Little Girl

Tears streaming from my cold, pale face, I was sprinting in all directions until a hand grabbed me and pulled me into a hollow of an old Eucalypt tree. The hand covered my mouth firmly but gently, to avert me from screaming. “Shh” The shushing was somehow reassuring and calm... The wolves ran ahead. When they’re out of sight, the hand slowly lowered down from my mouth. “You OK?” A soft, calm voice spoke. Is it a girl? I thought to myself. “Y-yes” I stuttered, still in shock. A figure leaving the hollow, with the moonlight’s help. I was able to make out the figure. Its hair as dark as the night, skin pale as the moon, dressed in a ragged muddy white button-up shirt. A boy? “Stay there, I’ll gather some firewood” he requested. I nodded, I watched him walk into the woods bravely and calmly. I waited for him to come back, until I myself fell asleep in the cold hollow, all alone. I woke up to a bright red-yellow bonfire, the boy sitting near it. He placed his hands near it, warming himself. I got up and sat next to the bonfire and did the same to warm myself. I glanced at the boy. He was definitely on head taller than me, his shirt now stained with what seemed like a color of brownish-red. He turned to look at me, his dark, black eyes piercing into my soul as he spoke: “your name?” I looked away from him as he looked at me. “Deidre,” I answered, “Such a weird name,” he scoffed. “Yours can’t be any better than mine!” I shot back. “Theon” He said “That’s my name” he explained, looking at me as if to get a reaction. “Hmph, Boring” I pouted “How old are you?” I asked. I crossed my fingers, staring at him eagerly, hoping he’d say 14. “I’m 15, You?” “9” I sounded disappointed I saw him nodding, and I nodded back at him. We sat there quiet as the tranquil sky, there was no awkwardness, just the two of us sitting in silence. Under the bright moon, surrounding it were dancing twinkles. I got up and walked towards him and stood in front of him. I handed out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Theon”, I smiled warmly at my newfound friend.