Runaway Girl

The sharp wind swept through the girl's long brown curly locks as she swiftly ran past the tall oak limbs that attempted to grab and snatch her away from the muddy trail. Scratches littered her pale skin that seemed to glow in the luminous moonlight. The girl panted, it seemed like she had been running for hours, she wanted to stop but knew she had to keep going. Her father's words echoed through her head. ‘Maia, if we are ever in trouble run to our old hideaway in the forest, you remember it right? If we don’t meet you there, don’t worry about us okay? You’ll be alright my little warrior,’ Maia shook her head at the possibility of stopping and tried to run even faster at the thought of her father waiting for her.

Maia saw a soft glowing light ahead of her. She slowed down to a cautious pace. A small cosy cottage sat in between the tall dense warriors of the forest. The cabin’s walls were decorated with ivy and vines, which led up to the rooftop. A small chimney puffed out smoke making Maia realise someone was home. Another indication that the house was alive was the light that shone from the circular windows of the house. Maia walked up to the oak door slowly catching her breath. Relief her veins, she made it!

Maia pushed the door open with all her might and stumbled in. She quickly took off her muddy boots in the dimly lit corridor. She walked towards the living area to find the door closed. She looked behind her at the kitchen area and then turned towards the stairs at the end of the corridor. Both weren’t as bright as the living room. She reached for the handle of the living room and softly pushed the door open ajar. She smiled, excited to see her family again. When the door fully opened her smile faded. Instead of her mother and father sitting on the wooden chairs, an outsider sat there eating fruit from a bowl, clueless of her presence. She stood there perplexed, ‘who is he?’

The young girl slowly retreated trying not to make a sound. Luckily the stranger had his back to her. She looked in the dark corridor for a weapon before seeing her training sword leaning against the far-side wall in the living area. ‘I can make that…..right?’ She thought unsure. The unknown guest suddenly stood from his chair. He was somewhat similar to Maia’s height, only marginally taller. He stretched, his arms above his head as he popped his back and let out a soft sigh. He grabbed the bowl of fruit with his hands. Maia waited for her chance to grab her sword.

He turned towards the corridor and began to walk through it. He stopped in the middle of the long stretching corridor and looked at the front door and the area near it before shrugging slightly and walking into the kitchen. Maia who had been hiding under the staircase, let out the breath she was holding before creeping towards the living room. She grabbed her sword and removed it from its sheath. The kitchen door swung open with a thud as she ducked under a clothed desktop. She peered through a small gap in cloth to see the boy equipped with a bow. An arrow poised and ready to be fired.

The boy looked almost similar to Maia in age, maybe a tad bit older. His short curly brown locks bounced as stepped forward quietly, scanning the room. Worry and uncertainty were seen in the young boys' eyes. “Who’s there?” The boy questioned softly. “I saw your boots by the door, come on out!” He got closer to Maia’s hiding spot, anxiety filled the young girl. She had to strike soon. ‘He was gonna hurt her! What if he hurt her family!’ Determination filled Maia as she ran out of her hiding place and swung at the boy. “Where're my parents, you monster!”

The boy jumped back hastily yet the cold metal bit his skin leaving a small cut across his left forearm. He winced as he aimed at his enemy to realise it was a young girl. He aimed at her and fired a warning shot at her feet. She stepped back breathing heavily. “I have no idea who you are talking about! This place has been abandoned for a while, I’ve been living here for a few weeks,” the boy explained. “Look, I have the upper hand, just put down the sword and let’s talk yeah? I assume you know who owns this place,” he continued trying to calm the girl down.

He saw the exhaustion in the girls' eyes, other emotions also swirled in them. Confusion, anger and fear. He saw through her brave facade. She was like him……a scared kid. Maia refused to back down, holding her sword up more. The boy sighed, Maia could see the boy pause as if in deep thought. She took this as her chance to attack, she raised her sword above her head as she darted at him. The young lad closed his eyes, dropped his weapon and put his hands up, surrendering to the other youth. She paused, weapon ready to kill, she could end him without a second thought. She could…..but she didn’t let her sword arm fall to her side.

The boy opened one emerald-coloured eye and looked at the smaller girl. Nothing but sadness filled her hazel eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she let out a pained cry. She fell onto her knees and the boy followed. Kneeling in front of her, he slowly wrapped his arms around her. A comforting warmth surrounded the girl. She looked up at him, tears falling to the ground. “Where are my parents?” She asked in a soft broken voice. “I-“ the boy paused taking a breath, “I don’t know, I’m sorry!” She looked towards a small table by her father’s chair at a photograph of her and her parents before looking back into warm green eyes. ‘They were gone,’ she grieved in her mind.

“Maia,” the girl spoke softly, tears drying on her cheeks.

“Caelum,” the boy spoke with a comforting smile as he hugged her tighter.