The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on the forest floor as I knelt beside the fallen deer. My hands, slippery with blood, dressed the deer I'd brought down. Hunger gnawed at the pit of my stomach, urging me to work faster. We needed this food, and we needed it now.

"Elwood," my sister Annabelle called from her position a few yards away, her bow drawn, her arrow nocked, as she scanned our surroundings. Her instincts were sharp and her senses keen. "We're not alone."

My hands didn't falter. I knew better than to question her intuition. "How many?"

"Three or four," she said, but the tension in her stance betrayed her concern. "Closing in fast."

I cursed under my breath, forcing myself to work even quicker. The last thing we needed was a confrontation, especially when we didn't have much time to get away. If there was one thing I'd learned in these harsh times, it was that people were more dangerous than any beast.

"Can you buy us some time?" I asked, wiping the blood from my hands and the blade on a patch of moss.

"I'll do what I can," she said. "But they're moving fast. Be ready to run."

As I stuffed the last of the meat into my pack, my thoughts strayed to my once-reliable magic. It had become unreliable, only working on rare occasions. I wished I could count on it now, but with its current state, I didn't dare risk it. I trusted Annabelle’s senses more than my own. She's a year younger than I am, and ever since my magic began failing me, we've had to depend on her magic. Her magical abilities were getting stronger, but her magic was not as powerful as mine had once been, and when she used magic it tired her out. If someone attacked us and she used too much magic, we would need to leave the food behind so I could carry her back home. My bow and arrows hung over my shoulder, a comforting weight that reminded me of my proficiency with the weapon.

"Alright," I said, rising to my feet and slinging the pack onto my back. "Let's move."

Annabelle nodded, her gaze never leaving the trees as we made our way through the forest, our movements quiet and cautious. Every rustle of the leaves, every snap of a twig, sent adrenaline coursing through my veins, heightening my senses, and sharpening my focus. We were being hunted, and we had no choice but to flee or fight.

As we picked up our pace, we heard footsteps approaching. Annabelle and I shared a tense glance. "They're here," she said.

Bursting out from the shadows of the trees, four young men emerged, blocking our path. Among them, I recognized Troy. Three years earlier, I'd made the mistake of teaching him magic. As soon as he learned a little, Troy had begun twisting and abusing the magic I'd taught him.

"Elwood," he said, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Hello, Troy," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest. "What do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "We're here for you. And that delicious prize you're carrying."

My fingers tightened around the straps of my backpack, well aware that our haul of deer meat wouldn't be enough to appease these guys. "Take half," I said, hoping to appeal to whatever sense of humanity might still dwell within Troy. "We need it as much as you do."

Troy's laughter echoed through the forest. "Elwood, you don't understand, do you? We're not here for the meat. We're here for you. The meat's just a bonus for us."

I exchanged a panicked glance with Annabelle, who nodded. As one, we sprang into action.

"Let's not make this difficult," I warned, reaching for the bow slung over my shoulder. Although my magic had been faltering, I was still able to rely on my deadly accuracy with a bow.

"Big mistake, Elwood," Troy snarled, raising his hands to prepare a spell.

Annabelle stepped between us, her eyes fierce and determined. Her own magical abilities were functional but limited, yet she was quick-witted. "Back off!" she shouted, her voice strong and defiant.

"Ah, Annabelle," Troy sneered, turning his attention to her. "Still playing the protective little sister, are you?"

"More than you can guess," she said, holding her ground as she prepared to cast a defensive spell.

"Enough of this!" I barked, drawing an arrow from my quiver, and notching it in place. "Leave us alone, or you'll regret it."

"Try me," Troy taunted, raising his arms for a powerful attack.

"Annabelle, now!" I said, releasing my arrow.

My sister's eyes flashed with resolve as she muttered an incantation under her breath. In the next moment, a fireball erupted from her hands, hurtling towards Troy and his gang. The sudden burst of flame caught them by surprise, causing them to scatter and take cover.

"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Annabelle's arm, and pulling her away from the chaos. We sprinted through the woods, our hearts pounding in our chests as adrenaline coursed through our veins. Behind us, I heard Troy and his crew cursing and shouting as they gave chase.

"Left!" Annabelle called out, leading the way through the dense forest.

As we ran, I wondered how we'd gotten ourselves into this mess. How had Troy found us?

"Jump!" I said, pointing to a fallen tree blocking our path. Annabelle leaped over it, her agility on full display. I followed suit, and the air rushed past me as I cleared the obstacle.

"I don't hear them," Annabelle gasped, her breath ragged from the exertion. I nodded, knowing we had to keep moving if we wanted to stay ahead of our pursuers.

With every step we took, the weight of responsibility pressed down on me. Troy was intent on capturing me for reasons unknown, and I refused to let that happen. Not when Annabelle's safety was at stake.

"Keep going!" I said, pushing myself to run even faster. "We can lose them! Drop your backpack, Annabelle. I don’t want you to get too tired, and I’ve still got my meat.”

“No, I’m all right.” she said.

I didn’t believe her, but I couldn’t grab her pack and drag it off her back. Instead, I ran past her, glanced over my shoulder, and called out, “I don’t see them, Annabelle. If we shift our direction, we might mislead them.”

As we continued our frantic escape, it wouldn't have been a surprise if someone even more dangerous was waiting just around the corner. Whatever Troy had planned for me, I had to be prepared to face it head on. I had to protect Annabelle at all costs.

"Elwood, look!" Annabelle whispered as we skidded to a halt outside the charred remains of our old school. I stared at the blackened facade as a tight knot formed in my chest.

I stopped for a moment and listened for a sign that we were still being pursued. Nothing. "Come on," I said, forcing myself to move forward. "I think we escaped Troy and his gang, but don't let your guard down." We stepped through the crumbling entrance. The sound of our footsteps echoed in the now-empty hallways, a stark reminder of what I had caused.

"Can't believe it's still here," Annabelle murmured. "I mean, after everything that's happened."

"I want to stop at the graveyard," I said, no longer worried about Troy.

As we approached what used to be the school’s football field, an eerie sight greeted us. Others had planted row upon row of wooden crosses into the ground. Each one marked the ultimate resting place of someone who had vanished since the cataclysm I had unleashed.

"Elwood," Annabelle asked, "do you think everyone still blames us for all of this?"

"They don't blame you, Annabelle," I said, my gaze fixed on the sea of crosses before us. "But they have every right to blame me."

"Hey," she said, gripping my arm, "you didn't mean for any of this to happen. Stop blaming yourself."

"I'm the one who taught Troy magic," I said. "I'd fix things now if it was possible."

"Even if it means facing Troy and his gang?" Annabelle asked, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.

"That won't help," I said. "Right now, I just want to talk to Mom."

The wind whispered through the graveyard, stirring dust, and rustling the leaves of the few trees still standing. Annabelle took up a defensive position behind some bushes near the entrance. I knew her eyes would be darting around as she watched our surroundings. While she kept watch, I headed toward the wooden cross I'd planted three years earlier.

"Mom," I muttered, kneeling before the simple marker. It had been years since we'd last visited her grave, but the pain was still fresh. I wished with all my heart I could change things.

I stood and turned and took half a dozen steps when a voice called out, "Wait." My heart skipped a beat when I looked up and recognized Cianna Corbin. She was walking toward me, her raven black hair whipping around her face. It had been three years since I'd seen her, and the passing time had turned the once carefree girl into a hardened woman.

"Elwood," she said, her eyes filled with anger and betrayal. "I've been waiting for a long time for you to show up here."

"Cianna, I'm sorry," I said, my voice tight with emotion. "Believe me, I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Your intentions don't matter," she said, her fists clenched at her sides. "You're the reason our world is in ruins. The reason so many people are dead."

I apologized again, but she held up her hand and shook her head. "I don't want to hear it, Elwood."

I took a deep breath and asked, "What do you want from me, Cianna? I've already told you I'm sorry, and I can't bring back your family."

"I want justice, Elwood." Her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, and in one fluid motion, she drew a knife from her belt. "For everyone you've destroyed."

"Please, Cianna, listen to reason," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Blood pounded in my ears and my heart jumped at the sight of the weapon. "Killing me won't bring them back."

She shrugged and took a step closer. "But at least it'll stop you from causing any more harm."

"I never wanted this, Cianna." My voice cracked with desperation.

"I already told you, your intentions don't matter." She pressed her blade against my throat, and I swallowed hard. "It's your actions that brought us here, and it's my actions that will end it. Any last words?" Cianna asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

I hesitated, my mind racing as I searched for the right words. "I'm sorry," I said, knowing it would never be enough.

I felt the cold metal of the blade against my skin, and I took a deep breath as I looked into Cianna's eyes. "Have you ever killed anyone?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Cianna hesitated, her grip on the knife loosening just a fraction. "No," she said, backing away from me a little. "But I'm willing to try it."

I saw the pain and fear in her expression, and it made me wonder what horrors she had endured in this new world. Despite her hesitation, a nagging voice in the back of my mind told me to be cautious.

"Let's talk about this," I said. I kept my gaze locked on Cianna, her knife still too close for comfort. In the corner of my vision, I caught a subtle movement; Annabelle emerged from her hiding place, stepping toward Cianna. A renewed surge of panic hit me, and I was afraid for both of them.

"Tell me, Cianna," I said, forcing casualness into my voice. "How did you survive on your own out here?"

"By not trusting anyone," she said, her focus flicking between me and the knife in her hand.

Annabelle continued her approach, inching closer to Cianna, who remained unaware. My thoughts raced, searching for anything to prolong the conversation and buy Annabelle more time.

"Have you met any others like us?" I asked, hoping to pique her interest. "Annabelle and I have avoided people. After all, there are those out there who will kill for the fun of it."

"I don't blame you," Cianna said, hesitating for a moment. "There are people besides me who would love to get their hands on you."

As Cianna and I talked, Annabelle crept silently towards her target. My pulse quickened, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral. "Won't you put down your knife and try to forgive me?"

"That will never happen, Elwood," Cianna said, her grip on the knife tightening.

Annabelle was now behind Cianna, her movements almost imperceptible. I was pretty sure that when Cianna realized what was going on, she'd think I'd betrayed her. But I had to do whatever I could to live until I disappeared. Annabelle still needed me.

"There's another way," I said. "A better way."

As the last words left my lips, Annabelle reached out toward Cianna. I prayed she would succeed and feared what would happen if she didn't.

"Sometimes, there is no better way," Cianna said, and for a moment, I thought she had caught on to Annabelle's presence.

Just then, Annabelle revealed a leather purse filled with heavy stones, a gift I had given her long ago for self-defense purposes. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched her approach Cianna, each step taken with the utmost care.

"Every situation is different," I said, forcing myself to focus on the conversation as I tried to remain calm. "There's always room for negotiation."

"Is that what you think this is?" Cianna laughed, and she pressed the knife further into my skin. "A negotiation?"

"I was hoping," I said. My voice wavered despite my best efforts to sound confident. I glanced at Annabelle again, willing her to make her move before things escalated further.

"You deserve to die, Elwood." Cianna said, her eyes full of disdain.

"Perhaps," I admitted, swallowing hard. "But sometimes, hope is all we have left."

With those words, Annabelle made her move, closing the distance between her and Cianna. A mix of fear and relief washed over me as I realized that, at least for now, we stood a chance. Still, I couldn't shake the nagging concern that Annabelle's safety was still very much at risk.

"You don't think I'll kill you, do you, Elwood?" Cianna said.

In that split second of distraction, Annabelle lunged forward, knocking the knife from Cianna's hand with her stone pouch. I felt the shift in power as Cianna's weapon fell to the ground.

My heart thumped in my chest as I watched Annabelle take control of the situation, though I was worried about what might happen next.

Cianna's eyes flickered between me and Annabelle, surprise and anger flashing across her face. She appeared to be calculating her options, sizing up her newfound opponent.

"Fine then," she said, glaring at us as Annabelle took all her weapons. "Why don't you just let me go?"

As I stood there, my mind raced with potential outcomes and strategies. True, we had disarmed Cianna, but the danger was far from over. And while I wanted to believe that Cianna was through fighting, I knew we needed more than just optimism to get back to our house.

"Annabelle, don't kill her!" I said, my voice strained with anxiety. "She had reason to be angry with me."

I saw the frustration on Annabelle's face. She was never one to back down from a fight.

"Fine," Annabelle said. "But we can't leave her here with her weapons. She'll come after you again, Elwood."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out an old plastic tie, a relic she had found in a now abandoned hardware store. With swift, practiced movements, Annabelle bound Cianna's hands. This would ensure she wouldn't pose any further threat.

"Elwood, are you certain about this?" Annabelle asked, concern etched on her face. "She tried to kill you, and who knows what else she's capable of?" My gaze lingered on Cianna, trying to read her expression. Her face was a mask of defiance and anger. But deep down, I felt responsible for her; after all, it was my actions that had led to this confrontation.

"It's risky," I said, my thoughts conflicted. "But you're right, Annabelle. We can't leave her here with her weapons, and we can't leave her here without them. If the Believers don't get her, the wild dogs will."

As we stood there looking at Cianna, bound and defeated, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and apprehension. We'd gained the upper hand, but Cianna wouldn't stop hating me.

"Fine," Annabelle sighed, not pleased with my decision. "But if she tries anything, I won't hesitate to defend us."

"Understood," I said, knowing full well my sister would keep her word.

With Cianna in tow, we began our journey back towards our hidden home. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the landscape, and causing me to worry about Cianna's safety. Once night fell, the dangers lurking in the darkness would multiply tenfold.

"Annabelle," I said. "I'm worried about leaving Cianna with no weapons. If something happens to us, she'll be defenseless against the creatures of the night. Maybe we should set her hands free."

"Elwood, you can't be serious!" Annabelle stared at me, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "How can you even consider setting her free after what just happened? She'll try to get her weapons back. If she succeeds, she'll use them against us!"

I swallowed hard, torn between my concern for Cianna's well-being and my desire to protect Annabelle and myself. My thoughts fought for a solution that might satisfy both needs. But as the darkness continued to gather around us, I realized there were no simple answers.

"There is a way we can compromise," I said, trying to ease the tension. "We could give her something to defend herself with, but not enough to overpower us. That way, we're still protected, and she survives."

Annabelle stared at me for a moment. "No way, Elwood. I gave in to bringing her along, but that's as far as I'm willing to go."

"All right,” I said. “Let's get going. We need to get to the house, pronto."

As we continued, I was overcome with an uneasy feeling that lingered in the air. Our decision to bring Cianna with us was a gamble, and only time would reveal if it was the right one. But for now, we pressed on, each step taking us closer to safety.

The temperature continued to drop, and I began to shiver as we walked on. I was glad we were near the house, but I did not let down my guard. From a distance our house, number 84 Oak Street, looked like the rest of the houses on the block, run down and deserted. The windows appeared broken, and the front door hung ajar.

But our house looks quite different from the bottom step of the porch. All the windows, although barred on the inside, look clean and as if they’re new. The house even has a fresh coat of pale blue paint, and the door is stout. "Why isn't your house burned like all the other ones around here?" Cianna asked, as she stopped and placed one foot on the bottom step.

Annabelle stared at her for a moment, then she nodded. "I forgot magic doesn't work for you."

"What magic?" Cianna asked.

"Most people who look at the house think it's one of the most damaged houses in the area," I said.

"Elwood’s magic makes the house look damaged," Annabelle said. "Except to you."

"Most people only notice the difference once they've come into contact with the house. Even if someone was still able to fly overhead, they won't notice unless they land on the roof."

With that, Annabelle ran up the stairs and mumbled a few words under her breath. She then waved her left hand and smiled when the door latch clicked. The door slid open an inch, and as she reached out to push it open further, I called out to her.

"Do you smell that?" I asked.

"Wood burning," Annabelle said, and as she jumped from the porch, she lost her balance and fell to one knee because of the heavy pack she carried.

"What does this mean, Elwood?" she asked as she stood.

"Someone's inside," I said.

"That's impossible," she said.

"I don't believe in the impossible anymore, Annabelle," I said. "Now, we better get ready for a fight."