The Graveyard Kingdom [*ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*]

Chapter 30: Year

The trees whistled through the woods as the wind blew. Maverick grunted, much older than he was last time the kids—while they could really be called kids anymore. Ben was twenty at this point.

It had been a year since the day they had now called the takeover.

Maverick sat on the throne, irritated. They had yet to execute the royals, the takeover would not truest be complete until he killed all of them. And right now, he couldn't find Aiden or Ben.

Well, no matter.

He sent his scouts out a while ago. Surely this would be the day they found them. After all, there were only so many places they could hide.

Right?
.
.

"Damnit Aiden!"

Ashlyn grunted as she stabbed her sword through the heart of a phantom, effectively killing it. She pulled it out and swung at another one. Jesus they were everywhere today.

Over the course of the year, they had made multiple safe houses and places for the survivors, or the rouges as Maverick liked to call them, stayed. Over the year, many of her childish features faded out, forming her into the adult Ashlyn now was. Twenty. What a surreal thing to think about. The others had changed two of course, Tyler had more scars then he did before, Taylor's trained hands more calloused the more heavy work she did, and Aiden's hair a dirty blonde as the bleach was beginning to fade, Logan's hair was longer now, and Ben had grown to great heights, finally done growing for once.

Ashlyn ran over, lobbing the phantoms head off. "I thought I told you to stay out of sight!"

Aiden groaned. "But it's so boringggggggggg! Let me have fun!"

Ashlyn grunted, glaring at him. "You know you and Ben are supposed to stay out of sight! Maverick—"

"Blah blah blah. Maverick this, Maverick that. That's like the only thing you talk about nowadays ash." Aiden said. He tore his knives out of the phantoms head. "Lighten up would you?"

"Shhh!" Ashlyn suddenly shushed him.

"Uh—you did not just shush—"

"No no!" Ashlyn covered his mouth. "Shhhhh!"

Aidens eyes widened as he realized. Ashlyn listened carefully, taking out an earplug. She cursed. "Hide. It's close."

"Fuck, now? I thought it only came out at night!" Aiden said hurriedly.

"Just hide!" Ashlyn seethed.

Aiden grabbed her hand, fucking behind the bushes as he finally heard it. No doubt, the beast. Soon, giant black legs were passing them. Aiden tried not to squeak in fear. Jesus their thing was huge. Ashlyn covered her mouth, eyes never leaving that thing. It passed them, and they both sighed with relief.

"Do you think..?" Aiden asked. Ashlyn shook her head.

"It came from the east. We're northeast, so it probably won't find us." Ashlyn stood up.

"Still, this part of the forest is its territory. We'd be good to relocate." Aiden said.

Ashlyn smirked. "Using your head for once Clark? That's new."

Aiden gasped, feining offense. "Wooooooow. And here I thought you liked me."

Ashlyn chuckled a little. "C'mon. Let's get back."

Aiden nodded, following Ashlyn. Following her home.

(A/N: IM SORRY I DIDNT GET THIS OUT YESTERDAY IM SO SORRRRRRRY)