Silence. It weighed down on her shoulders as she gazed around at the bodies of dead men, littered on ground in a circle around her, charred and smoking. She waited for the fire in her veins to subside before gently murmuring, "You're doing great, Slate. Keep your eyes closed for just a little longer."

Little Slate nodded without a word as Shale picked her up and held her in her arms. Shale's eye still glowed a bright green as she made her way around the dead men, walking briskly into the forest and away from the circle of destruction. When she could no longer see the smoldering clearing, Shale put her sister down and gently grabbed her by the shoulders. "You can open your eyes now," she said with a small smile.

Slate hesitantly opened her eyes, glowing a bright crimson. The little girl reached out her arms and hugged Shale tightly with a frightened whimper.

Shale hugged her back, her heart sinking.

"What's gonna happen to us?" Slate asked, taking Shale's hand as she led her through the forest.

"Don't worry about that," Shale said. "We're going to be okay, as long as I'm here." She looked to the moon, red eyes reflecting the light. The sun will rise soon, she thought with a worried glance at her sister. The rest of the humans will surely be looking for us. The monster let out a sigh and continued through the moonlit forest.

It was only a few minutes of hiking through the trees before Shale felt completely drained. Using her magic to escape the humans had quickly snuffed out her energy. If we're attacked, I won't be able to use the fire again. She realized this with growing anxiety, chills running up and down her spine.

Stopping in the middle of a small clearing, she said, "We're staying here for tonight."

"Why are we stopping?" asked Slate, wiping dirt off of her little face.

"Because I'm very tired and I need to rest to be strong again," Shale replied, already gathering twigs and leaves and placing them in a pile on the ground. "Come help me."

Slate obeyed, taking after her sister and picking up dead grass and sticks.

It didn't take long before they created a small bed of twigs and leaves that wasn't very comfortable, but no different from the shabby beds they slept in back at the village. After allowing Slate to settle down and sternly ordering her not to move from that spot, Shale went to the edge of the clearing and began inspecting the trees.

"What are you doing?" asked Slate from behind.

"I'm going to sharpen my horns," Shale replied, brushing her fingertips along the trees.

"But Mommy said not to--"

"I have to if I'm going to protect you, Slate."

The look in Slate's eyes made it obvious that she wanted to object further, but knew not to stress her sister.

I have to. Shale assured herself. My horns and my fire are what will keep me alive since. She finally came across a tree with thick and rough bark. With a sigh, she angled her horns and quickly set to grinding the ends against the tree, cringing inwardly at the sensation.

Shale had lost of track of the minutes that passed by the time she was satisfied with the dangerous points. It all felt wrong, as horned people were supposed to keep their horns dull -- a law enforced by the humans. It doesn't matter anymore. She quietly snuggled against her sister on the ground, falling asleep with one eye open.

**Hahaha, I have no talent. Thanks for wasting your time ^_^