we continued our tiresome walk. i secretly felt tired but i didn't want to tell grey. he would have us stop and i didn't want to slow down our progress anymore.

  "gen, do you want me to carry you?" he asked.

  "i'm fine. i told you i'm a big girl."

  "you're panting really loudly and your face is red."

  "okay."

  i held our backpack while he carried me on his back. it was quiet with the chirping birds being the only thing in the background. they bought some serenity to the land that felt so cold. the weather was warm but how the people treated us was icy.

  the sound of footsteps alarmed myself and grey. we came to a sudden halt and my moments of relaxation were over.

  "who goes there?" someone who wasn't visible asked. i held onto grey even tighter and dug my face into his back. silent is what grey would tell me if he could.

  a figure emerged from the darkness of the trees and approached us. a scruffy looking man who looked to be in his late forties slowly made his way through the leaves. i knew him from somewhere.

  "are you a cypher?" grey inquired.

  "are you?" the man responded.

  "no."

  "never mind then, boy. what do you do in this jungle? this wouldn't exactly be considered a playground for children."

  "we're headed north to damville. we seek refuge from the war. this is my sister, genevieve, we've been on the road...for quite some time."

  "genevieve? i...pardon me but what's your last name?"

  "why do you want to know?"

  "blaze."

  "excuse me?"

  "you're blaze killoran."