~~~~~~~~~Gabe's POV~~~~~~~~~

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"Gabriel..."

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"Wake up..."

...

"Wake up!"

My eyes shot open at the mention of my name, forcing me awake. However, when I looked around, everyone was deep asleep. We had stayed in the treehouse, and it was still dark at the moment.

I was still really tired and wanted to go back to bed, but...

Who was calling me...?

I didn't remember how the voice sounded, I couldn't recognize anything about it, just that I knew they said my name before telling me to wake up. It wasn't any of the others, they were all sleeping.

Was someone outside?

I picked out of the window, and my eyes narrowed at the sight of fresh footprints on the white snow. Someone did pass by..

With one last glance at the others, I climbed out of the treehouse, gripping my jacket as I followed the footsteps. I couldn't help the glare on my face, whoever was out there might've been trying to hurt me, hurt us.

If that is the case, then I have to protect everyone.

We can't risk another- ...

I still have nightmares about all those years ago...

But I can't think about that, not now.

After a while, the footsteps stopped as some snow began to fell, and I groaned at myself in frustration. However, I tensed up at the sound of a twig snapping, looking over.

Not too far from me stood a shadow, who immediately began to run away when I noticed them.

"Hey!!" I quickly began chase, fighting against the snow on the floor and the one that fell on me, only making everything so much colder. My jacket was protective, but I only had a simple t-shirt underneath, and that alone couldn't keep my warm for this long, not our here.

But I didn't care, I didn't have the time right now.

I don't know how long I was running for, but with my adrenaline pumping, I wasn't tired, I wasn't even cold anymore.

The cloaked figure soon stopped, and even through the fabrics, I could tell they were trembling, freezing. I didn't stand too close to them, but was prepared incase they tried anything.

"Who are you?! Why are you here?!"

They didn't respond, staying quiet for a few seconds, and then turned to face me, my eyes widening at the sight.

No...

I-It wasn't...!

Before I could reach, the figure fell to the floor, passing out. The long pink hair got buried in the snow, and the flakes that fell began to cover their body.

Their skin was pale, maybe even a bit blue, their lips purple, and the clothes wet from the snow.

Yet... there was no doubt about it...

This was... L-Lara...  

I hadn't seen her in six years after she disappeared from the bunker right in front of my eyes, it took me so long to try to forget about her, about the whole incident!

As much as I tried, it was all still in the back of my head, haunting me.

But...

If I left her here, would she freeze...?

I can't just let her die, can I...?

But I can't deny all those times she tried to kill me...

...

Damnit!

Partially angry with myself, I took off my jacket and placed it over her like a blanket, along with her cloak, before picking her up in my arms and walking back to the treehouse. I still had the adrenaline going through my veins, so I barely felt the freezing breeze.

But that ended too quickly when I was entering the tree house, and almost all of my senses went numb in the snap of a finger, forcing me to trip as I stepped inside.

"Gabe!!"

I looked up, seeing Jade run over to me with a worried look, quickly putting her jacket on me. "H-holy cow, you're freezing!! What were you doing?!"

It was as if all my strength had been ripped out of me in a second, I couldn't even talk anymore. All I did was nod over to the unconscious girl on the floor.

Jade's eyes widened almost immediately, looking at me. "Th-that's..!"

I couldn't hear the rest of her sentence, suddenly being surrounded by complete darkness, and only my memories around to keep me in place.

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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