Saved from the scourge of hunger

"But if you don't eat, how are you supposed to get your energy? It's like all your blood is being sucked out," said the boy. "You can still feel hungry even when you're full." He looked at his sister as she shuddered and clutched her stomach with both hands. He reached into a pocket in his cloak and pulled out something that looked like a dried fig. He offered it to her.

She opened her mouth and took several bites of the fruit. After swallowing, she wiped her lips with the back of her hand. The girl stared at him gratefully.

"Thanks for sharing," she said. The girl smiled and stuffed another bite into her mouth. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until this moment.

Her eyes darted about, watching every movement around them. They were alone now, but they couldn't be sure they would remain so. It didn't matter where they went—the forest was dangerous no matter what path they followed.

She glanced over at the boy who was picking up branches, starting to build a fire. "What are we going to do?" asked the boy. His voice sounded dull, almost dead.

"We have to find food," she replied. "Maybe there's somewhere nearby we could go—"

A branch snapped behind them.

They whirled around, preparing themselves for an attack. But instead of an animal or human, a large red-brown bird landed on the ground beside them, its wings spread wide. Its head was bowed as though it were listening. For a moment, they were hesitant to approach it.

Then the bird lifted its head and flapped its wings, sending a gust of wind across their faces. They breathed deeply, relieved by the smell of the forest that lingered in the air.

"Hello!" called out the boy. "Is anyone there?"

The bird turned its head from side to side. Then it began to sing, a soft melody that sounded like music. A smile crept onto the girl's face. She stroked the creature's feathers, which felt rough and scratchy under her fingertips.

The bird sang again. The girl glanced at the boy, then turned to look at the ground. There were tall trees in the distance, just beyond the edge of the clearing. Perhaps they would make a good shelter. As she thought this, the sound of heavy footsteps reverberated through the forest.

She glanced toward the source of the noise. Far off in the distance, she saw a group of people emerging from the woods. Their clothes were dirty and tattered. Some of them were carrying swords and spears. Others were dragging along animals—a horse and several goats.

They were coming this way.

"Run!" shouted the boy.

The girl grabbed her brother's arm. Together, they ran for the trees.

"Wait! What are you doing?" cried the boy. "We have to go after them!"

The girl shook her head. "No. We can't. If they see us, they will kill us. They'll think we're part of them."

The boy looked away, frustrated. "What are we going to do? Where are we going to hide?"

"We can't hide," said the girl. "There's nowhere left to go. Not anymore…"

Her words hung in the air. Something in the forest rustled overhead, near the top of one of the trees. The boy froze in place, looking up at the branches above him.

A dark shadow slid down the side of the tree and landed on a branch. The boy gasped, shrinking back against the trunk of the tree.

"Who are you?" he whispered.

The shadow shifted, revealing the face of a man. The hair on his head was wild, sticking up from his scalp. His beard was long and full, hanging past his waist. He wore a leather tunic, stained with mud and blood, and boots that were far too big for his feet.

The man stepped forward and extended his hand. His palm was covered with scars, some of which appeared to be old wounds. He smiled, showing crooked teeth.

"I am here to help you," said the stranger, his voice deep and gravelly.
The boy nodded. "Thank you."

"But first, I need to know who you are. And what you are doing in these woods."

"My name is Aurelius," said the boy. "This is my sister, Ria."

The stranger smiled. "Welcome to our camp. My name is Soren. Please come with me. I will explain everything to you."

He turned and walked deeper into the forest. The children followed close behind.

"Why did you follow us?" asked the girl.

Soren glanced over his shoulder at her. "You were not supposed to leave the safety of the town. But you found your way out anyway."

The girl frowned. "How do you know—"

"I am a hunter. A tracker. You cannot hide from me." He paused. "That is why I was sent to find you."

Ria was surprised. "You knew where we were?"

"Yes," said the man. "Your parents sent me to bring you home. That is why I was following you…until you disappeared."

"What happened?"

Soren shook his head. "It is not safe to talk about. You are safe now. Let us continue on. Your parents will explain everything to you"

Soren led them deeper into the forest on a journey to their home. The trees grew taller, blocking out most of the sunlight. The ground beneath their feet was soft and damp. Leaves crunched loudly underfoot, and the birdsong was replaced by the rustling of leaves as the wind blew.