(DISCONTINUED) When the Crocuses Bloom

Chapter 1

Winter's POV:

I was running through the dark, away from the clearing I was just in. The forest pressed in around me and my senses felt heightened. Right now I didn't care about being quiet, just about getting away from the people chasing me. I knew who they were and if they caught me, I was deader than dead.

I had no idea why I thought sneaking out was a good idea. Wilbur specifically warned me not to go out tonight! I knew that they'd be on high alert and patrolling with double the man power. I tried not to let out an audible sigh as my feet thumped into the ground. At least I wasn't in uniform, that would have been even worse. My black sweatshirt & jeans blended in with my surroundings. My black beanie that matched Wil's was pulled tight over my light brown hair. I could hear the stomps and shouts of the people behind me.

I pushed off the ground and jumped into the lower branches of a tree. It wasn't hard to pull myself up being just over 6 feet tall. I kept climbing as I heard footsteps & arguing under my tree as the chasers entered a clearing 10 blocks away. The tree branch started to crack under my weight. Shit.

I pushed off the tree and launched myself towards another tree.

My heart pounded as I gripped the branches. I knew the direction I was running before didn't lead back to L'Manburg. I felt a smirk tug at my lips and continued jumping back through the trees towards my home.

Narrator's POV (third person):

The group of men, clad in netherite, stopped in a clearing slightly puffing.

"Where'd they go?!" a dude in a black long sleeve tee under a white shirt with fire insignia on it. "I don't know, Sapnap!" snapped a clearly british man,who was wearing white rimmed sunglasses.

"How did one person out run 4 people?" a man in a white and purple hoodie said. A man in a green cloak & smiley mask held up one hand in a shushing gesture and the other three people fell silent.

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind was interrupted by a loud crack coming from behind the group; they all whipped around towards the sounds, before hearing a small thud and then silence. It only took a few seconds for them to start running towards the origins of the sound, but that was all Winter needed to get ahead.

Winter's POV:

I reached the edge of the forest and jumped off the tree I was on, landing a few metres away from the gate of L'Manburg which was still cracked open from when I left. I slipped in closing the gate behind me. I knew I had to get to shelter even if I was within the walls.

The trees were the best option but they were too far away. I heard the placing of stone bricks and knew that the people chasing me were scaling the wall. I ran and with a deep breath, dived into the lake with a barely audible splash. Someone probably heard it but I didn't care, I just kept swimming down.

Somewhere near the bottom I started running out of air. I reached into my inventory and pulled out the turtle shell helmet I had gotten a long time ago. I clipped it on to my head and felt a small burst of air come into my lungs. Good enough, I thought.

Narrator's POV:

They stood atop the blackstone wall and scanned L'Manburg for any sign of life. They had heard a splash but ignored it, focusing on the trees and small buildings. The man in the smile mask narrowed his eyes, scanning every detail of the landscape. He had seen something in the water. He knew if someone was in the lake they would have to come out soon.

He beckoned the other three over to him, waiting a few minutes before turning around and jumping off the wall and retreating into the forest.

Winter's POV:

My head popped out of the water and I gasped for air. I realised what had just happened as I climbed out the lake. I had just had a run in with the Dream Team... and survived. I smirked mischievously as I jogged towards my house. And Wilbur says I'm not strong enough to fight.

It was true he had said that, but he didn't know I heard it. I had been eavesdropping on him and Tommy when they were talking strategy. I knew that Wil knew I was a damn good fighter, probably the best in L'Manburg. But he refused to let me fight because I were his sister and 'Just a kid'. Not like that stopped Tommy and Tubbo though.

I bit my cheek as I walked into my house. I was still congratulating myself on escaping that close call. Yeah, great job on escaping when I had been warned not to go at all, came the smart part of my brain. Oh fuck off, will you. I thought as I peeled off my damp clothes. I sighed as I dried my long brown hair. I knew I couldn't let that lucky stunt go to my head. I got into bed and let sleep take me.

Narrator's POV:

"Dream!" Sapnap shouted once the group was a safe distance away. "What the hell was that!?" The rest of the group looked confused as the raven haired man shouted at their leader. "I know I saw it too!"

"Saw what?" Punz asked.

"The girl we've been chasing!" Sapnap snapped. "She was in the lake, Dream had a clear shot." he continued, angrily. "Shut up." Dream said. He walked up to Sapnap, towering over him. "I didn't kill her because it would've just brought attention to us. Plus, I have a plan." he said with a cocky voice.

"A plan that involves a small amount of arson."

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