The sun had begun to set, a thin strip of dim blue light illuminating the shallow parts of the cave. Night was approaching, and the already alien world around them would be shrouded in dark.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTriMkzvzrH
Sophia tugged at the curved wrist-length sleeve of her sister's dress, a deep earthy green color, like a cross between soft moss and the color of the younger child's twinkly peridot eyes. "Sis, I'm hungry."
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwuTxpmSnM
"Can we..?" Sonata began.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7wSftQS3
Sophia frowned, tilting her head.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqAPmDfPn2
Sonata glanced between her sister and the distant corner where the food was, her pale brows pulled into a crease. If they could just make do foraging for meals here and there, they might be able to make their meager food supply last for at least a little longer. But what of subsistence could they possibly find in the dark, before they were among the wolves and who knows what in the darkness. Not to mention the scare she'd give Sophia if she let loose that there was a chance they could die. This was something she'd have to plan ahead of time.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDERi0A0S61
"Nothing," she nervously assured, picking at a fleck of something dried onto her bare foot, "it's getting late, so we should collect some more firewood, just in case."
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVbeDE1W8r
Sophia looked back towards the entrance, her pale curls lemony in the twilight. "I can go," she volunteered, picking herself up to go.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HsH4NWNYG
Sonata felt dread set in on her chest again. "Stay where I can see you from the cave, I'm coming out soon!" She called, and watched the little being hurry off.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tzsBxhV4T
Sonata made her way towards the dead firepit, trying to salvage what she could of the not-entirely-burnt-through timber. They hadn't done a very good job of putting the fire out that morning—meaning they just plain didn't, so there wasn't much they could save.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabvapKDBZl
SCREAM
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ghHKeHTrK
It was a short, acute, tiny screech of alarm that caught her ears. Sonata's head shot up. It had barely been a few moments, what on earth had she gotten into? Was she being attacked by something, could she scare it off, was she hurt? Sonata dropped what she was doing and ran towards the source of the noise, clenching her soot-covered hands so they wouldn't dirty her clothes.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIGsqZQQLA
She found Sophia standing frozen in place not too far from the exit of the cave, her peridot eyes fixed wide upon the shadowy space under a cluster of bushes. Seeing as she wasn't hurt or until sort of imminent danger, Sonata's dash slowed to a rushed gait. She needed to conserve her energy more, with this silly drake.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSX3VKQo48
"Sophia? What is it?"
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PMHfVmDhA
Her lips barely hushed out, "spider." Her eyes were still wide, frozen on that corner of darkness. When she heard the crunch of twigs of her elder sister right next to her, she turned her eyes enough to maneuver herself backwards and hide behind her, her small fingers interlocked into her skirt. She looked positively frightened, her little eyes all misty and her distressed expression.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4ZerQGf0O
"Where?" Sonata simply asked.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA38H6EbSd
Small fingers hesitated, then unlocked themselves just enough to point down to the place. "I picked it up and it was there."
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdLEyCSLjy
Sonata figured she was talking about a branch somewhere down there. She bent down and found a relatively thick branch in the shadows. She picked it up, and sure enough there were a pair of spiders, dust-like things with long hairs for legs and crumbs for bodies. The squeamish little princess behind her whined.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUjBsgdpmp
STOMP STOMP STOMP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CTUYrH1Uh
Sonata didn't hesitate to do it with her bare foot, and in no time the spiders were reduced to a disfigured pair of imprints on the dirt. Sophia's face was tucked into her sister's dress, her hands clinging tight as buckle clasps. Sophia brushed her curly hair in reassurance, pulling the small figure towards her in a small hug.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWFgigfyuL
"It's okay, Sophia. It was only a bug. Did it bite you? Did any get on your hand?" She half teased. Sophia sniffled, wiping her hands on her sister's dress before looking at them.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17efgholvC
"Hey!"
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc4BoHUaps
Sniff. Sophia wiped the tears dripping down her apple cheeks with her sleeve, then showed her hands to her sister. Humoring her, Sonata turned them over, looking over and around her arms. "Nope, no more spiders," she confirmed, giving the small one another small squeeze. "Do you want to stack the firewood inside for me? I'll do the picking up and make a pile out here, you can carry them inside. Then there won't be any bugs."
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKetNUxuVV
Sophia nodded, rubbing her face. Sonata began to hand her the stick she'd just picked up, taller than she was. "Wait." She pressed the thinner end against the ground, pushing it down with all her weight until it snapped in half. "Here." The handed the small waiting hands the two halves. "Be careful of the splinters, okay?" Sophia nodded.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76IqPZLM6J
...
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9K4oJYmgk
The world outside was complete darkness. It was to be expected, as there were no other people to light flames here, no dim lights from a city in the distance, anywhere around. Sophia cuddled, curled against her sister's side. Her head was tucked between her shoulder and the fur cloak, the gentle rock of her breathing mixing with the crackling of fire and the howling of wind and the occasional sound of a rodent outside. They'd thrown the dragon cloak over a rock and layered it with their own cloaks and the other clothes they weren't wearing for some cushioning, but in all, it was still a rock.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilG9ybZC6Q
Sophia was tired, but she wasn't quite asleep yet. Her hand still grasped tight the sleeve of Sonata's underdress, which she just used as a nightgown for now, she could still feel the occasional tickle of her sister's eyelashes shifting.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu4HrqDu0e
"Sis? Where's mama?" She asked again, her little peridot eyes wide and concerned as they peeked up from the corner of Sonata's shoulder.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwhJFm2ctl
She's gone to find father, she almost repeated.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1wwGCkyja
I don't know, she almost admitted.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInJovsGteE
She gently brushed Sophia's pale hair. "Do you miss your mother?" She asked.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWYrBFxN1k
Sophia's eyes widened a little, then she turned around briefly, looking around the cave. Thinking.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwaZSDRgXJ
"I'm scared." She presses her head against Sonata again, hugging her arm. "What if something comes? Will Mamà save us?" She asked.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq260kX8Brl
Sonata nibbled her lip. Luckily Sophia was looking away, so she didn't see. There was silence until Sophia looked up, her concern a little more visible, her movements and pronunciations a little more jerky. "Why aren't you answering?"
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYmTy1xHFL
Sonata stared down with wide eyes at the expectant little girl. She was scared, but she had to be strong. Everything would be okay, she needed to assure her that everything would be okay. But she was scared, herself. She didn't want to die, but more than that she didn't want her sister to die. She was so, so scared.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHILHY5qk2q
She pulled Sophia into a hug, bending over her to hide her face. Her voice was a little broken, but she tried to hide her fear. She tried so hard.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezj61JUNXD
"If something comes, I'll protect you." She pressed Sophia's head against her shoulder, reassuring herself more than anyone. "I promise, I'm right here, I'll protect you. I promised mother I'd protect you."
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1yUXGogGy
She could feel some heat, and then wetness against her shoulder. Sophia said nothing. The tears Sonata felt threatening her never came. She sat holding she smaller figure, rubbing her back as she soundlessly cried until she tired herself out. The crackling of fire was her sole companion for a long time, until an exhausted Sonata was finally dragged down to sleep as well.
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZORWCIyfl
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6u9OKZyBP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQxu6DUDjt
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn11y3o5BxG
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vcYz5hCFm
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQctIjkZhy
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P2r1iCmsx
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xYnreuc2r
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzIM5HiCiG
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYbCvA0jZX
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNtJOz4RGK
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIf01gaNrL
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxvky3ARMe
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFerJgN3Pr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL5DNDlORc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOV32jMNht
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95z9BwMPBg
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk91oFk9yL5
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r5h1UJ80W
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3YbtnSxNv
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTNBVSN4PW
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXueeGDVFL
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnfvvf5HAa
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKZBMUGnJ2
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9wsz6R8Ln
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1yuHEQ1Ms
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BdpkFBwkH
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxUqyRWaOH
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv3inAR8S0
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66T9e0xD8Q
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6aLHRaE0U
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3reEHPOaal
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo48gyeBp9F
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Da9myBSZ
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUrOQ7L4lW
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4XZRm0k53
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRagfKXSwPb
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9qQpQVTih
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37U7pCqUPq
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCek6DIwVk
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xlVPpYSG2
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvgrq8D3vz
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFFLFiMhGm
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38tXoS7bOC
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveGLRhJClo
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoR2TVDjGn
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIo0D5dhvF
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyS3cTG10o
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFmV0RxkMv
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjV09ZDrcu
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb4gmnr7jD
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFmNA0vm3l
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeKKJum3ED
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnDxYF6naM
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtmymgS8c1
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ5jerUpYd
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuAVbCY5M6
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1YdLPb2Fc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJWyfdv6KK
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXypArnpysT
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkwqQIt2bS
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UCl43RmHc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDKY1zxgWc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4oEuqmypW
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBN85DIwgH
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNauqlfx5vy
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNnYmB5wv7
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2s2OJXORM
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiFmT3DWAX
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo8qipMgmz
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFXgFYgwZp
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8HtTDXtCF
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKt9mvDAPM
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B7rz1gyq3
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd7ufkFpqF
Alone in a cave.
ns 15.158.61.55da2
