"Reitan… Reitan…" Soleia whispered frantically as she raced forward, trying to catch a glimpse of her younger brother through the foliage. She cursed herself for being too late to send him off― now, she didn't even have a clue what Reitan was wearing when he made his way into the forest.
Did he pick a green and brown tunic to blend in with the trees, or did he pick a brighter color so that he could be spotted and rescued more easily?
Soleia had no way to tell. She could only keep her eyes peeled for any strange creatures. There was a smell of blood in the air that only thickened the closer she got to the source of the flare. A sense of foreboding rose inside her.
A weak scream echoed through the forest, along with the sound of something― no, someone, scrambling. Leaves rustled noisily, but it couldn't hide the sound of desperate panting, nor the plaintive cries for help.
"No! Go away! Don't come any closer!" A childish voice screamed.
