An Orphan Worth Fighting For

An unexpected Meet

  Regardless that I had put myself in more danger than I needed I walked around parts of the forest in whatever melted snow was left alone. It was fairly quiet with an occasional chirp here and there. Before long I came across a creek and decided to get water. When I looked up I saw a little girl on the other side with the look of curiosity.

  "Hello." I said gently.

  She didn't say anything, just smiled.

  "Where did you come from kid?" I asked.

  The little girl pointed in the direction of Locksley, then she pointed at her belly indicating that she was hungry. I walked across the creek not regarding how icy cold the water is and gave her the rest of my food. She was smaller than I originally thought and ate like no tomorrow.

  "What's your name?" the little girl asked after she finished eating.

  "Raelynn. My friends call me Rae, what's yours?" I say.

  "I... I don't have one. I also don't have parents." said the kid as she looked down.

  "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" she shook her head.

  "I know how that is, being an orphan. Only I used to live in Nottingham. Not fun when you have to constantly run from the guards three times in one say everyday." I say as she looks up at me.

  "How many times have you been caught." she asked.

  Just before I answer I start thinking about it and I can't think of one time I've ever been caught.

  "You know believe it or not, I don't think I've ever been caught once." I answer.

"Oh come on that can't be true, there has to be one time you've been caught by them." she says with an unusual look on her face.

"I have not. In Nottingham I'm known for out running the guards. I'm also known as a completely different name."

  "Like what?" the kid asked out of curiosity.

  "Well you may or may not have heard the name, but the Prodigal Child." she looked at me confused like she didn't recognize the name which surprises me.

  Before either one of us says anything else we hear voices. At first I thought it was someone from the camp, but as the voices got closer and we both realized the voices are the guards. Without thinking, I grab the kid and put her on my back and starts running.

  "Rae where are we going?" she asks.

  "Trying to get away from the guards." I answer.

  As one guard gets closer, the kid gives me a fairly big rock to throw at the guard. After I knock the guard I quickly start climbing up a tree while the kid holds on more tighter. After I get up as far as I can, she gets I off my back right next to me. Not long after the guards stop right near the tree we are in. We can barely hear what they we're saying, but they stayed there for a long time.

  "Who are they looking for?" the kid whispered.

  "They are looking for me." I whispered back.

  "The sheriff really wants you doesn't he." she said.

  "Ever since I escaped the dungeon he's been wanting to get to me more than ever." the kid looked at me with complete shock and amazement.

  "I heard about that." she quietly said in amazement.

  "Yeah everyone has." said back

  After the guards leave, we both climb down the tree. When the kid finally reaches the ground, I look around and realize this part of the forest is unfamiliar. I tried to retrace my steps from trying to stay away as the kid followed me quietly. We both followed the prints the horses made as best we could. By the time we got to the same creek, the kid went back to Locksley as I went back to the camp.