Leah was downstairs shortly after being called and looked up at her mum expectantly while Sophie was rummaging through her bag, pulling out her purse.

"Can you go to the shop? It's a straight walk from here, see if you can get something to make a fire and pick up something for dinner okay? Don't wander off though."

There was a slight drop in Leah's stomach at the thought of going out alone as the sun was already setting, she didn't know the area. But she smiled and took the purse before stepping outside, the wind had already begun to pick up making the fallen leaves rustle as they floated against the gravel.
"Straight road...it's not that bad."

In her mind, it was full of whispering. So many times in the city she would go out and every time she went somewhere new there was this feeling in the stomach like being on a fast elevator, it made the stomach twist.
Perhaps the outside of the city wasn't the same but even so, the need to hug her hoodie closer and to check around behind her was more vital now, every sound multiplied by ten.

It was quiet, the same silence that made awkward pauses build. The rustle of bushes and leaves in the breeze was the only sound besides her feet tapping against the concrete as she walked, it left an eerie feeling in Leah's chest.

"Hi!"

The sudden greeting made Leah's heart race, her eyes rising to the guy before her who smiled standing closer than she had ever wanted.
"You're new here right? Living in old Madblood's house? My name's Jason."

"Madblood?"

It sounded so ridiculous that it was all she could catch besides his name, an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, the old house at the end of the road used to belong to Creepy Old Madblood. He used to go out during the mornings and whenever he was seen he was always grumbling like a mad guy and covered in blood, Hence the name."

An old guy covered in blood and no one found that odd?
Jason just smiled at her as she started to walk past, only to be pursued.

"You never gave me your name?"
"I don't give my name to strangers."
"Hey, wait."

He grabbed her wrist to which she started to squirm, panic grasping her throat until Jason patted her shoulder. His eyes were watching her with a concern, causing Leah to pause.

"You're from the city right? So you probably don't realise it but the village is a lot like this, we are friendly and sociable and I dunno what you've experienced but I wanna warn you."

She perked her head up at this as he continued,
"You'll get a lot of people wanting to talk to you, to know you. They're nosy and they gossip but they're good people, if you don't wanna be asked all sorts just hang around me okay? They don't like me."

Cause that's not creepy or anything...

"Look Jason, I don't know you. You could be a psycho all I know so why should I trust you at all? Especially since you still won't let go of my arm."

His face softened and with a smile he let go of her arm, taking a step back with his arms raised as if Leah was a cop about to arrest him.
She stared at him, really taking in the details before catching his eyes. When was the last time she met someone with eyes as lively as a forest?

"Okay...I still don't fully trust you but I would like to not be cornered by a bunch of people and just get to the shop quietly."

His arm looped into hers and with a grin they began walking down the road, glancing at each other every other minute.

"So your name is...?"
"I thought you weren't gonna be like the other people in this village?"

He scoffed and tilted his head, Jason's eyes shining mischievously.
"If anyone comes close to asking you something I can tell them tidbits to keep them off ya, just your name and that you're from the city and your favourite colour and stuff. Unless you want them to pester you?"

"This sounds an awful lot like a threat."

She watched as he grinned silently and sighed telling him what she needed to.
"Leah Hyde, I grew up in the city and my favourite colour is dark pink."

Ahead she noticed a small sign and what she could assume was the shop, so far she had only seen two people walk by and they kept their distance.
Leah looked up at Jason and frowned,

"You said the people wouldn't bother me if I hung around you, why?"

His face dropped slightly before he shook his head and opened the door for Leah.
"Let's just say I'm an Oddity."

Jason lifted his face to greet the shop owner who waved at them warmly, his wrinkled fingers lifting the glasses to his face.

"Ahh, Jason my boy! What can I do for you today?"
"Hiya Mike! My friend here is new to town and I'm just helping her out."

The old man turned his gaze to Leah before dropping the newspaper from his counter, eyes wide.

"You're that girl! Living in Old Madblood's house! The girl from the car accident!"