A/N

Hey how are you

if anyone reads this, please read my music recommendations, no one reads it and I feel like I'm just talking to myself

okay now past that

sorry for not updating for a long time, I had to finish a science project and I was really busy (also didn't want to write)

I'm lazy..............

but here's a new chapter, hope you enjoy it!

I was awakened by the bright morning sunshine, it was nearly blinding. I slowly opened my eyes and glanced around, taking in my surroundings. Up above my head, was a wide display of trees, reaching toward the sky, their beautiful, colourful leaves glimmering in the morning sun. Shades of brown, red and orange visibly lighting up the view. I sat up and looked around, my eyebrows instantly flew up when I caught no sight of Brock nearby. I thought a bit and found the logic in this situation, he must be out looking for something to eat. Nearby, a few feet to the left of my sleeping spot was the fire we had made the night before. I had woken up on a soft bed of grass, to which Brock and I moved the night before for more comfort. I lay back down and thought back on the conversations Brock and I shared at night. I remembered the way we observed the stars and talked of our experiences in life, deep conversations they were. That was truly nice, but I'm sure it was just the fact that I don't get to see stars a lot.

Leaving the strange thoughts behind, I stood up and stretched, I wanted to move a bit. I was not planning on a walk, as the woods are one confusing maze and I would find myself in the middle of nowhere in no time. I thought more over the decision and ended up moving off the soft bed, wincing with the pain that shot through my back from the uncomfortable sleeping position I had taken the night before.

I was now on the dirt part of the ground, where the ashes of the fire from the night were scattered, following our attempts of killing the fire. The dirt was a boring shade of brown (like most dirt is) though, there was something that I noticed when I scanned the ground below my feet. It was writing, letters engraved into the dirt. I walked up closer, to get a better look, it read,

You can't run forever. I have found you lovebirds and all you will feel is pain and fright. 

Wow, now I was genuinely confused. The random threat written is messy writing on the ground before me was scary! Who might have written it though?

Then it came to me, Matt, Matt Wolf. The guy who has been pursuing us for the entirety of me knowing Brock. A whirl of terror hit me then, what if he had already taken Brock, what if that was the reason my companion had disappeared with no trace? I started to panic, I had no knowledge of this forest, without Brock, I'm lost and rescuing him, well that's a different story. If I do manage to find wherever Matt is keeping him without getting eaten by wolves, I'll just get killed too, I have no defence whatsoever! Why did I even want to save Brock though, I barely know him, I could just go home...

My mental panic was cut short by a comforting and familiar voice behind me, 

"Good morning sunshine!"

I turned to face Brock, smiling and holding a branch with leaves and tons of berries on it as well as, a fish.

"Oh my god!" I exclaim, "I literally thought you were kidnapped, how could you just leave me like that?! Do you see that threat on the ground? I could have been killed without you!"

"What? What threat?" Brock questioned, putting what he was holding down.

"Oh! That threat!" I cried pointing at the writing on the ground.

Brock stepped forward closer to me and his eyes scanned over the message. I could see emotions going through his face, he looked worried. After a while of examining it, he finally pulled it together and looked at me,

"Listen, Rider", he said bravely, "we have to take this a step at a time. First things first, you need to take a chill pill."

He gazed at me, I was basically shaking from fright. We were facing a death threat from a homicidal maniac and he wanted me to calm down? I took a few deep breaths anyway though.

"Alright, now", he continued his lecture, "we have to figure out how to escape."

"Wonderful idea," I agreed, furiously nodding my head.

"He might even be watching us right now so, let's try to avoid getting caught," he almost whispered, hushing his voice and looking around.

I nodded again, too terrified to respond in any other manner.

"I'll go get a stick or something to fight back with and you stay here, I'll be back in a flash 'kay?" Brock asked. I was skeptical about separating but, I did as told and remained perfectly planted as he walked away.

It had been a while since Brock left me to wait for him, I was a bit scared that he had been caught. Yet, I stood there, not daring to move an inch, worriedly looking around me.

And, indeed my worries were confirmed when I was faced with the sight of brock being led out of the trees by Matt. Brock's expression was almost blank, yet I could tell he was horrified on the inside. My heart nearly stopped when Matt smiled, stopping dead in his tracks, simply stated,

"I told you couldn't run from me, and look where that brought you..." He turned a knife in his hand, the blade shining as the sun hit it. My heart kept pounding insanely as Brock winced with each movement.

"Don't do this," I pleaded, wincing myself, seeing Brock's brave glint in his eyes fade.

Matt put the blade of the knife up to Brock's throat. Brock let out a squeak of terror as Matt held him firmly by the shirt collar.

"You know, I really don't want to hurt your precious boyfriend",  he laughed, pointing to a wide-eyed Brock, "all I want is the rose, if you show me where it is-"

"Head's up bitch-ass!" came the voice of a girl behind Brock and Matt.

Matt was cut off by a huge log hitting the side of his head, knocking him off his feet.  Brock backed away, eyes wide with surprise. He turned around to see a small, smiling girl, around our age. Brock smiled as well and she threw her arms around him,

"Dakota!" he exclaimed.

"I missed you Brock", she said, still smiling and backing away, after a long and sweet hug, "I thought you died, you know."

"Well, I thought you died," Brock replied.

That's when the girl noticed me and practically ran up to me, 

"Hi there, I'm Dakota!" she said, stretching her hand out to shake, I took it and introduced myself,

"I'm Rider." 

Brock understood that I was a bit confused as to who exactly Dakota was,

"Dakota has been a maid at the castle practically since she was very young," he explained.

"That's right", Dakota smiled, "I loved working at the castle and when I turned 16, I became one of the best and most liked maids!"

I furrowed my eyebrows, 

"How old are you?" I questioned.

"Oh, I'm 17, don't be fooled by my small size."

And that was a fair comment, the girl was like 5'1. I mean, I'm no giant, I'm 5'9 myself but, she was tiny! She was dressed in a pink skater dress and black Nike sneakers with her chestnut hair up in two buns and a small magenta purse slung across her body. 

"So", Brock began, "why don't we get going before this freak wakes up."

Dakota nodded, "Yup, one second though."

She walked up to the passed out figure of Matt Wolf and kicked him in the face with all her might, which seemed like a lot. While she was busy with that, I went and picked up the branch of berries and fish that Brock set down earlier. When I returned to stand beside him, he laughed

"You had to?"

"Um yeah, I'm starving, man!" I replied

"Okay," Brock agreed, smiling teasingly at me.

That's when Dakota finally finished kicking the already passed out villain and walked up to us. She stopped and took a small packet of tissues out of her purse, she took one out and cleaned her shoes with it, then discarding it under a tree. Brock and I were watching in amusement the entire time.

"What?", she questioned, once finished, "I don't want dumb-ass maniac germs on me."

Brock and I both laughed at her matter-of-fact way of saying it.

"Okay, where to next?" she asked, smiling happily.

"Um, why don't we get away from this guy, then we'll eat", I stated, looking at Brock who smiled at me, "and we'll see what comes next after that."

Dakota nodded her head excitedly,

"Fair plan!" she agreed.

Brock and I nodded at each other and we began walking, our new companion walking alongside me and then starting a friendly conversation as we made our way to a safe place to eat.

A/N

eyo everyone

so sorry for being gone for so long

and, not like anyone reads this or anything but, just know that comments and feedback are always welcome!

hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and happy birthday to Otto Wood!!!!!!!!!!! 

alrighty, hope you liked this chapter 

and what do y'all think of Dakota? (personally, I relate to her and love her name**********which is based off a song that i realllllllly lovvvvevevevev!!!!!) 

kkkkk

Stay positive,,,,byeeeeeeeee<3<3<3