"Let go of me! Someone help!" I kicked my legs and shouted as loud as I could. "I'm being kidnapped! Someone, please help!"

The boy merely tightened his grip on my waist and began walking once again, my body thrown over his shoulder. "There's no one for miles. Your thoat's gonna hurt if you keep screaming like that."

I ignored him and continued to yell for help. However, after a full half hour of resistance I was drained. How far into the woods had he taken me?! Was there even this much empty land?

I let my arms dangle down and tried to catch my breath. Was I going to get killed? Did he planned to chop me up and eat me? Would I never see Auntie or Uncle again? Millions of questions ran through my head as I allowed myself to be carried.

Maybe I could gain his trust? I decided to try and strike up a conversation. "What's your name...?" I asked.

He was silent. I frowned. "How old are you?"

He remained silent. I narrowed my eyes and kicked him hard in the stomach. He coughed. "Hey! Watch it!"

"Answer my questions and I might!" I shot back.

He clenched his teeth and I got ready to give him another kick when he said, "I'm nineteen."

I relaxed my foot. "How long have you worked for 'the King'?"

"Since I was little." He said. "My father left my mother before I was born and I lost my mother when I was born. The King was kind enough to take me in."

"That's sad..." I thought for a moment before I asked quietly, "Is the King nice...?"

"Too nice, if you as me. He's very respected for his kindness and generosity." He frowned. "Lately though, he's been different. He seemed stressed last time we spoke..."

"What does he want with me?" I asked.

His steps slowed and he straightened his back. "That's not for me to say. We're only a day's journey from the castle. You can ask him when we get there."

"But-"

"Enough pointless conversation. Just be quiet." He said.

I frowned. After a few moments of silence I opened my mouth to speak. "Wouldn't it-"

He hiked me up on his shoulder, his shoulder jabbing into my stomach roughly. I winced and shot him a glare. There was a tense silence as he tried to warn me off of speaking while I threatened to start talking. I took a moment hesitation before said, "You never answered my question."

"Oh, dear lord..." He muttered.

"Hey, it's true! You never told me your name." I said.

He growled under his breath. "Such an annoying girl..."

I kicked him again, causing him to slap my leg. However after a couple seconds he huffed. "It's Xic." He said shortly.

I raised an eyebrow in thought. "What a weird name." I said aloud. He began grinding his teeth and I giggled. "But, it's nice. It's a pretty name."

He went silent and then he set me down on the ground. "Now that you have some answers will you come with me. My shoulder us getting sore."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But, if I decide I don't like the King I want to be taken home."

"I can't promise that." He said. "My job is simply to take you there and make sure you're in one piece when you arrive." He shrugged. "That's it. After that you're not my problem."

I gave him a look of annoyance. What did he mean problem? I didn't ask for this to happen. This was all his stupid King's fault.

Xic took a deep breath and started walking again. As much as I had fought to get away before I really had nowhere to go. Home could be anywhere and I'd never make it there on foot alone.

I began following after him, keeping my distance in case he really was a psycho. I still couldn't be sure if he was really being serious or not about the whole him-being-a-horse thing.

After a while my legs started getting tired and I leaned on a tree. "You said it was a day's walk? Does that include breaks?" I asked wearily.

Xic didn't even slow down. "No."

I puffed and wiped some sweat off my forehead. I could see the sun rising in the distance which meant we were heading east. At least I knew which direction to head to get home if necessary.

"Is the castle of yours near a town or something?" I asked, tying to distract myself from my burning leg muscles.

"Yes."

I frowned. Was he seriously just going to continue on like that with one word answers? I hurried to catch up to him. "Do you live in the castle or the town?"

He didn't reply and I jumped in front of him, walking backwards while I talked. "You're really quiet. Is it like some military thing? Like, you aren't allowed to talk to prisoners?"

He frowned. "I'm not a knight." He said.

I stared at him. "They have knights?" I asked in mock awe. This lie of his was getting more interesting. "If you're not a knight, what are you?"

He looked annoyed. "What does it matter?" He pushed past me and I stopped to stare at his back as he walked away. Then I ran up to his side. "Because you won't tell me anything. Maybe I shouldn't trust you. Maybe I should just run away right now."

"Maybe I should just knock you out and carry you all the way to the castle." He said with a glare.

I rolled my eyes. "You're not allowed to hurt me though, right? You said it yourself. I have to be there in one piece."

"Having a bump on your head versus having a missing limb are two entirely different things." He said, complete seriousness in is voice.

I fell silent then, not really knowing what else to talk about. I started paying close attention to the surroundings. I tried to mark our path with land marks but, eventually gave up as everything just looked the same.

Finally Xic came to a stop and told me to sit down. I did as I was told and he pulled a loaf of bread from his bag. We ate in silence, him not eating much as he kept his eye on the trees like they might get up and attack us or something equally ridiculous.

As we began cleaning up I started thinking about Auntie and Uncle. Were they missing me? Had they called the police yet?

I didn't realize how slow I was going until there was a firm whack to the back of my head. "Hey!" I said, glaring at Xic.

He frowned. "You're too slow. It'll take us two days instead of one at this pace."

I crossed my arms in a pout. "Well, I'm tired. We've been walking for hours." I said.

He ignored my complaint and stood up, beginning to walk again. I sighed and started walking again too. We were only walking for a few more seconds before Xic suddenly stopped and grabbed my arm, yanking me down to the ground. I frowned and tried to pull away. "What're you-"

"Shh!" He said, covering my mouth with his hand. I frowned, pushing his hand away. "What's going on?" I hissed.

He put a finger to his lips in warning and pointed through the trees. I looked out and my eyes landed on a deer walking past a few yards away. What was he so afraid of?

*******

Hey everyone! So, I know it's kind if boring but, I'm trying to make it funny. I have plans though. Just wait a little longer. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS, VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco