The Dark Times

Bailey Heperman

She was beautiful. Long silky, blonde hair covering half her face. Piercing, yet kind blue eyes and a sweet smile. She had on a white tank top, covered up by a jean jacket. She wore a short skirt with flowers on it and convers. Kyle had picked up the candle from the wagon to get a closer look. The light shined on her perfectly highlighting her features. I noticed now she was dirty. She looked hungry and tired. "Hello boys." She said in a smooth, mischievous yet sweet voice. "Hi." I blurted back. Kyle just waved. "Nice horse." She replied pointing at our horse which after a small competition had been named Kyle jr. "Who are you?" I asked. Kyle nodded as if to approve the question. i was doing a bad job holding in my laughter at his crush. "Bailey Heperman." She replied sounding all proud and official. "Why are you alone?" I asked. She shrugged and responded, "I ran away when the fade happened. My parents got really mean and I couldn't take it. I've been living in this woods ever since. Kyle and I both nodded. I wasn't sure how to respond to that. Luckily she continued breaking the silence, "Why are you two boys alone?". "We're traveling to Austria to stop the darkness." Kyle replied in a quiet yet proud voice. He seemed to have finally been able to talk again. I shot him a nasty look for revealing our whole plan to a stranger. It only hit me when I did that, that this girl wasn't crazy or mean. She was normal. That's why Kyle was in awe before. "Cool! Would it be too much to ask to come with?" She beamed. Neither Kyle or I said anything. Yes or no? She didn't seem like she could help in any ways and she'd take resources. As I was about to object, Kyle blurted out "You can come.". He received another dirty look. He shrugged back at me as if to say, "so what if she come as.". "Wow thanks! I better learn your names." She boomed. It was too late to say know so instead I said, "I'm Isaac and that's Kyle.". Next thing I knew her and Kyle were chatting while wasting the food. I rolled my eyes and lowered my head in defeat. It was Kyle's turn for horse duty. I slept in the wagon with Bailey. I managed not to touch her. It wasn't because I was immature and thought girls were gross, it was because I just met her and it weird enough she was in the wagon. I had a dreamless sleep, like usually.