Its been a week since I escaped.

I stopped trying to figuring out what happened down that lake by the second day. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't going to bother me again.

So began my daily routine of surving.

First, I did the most bothersome task: foraging. Hours of searching for a tiny outcome, but I knew every bit is necessary. It simply had to be done.

Then, I got to setting up snares and traps around the cave. It rarely caught anything, nevertheless, I needed the meat. While I waited, I tried to make my cave as comfortable as it can be. I covered its tiny floor with leaves, and put up my cloak to hide the entrance. I also prepared a campfire, as to cook anything I caught.

When I finished, I started sharpening a stick. I figured I'd look for some fish. That was when I noticed the tracks.

Someone had been through here. Curious, I followed it, gripping my sharp stick and hiding in the bushes. After nearly five minutes, I grew alarmed. I was getting closer and closer to the BlackBlade hideout. I considered going back, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I was lonely, and a sign of a human would bring me comfort. What if they were friendly? My hard earned instincts screamed at me to let it go, that it wasn't worth it. But I continued nonetheless, now hesitantly though.

And finally, I caught up. The hooded figure was walking nervously, looking behind it every moment or so. Also, it was short.

A kid

I was shocked. I never saw someone my age before, as most parents kept their children locked up inside their houses, as if to shield them from the corruption outside. And the orphans didn't survive long, having no knowledge on the outside world and the dangers it holds.

He or she looked lost, and to my dismay, getting nearer and nearer to the bandits. 

I got near enough, and whispered:

"Don't go there"

Her reaction (I noticed its a girl as I saw her eyes up close) wasn't what I expected. She fell down, eyes wide with horror as she crawled away slowly. Fortunately though, she didn't make a sound, probably speechless from the shock. Were she to scream, we would have been surrounded in a second, and I wasn't looking forward to another scene like last time.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"There's bandits over there, you would have been killed" I uttered, trying to justify myself.

She looked a little calmer now, probably because I hadn't killed her yet, but she was still crawling away.

Well, I tried...

I shrugged, then turned around to leave, disappointed.

I always imagined an encounter with someone my age would be a little more exciting.

Halfway through, I noticed she was following me now, hiding pathetically, making more noise than she did walking normally. I didn't mind much, but I thought I ought to have some fun.

"Kelvin! Take out the girl behind that tree!" I spoke with a fake deep voice, not bothering to keep my voice down, now that we were far enough.

I laughed as I head a thud behind me, knowing she fell from terror again.

Only as I looked around did realise how cruel that was.

She was looking around frantically searching for the fake executioner, Kelvin.

I was wondering by then though, how a weak vulnerable girl like her survived.

I was wondering too, why she hadn't made a sound yet.

"Calm down! I was kidding, kidding, there's noone there." I spoke the last words slowly, doubting now the fact that she could understand me. She nodded though, still looking alarmed.

"You can come with me you like, I said, I have food." 

I was pretty sure the food convinced her, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Whatever the reason, I wasn't alone that night.

I'm so screwed if the snares didn't catch anything