The sun had begun to set, a thin strip of dim blue light illuminating the shallow parts of the cave. Night was approaching, and the already alien world around them would be shrouded in dark.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCoevO1OvB
Sophia tugged at the curved wrist-length sleeve of her sister's dress, a deep earthy green color, like a cross between soft moss and the color of the younger child's twinkly peridot eyes. "Sis, I'm hungry."
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDTci24DKf
"Can we..?" Sonata began.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qoZrDZ9am
Sophia frowned, tilting her head.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuixfgZuNiV
Sonata glanced between her sister and the distant corner where the food was, her pale brows pulled into a crease. If they could just make do foraging for meals here and there, they might be able to make their meager food supply last for at least a little longer. But what of subsistence could they possibly find in the dark, before they were among the wolves and who knows what in the darkness. Not to mention the scare she'd give Sophia if she let loose that there was a chance they could die. This was something she'd have to plan ahead of time.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZSkgN4XFY
"Nothing," she nervously assured, picking at a fleck of something dried onto her bare foot, "it's getting late, so we should collect some more firewood, just in case."
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolA81gP6l2
Sophia looked back towards the entrance, her pale curls lemony in the twilight. "I can go," she volunteered, picking herself up to go.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIEZTit3n0
Sonata felt dread set in on her chest again. "Stay where I can see you from the cave, I'm coming out soon!" She called, and watched the little being hurry off.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBubGN0Zx2q
Sonata made her way towards the dead firepit, trying to salvage what she could of the not-entirely-burnt-through timber. They hadn't done a very good job of putting the fire out that morning—meaning they just plain didn't, so there wasn't much they could save.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFIFKqCFMy
SCREAM
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc5Me5YWQh
It was a short, acute, tiny screech of alarm that caught her ears. Sonata's head shot up. It had barely been a few moments, what on earth had she gotten into? Was she being attacked by something, could she scare it off, was she hurt? Sonata dropped what she was doing and ran towards the source of the noise, clenching her soot-covered hands so they wouldn't dirty her clothes.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6opR5dxotj
She found Sophia standing frozen in place not too far from the exit of the cave, her peridot eyes fixed wide upon the shadowy space under a cluster of bushes. Seeing as she wasn't hurt or until sort of imminent danger, Sonata's dash slowed to a rushed gait. She needed to conserve her energy more, with this silly drake.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrshkoX9lE
"Sophia? What is it?"
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXfhF7uXly
Her lips barely hushed out, "spider." Her eyes were still wide, frozen on that corner of darkness. When she heard the crunch of twigs of her elder sister right next to her, she turned her eyes enough to maneuver herself backwards and hide behind her, her small fingers interlocked into her skirt. She looked positively frightened, her little eyes all misty and her distressed expression.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6vbnNBGq8
"Where?" Sonata simply asked.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdv6vs046A
Small fingers hesitated, then unlocked themselves just enough to point down to the place. "I picked it up and it was there."
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjCeDZMVa7
Sonata figured she was talking about a branch somewhere down there. She bent down and found a relatively thick branch in the shadows. She picked it up, and sure enough there were a pair of spiders, dust-like things with long hairs for legs and crumbs for bodies. The squeamish little princess behind her whined.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRYXb0kw2n
STOMP STOMP STOMP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmReKkkftt
Sonata didn't hesitate to do it with her bare foot, and in no time the spiders were reduced to a disfigured pair of imprints on the dirt. Sophia's face was tucked into her sister's dress, her hands clinging tight as buckle clasps. Sophia brushed her curly hair in reassurance, pulling the small figure towards her in a small hug.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFz5SqKQiS
"It's okay, Sophia. It was only a bug. Did it bite you? Did any get on your hand?" She half teased. Sophia sniffled, wiping her hands on her sister's dress before looking at them.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFXBgHB2Cy
"Hey!"
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ2mLvVWXU
Sniff. Sophia wiped the tears dripping down her apple cheeks with her sleeve, then showed her hands to her sister. Humoring her, Sonata turned them over, looking over and around her arms. "Nope, no more spiders," she confirmed, giving the small one another small squeeze. "Do you want to stack the firewood inside for me? I'll do the picking up and make a pile out here, you can carry them inside. Then there won't be any bugs."
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8WkSp5sqj
Sophia nodded, rubbing her face. Sonata began to hand her the stick she'd just picked up, taller than she was. "Wait." She pressed the thinner end against the ground, pushing it down with all her weight until it snapped in half. "Here." The handed the small waiting hands the two halves. "Be careful of the splinters, okay?" Sophia nodded.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxkknDEFs
...
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3C8OqM4PJ
The world outside was complete darkness. It was to be expected, as there were no other people to light flames here, no dim lights from a city in the distance, anywhere around. Sophia cuddled, curled against her sister's side. Her head was tucked between her shoulder and the fur cloak, the gentle rock of her breathing mixing with the crackling of fire and the howling of wind and the occasional sound of a rodent outside. They'd thrown the dragon cloak over a rock and layered it with their own cloaks and the other clothes they weren't wearing for some cushioning, but in all, it was still a rock.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfNQy07Kkg
Sophia was tired, but she wasn't quite asleep yet. Her hand still grasped tight the sleeve of Sonata's underdress, which she just used as a nightgown for now, she could still feel the occasional tickle of her sister's eyelashes shifting.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxF2OibOlJ
"Sis? Where's mama?" She asked again, her little peridot eyes wide and concerned as they peeked up from the corner of Sonata's shoulder.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29RI7x2mWr
She's gone to find father, she almost repeated.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoYT7haOME
I don't know, she almost admitted.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrD43JM6gE
She gently brushed Sophia's pale hair. "Do you miss your mother?" She asked.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zsI9pZwVf
Sophia's eyes widened a little, then she turned around briefly, looking around the cave. Thinking.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtjb3rpKtT
"I'm scared." She presses her head against Sonata again, hugging her arm. "What if something comes? Will Mamà save us?" She asked.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9usCi0MTv
Sonata nibbled her lip. Luckily Sophia was looking away, so she didn't see. There was silence until Sophia looked up, her concern a little more visible, her movements and pronunciations a little more jerky. "Why aren't you answering?"
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpK7ztz3e
Sonata stared down with wide eyes at the expectant little girl. She was scared, but she had to be strong. Everything would be okay, she needed to assure her that everything would be okay. But she was scared, herself. She didn't want to die, but more than that she didn't want her sister to die. She was so, so scared.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9TK4K7jpQ
She pulled Sophia into a hug, bending over her to hide her face. Her voice was a little broken, but she tried to hide her fear. She tried so hard.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmUr0Cr3RF
"If something comes, I'll protect you." She pressed Sophia's head against her shoulder, reassuring herself more than anyone. "I promise, I'm right here, I'll protect you. I promised mother I'd protect you."
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jd0TmQg3B
She could feel some heat, and then wetness against her shoulder. Sophia said nothing. The tears Sonata felt threatening her never came. She sat holding she smaller figure, rubbing her back as she soundlessly cried until she tired herself out. The crackling of fire was her sole companion for a long time, until an exhausted Sonata was finally dragged down to sleep as well.
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dfg4K6grC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2u5GZjSBz
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukRV52bxib
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl1tRIX3Dh
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmgwKETA3w
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBlQd5NW0P
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfeWk7y2UN
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxvSkZw64l
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ304JTU2PHq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaERkmSJopn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EfiTanBpF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Ujzv0ROG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjFLmjEWnx
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6qPP76Nx1
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2nbXdutLz
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGOIYlS07x
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oojjn3Kor
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR7GNZo0kd
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2S69fc9fS
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdFYntIQwt
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuzoHoitLO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbTMan0aj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILG00neN8l
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzstnKdwvI
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEAUsLu3CC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcXnR7yNnM
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV01fmZKYV
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGD4PMwWew
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN3ZStHlZn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNe9fZmKvF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hTj4Jewa9
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCY6MgJFF2
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLsEZze9By
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jbA740QMt
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMshl1ydn8T
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oYO6p1osq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ypVpd49A
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqxt4HbPYQ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGDec6xPkc
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeskvRAPTe
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvox7nCEwDt
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWMeO4nLlV
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhDZTokXEL
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyoUrDSkpj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5ygel5Qub
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFTkXYn4GH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq7dDU6QzN
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtb9yHew7P
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3XIozsVQP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd5sYjxYNT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DvrIXY78b
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GZXE8GokH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5dFelMY7r
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f7Gzm8lOj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFHdcKiUXl
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvLb6d7axs
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4xVZK1AKf
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2xCKBN31a
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vdhysqQnJ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82hJ3Ul6MB
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGyiSVUupW
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxAddwEPIg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgBhCF9Pt4
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xVkqY5J9S
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzigOTdyAur
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVOjhydEcY
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoJ7jTCOgP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEQLKl1T0i
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0PnfcRJXz
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8c4jG2gtw
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQG5k6GIqT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOlS3PLIae
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIdx42zGpQ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKxY0E03NH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGr1tbtIkS
Alone in a cave.
ns216.73.216.0da2
