A/N: Hello everyone! Shout out to @ smartfan for finally getting me to start writing this book again! (I have tried everything possible to @ you, but no matter what, it always makes the story glitch. I have reposted this chapter like five or six times) I wanted to publish this yesterday but i couldn't figure out how to do it on mobile, so i had to wait for today to use my computer.

Enjoy the story :)

Suddenly my eyes shot open. I could feel the darkness peeling away from my mind, and it backed away into the deepest depths of my body.

I pushed myself up out of the snow.

"Ow." I said, clutching my head.

Why does it always hurt after I lose it? Or maybe I just hit my head? No, it keeps me from getting hurt when I'm not in control.

I turned to my left, and shrieked.

Right there, next to me, in the snow, petting my iguana, was the boy who saved me from the guards.

"Hah duh yuh geh heh?" I stumbled out, trying my best to enunciate properly after just gaining control again.

He looked towards me, a small smile flashing over his features,

"Um, hi. It's been a while. I haven't seen you since the end of Autumn! But um, my name is Christopher, what's yours?"

I gave him a look, silently saying "Does it look like I give a fuck?" As I cradled my head.

He obviously don't pick up on my glare, and kept looking at me expectantly.

"Gi'ee uh se'unt." I slurred. Gods, I hated how mushy my mind always was after incidents like these. I could barely think for a few minutes. I crossed my legs, and rested my head in my hands.

It was too bright.

It was always too bright. I never got to see the stars or the moon anymore. I couldn't tell what month it was because I couldn't see the moon's phases. My best guess would be maybe the end of Month 21 or the beginning of Month 22? I don't know.

I missed being in the dark. Night time went by without dreams nor sleep.

It sucked.

I missed being able to hear crickets and owls. I can barely remember what the night sky looks like it's been so long.

All I've ever seen for years has been the sun.

There. You had your annual self-pity party, now get up and move on. I told myself.

I glanced back at the boy, Christopher.

He sat there, with Peaches in his lap, awkwardly twiddling his thumbs.

"My name is Riley."

He looked up at me, startled.

"But isn't that a-" he started,

"Girl's name? Yes it can be a girl's name but it can also be a boy's name. I've heard that sentence way too many times in my youth so don't bring it up again."

He paused, his mouth open as if he was going to say something, but then closed it as he found no reply.

"Can I have my iguana back now?"

He looked down at the spirit animal still sitting in his lap, and immediately returned Peaches to my hands, where I let him crawl up my arm onto my shoulders.

We sat there in awkward silence. He stared at his shoes and I stared at the rising sun.

I finally broke the silence.

"So, um, why are you here?"

"Well, I'm a prince, and my castle was suddenly taken over by someone whom I don't know, and my father, the king, helped me escape and then I came across you lying in the snow and since I was lost I hoped that when you woke up you would help me get out of this forest."

I sat there, dumbfounded. Then I grabbed a stick, and hit him over the head with it.

"Ow! What'd you do that for?!"

I stood up, and chucked the stick aside.

"Because you're an idiot, going and telling me every detail about your life! What if I had not been on your side and decided to hold you for ransom? Or what if I was a part of the people who took over the castle and I returned you to them, your escape being in vain? Don't trust people so easily!"

His face turned pink from embarrassment, and he rubbed the back of his neck,

"Sorry," he mumbled sheepishly. I sighed and smiled,

"It's okay, just, don't do it again." I brushed the snow off of my pants, and then started to walk away.

"Hey, hey wait! You aren't wearing any shoes! You could get frostbite, you probably already do!"

I looked back at Christopher, then at my feet.

Oh.

I forgot I was barefoot.

Well, this curse can come in handy sometimes. It regulates my body temperature so I'm never cold or hot.

"Uhhhhhhhh..."

He popped up, and jogged towards me. He stopped when he got close, and I stared down at him.

"C'mon, at least help me get out of this forest."

I thought back to my run away from the Walle.

I scratched my arm.

I couldn't remember the way out of here either. I had just been focused on getting away.

I looked around, just now realizing how unfamiliar these trees looked.

"Umm,"

I couldn't even tell if we were still in Green River Forest anymore. We could be in a completely different forest for all I knew.

"You don't know, either, do you."

He said monotonously, his shoulders falling.

"Uh, no." I laughed nervously.

"WHY??!!" I startled at the sudden outburst.

"I mean, I was kinda preoccupied!" I shot back.

"With what??!!" He crossed his arms.

Oops. I overshared. Stop stop stop stop shut DOWN the conversation!

"That's none of your business."

But to be honest, it was his business. Because if something went wrong; if I got too angry, if I got fatally hurt, something bad could happen. Something really, really bad could happen. 

A/N: Dontchya just love cliffhangers? I know i don't!

Sorry for such an awkward chapter,,,,, its gonna take a while to get back into the flow of the story. 

And it's finally revealed!!  Riley is cursed!! But why was he cursed? And what IS the curse? you may ask. Well. I honestly cant tell you because I'm sort of putting the story together as i go. 

I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)