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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPMYJyjEwI
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."
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrnZfhDBoz
"Can we..?" Sonata began.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzzOhC4Pve
Sophia frowned, tilting her head.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbaphjNqZ8
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKBJtSJstJ
"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."
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTHZooVdJb
Sophia looked back towards the entrance, her pale curls lemony in the twilight. "I can go," she volunteered, picking herself up to go.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG0tX3jIQS
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3xqyGMUA8
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAASNyiXU5A
SCREAM
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkdfNzQDKH
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvK2kLCSOh
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlCBmrZ4JG
"Sophia? What is it?"
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG0pOCJ8ZG
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Lf1k2H4a
"Where?" Sonata simply asked.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmQkpRbetT
Small fingers hesitated, then unlocked themselves just enough to point down to the place. "I picked it up and it was there."
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aqHzt6mVc
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZKXR1Ii9Y
STOMP STOMP STOMP
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j1kxxZ3E8
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHAr950Ws5
"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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE1jHuwCLq
"Hey!"
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkWxaU0zAj
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."
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49YLJqOSe3
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszjN9Rf7dA
...
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF7h6nftiR
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7VBTQmHQ
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3YFEc27AM
"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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRosGroCVD
She's gone to find father, she almost repeated.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPoxAAiTUa
I don't know, she almost admitted.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Czu5PCTw0
She gently brushed Sophia's pale hair. "Do you miss your mother?" She asked.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD17U70ICp
Sophia's eyes widened a little, then she turned around briefly, looking around the cave. Thinking.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa4lHwuJF5
"I'm scared." She presses her head against Sonata again, hugging her arm. "What if something comes? Will Mamà save us?" She asked.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsnR8VQgPT
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?"
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNEHDT2s2Y
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbwHCbX3O7
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDmBlMrBPX
"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."
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKI0zpv8H3
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.
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhxMLoC4Xg
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn29KkEtkzT
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllQZLisSlK
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC94TdklLLa
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw1tZis3eY
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IPJxzTbFx
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCAfUsFyLZ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc8AQ1LhZU
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FBYddcOA8
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zgosIbKR3
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhavYF2Nmc
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuTBF7yg0M
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiBQ3BqjGD
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa49oBpDXhF
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLLiAMpAI9
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnItHRhw870
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCoiczC308
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o6BWL7cmJ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEny8srXZ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMxf2u6K73
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo4Y3nC56V
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBdqrYmhb2
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JhOOqkevP
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjuQuaBVd8
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjQwsp48Pb
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGw2cu3Gx8
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvKVk80KD2
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNedn9xfk56
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVdXLdB77j
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncwoncoiFg
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYZ3up1tza
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EofQwsp2e
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T4tK9H81j
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IZEDVrjET
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuiM7RIvm0
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvJpO3Af9l
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLUSvIg9pa
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTojLOghPIJ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXawMViWupr
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdWYYA660A
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH4AxSwFFf
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ0y8O1DMC
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqnx5GNEAs
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpWe4U22pz
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc56BCJ1Kwg
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzEPDlNq9M
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUqqvBfwEw
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpLlHvw9G5
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpocRjtxojy
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFcoLw5ivI
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT5g0kXtOs
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ov7dsayr
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o3gdHE41u
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeGbj2oDzm
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5zUlcgPET
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6S9D2Ryj
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJObi1xFkr
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ7sHkJew2
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xulm2UOrn
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dXFqVWtdk
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6vdiEcFkr
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5acalctIj
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vn4X4D1VN
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Lys0hZmT
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ZdBzaytZ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HTeIzUeMq
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUY79y0JzO
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvWuPNAa22
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGEZMO1wcy
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexMBz0zD0U
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGzl12HhR1
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQhG4F9tS0
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyAlMyBnsy
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZfbHRJgaJ
673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH6whsch4a
Alone in a cave.
ns216.73.216.25da2
