Amy's POV

The moon was shining brighter than ever, which made me able to see the surroundings better. The damp and cold soils beneath me were not helping for keeping me warm but vice versa. Setting up a bonfire would guarantee for us to get caught by the soldier. That the first thing I wished to avoid. I need to stay hidden.

So, I just scooped closer to tree roots behind me, seeking warmth in there. Natasha hugged my body tighter than ever probably cold because of the weather. Nevertheless, both of us were near the river, which makes it colder than usual but it was calming. The sound of the river was like singing its melody to give comfort, and I was very thankful for that.

Mom, dad and Mr Jenkins flashed on my mind. Are they still alive right now? And who's screaming that I heard earlier? The burning sensation inside of my guts just by thinking how cruel the soldier could be for taking everything from me. My blood was boiling, and I was full of anger.

Under this full moon, I promised myself to be more reliable and take revenge on the Kingdom for what they did. But first, I need to learn how to fight. There's no way I can learn it by myself. My dad once taught me how to defend but never taught me how to fight. If Nathan was here, he probably knew what to do, but he was not here. Dad is the strongest and the bravest man I have known; he was perhaps searching for us right now. Should I go back now?

Soon after, my eyes were heavy, and both of us drifted to the Dreamland. Once, I woke up, and I hope what happened is just a nightmare.

"Amy?" a familiar voice sounds very distant to me, and it belongs to Natasha. I abruptly opened my eyes just to find Natasha was not beside me.

"Natasha?" I was screaming her name but only to find out that a soldier held her. He must be the one that following us last night.

"Hello, there." A man with a green suit greeted. From a glimpse, I can immediately recognize where is he from, but the bad thing was he got Natasha with him.

"Let her go, or I will kill you." I gritted my teeth and pulled out the hidden knife that I always kept in the boots.

"I didn't know a girl like you can kill." The guy chuckled and pulled Natasha closer to him.

"What do I want?" The look of my eyes was more fierce than the lion and sharper than the eagle. The man showed amused by the impression I gave him. He never saw a woman can act brave like I was.

"The corporal asked to bring you to the castle." He smirked after saying that. I don't have any idea why the corporal wanted. Heck, I don't even know him.

"For what? I don't have any business with him to deal with." I carefully took a step closer to the guy. Natasha was shaking her head, stopping me from moving. She was scared, and I am too.

"I'm just following his order. Come with me, or I'll just take this girl instead." The man threatened.

I could tell the fear of Natasha's eyes. She started crying when the man forcefully grabbed her wrist.

"Amy.."

"Let her go, or I will throw this knife to your skull."

I was very ready to throw the knife at the man head, but he just laughed me off. He was getting on my nerves.

"You can't even hold the knife right. I can easily snatch it from you."

With that, he swiftly moved his body to me and twisted my arms. The movement was swift, and I could barely react. The knife knocked out from my hands, and he held the knife in the air.

"See? The woman is so weak. I'm delighted." He said and unnecessarily touching my hair.

"You have a personality and a hot body too. I can see why the corporal wants you."

Natasha couldn't hold her tears anymore. Seeing me hurt, what fear her the most.

"It's okay, Natasha. I'm fine." I assured her, but she couldn't stop still crying.

"Let her go, or I will snap your neck, asshole." Someone interrupted, but I didn't know where he came from.

Then, I could feel the hold behinds I got loosened, and I quickly escaped from the man and ran to Natasha.

The poor soldier got a knife shoved to his throat. The unknown man that just saved me from the danger was not hesitating to kill the guy. With a second, the blood gushed out from the soldier's arteries. I quickly closed Natasha's eyes with my open arms. She's too young to see the inhumane scene.

"There's a child here. Can't you see?"

The unknown man was coldly looking at me. The murderer looks in him was still not leaving him, but once he saw Natasha hugging me and her shaking form, his gaze softened.

"Sorry. I just had too, or both of you will get killed."

I smiled but trying not to show that I was scared. The man couldn't be trusted either.

"Thanks for saving me", I said, and he proudly smiled at us. Probably, feeling to show off his cool side by saving a girl. Killing is not cool at all, I thought.

"Why a girl like you is here? These woods are not a place for wandering or taking a morning run." I scoffed again.

"I had to run away from my house because the Kingdom took everything from me. My family, home and the farm. The memories from yesterday flooded to my mind. The tears started to brim and blurring my sight too. The man noticed the fear in my voice.

"You don't have to worry. I don't have any bad intention on you. I am here to help." He said.

"Thank you..er.."

"I am Justin."

"Thank I for saving me, Justin. I owed you my life."

"That's what we called humanity and empathy." He said.

Justin then took a seat in front of me, and to be honest; my heart fluttered a bit when he looked at me with his doe eyes. He gazed fall upon the girl beside me, who also was quietly staring at him.

"What is your name, little girl?" His eyes were on Natasha, and she immediately looked down to her feet.

Natasha didn't reply, but she kept staring at the ground.

"Don't worry. The bad guy is gone now. I threw him in the river." I rolled my eyes because he was not helping at all but scared the poor kid.

"We are safe?" She finally spoke. Justin nodded. "My name is Natasha." She grinned widely and opened up her fists to shake her hand.

Justin stood up and brushed off the dead leaves underneath. I was surprised when suddenly he asked me to go to his place because I barely know him and to be exact he just killed someone. I am not going to his home. Natasha just nodded when she saw me getting uneasy when Justin asked earlier, assuring me to just agree with him.

"I don't think we should follow you. I already troubled you enough." I politely said. "Where are you going, dear?" He crossed his arms and stared at you.

"I'm supposed to follow the stream until I found a village." I pointed at the east as following the stream flow direction.

"Sound like my place you are talking." Justin shrugged, and I had no excuse to follow him.

"Amy, I think we should follow Justin because it is safer. He saved us, remember?" Natasha said as taking my hand to follow the guy.

"Listen to the kid." He sternly said.