, Kaedan was about to walk the oppisite way torwards her house. Emory pulled Kaedan,"Remember your coming over?", she laughed. Kaedan nodded as if to say "Sureee, ya I remembered that.".

They ran in and screamed together,"We're hooome!". Emory's mother walked in. They waved their hands sarcastically as Mrs. Disperse walked in,"You two are hilarious!",she laughed. They nodded,"We know". They walked into Emory's room and went under the canopy to study. As they boringly studied, Emory wondered why Kaedan looked so frightened. "Ok, something freaky is in here! The Lighting is so dim, and I feel a spirit!",Kaedan shouted as she broke the silence. Emory nodded,"I've been having nightmares for a week, all the same one!". Kaedan looked behind her shoulder nervously,"Im staying the night, ok?".

"What, I thought you were scared". 

"I am, thats exactly why I am staying. I need to find out what it is, and if we are in trouble".

Emory nodded and as night fell both of the girls were in their pj's staring at the galaxy painted roof in wonder. "I say we go to sleep and see if we have the same dream in the morning",Murmured Kaedan. Emory yawned signaling a  yes. 

"Aaaaahh!",screamed Kaedan. Emory awoke swiftly and shouted,"What, whats wrong!?". Kaedan threw herself up and studdered,"In my nightmare, I saw clouds and flames! Oh, it was so scary". Emory nodded,"The same dream i've had for a few weeks now". So they walked downstairs into the basement. 

"If I die, tell my mom and dad I love her.",whispered Kaedan.

"If I die, tell my mom I love her".

So they both crossed their hearts and pulled out their sleeping bags. They slept on the cold hard floor and waited for their eyes to drift off. Emory reached for Kaedans hand as they drifted off. This time, the dream was with them in it. They were both being toppled over by the dark flames uproaring from the skylines. Smoke occured as they were burned to ashes, holding hands in peace. It was as if they were ok to die, as long as they were together. 

Chapter 2. Darkness

Emory slipped out of her slumber and took out a piece of paper, reading it aloud to Kaedan. 

                         "If I died tonight,

                   I would end with a fright.

                Your soft words drifting off until I die young

               As my heart shuts down, my feeling, my lungs.

             

             Grasping my hand. your tears will fall

            You sing my old lullaby, remembering my call.

            All those times I danced around in my pajama's

          I'll remember you as the most loving, my momma

 

        Your grasp will stay, and so will your golden heart,

       One bit of change, I would be ripped to parts.

      You are my mother, my caretaker, and much more

     You never though that I would die this age, left on the floor.

 

    I say goodbye now, before it's too late,

   I will remember your kindess, your most wonderful trait

  Don't you cry or fret while im gone,

Just sing to yourself, that marvelous song.",murmured Emory ending the poem.

"Did you write that!?", shouted Kaedan. Emory nodded,"It's nothing." 

                                                                              "It is too!".

                                                                              "No it's not.", shouted Emory.

Kaedan siged,"Your so talented and you can't even grasp that others have always wanted to be like you. Your so independant, and so strong even when doubted. I've always been jealous of you". "I've always been jealous of you! Your so nice and kind!",shouted Emory. They both laughed as Emory tucked the sheet of paper in her pajama pants. They both pulled out their necklace from under their shirt and connected it. They smirked,"I remember when we got this...", murmured Kaedan. "Ya, seems like just yesterday.",responded Emory. They tucked it back in and rolled up their sleeping bags. 

"Mom!!!", Emory shouted walking up the stairs. No response. "Mrs. Disperse!",shouted Kaedan. Still, no response. The girls looked at eachother in fear and ran upstairs. A note was placed on the table, a rustic looking one too. Emory picked it up and read it aloud,"Want your mother? Your going to have to come find her, and get her from me. Here's a hint of where we are.", Emory finished scaredly. A black arrow pointed down to another paper that slipped from under the rustic looking envelope. It was a map. It had twists and turns and rustic, dull drawings. Emory then looked back at a black shadow racing out of their door. Kaedan screamed,"Aahh! What was that!?". Emory turned back to the note and read on,"The race is on, young one. You have one week to get your mother, if not, she dies. Emory fainted into Kaedans arms and sqealed dramatically,"Mother..". Kaedan sighed and put Emory back on her feet. Emory rose and grabbed her backpack. "What about me?", Kaedan sighed. Emory looked back,"I must find my mother, this is my fight not yours.". Kaedan huffed and pulled out her necklace,"Remember, I am your friend, your best friend. I am not letting MY best friend go on a journey without me. Especially one as important and cool sounding as this! We've always dreamed about this day Emory! Remember, adventures together. Modern life is getting old! Let's do this adventure, together.", finished Kaedan. Emory smiled,"Your a great speech maker Kaedan, grab the backpack from downstairs.". Kaedan rushed down stairs and got the backpack, and rushed back up swiftly. They both grabbed money from Emory's safe, one hundred and fifteen dollars each. They also each packed three water bottles for themselves. They packed a sewing kit, a kitchen blade, and add water food with snacks. Kaedan slipped twenty rubber bands on each of her arms. She had a pulled back, long, streaky pony tail held together by two of them. Emory did the same and tucked her necklace inside of her shirt. Kaedan looked down at the floor and saw the only pair of shoes she brought, dress shoes. Emory smirked,"It's ok, I have extra hiking boots.". Kaedan and Emory slipped on thermal socks and their hiking boots. Kaedan rubbed her chin,"What else, what else?", she thought aloud. Emory sprang up and ran downstairs, grabbing a waterproff spray. She sprayed it on their shoes and smiled. Kaedan nodded,"Now all we need is one more pair of shoes, and some clothes. Wait! What about staying clean?", she screamed. Emory shook her head sarcasticaly,"Fine, I'll get the extra snow boots I have and I can pack some deoderant. Ok Kaedan?". Kaedan nodded and rushed into the bathroom. She clutched the deoderant and some sanitizer bottles. Both the girls clipped the sanitizer bottles to their pants and put on a light jacket. They packed big bulky jackers too, yet they thought since it was the middle of summer, they'd probably not wear it. As they walked out the front door, a black bug with blood covering it grabbed Kaedan's arm and clung on. It's viney legs expanded, covering her arm. Kaedan turned pale as Emory grabbed her kitchen knife and cut the bug in half. Kaedan wiped off her hand,"Ok, we officially need better weapons. I call the crossbow!", she smirked. Emory nodded as she went outside with Kaedan and grabbed the crossbow, and arrows, off the shelf in their secret clubhouse. They had got these crossbows from their neighbor. Of course they were young, but around their neighborhood, nobody is safe. They loaded it full and carried the ironically light crossbows on their back. 

Emory stared at her house and ran in. "Wait up Emory!",shouted Kaedan. Emory grabbed a necklace with a blue gem at the end. She slipped it on and tucked it under her shirt. After that she grabbed some books and seeds and stuffed it in her backpack. She ran out before Kaedan had a chance to enter. "Ok, let's go.", Emory stated. They ran down their driveway and grabbed their bikes. Emory hid the soft tears as she left her town. Emory stared at her necklace in dolor. "Watch out!", Kaedan screamed as Emory nearly ran into a pole. Kaedan sighed with concern,"Pay attention, what does the map say?". Emory stopped and took out her map,"It says we head into these woods, did you bring the emergency kit?". Kaedan smiled,"Woods, ok im fine with that, but why do we need the emergency kit. I mean, I brought it, but why?". "Duh, what if  we get into a fight and get injured!?", Emory smirked. Kaedan shook her head sarcastically,"Lets move on.". Emory took out her map,"Says we should keep moving into the woods. Great, it's dark too. Looks like we're camping. Good thing I brought a blanket.", huffed Emory. 

Peddling and peddling into the depths of the woods Kaedan huffed and stared up at the full moon,"C'mon Em' it's dark. Lets just stop, I am so tired my legs are giving up on me.". Emory smirked,"Let's find the perfect place.". Kaedan huffed as they passed the dull dark tree's. Finally Emory stopped at a clearing. Two fresh tree stumps layed at the opening, and one tree stump gently to the side. Kaedan slipped out a bottle of water from her pack and took a small sip. Emory snickered,"You better save some, we passed the store and I'm not going back.". Kaedan closed the bottle as Emory slipped out her bulky jacket and layed it out on the floor. She took off her jacket and rolled it up into a pillow and layed her stuff down on a stump, about knee high. Kaedan repeated her and fell onto the jackets. She pulled up the small blanket and slept on her side. Emory sprayed bug spray everywhere around them and sloped down next to Kaedan. They were asleep in under a minute. Darkness showered the overhead. A twilight sky covered them as they hugged their jackets to sleep. A misty shadow passed by them and whispered,"Darkness rains over me, and soon you, young ones.".

Chapter 3. Whispers

Emory woke up swiftly and saw Kaedan, still in the middle of her slumber. Emory picked up and packed up everything she had put down except the jackets and a blanket. She began to wait for Kaedan by carving a stone into a knife. It was small, but had a very sharp edge. Finally Kaedan rose swiftly screaming. Emory turned her head and stuffed the knife in the pocket of her backpack. Wearily, Kaedan rubbed her eyes and packed. As Kaedan and Emory were about to proceed in their quest, a black spirit rushed past Emory, cutting her arm. Emory pulled out her knife and threw it at the spirit. The blade cut through half of an old tree, as it came crumbling down onto the now more visable black ghost. Kaedan swiftly ran over to her crossbow and shot the human-like ghost. "Who knew ghosts could turn flesh when they wanted to? This is going in my diary, we killed a ghost!", snickered Emory. Kaedan laughed and ran over to retreive her blood soaked bow, showing gallantry. She put the crossbow over her back, and her satchel-like backpack over her shoulder, slipping on her light jacket also. Emory and Kaedan slipped over onto their bikes as Emory pulled out the map. "Ok.. So we're almost out of these woods, now we're off to.... Bereavment Fields". Kaedan looked at Emory, showing  her concern loudly through her fearful eyes. "Did you just say, Bereavment Fields?!" shouted Kaedan. Emory nodded slowly and began peddling. "Wait up!", vociferated Kaedan. 

Forthwith after peddling past the coppice, they found themselves in a dull, dark, and scary field. The grass looked as if it was burned to ashes, and grey skies towered over them. They sucked it up though, feeling a small bit of gallantry through their vanes. Peddling upward a hill, they found a little girl in a beautiful, blue sky dress. She was sobbing her eyes out. Emory looked at Kaedan,"She seems desolate, yet this could be another trick. I say we peddle past her.", nervously spoke Emory. Kaedan gently rolled her eyes sarcastically and hopped off her bike. "Why so glum little girl, and why are you all alone in... Bereavment Fields?". The little girl looked up, showing her odd black eyes. She smiled, blood dripping down her face. Tears of blue sparks ran down her cheeks as she stared up at Kaedan. She hissed as her fangs drew out. She ascended upwards and ran torwards Kaedan. Emory grabbed Kaedan's shoulder and threw her onto Kaedan's bike. "Run!", Emory Shouted. Kaedan peddled and peddled until she was fast down the hill. Emory held up her crossbow as the little succubus ran torwards her in fury. Emory shot the girl in her head, a tear running down Emory's face when she saw it drop. "What if she was possessed", She murmured. She slid her crossbow back onto her spine and kept peddling. Finally she reached Kaedan, who was sobbing in the fields screaming Emory's name. Emory stopped her bike as Kaedan looked up. "Miss me?", she snickered. Kaedan wiped her tears and gently shoved Emory. They both threw themselves up onto their bike and peddled out of the Fields

A black, human like figure approached the corner of Kaedan's eyes as they peddled towards Whispering Woods. Kaedan shook her head and peddled ahead of Emory.

"Are you scared?" murmured Emory.

"Very..",responded Kaedan.

"You should be, I am too."

"Who'd ever think you'd be scared Em?"

"Hah, lets just keep peddling. It says we're in... Whispering Woods. It says that black human like figures will try to whisper to you, or talk to you. It says their like Sirens. If they start singing, peddle faster and try to get out."

"Why.."

"Just do it Kaedan, I dont want you hurt."

"Thanks Em.."

A short time later Kaedan was crying, peddling as fast as she could torwards a white light. "Kaedan whats wrong?!", shouted Emory with concern. Kaedan shook her head and peddld faster, although she was behind Emory with a long distance.

A black figure was singing to her, in her head. She shook her head fiercly and peddled, sweating away. Suddenly Kaedan saw a pure white hand, with black claws, grab her arm. The claws made their way deeply into her bones. Kaedan started to screech a painful scream,"Emory! Emory! Help me! Please!". Emory's eyes widened and she leaped off her moving bike. Another hand reached over Kaedan's mouth as she struggled to get away. Emory was running quickly, yet her vision started to dim as the world became slower. A voice was whispering to her, silently saying "Crack the bones, and shatter the heart. We will rip your dreams apart. Don't run, don't fret, or cry at all. We'll try to make it the most painful fall. So turn around towards the light, your death will be a marvelous sight." . Tears ran down Emory's face as she quickly picked up her pace.

"EMORY! HELP!", Kaedan screamed as the black figure started to slowly turn with her. Emory stumbled over twigs and fell. She grabbed a stump and pulled herself up, running faster now. She lunged on top of the figure with her knife cutting into it's throat. She ripped it down onto his spine cutting fastly. It turned, revealing it's bloody fangs. Kaedan grabbed her arrow and stabbed it into his head as he turned around. He fell on top of Emory, his black breath crowding her lungs. She gasped for air as it slowly made it's way around her lungs, pinching and pinching every time she took a breath. She frantically kicked as Kaedan pulled the big black figure off of Emory. They stumbled up, running as fast as they could to their bikes. They peddled, as tears ran down their face. They both cried in wonder of what would  happen if they weren't there, together.

Chapter 4. Tears Will Fall

When Emory woke up, she was fearful at the sight of nobody there beside her. She quickly got up and looked around for Kaedan. She screamed at the top of her lungs, yet still no response. She dipped her head, her brown hair falling over her face. She cried, seeing cuts on her legs. "What, where'd these come from. C'mon think Emory think! Wait, it must've come from last night. Maybe she hasn't gone far. There is sitll hope". Emory got out her emergency kit and straped a bandage over her kneecap. Swiftly she put her hair up into a pony tail and zipped up her light green jacket, matching her green eyes. She threw the crossbow over her back, and her satchel over her shoulder. She looked around, and drank from some water. The water dripped from her face , down onto her neck as she drank thirstly. She finally put it back in her satchel and locked it firmly. Next she strapped on her boots and sprayed them with water-proof spray. She quickly tightened the length on her satchel and looked around, if she had missed anything. She looked at the jacket on the floor, covered in dirt and mud. She picked it up as tears ran from her eyes, dripping down onto her neck. They dried quickly, as she wiped her face in the jacket. She tied the jacket around her waist and sniffled "C'mon Kaedan, you couldn't have just left. Come back, I need your help. Somebody, I need your help. Do I stay here and wait, or do I run to fnd you Kaedan. Help me..", she thought. She stared up at the prickling forest sky, dull grey skies and a damp flooring. Wet wood and prickly bramble everywhere. This is what she'd have to escape from? The demon filled forest, thats a real "nice" thought. She couldn't think of anything else though, nothing but Kaedan. She looked around and screeched one last time, "KAEDAN!", she squealed. She sat on a damp stump and slunk her head into her hands. She cried, as tears fell swiftly. They drew from her eyes as if a river had been slowly dripping from her insides. She wiped her swollen eyes and tightened her pony tail. She looked around her shoulder once more and ran, throwing herself onto her bike. "Only time will tell now", was the only thing she could get out of her mouth. 

                                   ~Kaedan~

Kaedan woke up, hearing the echo of her name in a silent whisper. She quickly tried to get up, but found she was strapped to a prickly tree. She struggled, yet every time she did, the prickly branches would cut into her spine, and her flesh. Blood trickled down her back to her leg as she let out a silent whisper,"Come on Em', please.". She looked down and saw she was about ten feet above the mud. She looked down at a shadow that was moving. She stopped moving, yet it still had movement. She kicked and squirmed, yelling at it,"Get me out of this thing! Now, I command you!", she said struggling. the bark cut into her flesh piercing her bone gently. She kicked and squirmed, dealing with the pain. She took a knife out of her boot and tried cutting it while the black figure went away. She heard a thumping noise, and cut quicker. The cold-blooded demon was near, and she did not want to be the person to get caught trying to escape, not today, not now, not ever. She still cut though, sweat dripping from her forehead as she struggled cutting the strips of hard thread, holding her to the bark. She coughed up some blood and spat, vomiting gently. She wiped her mouth on her shoulder and cried gently. "I'm going to die! Somebody help me! Please!",She thought. 

                                   ~Emory~

Emory stopped at a stream, slunking down near it sadly. She washed her face and thought abotu Kaedan to kindle her spirits. "Could she really be, dead? No, she is strong. She knows how to fake death. Come on Emory, have hope. Don't give up on her whenver she needs you right now!", Thought Emory. She tightened her grip on her satchel and dryed her face with a rag. She looked up at the star night sky, twilight purple towering her sight with stars. She dipped her head and tightened Kaedan's jacket around her waist,"Let's Do this.",she thought aloud. She threw her self on top of the bike and peddled. She looked at marks in the tree's. They were cracked in certain places, that were out of place in the tree. She studied them and found a trail. She peddled faster now, filled with hope. She peddled and peddled, till the twilight sky was a black. She focused her vision as it adapted to the darkness. She looked at the tree's and stopped faintly. She didn't know where she was! How could she do this? She sighed and looked around. She just kept peddling forward, following the rows of tree's beside her. Maybe, just maybe she could find her. Some time later, a bright yellow light rose above the sky slowly. Emory looked up, her sagging eyes staring wearily. She blinked, adapting her eyes now to the light. She rubbed her eyes and kept peddling. She took out her compass, and it went insane. It turned every which way. Emory slipped her head into her hands and cried gently,"Why me!?", she though aloud. She sighed and peddled faster. She stared around and saw a black log cabin. It was rustic, with bloody-red painted signs saying "Keep Out Or Die!". That was "pleasing" for her to see, especially at a black log cabin. She parked her bike near a tree and whispered loudly,"Kaedan..".

                      ~Crossage~

Kaedan looked behind her shoulder as her eyes yellowed,"Is.. someone there.". Emory ran up towards her and whispered,"Your in safe hands Kaedan. Whats wrong with your eyes, I thought they were blue. Your brown hair is all dull.. Whats wrong?". Kaedan shook her head and just sighed as her eyes turned back to their normal sky blue color. Emory pulled out her knife and cut at the rope. The handle was broken, so the blade cut into her hands every time she broke a thread. Blood trickled down her hand onto her hair and neck. She looked up at Kaedan and returned cutting. Kaedan sniffed, her eyes turning a yellow-ish blue. She stared and sniffed at the blood. Her ears perked as she heard a crackle. She quickened her breathing as Emory dropped the blade onto the floor. Her hand was drenched in blood. She knelt down onto her knee's and wrapped it in a bandage. She took out her arrow and held it by the stem. The rope snapped and Kaedan leaped down onto all fours. "What are you some time of wolf?", snickered Emory.

         "What.. W-why'd you think that?".

          "It's a joke, hold your horses Kaedan! Are you a wolf?!"

          "No, Wh-why'd you think that?"

           "ANSWER MY QUESTION! Are you a wolf Kaedan?!"

Chapter 5. Know Your Stregnths

"Em', I'm so sorry I never told you. I was scared, then I just forgot about it. I haven't transformed in months."

"Thats fine Kaedan, lets just get out of here."

Emory looked back at the blood stained tree and slung her arm around Kaedan. "We've been through enough..", she thought. Now, without a bike, they walked. Emory tightened her wet pony tail and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Kaedan rolled her pantlegs into cuffs and pulled up her damp socks. "Kaedan, have you speaken to your mother?",asked Emory. Kaedan's eyes widened,"No!". Emory huffed, tugging the jacket rim farther from her neck. They turned around, their sweat flinging from their pony tails. Kaedan power-walked in front of Emory stopping her in her tracks,"I will write a letter and send it to her, mk?". "No Kaedan, too dangerous. Just howl or something like you wolves do or like um... I don't know, just bark.". Kaedan raised her eyebrow,"Oh fine, gosh you know more than I thought. Hmm... cover your ears.". Emory placed her dirty-drenched hands over her ears, hearing the blurred sound of an ear-piercing screech. She twitched, slightly removing her hands from her ears for less than a second. In the short time-period, her knee's begged her to the ground. She fiercly threw her hands onto her head as tears drew from her eyes. "Em, are you ok?! I told you put your hands over your ears, I am sorry."

                 "It's not your fault, it's my own."

                 "Don't doubt..."

Emory rised, a gentle ringing in her ears making her twitch her neck to the side. She finally got it to go away, hearing a small sound. She made it out and responded to Kaedan,"Is that your mom?", she spoke concerned. "Yup, she is proud of me. I told her I would be fine..", murmured Kaedan. Emory nodded, kicking the dirt beneath her boots. They arose as she took a breath. The dirt pinched her lungs slightly, she kept walking. "Are your lungs pinching too?",asked Kaedan, seeing the uncertain look on Emory's face. Emory looked up and nodded,"We need to get some freshwater and drench our rags in them.", responded Emory. Kaedan looked up confused,"What, why?". Emory smirked,"The rag will kind of filter the air, although making it thick, it will help.", she snickered. Kaedan nodded, wiping her red cheeks exhaustedly. Emory reached into her satchel and took out four gloves,"I forgot I brought them. Put this on.", she murmured. Kaedan and Emory slipped on their leather gloves. A sudden feel of warmth went through them as they both pulled out their necklaces, oddly at the same time. They connected it and smiled. Emory pulled out a picture of her mom and kissed it, her purple-ish lips touching the warm, worn picture. She slipped it back into her pocket and whispered,"We're almost there... almost there."

"How long had it been since we left?",thought Emory. She pulled out her journal for the last entry she put it. "Four days left K. Think we'll make it?", she asked. Kaedan smiled,"Good karma is on our sides, we have nothing to worry about. Just look on the bright side of things. How's your leg, you've been limping. You can tell me if your hurt and I can just wrap it in a bandage. It will slow us down Em, but if it means helping you I am fine.", responded Kaedan. Emory looked down at her limping leg concerned.

"It's nothing to worry about Kaedan just leave it. I can handle a few scars. I put a bandage on it anyways."

"How long ago?"

"Two days ago.."

"Two days! You walked through swamps and nearly chopped your own hand off and all of these bandages have been on you for about two to three days!?"

"Kaedan stop it it's fine."

Kaedan shook her head and stopped in her tracks, pulling the large emergency kit form her backpack. Emory slunk down onto a stump and stuck out her hand and leg. Kaedan pulled up Emory's tights and pants and stared faintly. "You didn't even wash it did you?! The blood is black Em', BLACK. I don't mean to shout but you have to tell me these things. I am your best friend Em', I need to know things.", shouted Kaedan. Emory looked at the floor as Kaedan washed it. "Tsss, ouch!", vociferated Emory. "It would hurt less if you washed it two days ago Em'.", murmured Kaedan. Emory huffed, gripping the ground fiercly as the pain made it's way through her whole leg. Kaedan placed a cream on it and gently wrapped the bandage around her leg. She pulled down Emory's tights and pants covering it. "Thanks-ouch- Kaedan.", whispered Emory. Kaedan nodded, rubbing alchol on Emory's hand. She wiped the blood-soaked rag on it, fiercly wiping away the dried stain. Emory grinded her teeth and gulped down her scream, gripping a rock. As Kaedan wrapped the bandage tightly around Emory's arm it became too hard to bear. A cracking sound drew from the rock Emory was gripping. Finally it cracked. Kaedan stopped for a second and looked down at the crumpled pieces,"Save your stregnth Em', gosh. Who knew you were that strong.", snickered Kaedan. Emory lifted her leg painfully trying to smile. Kaedan finished and gently patted the bandage,"Mk, all done.", Kaedan smiled. Emory slipped on her boots and rose up flicking her arm to bear the pain. "We've only been out here three days Em, more is to come.", coughed Kaedan. Emory's eyes widened, seeing as Kaedan just snickered. "We've been out here three days!?", shouted Emory. Kaedan nodded, staring at the stygian-crimson dessicated cruor lined up her arm. She scraped her long nails against the bark of the tree, raking off the moss. She carefully deluged it in the stream and sponged at her arm. She tugged at her collar and zipped up her ebon-colored sheath, cantering after Emory. "Hit me with your best shot beasts.", babbled Kaedan under her breath. 

Soon after walking a few miles, both the girls percieved an odd feeling in their stomach. It wasn't atrocious, more of equivocal. Suddenly, Emory fell to her knee's. In her eyes, dark, beaten earth surrounded her. Her eyes turned a lurky, stygian color. Her hair began to shift to ebon. Claws drew from her now vaney hands, pale. Her cheeks formed skinnier, as her spine began to shrivel. She drew herself up and screeched, her long dagger-like fangs peering from her cruor-saturated mouth. Kaedan's eyes widened, and she took out her knife. "Emory, I can't hurt you! Just turn back, please, find a way out of this demon!", shouted Kaedan. Her spine quivered, as the hair on her neck began to rise. A gentle tear drew from her widened eyes as she threw the knife. As it quickly shoved it's way through Emory's flesh, Kaedan dropped to her knee's. "Emory, I'm sorry!", she yelled. Emory turned back again, and fell. Blood drew from her chest, as her eyes began to turn pale. Kaedan crawled over to her best friend's side and cried in her shoulder. She finally rose herself up, seeing the still, cold breath coming from Emory's nose. Kaedan pumped fiercly at her stomach, doing cpr. A river of tears flew from her eyes, as she pumped and pumped. "Please..",she whispered, dropping to the ground by her side. 

 

 

Chapter 6. Meaning

Soon, Kaedan fell to a sleep, dried tears still on her soft-drenched cheeks. Her hands were gripped around Emory's. "Thump.. Thump...Thump..", "Get up Emory.. get up.",thought Emory. Her body restricted her, as she ailingly turned her neck. She saw the enormous, blurred vision of a dagger. Her eyes crossed, as she fought for her vision. She gently moved her right hand, feeling Kaedan's wrapped around her's. She pulled it up and ungripped from her grasp, tugging at the knife. The feeling felt like she pommled herself every time she moved. Her whole body ached from the wound. Finally it drew from her flesh. She stared up at the sky, placing the knife beside her. She blinked seeing Kaedan wake up. Kaedan rushed herself upward and pulled out her water bottle. She held up Emory's head and tipped the bottle. Cool water rushed down the rim and Emory drank thirstily. She grabbed the bottle and drank all. Kaedan picked up Emory, pulling her close to her chest, carrying her to a stream. She put her down, her head facing the stream. Carefully, Kaedan washed the glore from her hair, taking the moss and running it down her arms and legs. She finally finished and Emory limped over behind a brush and changed. She pulled out medicine and gently rubbed it into her flesh, and stuck a bandage on the front. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and wrapped her limp arms around Kaedan's neck whispering,"Thank you, for saving me." Kaedan gripped her arms around Emory, hiding the falling tears from her eyes in Emory's shirt. 

As the darkness fell from the sky, stars came out. The first time, for two weeks, including when this didn't happen. "How did I never notice it..", Emory thought aloud. "Notice what?", answered Kaedan, curiously. "The stars.. they haven't been out for two weeks, but now, they shine.", coughed Emory. Kaedan smiled and resumed  washing her face in the stream,"It is a sign we are true friends now. I just noticed why your name is Emory, Ember is the color of your eyes, and my mother taught me that wolves say colors differently. Your name should have been Emor, but the y stands for something else in wolf language.",murmured Kaedan. "What?", babbled Emory, staring her head back at kaedan. "It means kindness, and bravery.", spoke Kaedan as she smiled. Emory turned back and grinned at the fire,"Thanks", she murmured. "Does your name have any meaning?", asked Emory. Kaedan looked up and thought, finally speaking,"Kae means loyalty, dan means friendship and kindness.". Emory smiled,"We are just alike, aside from our small differences. Thats why we have been friends for so long,"Emory grinned. Kaedan got up and walked over to Emory, hugging her. 

Coming Soon..

Will Emory ever find her mother, or will she die trying? 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 20.12.2013

Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Widmung:
-To my family and friends, whom keep me writing each and every day.