The deathly stillness of the night was occasionally broken down by the creaking sound of insects and rustling of leaves.
Through the dense dark forest filled with innumerable dangers, a girl with a haggard look dragged her wounded body carrying over an unconscious boy whose hands were wrapped around her neck.
Taking each step lightly, the little girl put down the boy after finding a small hollow space near the trunk of two overlapped trees.
Heaving deeply, she sniffed for an odd smell of beasts and then squinted her eyes to look for any sign of beast nearby.
Seeing no plausible dangers, she tore a portion of her skirt from her knees and made small masses of clothes with which she cleaned the wound she tied around the boy's grievous wounds to prevent infection.
A small ray of moonlight shone over the face, and the boy who had a pained expression suddenly wriggled and murmured.
"R...Rose..."
