10

~Aspen

"Kastriv!"

I'm at his side in an instant, shaking his limbs. He's alive, but barely. It was as if something overcame him, turning him into a monster.

He's completely limp as I shake him incessantly, trying to bring some life back into him. His breathing remains faint, while he is entirely unresponsive.

And I'm out here, somewhere in Territory Ten, alone.

"Please wake up...Please," I beg, groaning with frustration. He's my way out of here, with his magical abilities...And once it gets dark, who knows what creatures will come out of the forest to tear me apart.

Eventually, I gather resources to light a fire, which is almost impossible, considering how damp the material is, but by the time night has officially fallen, I've created a spark that grows into a healthy fire.

Kastriv remains unconscious. The best I can do for him is sit close, and keep an eye on the fire.

Soon enough, my eyes become tired and my body grows wary.

I need sleep. But can I really sleep out here? In the dist