Prologue
Perched on one of the many branches, growing from one of the many trees creating this unnamed forest, sat a young woman camouflaged, practically invisible, the outline of her body fading with the magnificent redwood background. Her ears couldn’t catch the sound of their footsteps but her eyes saw all. Never did her eyes turn away from the group of men hiking through those woods. Her eyesight was perfect, especially with the light of the rising sun. She could see the dew and droplets of water on every leaf and rock. She could see the 5’0 clock shadow, even though she can’t remember why she uses that term, on most of the men’s faces. And from all the way up on her branch she could even see the color of their eyes.
The young girl took note that their steps were careful and thought out to leave no trails or evidence of them ever being in that redwood forest. There were 6 men, all tall, a couple even taller than most, but all were very muscular, wearing bullet proof vests, weapons, backpacks, and other, most likely very important gear. She thought one noticed her a few days earlier however she dismissed the thought on account she’s been doing this for years and has adapted to the land so well, he could never have seen her. But then again she couldn’t help think, they made eye contact. He turned his head up and looked through all the branches and stared. She stared right back not moving, for awhile he stood there, the sun sparkling off his green eyes that never moved either, but finally he had to turn because his friends noticed he hadn’t caught up yet. They asked if he saw anything, but he said he didn’t.
Never did the girl follow anyone traveling through, as far as she had and as long as she had. Keeping to herself is what has kept her alive this long. Once they were far enough away from her, she would let them go their merry way and she hers, but when those eyes met hers she was startled. No one has ever caught her, she is sure of it. But he did. Even more importantly, no one has ever intrigued her the way he has. She doesn’t know the name of the feeling she gets every time her eyes lay upon him but its what makes her follow them.
She noticed after4 days they keep heading west closer and closer toward territory no one should enter. The land they head toward is inhabited by beasts and creatures unimaginable and even more dangerous and deadly. The Lands so treacherous and unpredictable that the ground could fall beneath whose ever feet steps upon it, miles from a cliff. And even the most worst of all, further beyond that land is land owned by beings so malicious, sinful, and monstrous that they would kill without second thought or glance. They absolutely did not care. What’s left of the people on earth know that firsthand.
Had they not been going west she would never consider approaching them, but that man? There was something about him that made her wonder. She couldn’t let him go any further. Cause surely any further would certainly mean his death.When the sun began to set and they started to make camp once more, instead of finding her a branch of her own to sleep on she hopped down onto the forest floor and walked toward the group. She walked with a confident gait, head held up chin out and her legs never stopped until she was right in front of them all.
