Fair.

Doll sat down after getting the fire going for the night, this far north it was starting to get colder.

Aella however had already managed to get to sleep.

Doll looked at her, she refused to fight, yet was determined to save her friend, how did she hope to win? ‘does she even think she has a chance?’ Doll thought.

The bushes nearby started to rustle in the cool breeze.

‘Regardless,’ doll thought to herself, ‘I can do what she wont, perhaps if I fight she wont have to… I might be able to keep her from becoming like me… like the others.’

–

The storm raged on over Aella, red and ferocious, but sitting in the grass beneath it Aella didn’t let it worry her, she could get by outside that part of herself, she could cope beyond the storm.

Claire appeared before Aella.

“Aella, there is someone coming for you.”

“I think its a little much my dreams are trying to be prophetic.”

“This isn’t a prophecy, I’m actually Claire, I can get through to you like this using a spell from the book.”

“Wait, so you are really Claire?”

“That’s what I said.”

“…prove it.”

“You’re a dumb blonde and I’m better looking than you.”

“Ok… so you can jump into people’s dreams… cool.”

Aella looked down.

“I’m sorry I didn’t stop them taking you.”

“…We both had other things on our mind at that time Aella.”

The two were quiet for a while.

“So I hear you are travelling with that Doll woman…”

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool. I think she’s strong too.”

“And she isn’t trying to fight you?”

“No, its like she said when we met, she doesn’t want to fight at all. I’m not sure why she was even fighting in the first place… I wonder if even she knows.”

“So we can trust her?”

“I think so, she’s at least promised to help me come get you.”

Claire turned away.

“Don’t come for me Aella.”

“What!? Why, is it because Polot is sending people for us?”

“no… its not that…” Claire sighed and faced Aella. “If you come, I will be forced to kill you.”

Aella looked at Claire and could see he was really torn up. “Claire… why?”

“He has my mother, and I’ve been made to do stuff… stuff there is no coming back from.” Claire looked down. “Don’t try to save me Aella, I’m past saving.”

Aella stood up quickly, the storm became more rowdy.

“Don’t say that! We will save you! Nothing in the world will stop us!”

“Please Aella… don’t…” Claire slowly faded, leaving Aella alone in her dream again.