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[Alissa Lennox]

This town is so boring she thought. No one around needed actual help. Sure the huge fields can tire anyone out in a couple of hours, let alone years. She didn't blame them though. It was just strange they hadn't seemed to recognize heat exhaustion before. But either way the man's family had offered her a place to stay before he journey through Bole Forest. She peered out the window. I could just run now make it quick and easy not have to worry about good-byes. Alissa closed her eyes. No. That wouldn't be fair. This family had taken her in when she had skipped sleep for weeks and all they had asked was a small treatment here and there. Alissa heard the flutter of wings and felt Scorch land on her shoulder. The phoenix failed to get her attention and frustrated flew off again. Then laughter outside caught her attention. Several children all ages ranging were shouting at one another. Alissa laughed not even knowing why it was funny. But then for no apparent reason Alissa stood up from the rocker and thundered down the steps. Scorch hearing all the excitement landed atop Alissa shoulder. Grabbing her healing equipment and her other possessions Alissa flew out the door and headed toward the unwelcoming forest still laughing.

[Nealah Blair]

Nealah sighed, leaning headfirst towards a tree after she had been caught by whomever had been "it." Why she decided to play with these children, most of whom were much younger than herself, she couldn't say, but their presence was something that pleased her and put her to peace. Perhaps, she often told herself, it had something to do with her own childhood, one that had been all but smothered in horror and sorrow.

She gently shook her mind from these unhealthy ideas and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before her rhythmic voice called out from one. At once, the edge of the forest fell silent as the young children scattered.

"Nineteen...twenty!" She called.

The forest was silent now, save the soft breeze that broke through the foliage, scattering the already fallen leaves. The breeze was cold, and Nealah gently tightened her robe closer to her slender body, shivering slightly. She took slow steps into the forest, her visibility already nearly gone.

"Come out, come out!" She taunted, her bee-stung lips widening to a smirk. Another chill breeze broke through the forest, and Nealah groaned, quickening her step. The only light that came through now was the fortunate rays that broke through the leaves above her. She heard a soft rustling to her right, and followed the sound with a new found jump in her step.