Italics are Alex's thoughts... remember that...

"Thank the heavens! You have no idea how many people leave after hearing me say that... often times I had thought about about lying and just going through with the ruse..." Chester sighed. For a minute, I felt bad but in the end I didn't really care, I wanted to leave, but I had to choice but to stay.

"Let me explain... Our village used to be booming! We used to have consistent farmers, merchants that frequented regularly, and above all... townsfolk. However, since my Dad-- ERR MAYOR! Left the town things have gone downhill. People starting leaving because I wasn't able to keep up with things... I've been trying! Trust me! But I am no lord of the land. Neither was my father. He was just a handsome outlaw who was good with a revolver..." He trailed off.

"Where is the mayor?" Girl asked.

"Honestly, I don't know... All I know is that I've got this town, and the people to protect of it."

People...?

I looked around, skeptical. "I don't see anyone here," I told him.

"There are still people here! A WHOLE THREE people left!"

"Wow!" Girl and I say, sarcastically, in unison. At least, I was sarcastic. Girl probably just wanted to make him feel better.

"Don't act so surprised..." Chester sighed, annoyed. "A merchant by the name of Ava, and a tavern owner by the name of Diablo. They're the only people I trust now, seeing as they didn't leave after the oringinal mayor left... So, are you still interested in staying here?" He asked.

"Not like I have a choice..." I mumbled.

"What was that?" Chester asked me.

"I said, I'm staying!" I had lied, quickly.

"Didn't sound like that but, thank ya kindly!" He smiled, shrugging. "You?" He askd the other girl.

"I don't really have a choice..." She mumbled.

"Me either..." I muttered along with her.

"I see.. looks like we all have our own secrets... In any case! I'm very glad to hear that! Now there are a few things you need to know about this town. First off, I've been absent as of late. Hence, the reason why I'm not able to help the town with supplies and such. There are... bandits in this town that I've been keeping away. Something the old mayor did. I won't be around much today, but you are free to do ANYTHING to help improve around here. See if you can help grow crops or something... Anything, REALLY helps."

He's desperate isn't he.... reminds me of my old friends...

I opened my mouth to say something but the other girl beat me to it.

"Do you have anything in mind?" She asked.

"Personally, I've gone nothing up my sleeve, but ask Ava and Diablo! They should have some tasks to help improve this place! Now, I've got to get going... Again thank you miss... and you miss... Heck, I even forgot to ask your names! I'm embarrassed... What were they again?"

Should I tell him my name? I looked at Girl. I don't think she's going to tell him... I'm not going to tell him either... He lied to us, and he probably has more secrets... But then again, I've been hiding my entire past... No. I'm not going to tell him.

"Uh... I don't really... Um..." I stuttered, trying to find a way to tell him that I won't tell him my name. Girl stayed quiet.

"I see... Frankly, I don't blame ya for not telling me. I lied to get you here. Trust is earned. Well, I hope you girls tell me your names in time. Until then, see ya partners!" He concluded.

"See ya 'round." The girl sighed as Chester got out of his chair and walked away.

I smiled at Girl. We were partners... at least, I thought so. "Should we?" I pointed to the direction the boys went.

She nodded. "Guys!" She turned to me for a second "I hope they didn't go far. We can't do this alone!"

We run towards the direction the boys went. "Thank goodness, they're still here!" The girl exclaimed as we ran towards them.

Rude was shaking his head at Cute. Yes I'm still calling them that. "Hey! Hey wait!" The girl yelled to them.

"Before you convince me to stay. Let me stop you there," Rude grunted. "I'm not looking for some justified reason to come here. I only came here for what was sold to me, and it was a lie. I don't appreciate being lied to."

You won't like me then.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr..." Cute started.

"None of your business!" Rude barked.

"Just call him rude, or salty," I tell Cute.

"HEY!" I heard Rude yell as I chuckled.

"Right... You know, in spite of everything, it seems like this was just a scam to help a dead village." It kind of hurt that Cute didn't laugh. Whatever.

"And what is wrong with that?" Girl asked. "It could be just as fun!" I nodded in response. I was just being her backup. I didn't exactly agree, but I had no choice. Escaping lives is my specialty, and I'm just doing my job.

"There are problems with the.. Uh.. Mayor here," Cute reminded us.

"Tell me, do you want to be a part of that?" Rude finished.

"No... but I came here to escape my... everyday life! And try to change things around," The girl explained.

"From what exactly?" Rude asked.

"None of your business!" Girl remarked.

"Exactly. You're problems are not my business so why should you be interested in the problems of this town?"

Girl frowned at Rude's statement. "You don't need a reason to help people!"

"Then, why are you here talking to us?" Rude raised an eyebrow.

I roll my eyes and bud in, breaking the 'Rude talks then Girl talks' chain. "You know this is the reason I call you rude. You always have snarky remarks and you don't care about people! At least, that's what I've gathered."

Then, we all heard a low growl, and it wasn't Rude. All together, everyone turns to see red glowing eyes.

"What the?"

"What is that? EKK!" The girl screamed, starting to run towards the village.

Meanwhile, I froze.

Those eyes... they look exactly like mine when I-

Suddenly, Cute grabs my arm, and we all run into the village and into a random house.

"What. Was. That?!?!?!" The girl shrieked once we were safe inside.

"I think it was a monster!" Rude exclaimed.

"That's impossible!" Cute interjects, panting. Actually all of us are panting.

"Yeah, I mean, I am fascinated by monsters, but they went instinct years ago." I said. I heard the girl mumble something, but I ignored it.

"Well it could've been a rabid wolf or something." Rude grunted. "That's it, I'm outta here."

"You're seriously going to leave with that thing out there? The carriage doesn't come back in a few days!" Cute yelled.

"Darn it!" Rude cursed under his breath.

Carriage? Where are these guys from? They're obviously not from the city...

The girl was giggling, so I decided to speak up. "Woah, woah, woah... You guys came in a carriage?"

"Yeah, didn't you?" Cute asked, slightly confused.

"No- Well uh- I mean- uh- Whatever! My method in travel isn't important. What's important..." I regained my posture as my breathing went back to normal. "... is that we all get some rest. There some people in this town that need our help. We can find them in the morning." I declared.

The girl looked out the window. "Uh... Night guys!" She said as she ran into a room.

"What was that about?" Rude asked.

"I don't know," I replied. Cute just shrugged.

"Ugh. I can't believe I'm stuck here! I'm going into the other room!" And Rude stormed into the second room.

"Welp, there are only two rooms, and they're both taken. I'll take the floor, you can take the couch," I offered.

"No, no, no... I am not letting a lady, such as you, sleep on the floor on my watch. I thank you for the offer, but you take the couch. I insist," Cute said as I smiled.

"Thank you."

He's a gentleman, and he's cute? Why?

I thought as I laid down on the couch and drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~