Hello once again! I was able to sneak enough time today to write this chapter. Hope you love it as much as I did! Also, if any of you watch the Walking Dead, you are formally invited to read my friend's (KinzyKaiba) story, One Chance. It's great! And thank you all very much for reading this, and I appreciate all feedback. Thank you again! -Zale

"Wyrda… Wy-rd-a." I leaned over Sangvion's neck as I rode on his back, rolling the word over and playing with it, trying to figure out its meaning. "I don't get it, Sang. I have no clue." I shook my head in frustration.

Is it bothering you that badly? he asked, alert for a suitable shelter or animals for food. We had been travelling for hours. At this point, we didn't really have a destination in mind, we were just trying to put as much distance between us and the house as possible.

"It really is. Doesn't it bug you?"

Sangvion had already watched my memory of the dream and agreed that it was indeed odd. I admit that word makes me feel… different. Like it is almost alive.

I narrowed my eyes at the scales on his back, not really seeing them, and my brow furrowed in concentration. "It's like its crawling under my skin. And the raven, it said 'Worldbender,' too. What does that even mean?"

He grunted. I couldn't tell you. Wish I could though. It is quite a mystery. Perhaps the dream was just a product of stress?

"But I've never dreamed anything like that before. Not that vividly or… intensely."

Maybe we will one day find out what this means. For now, I suggest we find shelter, or someplace to rest. I nodded, and he continued. And I think it would be a good idea for you to start making some weapons when possible.

"And I'm gonna need some more clothes soon. A jacket at least." I looked down at my thin pajamas, the last things I had been wearing when I left. I was warm when I was near my dragon, but when I was more than a few feet from him I got pretty chilly. And besides, the weather wasn't always going to stay this way. Soon, the days would get much colder. Also, pj's weren't exactly outdoorsy types of clothes.

I don't know how we might get those. Unless we stole them.

"Stole them!" I had never stolen anything in my life. But he was right- I had no money, and I needed more clothes. "But, I'd be a terrible robber. I can't steal."

You'd be surprised by what you can do when you need to.

"I'm not sure I should be hanging around you," I teased, "you're a terrible influence."

Aww, but I'm so adorable! You wouldn't leave this cute little face all alone? He stopped walking and swiveled his head to look at me, blinking his eyes repeatedly.

It was so unexpected and funny that I burst into laughter and half-jumped, half-fell onto the ground, holding my sides. You crazy lizard! Oh my gosh! I can't breathe! My ribs!

Want me to count them for you? he asked and soon I felt the tip of his tail flicking across my ticklish sides, causing me to laugh harder and squirm on the ground as if covered in ants.

I gasped for air between hoots of merriment. You… terrible... fiend…

This is fun! Just to think, all this time I have been practicing to fight your kind, when it turns out their greatest weakness is being tickled! I could topple nations with laughter! He let out a growl that rose and fell, the dragon equivalent of a chuckle, and at last retracted his tail, leaving me staggering onto my feet.

When I at last caught my breath, I managed to joke, "Yeah, Sangvion, the Dreaded Dragon of Mirth! The Laughing Fiend!"

I actually quite like that! He crouched down so I could reclaim my seat upon his back.

"You would," I grinned, and raised a foot to climb up his tail and thus his back, but a loud, excited voice halted me in my effort.

"I heard it, Mac! I was coming from over here!"

I froze and met Sangvion's eyes. They're close, I pointed out.

Too close, he replied.

I distract, you hide.

Riley!

They already know we're here! And maybe this can be my chance to get a few goodies? Maybe they have a camp nearby. If anything goes south, you can just roar or something. That should be enough to scare them away.

Are you sure?

Yes. Now hide!

The exchange had only lasted two seconds, but the man and his companion had gotten closer. With a small growl, Sangvion slipped further into the trees, surprisingly quiet for his size. Almost immediately after he disappeared behind the foliage, two men in full camo ran into view. They stopped, startled when they saw me.

The first man was taller and spoke first. "Oh, ah hello young lady. Was that you making that noise?" He was the one who had been shouting earlier.

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, I, uh, stepped on a sharp branch. Sorry."

They looked at each other for a second with expressions that said, "What the heck?" Then the second one, presumably Mac, asked, "Where are your parents?"

"Dead," I answered reflexively, and saw them flinch.

"Sorry about that," said Guy1. "Can you tell us your name?"

Uh oh. Suddenly, and idea came to mind. Sangvion read my thoughts and gave a mental nod of humorous approval. I adopted a blank, lifeless look and answered, "Jamie. Jamie Stocks."

Jamie Stocks was the name of a girl who had gotten lost in the woods a few decades ago and been presumed dead. Years later, people started coming up with stories about how they had seen her ghost in the forests around where she had disappeared, often asking if anyone could take her home. But I'm pretty sure she got lost a few counties off from us and had brown hair instead of my blonde. But hey, I would roll with it.

Mac's face went white instantly. "J-Jamie Stocks?"

I gave a slow, grim nod.

Guy1 rolled his eyes. "Oh come on dude. She's just some kid trying to play a prank on us."

"Really? In her pajamas in the middle of these woods? And look at her, she's so pale! She has to be a ghost!"

I kept my face black and tried to ignore that. Was I really so pale that I could pass for the dead? Inside my head, Sangvion snickered. "Can you take me home?" I asked, making my voice sound innocent and helpless.

Mac just about peed his pants. He gave a little jump into the air and then latched on to his friend's shoulder, tugging at him. "DUDE! Dude James come ON! Let's GO!"

James looked a bit shaken, but stood his ground. "I think that you're gonna get in a lot of trouble, miss. Just tell us where-"

Now, I signaled. From his spot, hidden deep within the trees, Sangvion began uttering a low, ominous growl, soft at first, but then steadily rising in volume, until my very soul was practically humming with the noise. "Take me ho-o-ome!" I demanded in a menacing half-shout, half-whisper, raising a hand and taking a step toward them.

Mac was gone before James even turned around to run, and I was laughing so hard that I fell to the ground for the second time that day. Sangvion came to my side with a reptilian grin on his face. You come up with some of the best ideas, Squirrel! That was great!

I struggled to talk, but finally managed, "How did I do?"

Oh, you were so scary! He teased.

"Oh really?"

Fearsome. He chuckled.

"Well, I couldn't have done it without you!"

Oh shucks, you're making me blush, he replied sarcastically. For a few moments longer, all we did was shower in our success and mirth. Then Sangvion pointed out, If you are going to retrieve any of their belongings, now would be the time. I nodded. He picked up their scent trail and began following it until it split into two different directions.

One is slightly old and stale, the other is fresh and reeks with fear, he reported.

"So the one that leads to their camp is probably the old one," I deduced.

Exactly. You're a natural, he beamed. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and he took the lead toward the abandoned camp.