Someone New

Several years later, I was sixteen. Life had continued much the same, although Verux was now hesitant to send more people. We'd been pretty successful in beating them back, especially with Nochra on our side. She was an incredibly skilled fighter, with a power possibly more lethal than my own.

But that day. That day was different. I went out in the forest with a few others to gather food. One of them came running over to me. "We found this girl, bright red hair. She's dying, you have to try to help." I nodded, and we took off.

Sure enough, there was a red-haired girl, curled up against the base of the tree. Her breathing was shallow, and she held an infant in her arms.

"Excuse me, I'm here to--" I started, before she jumped and interrupted me.

"Don't touch her! I won't let you take her away from me! I can't let them have her!"

"Them?" I remember asking.

She tucked up a little more.

"Please, it's okay. I only want to help."

She stared at me, with eyes full of fear. Judging me.