Chapter 1

Jade's pov

I dragged my feet across the dry earth. The smoke choked me as I made my way through the ruins but I wasn't deterred. It didn't matter if I collapsed in a heap after the search. All that matters is that I found my sister and I found her soon.

“Juliana” I yelled and few heads turned towards me.

"Juliana" I croaked, hoping she could hear the sound of my voice if she was here. Oh how I hoped that she would be here. This was the last camp close to our destroyed village. A few people loitered but they looked bad. Really bad and the chances of them surviving was slim.

The attack had destroyed the pack. The attackers only goal in mind was to kill us all. Some got away, some were half lucky as me and the others who loitered here. And some were unfortunate, they had been brutally killed. My parents were dead. Ripped apart by the monsters who had attacked and Juliana was still nowhere to be found.

I heard a shrill scream and I looked in that direction. One of the people who had been looking through the ruins just dropped unmoving. It was sad but I was sure that would be the fate of most of the people here.

Not me though. I had to fight, I need to do everything I can to find Juliana. She was all I had now. I have to find her keep her safe.

I dragged myself further away from the mayhem and then I collapsed against a tree, breathing hard. My throat was parched and my stomach cried in hunger.

I remembered the meal I rejected the previous night because I was upset with my parents. I was going to eat at breakfast today. But we never got the chance.

What was supposed to start as a good day turned into chaos. Screams and shouts woke us up as they tried to get us to safety. I was confused at first but when I realized what was happening, I grabbed Juliana and took off.

We had separated in the huge crowd trying to scamper to safety. I didn’t even know who they were and why they attacked or what weapons they used.

Many had died from injuries but the others that felt weak kept dropping dead, it seemed like they had inhaled something poisonous.

My eyes dropped and I struggled to keep them open but no matter what I did, my body was determined to shut down. Giving up, I let sleep take over me.

When I opened my eyes again, I had no sense of my surrounding. I was confused for a moment, thinking about how I had ended up there but the memories started pouring in and I groaned. My stomach rumbled and I was reminded I hadn’t gotten anything to eat in hours now… maybe a day.

I ignored my protesting muscles and forced myself to stand, leaning on the tree for support. I closed my eyes briefly, summoning all the strength that I possessed and finally let go of the tree, taking few steps away from it.

I didn’t fall to my face so I took that as a sign to continue and trudged further. There was no sound in this part of the woods. Not even the chirping of birds. For a moment, it felt like I was the only one on the world. Shudders ran down my spine at the terrifying thought.

I walked further, not knowing where I was going to but hoping it would lead me to somewhere. Somewhere I could find my sister and we could be together again.

After hours of an unending walk, I arrived at a small village. No one paid any attention as I walked by. With my tattered appearance, I stuck out like a sore thumb so it was a good thing no one paid me any attention.

I walked further into the village and the scent of freshly made bread drew me in. My stomach rumbled again and I followed the scent. If i could get a bite of food at least, I would be able to continue my journey.

I arrived at the secluded hut and the smell of the bread was the strongest. The door flew open and a woman was standing in the doorway. She had a stern and unpleasant look on her face and it made me hesitant.

“Who are you?” She asked in a snappy tone.

“I-I…” what could I possibly tell her. That I wasn’t from here and my family had been murdered by wolves and I needed some food? She would slam the door in my face or worse, call the village guards for me.

“Are you daft?”

“N-No. I’m sorry….” My stomach growled, interrupting me and I blushed furiously. Her stern face softened. It was subtle and hard to see, but I noticed it.

“Are you here for the bread?”

“Y-Yes…. But I have no money” I managed to mumble. Her eyes darkened and I expected her to slam the door in my face after cussing me out. But she entered into her home, leaving the door open.

Did she want me to come inside? That wouldn’t be a good idea. I didn’t know her. What if she was a killer? But I was so damned hungry that I couldn’t even think of my safety at the moment. I was still contemplating on what to do when she made the decision for me.

“Are you going to stand there all day?” I heard her yell and I entered. Her house was small. Way too small for a person and I had to stay hunched over inside. How did she manage to live here.

“Take this” she handed me a plate with some bread and I took it. My stomach grumbled again just at the sight and smell of the fresh bread.

“T-Thank you” I stuttered and she grunted. I tore through the bread, ignoring the heat. I didn’t even get the time to savor the taste. I just cared about satisfying my hunger.

She placed a cup of milk on the small table and she was gone before I could thank her. As I ate, I looked around the house. Despite being small, it was packed. Maybe that’s the reason it looked so small. Pictures of a young girl with a man hung in every corner of the house. Clothes were strewn about.

Looked like she’s hadn’t cleaned up in a while. Did she live alone? Or was the girl in the picture her daughter? Were they her family? Where could they be?

She returned and sat across me, I’m the rocking chair, just staring blankly at the wall. With the woman here, I had to limit my open gazing and went back to eating my food more gently this time.

I finished eating and I felt full.

“Thank you” I said to the woman again and she only looked at me for a brief second before she looked away, going back to staring at the empty wall.

I leaned against the couch, yawning loudly. I wanted to rest for a short time and I would be on my way.

‘Are you crazy?’ My subconscious yelled at me.

‘How can you sleep in a stranger's house?’ But I already ate her food. Is sleeping where I draw the line? Besides it’s only for a moment. I would only shut my eyes for a few second and I’ll thank her again and be on my way.

I shut my eyes with plans to get up the next second but I fell into a deep sleep.