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I opened my eyes and found myself standing in the middle of a forest. There were trees everywhere, covered in bright moss and other plants sprouting from the trunks. A little girl suddenly burst through the doors of a small cabin, her small braid bouncing off her shoulders as she ran. She was followed by a boy who looked a year or two older than her. He had thick, dark hair that sat like a bush on his head. When he smiled, he carried the most adorable dimples.
The two ran around a freshly lit campfire in front of the house. The smaller brunette ran away from the older boy, her arms flailing everywhere. The sounds of her giggles sent warm shivers down my spine. She had the same colored hair as the other boy, but hers was much longer, seeing as her braid reached right below her shoulders.
"Come here!" The boy shouted, scooping her up in his arms and spinning her around. She fell into a fit of laughter as he began tickling her. The young girl seemed to be around eight years old. There was something about her and the boy that felt so familiar. So right.
"Stop- I can't- breathe." She gasped out in between laughs, attempting to wriggle out of his grasp.
Siblings. They're siblings.
"Maybe next time, don't take the last biscuit." The boy warned, releasing the girl and sitting by the fire. She rolled her eyes and joined him. But when the flames grew taller, she stumbled off her seat, falling on her back. The boy ran to her aid, checking for any injuries.
"Are you okay?" He asked, holding her hand and helping her up.
"Yeah. But- the fire..." She mumbled, pointing at the crackling phenomenon.
"Are you scared of it?"
"Yeah..."
The boy wrapped his arms around her protectively, resting his chin on her head, "Don't be. Fire is beautiful and it keeps us warm and safe."
The innocent girl shifted her head up to look into her brother's eyes, "Just like you?"
The boy chuckled, moving a few strands of hair away from the girl's face.
"Yeah. Just like me. I will always protect you, Vanessa."
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My body felt like it was dumped into a pool of hot coals. I shot up, feeling sweat dripping down my face. I opened my eyes, rising into a sitting position. I panted, trying to take in my new whereabouts. I patted the sheets covering my body and noticed the row of beds to my left. I was in a hut full of supplies. It smelled of...blood.
I took a deep breath, remembering my current situation. I was stuck in a maze and was forced to rely on a group of immature men- no, boys, to keep me from dying.
My mind raced back to the dream I had, causing a headache to strike the side of my head. I groaned, lightly placing my hand over the sensitive spot.
