I woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed and ready for the day to start. Maida came bustling in before I could open the door and began fussing over my wound. She gave me back my clothes to wear, this time washed and clean. I thanked her profusely, and she responded with a smile.

"I'll bring breakfast to you," Maida said, packing up her stuff quickly.

"Ah, no. It's okay," I said shaking my head. "I want to go outside today."

Maida gawked at me in surprise at my sudden change in attitude. She watched me get up and exit the house as she sat frozen on the ground, shocked as ever. Stepping out of the house, I yawned and stretched leisurely. I hurried down the path towards the fragrant smell of food floating from the breakfast table. I noticed a huge crowd surrounding at the entrance of the hideout and felt my curiosity rise but decided that would have to wait as my stomach growled loudly at me. 

Tearing my eyes away from the entrance of the hideout, my eyes landed on a familiar figure, serving breakfast to people sitting at the table.

"One bowl sir," I said, sitting right next to Ramon who was pouring soup into a bowl for a little girl.

"Oh well if it isn't for the red-eyed girl," Ramon joked, giving the bowl to the child.

I winced at the nickname. 

Ramon sighed. "Even though it won't be as lively as before, at least I'll have you to keep my company. You'll be our new child taker. Can't do anything with my old bones now..."

"Eh?" I tilted my head. "Why won't it be as lively?"

Ramon stared at me with a confused expression on his face as he began filling a bowl for me. "What? You don't know?"

"Don't know what?" I asked.

"The three boys left this morning," Ramon answered. "Funny, though. Always would've thought they would bring you along—"

"What?" I demanded, standing up, startling Ramon and the other people sitting at the breakfast table. "What do you mean Justin and the others left?"'

"They announced to everyone that they would be continuing their journey today," Ramon answered, looking slightly alarmed. "They left about five minutes before you woke up."

"B-but what about me?" I sputtered.

"Eh? You said you didn't want to go right?" Ramon asked, looking more confused. "Hey, girl. Stop making confusing—hey...hey!"

I pushed away from the table and ran towards the crowd of people, swarming around the entrance to the hideout. I shoved my way through the mob and pushed the vines away from my view. Stumbling over roots and trees that covered up the vines, I hit the dusty ground running at full speed. It was my first time out of the hideout; I almost stopped in surprise. 

It didn't look like we weren't in the forest anymore. Instead, when you exited the hideout, there was a long, dark tunnel waiting for you like a cave. Over my loud breaths and steps, I could hear water rushing down. 

Squeezing my eyes shut, I pushed myself to run faster. I almost tripped over myself and slowed down a little as I raced towards the exit of the cave.

"Think of it as our last good deed towards you."

I ran faster again, ignoring the numbing in my legs. Of course. They had dropped so many hints that they were going to leave, but I had not noticed. 

"I hope Miss makes a lot of close friends! They'll be the ones that keep you happy everyday!"

How many times will it take until I really started to understand how the real world works? No one will take care of you, but you, yourself. So many people have gotten hurt and taken away from me...yet what was I doing? Running away from my responsibilities. Telling myself it was all because of me yet not doing anything to change that.

" What? Are you just going to continue standing in the dark and keep mourning over your mistakes? When are you going to step out of the darkness and into the light. Take control of what you have now and cherish it. You can't change the past but at least you'll improve in the future."

I hated my weak self. I wanted to change. To become someone to protect someone.

My family. May. Mom. Even though I had only met them for a few days, they had given me so much. Elder. Maida. Ramon. Tilly. Tristan. Yuri. Justin. I'll protect them with my own hands.

By this time, I began to wheeze and felt the increasing urge to throw up. Tripping over my dragging feet, I fell flat on my face and rolled onto my back. Scratches from rocks and stones stung my face and knees as I fought to catch my breath.

Just give up.

I'll just be a burden if I try to get them back. 

Why did I even follow them? Do you think they'll carry a dead-weight like you on their team?

Didn't I already say that I wouldn't be going with them on the journey? I couldn't even fight. I would be useless if I go. I held up my soft and delicate hands and stared at them. These hands...only know of comfort and love. But I won't be able to experience any of that once I leave this den.

"Why are you looking at your hands?"

I gasped and sat up straight, looking behind me. A smiling Yuri was crouching behind me. Justin and Tristan stood behind him with confused looks.

"What are you guys doing here?" I breathed.

"Is that question meant for us or you?" Justin asked, his eyes taking in my horrible and messy appearance. "You really do stomp as loud as—"

He caught a rock I threw at him in irritation and smirked.

"What's wrong? Did something happen in the hideout?" Tristan asked, watching Justin throw the rock into the air and catching it back into his palm.

"Errr," I stammered. I stuck my hands out and waved them weirdly. "Uhh—you see...umm.."

Justin stopped throwing the rock in the air and narrowed his eyes at me. "You wanna come with us?"

"Of course n—" I stopped.

Did I want to go with them? Is that why I tried to chase after them? But why?

Tristan frowned at Justin. " Why would she want to come with us? Didn't she already—"

"I want to go."

The words come spilling out of my mouth before I registered what I said. When I do, I can't stop.

"I realized that I had something I want to get back from the king too. I want to learn more about this 'Royal Demon' thing. I will go with you on this journey. The decision I made back at the Elder's house was rash. I'm sorry. But I won't run away anymore! I'll face my own responsibilities now. I'll get stronger and defend who I want by my side..."

I feel even more breathless than I was originally by the time I finish and blinked. Oops. I stared at their faces and started to feel myself sweat excessively.

" Uhh," I turned my head around, not wanting them to see my red face.  "I—"

"Well then," Tristan smiled. "I think we need to wait for one more day until we start the journey, boys."

I swiveled around and see their smiling faces at me. Yuri cheered and rammed into me again. Justin stepped forward and leaned into my face. A little too close.

"You're in my personal bubble," I said, uncomfortably.

"Are you sure you're up to the task?" he asked.

"Of course," I glared up at him.

"You won't be able to sleep in comfy beds anymore."

"I'll manage."

"Showers won't be available."

"I'll survive."

"You're going to have to eat leaves again."

"I'll cope with it."

"You don't know how to do swordsmanship yet."

His last sentence sends a chill through my spine. But I refused to back down. I told myself that I will defend who I want close by my side with my bare hands.

"I'll learn."

His amber eyes pierced through me. A humming sound came from his throat and a smirk appeared on his face again. He leaned back up and patted my head.

"You said it."

I stared at his retreating white cloak, and I placed a hand on my hand where he patted unconsciously.

"C'mon Miss," Yuri sang, tugging my arm.

I stumbled up and jogged after Justin and Tristan who were already walking ahead of us.

"Why are we going back?" I asked.

Justin gives me a tired look. " Ugh. Why can't Monkey keep—"

"What he's saying," Tristan hurried to say after taking a quick glance at my irritated and mad expression. " Is that you rushed out of the hideout right?"

"Oh," I thought back to my heroic escape that startled everyone. Justin rolled his eyes as Yuri laughed, amused.

"We need to tell the Elder that you're coming with us," Tristan said. " That way, we won't have a huge party going out to try to look—"

"Never mind that," Justin said, pointing ahead. I looked up and feel shock consume me as I spotted people running towards us. I was even more surprised to see that Elder was ahead of everyone.

"Oh my god! Thank the heavens we found you!" Elder cried out in relief, holding my hands tightly in her grasp. She looked at the boys flanking me. "What are you doing here?"

"Monkey's fault," Justin muttered, pointing at me.

"Call me that again and—"

"Wait," the Elder said. "You're going to go on the journey with them?"

A strange silence fell over us. Everyone looked at me with a shocked expression.

"Yes," I breathed. "I'll be going with them."

The only sound that could be heard was the water gushing down from the entrance of the cave. Through the stinging of my wounds, I realized I must have looked like a mess. But that didn't matter to me. 

I couldn't be more glad that I had finally taken the first step to finding out about myself.

~~~~~

Chapter 10 is hereeeee! Please vote, comment, and spread my book to others if you enjoyed reading! Thank you guys so much for your support! <3

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