Mark

   My eyes opened to the now bright forest. Remembering where I was, and why I was here I suddenly was aware of the weight on my shoulder. Junior had been leaning against me in his sleep. His eyes were closed, his hair ruffled from sleep and his lips slightly parted. Junior had laid his head on my shoulder all night. His neck must hurt really bad. I felt slightly guilty for bringing him out here but also happy. Over the course of the night Junior and I had become friends. I smiled again, something I've been doing a lot.

All we had done last night was talk, mostly about me. I think that was because I had so much to get off my mind and Junior just wanted to listen. We talked about the village, him asking if certain people were still there. They were. He just nodded at that so I kept going. We seemed to have talked for hours, it was the closest I've ever felt to anyone in years, maybe my whole life. Of course I asked him questions too.

   "Hey Junior?" I was still smiling from that stupid joke he had made earlier. He tilted his head to the side,"Yes?" My stomach growled, reminding me we hadn't eaten since around noon,"I was wondering if you could tell me why bandits go on rages........?" I felt bad for asking such a stupid question but Junior didn't seem to mind, from what I could tell. He tilted his head to the side and played with the grass on the ground,"Jb thinks killing, stealing, is the best way to make us happy again." Junior shrugged then frowned, suddenly serious,"We were pushed away Mark. We were the people no one liked and now everyone fears is. Everyone who turned on us is now scared and it feels so good." After that we were silent. No one spoke, and we went to sleep with a small "good night". I now understood the bandits just a little more.

   I found myself not wanting to wake the sleeping boy up. He looks so peaceful. I didn't want to ruin it. But he probably has to get back to wherever the bandit camp was. Do I have to get back? Maybe no one noticed I was gone and I could just run. Though I knew I couldn't leave the only shelter I had and now I felt stupid for running in the first place,"Mark?" I snapped out of my thoughts to find Junior sitting in front of me. Jumping in surprise I frowned when he started laughing,"It's not funny!" He just kept laughing,"You're right, it's hilarious!" Standing up I crossed my arms over my chest,"Ha ha ha."

   Junior stood up as well, giving me a knowing look,"Come on you know it's funny." I just shook my head, shocked that Junior was acting like we were childhood best friends when we only started our friendship yesterday,"Well um, we should head back now." Junior blinked blankly at me,"Oh, I thought you didn't want to go back." Not meeting his eyes I stared at a tree,"I uh decided that I have no where else, and now I have a friend so it can't be that bad anymore." Junior just shrugged,"Not if we get in trouble."

   I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion,"In trouble? Why would we get in trouble?" Junior locked eyes with me,"Jb doesn't like quitters, and he definitely doesn't like traitors. Leaving the bandits is seen as both. Let's just hope we can lie and make them believe us. Then again I was with you and he trusts me so we shouldn't get in trouble." Curiosity bit at me,"What happens if you do get in trouble?" Junior shook his head before pointing to a direction and walking. I followed after him,"I hope you don't ever have to see what happens Mark, I really hope so."

   We kept walking for what felt like hours, and it probably was. The whole time my mind was going through reasons on why Junior didn't want to tell me what happens. Is it too brutal? Does he think I'm soft? Maybe he thinks if I see it I'll run away. That's stupid I just told him I'd stay. "Stop thinking Mark." Snapping out of my thoughts I found Junior staring at me,"We are here." Looking up I noticed we were standing in front of the living house,"Oh sorry." I apologized quickly following him to the door. Before he could even knock the door was opened by a flustered looking BamBam. He widened his eyes at us,"Oh my god Jackson you jinxed it!"

  Sharing a confused look with Junior we were soon interrupted by Jackson's yelling,"Wait their here?!" Multiple bangs and a slamming door sound was heard. Jackson slid in next to BamBam, observing us,"So....your finally back from your honeymoon?" My eyes widened, heat flooding my body. Junior just glared at him,"That's no where near where we went!" Jackson gave him a 'you think I'm dumb' look,"Then where did you go?" Junior quickly responded,"A walk in the woods." BamBam looked unconvinced,"For the whole night?" Junior nodded, making Jackson smirk,"Uh huh." I felt heat in my face again,"I wanted to see the forest." I butted in,"But Junior wouldn't let me go alone." Junior gave me a 'shut up' face,"Oh I see." Jackson spoke suggestively,"Whatever you say."

   Before he could leave he let out a gasp,"I almost forgot to tell you!" Junior tilted his head to the side,"Tell us what?" BamBam looked at the ground nervously when Jackson answered,"Well BamBam over here thought you guys um...went missing. So he told Jb you were gone." Juniors face changed into a face that made me want to run and hide,"You what?" He screeched at BamBam, who looked terrified,"Do you know what Jb must be thinking? What if he thinks we are traitors and tries to-" Junior stopped himself, stealing a glance at me. Taking a breath I stepped inside the house,"So what? You said you had it covered. Hey BamBam can we talk?"

   Everyone looked shocked at the sudden confidence I showed. BamBam nodded,"Uh sure." The guilt for yelling at BamBam was starting to eat at me. We were getting along so well and I am staying so being guilty my whole life just didn't sit well with me. We headed up stairs to my room. Of course Jackson had to shout 'don't try anything Mark',"Overprotective?" I asked BamBam, he chuckled and nodded,"That's Jackson. Don't worry he hasn't beaten anyone up yet." Yet. Awkward silence followed us as we reached my room and went inside. Closing the door I sat on the chair at my desk, BamBam sitting on my bed,"Not to be rude but, why am I here?"

   Fiddling with my fingers I let out a breath,"I wanted to apologize for yelling at you." BamBam opened his mouth to speak but I held my hand up to stop him,"It was very wrong of me and I was actually getting along with you. I want to be your friend, but with the guilt basically killing me I knew I had to apologize first. So, can we start over?" BamBam laughed, really hard,"It sounds like we just broke up and you want to go out again." I rolled my eyes,"This kid." When he stopped laughing BamBam got off my bed, running over to me he wrapped his arms around me tightly,"I'll give you a second chance."

   The door opened, revealing Jackson and Junior. Jackson's eyes widened at the sight, Junior just staring emotionlessly,"Uh BamBam." I whispered, Jackson staring at me intensely,"What?" "Uh, Jackson is staring into my soul right now so could you kindly stop hugging me?" "Oh okay." BamBam got off me and faced Jackson, who looked at him with sad eyes,"You hug him and not me?! But I'm your boyfriend!" BamBam giggled at him,"Well he deserved it."

   Junior coughed, gaining everyone's attention,"We came up to tell you two that Jb has sent Yugyeom to fetch us." My eyes widened,"How did he know we got back?" Jackson gave me a 'idiot' look,"Cause we told him!" My mouth formed an 'O',"Well then let's go see him." BamBam said cheerfully. Junior shook his head,"He only asked for Mark and I." I got up off my chair and walked over to him,"Then let's go." Junior nodded.

    We left the living house with Yugyeom in the lead, talking to Junior about a group of bandits playing darts with a deer,"It was so gross! Good thing they missed half the time. Stupid ten year olds." Junior just nodded when needed to show he was listening. I walked silently, a little bit behind them. It's only natural for Jb to call for us, but what could he want? Is he going to accuse us or ask if we are okay? I don't even know if he is nice. Shaking my head I walked the rest of the way admiring trees. Wow that ones green too! I thought sarcastically.

   "We have arrived." Yugyeom mimicked a fancy voice,"Mr.Jb will see you now." I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior, following Junior into the meeting room. Jb sat on his chair talking to Youngjae, nothing new. Youngjae laughed at something he said and Jb smiled. When he noticed us it became a frown, lovely,"Oh you're here. Yugyeom you can go, take Youngjae with you." As they left Jb stood up, walking towards us,"Well Junior, explain why you were missing last night. You and Mark." Yeah he definitely doenst like me,"We went for a walk into the woods. Mark wanted to explore and I wouldn't let him go alone." Junior shrugged like it was nothing, he should be an actor.

    Jb narrowed his eyes suspiciously, if you narrow them anymore you won't be able to see. I tried not to laugh at my own joke,"Okay, fine. I'll believe you for now." Is that it? "Oh by the way." Nope. "There is gonna be a burning in the arena tonight, I want Mark there." Junior glared at him,"That's really unfair Jb." I stared at them innocently,"What's a burning?"

   Jb smiled evilly,"It's when we bandits get to kill, burn." I looked at Junior for clarification. He sighed, looking down,"It's what happens to traitors."