Hidden

4

We walked into the forest, and you could hear the birds chirping, and as we got further into the woods, you could see some wild animals. Rabbits, deer, and other creatures.

James freaked out about an hour into the woods because there was a giant spider web. It scared the heck out of him. Apparently, he hates spiders.

We walked for hours but not once did we hear anyone talking, screaming, or feel any magic.

"You know I'm starting to think we are on a wild goose chase," Joe said as he stopped walking and sat down. He opened his bag and pulled out a sandwich.

James and I stopped as well. I sat down and pulled out some crackers. "It will take time. These woods are huge."

"I just wish I knew we were in the right direction," Joe said.

"We will find what we are looking for when the time is right. The moon goddess has never steered someone in the wrong direction before. Why would she do it now?"

"True," Joe said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

We ate and rested for about an hour and began to walk again. As night began to fall, we decided to make camp.

Cora's Point of View

After finding out I was not chosen to have a mate, I felt sorry for myself and spent several days in my room. My mom was a mess, and my dad wouldn't admit it, but he was torn up on the inside.

As the days went by, I started thinking about the other survivors I saw. If they were here, how many others could there be? Could they help us?

I asked my mother if I had to have a mate to survivor, and she said no. Before the war, succubi and incubi could sleep with other races and be fine. We only slept with our kind if we wanted to have a mate, but the old ways went out the door when we came to Haven.

I asked her if anyone left the barrier to see if there were other survivors, and she said there weren't. But I knew there were.

If I told anyone I left the barrier, they would lock me up or kill me.

I began to plan my escape, and since I knew the dragons went to falling water, I decided I would try there. I had twenty-four hours to find someone to sleep with, or I would go mad. As my birthday approached, I packed a bag with a change of clothes, water, and food. I wasn't sure how long I would be gone for or if I would ever return.

Since tomorrow is my birthday, my parents planned a sending-off party for me. These parties are sad and, honestly, disrespectful if you ask me.

The community gathers, and we have dinner together. As everyone is happy and enjoying themselves, you sit there thinking about how you wished you had more time.

When everyone leaves, you go home and prepare for the next day. But instead of preparing, I am writing a goodbye letter to my parents. Am I selfish for this? Yes, because if I fail, my family will never be able to lay my body to rest. Instead, I will be in the forest, god knows where.

Once I was done with the letter, I read it.

Dear Mom and Dad,

On the day of the choosing, I left the barrier and found five survivors. They didn't see me, but I saw them.

If they survived, that means others did, and I have to try. I have to live. I don't want to die.

Pray, I make it in time before the madness gets to me because I want to come home and bring others with me so we all can live and our people stop dying.

I love you both so much, and you have been the best parents a girl can ask for. Be safe, and if I don't return, remember I love you.

Your daughter.

With tears in my eyes, I put the letter away and left my room. My mom was crying again, and my dad was hardly talking. I walked up to my mom and hugged her. As we hugged, my dad came and hugged me. We stayed like this for a while, and then we broke apart.

I said goodnight and went to my room. My bag was under my bed, and my note was in my dresser.

As I laid down, I heard my parents go into their room, and my mother cry herself to sleep.

As the moon shined high in the sky, I carefully got out of bed and grabbed the letter. I kissed it and put it on my pillow and then grabbed my bag. I looked at my room one last time and then left my room.

I tip-toed out of the house and then ran. As I crossed the barrier, I looked at my home one more time and then left.

I ran to the falling water and sat down by the water.

"What am I doing?" I said out loud.

"Is this the right thing to do?"

I began to cry and laid on the ground. I woke up to the sun shining on my face, and as I slowly got up.

Meanwhile, back at Cora's home, her parents woke up. With heavy hearts, they walked to her room and found it empty.

They saw the note and read it. Maval fell onto her daughter's bed and began to scream and cry while George smiled.

"Honey, she saw survivors and is trying to save herself. If she finds them, then she will come back for us. That means no more losing our children."

"She left us and didn't tell us. She is all alone."

"What's done is done. Now we pray she makes it." George said as he sat next to his crying wife and began to pray.