Lindsey keeps looking at my arm and every time it makes me more uncomfortable. I thought we were best friends.

I mean she only has three lives when it becomes night I could kill her off. Eight lives doesn’t sound too bad.

What the heck?! What are you thinking?! She's your best friend! Snap out of this!

I shake my head and look at the sun. Not too long until sundown.

I found a tree stump to sit on, I need to clear my thoughts. Lindsey and I had made a small camp. We hope to find others in the morning so it isn't just the two of us.

Lindsey comes back with a dead rabbit. I didn't even realize she left.

Is that bad?

“Killed it with my bare hands,” Lindsey grins. Blood drips down the rabbit. I gag.

“Let me start a fire.” I have some sticks, wood, and stones. I can't start a fire with this. “Umm I need to use the restroom, I will be back.” Lindsey nods and I leave. I didn't really need to use the restroom, what I really need is for someone to help me make a fire.

I look up at the sky trying to find smoke in this forest. I see one not too far from here. I run towards it in desperation.

I found a small camp with lots of large rocks and many tools that these people must have made. Three men surround the fire. One is older and the other two are younger, maybe a little older than me. I think about my options. Either I lose a life and maybe Lindsey might look at my arm less or I get stuff to make a fire. Eh, there's nothing really to lose.

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I walk toward their camp putting my arms behind my back. They don't need to know how many lives I have.

“Excuse me gentlemen,” all of them turn to me. I freeze.

“What do you want, little girl,” one of the younger ones says, “company?” They all laugh. He doesn't even look that much older than me and he still calls me a little girl.

“I need supplies to make a fire.” I hold my breath.

“And why should we help you little-” his other friend stops him.

“Jared stop teasing her,” the young man walks up to me and hands me flint and steel. “We found this in the river while fishing, use this,” he gives me a soft smile and I return it. My cheeks get a bit warm.

“Jaxson, what in the world are you doing?!” Jared tries to take the flint and steel out of my hand but I put it behind my back before he could. The two begin to bicker a bit and I give out a chuckle. But then I look behind them. The old man's eyes are shut.

“Is the old man passed out?” I say trying to distract them. They both turn around and their eyes widen.

“Zak!” Jared exclaims. They both dash over to him. I slowly walk away when they aren't noticing. I hide behind a tree not too far away.

“Ugh, he's just asleep, Jared there's nothing to worry about.” I hear Jaxson say in the distance.

I skip back to our camp.

Once I arrive I see that Lindsey got impatient and tried to begin a fire herself.

“Lindsey, look what I got! I saw this lying around!” I sit down next to the pile of twigs and dead grass. And I strike the two rocks together. I do it over and over until then fire sparks.

“BOOM! I made fire!” I smile at my accomplishment.

“Nice job Iris!” Lindsey smiles and begins to cook the rabbit. I watch her cook while holding the flint and steel. I keep thinking about Jaxson. Why was he so nice to me? Maybe he saw my arm and wanted a life from me. Maybe he wants me to be close to him only to hurt me later. Maybe he just wants to have another ally. Or maybe he genuinely finds me interesting. I blush at that last thought.

Before I know it Lindsey hands me some rabbit. I inhale it. Man, I was hungry.

Lindsey looks at me with wide eyes.

“Do you want some of mine?” she says with her mouth full.

“Yes please,” I take some from her and I eat it. I look up at the sky after I finish. The sky is dark and the stars light up the night sky.

“I think I'll head to bed.” I give a small yawn. “Good night Lindsey.”

“Night Iris.”

I lay on the tree stump which gives some comfort. My mind brings back the thought of Jaxson.

Why are you thinking of him like that? You just met him a few hours ago. Plus it was only for one moment. But his face was so sweet. At least he makes me forget the thought of how Lindsey looks at my arm while holding her makeshift dagger. It gives me goosebumps. The thought of my best friend killing me for selfish reasons is miserable.

But it's also the thought of never going back to the real world.

Whatever my life was like then.