A stolen soul but a golden heart

Don't quit till you can't move

It was cold out in the woods my lip was quivering and my teeth were chattering. Each gust of the iced wind was like knives shredding my face. My hands were red and my feet were covered in cuts and mud from all the Rocks and branches I walked on. Every step is agony and it feels like I've been walking for hours upon hours.

I was only wearing a shirt and trousers I left my shoes at Aggies in the room. The only thing keeping me from giving up is Simon, the thought of something bad happening is horrifying Beyond belief.

Just then I heard a sound. Like a stick snapping. I turned around and I thought I saw a shadow-like creature. I then heard a voice that sounded muffled like something was covering their mouth. "ay, what's a pretty lass like you doing in a place like this? You should know this place ain't the best for kids." It sounded like a man.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the voice with a body to match, it appeared to be a person wearing all black and they looked kind of like a shadow with emerald green eyes. "Ay it's rude to ignore someone you know," they said in an agitated manner. "well I was always taught not to talk to strangers so goodbye glad we had this talk," I replied. They then laugh arrogantly and was gone as soon as I blinked, only to reappear in a tree branch close by laying sideways.

"The names Aoife and I'm the best chance of you finding your lost friend love." He suspiciously told me. "Again can't trust strangers especially ones with no manners." I told him in a snarky way. "you're the one with no manners, usually when one tells you their name you give your own, well I guess Dragon Leaf is known for the rude ones but who am I to judge as I'm just a manner less shadow," he replied.

"Look I don't know how you knew that I was from there or how you know we're Simon is but if you can help me then fine. I'm running out of options anyway," I told him even tho I don't trust him. I knew I need some help. If I don't find Simon soon I will just have to wait and see what kills me first hypothermia or infection or maybe even this stupid stag that took Simon in the first place, well If I don't die by this guy which is still possible.

It's better than aimlessly walking around in woods I know next to nothing about. I thought to myself aloud. "Good. Well, first things first we better get you to my camp, get you warmed up by the fire and treat your wounds because you can't repay me if you die now can you?" He said in a more quiet voice.

"Do we have time!? I mean Simon might be eaten at any given moment by that thing and... I feel dizzy." I started to fall but the man then appears out of nowhere and catches me in his arms lifting me to his chest by cradling me.

"Easy there lass your freezing to the touch. I'm surprised you made it this far alone. Don't worry about the boy, he is alive for now otherwise you would not be able to enter these woods. The stag must have taken him to get you here for some reason because the only way into this woods is if the creature allows you so you can rest easy I guess a little bit now."

I nod slowly and my eyes grow heavy, I thought to myself this is probably my death or something useful. Well let's just see, shall we.....