We were lost.

In the middle of a city.

With no one to help us.

I sighed and stopped. Erro gazed up at me curiously. I looked around to see any signs of life.

There was a tavern at the end of the street, with one scraggly lamplight flickering in the darkness.

I raced towards it.

"Ahem, forgetting something Blaze?"

I turned.

A rather upset looking Erro glared at me from down the street.

I sprinted back. "Sorry..."

We walked slowly to the tavern.

 ------- One very slow walk later---------

An old man stood at the entrance of the tavern, about to blow out the lantern.

"Wait!" I cried. "Hold on!"

He stopped and turned around to see Erro and I on the front porch.

"Why hello there, children. What brings you round this time of night?" His eyes twinkled. "Step into the light so I may see you better."

I stepped forward and began my introduction. "Hi, my name is Blaze and this is Erro!"

The old man froze when Erro stepped into the light. "I see you've met the stray."

I tilted my head. "The what?" I looked over at Erro. She was staring at her feet.

"She is the stray. Bastard daughter of the highest, richest high-ups in the system. She's an illegitimate birth, you see. Not right." He narrowed his eyes. "Her family's got a bounty on her head, you see. Anyone who help her be killed in the ugliest way. Leave her to rot, girl. You don't know what you're getting into." He turned away and went back to his lamp.

Erro looked at her feet and tugged at my hand slightly.

"Look here, Mr. Know-It-All. I have a friend here who is in desperate need of medical attention and I will not leave until she gets it. After I'm through with you, the Richy-riches will be the least of your problems. Hear me, butt-nugget?" I stepped up the porch, pushing my face into his. "You hear me? Now let us in, feed us, clothe us, and for gods sakes give her some medicine or I will skin you alive and wriggling."

The old man stared at me for a moment.

He laughed.

"You're a rude little thing, aren't you? Well get on in here. I ain't got so long to live anyway." The old man motioned us inside and we followed obediently.

------------------- Later --------------------

"You good Erro?" I asked. We were sleeping in two bedrolls on the floor in the middle of the shop. The old man had gone upstairs for the night, tired and creaky.

Erro mumbled hoarsely. "Yes.... Thanks...." and fell asleep.

But I couldn't sleep. My thoughts kept me awake. What if her family found us? What if they killed us?

I couldn't get the memory out of my head. Of my mother. Of her death.

I shuddered as I began to fall deeper into sleep.

"Hope..." I sat in my mother's tent, touching her  dress softly. The satin rubbed against my fingers as tears poured from my eyes.

Scratch walked in behind me and lay a hand on my shoulder. "Only the strong survive."

I whipped around and glared at Scratch, my eyes burning into his. "Are you calling Hope weak? She was braver than you ever were or ever will be. You are a stupid, loud, annoying, weak drama queen diva who just wants to look pretty!" I yelled. "Get out!"

Scratch glared at me, his hand raised to hit down on my head. I flinched.

Blood burbled at his neck. He fell down, clutching his throat. I stared in horror and looked up slowly. Two men stood above him, one holding a bloody dagger, one holding a painting of a more sophisticated version of Erro, covered in makeup and holding a cat. They glared at me and lunged towards me.

I woke up in a cold sweat. Tears welled in my eyes as I clutched my knees to my chest. I breathed for a while, trying to calm myself. Back to sleep. Back to dreams.

I lay back down and closed my eyes.

A voice whispered inside my head, my thoughts, just as I drifted off to sleep.

Trust no one.