"Hey, shouldn't you be asleep?" I heard someone whisper. My eyes followed the sound. It was Shaye. My face turned red in less than a second. "Yes..." I said, not being able to come up with a good lie that quickly. "I have to p.." before I could finish my sentence, I realised I was holding a packed bag in one hand and a small hunting knife in the other. On top of that, I was fully dressed. She would bever believe that lie.

"Where are you going?" She said quietly, attempting not to wake the others. "Nowhere..." I said slowly, knowing she would not buy it. "Please, don't tell them," I added quickly, pointing at the people lying around the extinguished fire under thick blankets.

She sighed. "Well, what am I supposed to tell them? That you fled in the dead of night? That you didn't believe in the mission anymore?" Her voice had suddenly made the transition to angry.

"No, that's not it." I looked around, trying to come up with an explanation, but I couldn't find one. In the meantime, Shaye stood up and got dressed. "Mak, If you are leaving, I'm coming with you. You can't go alone, you won't survive." She said.

I was surprised by the sudden change of her voice and opinion, but still said no.

"There's something I need to do, and I have to do it alone. I'm going and you are staying here." I said determined. "You have to. They won't survive without you." I saw in her eyes that I had persuaded her. "Fine." She said. "I will stay here and finish the mission." She walked up to me and gave me a hug. "But," she continued her sentence." You have to promise me you'll be alright. Promise me you'll be careful?" I smiled slightly and nodded. "I will be, I promise." After this, I gathered my stuff and walked up to one of the horses. I took Faolan. He had always been my favourite and we had been a good team for forever. "Come on, boy, we are going on a little adventure."

As I rode into the night, I felt Shaye watching me until I disappeared in the dark forest.