By the time we were done blaming each other, which took quite awhile I tell you. The sun was beginning to rise, it was the most beautiful thing, witnessing it bath the entire world in bright colors.

I nudged Ian who was leaning on my shoulder awake, while Bella roused Levi, who jolted awake immediately.

We all sat and watched the sunrise, for this was the first time most of us had ever spent one whole night in the woods and and awoken with the sun.

"Wow that was extraordinary". Alexander whispered. And we all nodded our agreement, I had not slept at all through the entire night, and felt my eyelids droop.

"You know since its morning, I thought we might be able to go back for the horses, but the mist is still as strong as ever". Ian noted.

"Its not a normal mist actually". I told him.
"Yes its a surprise we were able to see the sun at all". Sebastian added.
"Well since its morning, we have to get moving again". Finnegan announced.

"Yea? Who died and made you Lord?". I retorted, wanting nothing more than to sleep.
"Exactly". Rheanon agreed, and promptly laid down to emphasize her point. I quickly followed suit, and soon we were all poised for sleep, and I heard Finnegan's voice from a distance saying....
"Oh well, we can always walk at  a later time". Before it all went dark.

It was midday before we awakened. After waking and freshening up as much as we could, we resumed our quest.
"I have never been this unkempt before, ever". Rose lamented, trying to pick twigs from, and smoothen her hair.

"I share your pain, I honestly do, if I had known our transportation would break down, I would have packed so much more than just apples". Bella moaned.

"I am trying not to think about the trouble I will be in, should I seriously go home one week from now". Rheanon sighed.

"I will probably be kicked out of school, and married off to mister Phillip". I said. Smoothing down my hair, and thinking about how I indeed brought this on myself. I failed to notice everyone staring at me.

"Married off?". Finnegan asked surprised.
"And who the hell is Mister Phillip?". Alexander added.
"Oh, let's just say my home is quite different, vile stepmother and all". I told the boys, my girls already knew about my situation.

"I am truly sorry". Sebastian said, looking at me, and I could feel his sincerity. For some reason it caused my eyes to fill with tears.

"Yes, and if it seriously comes down to it, I'll marry you to save you from Mister Phillip, I have to be a better fate right?". Ian asked, his eyes seemed to sparkle in the morning light as i stared into them.

"Well, I might have to take you up on that". I smiled at him, and the joke in his eyes faded as he stared at me with intensity.
Someone coughed intentionally, and Finnegan groaned something about " it been too early for all these tension". I am not proud to say I blushed all the way to my feet, but sadly I did.

"This is too cheap Ella, you should make him grovel like a dog first". Rheanon rolled her eyes, and everyone except Levi and I burst out laughing.

"Oh my gosh!, look, a bridge right there, and a cottage too". Rose shouted, forgetting proper manners in excitement. We had been walking for hours now, and I was getting quite hungry and tired as well.

"Come on let's hurry, someone might be so kind so as to lend us clothes and some food". Ian said, and we agreed.

We had gotten quite to the house, when Levi stopped us, speaking for the first time all day.

"Something is wrong, the cottage is simply too large". Levi noted.

"Why! He is quite correct really, its twice the size of a normal cottage". Bella cried.

"Maybe it's simply a large family". Sebastian reasoned.

"In the middle of nowhere with mist all around? I doubt it". Alexander replied thoughtfully.

"I say we abandon the idea, and go all the way around". Levi offered, like the brute he was.

We all turned to look at the direction he was pointing at, and it was like the thicker version of a forest, full of spikes and thorns, and no penetration of light.

"Levi honey, we know you mean well, but even you realize that it is a suicide mission". Rheanon spoke gently, while Finnegan rolled his eyes.

"Alright, we go forward for help, and access to the bridge yes?". Ian asked, we all nodded with vigor, while Levi shook is head.

Imagine our surprise when nets suspended from branches dropped,trapping us as soon as we got close.

"Bloody hell!, Levi was right". Finn exclaimed.

~

Don't forget to drop a star!⭐