We see Rob fall to his knees and stare at the water, then we go down a little dip in the ground and he's gone from our sight. We turn around to face the direction we're being carried, watching for something to grab a hold of so we can get out. Sadly there is nothing in sight.

"man, this is bad. What if we can't get out? What if Rob can't find us? What if we die out here? What if we-!"

"stop thinking about the what if's, Dart! We will get out of this water! Rob will find us! And we will not die out here!!!" Scratch says, cutting my worrying short. "Just stop worrying and focus on our first task, getting out of the stream!"

"Ok, I can do that. Lets get closer to the bank where there's more likely to be something for us to grab onto," I say.

"There's the Dart I know and love!" He say, giving me a quick shoulder bump.

  It takes a while, but we manage to fight the current enough to get to the bank. I'm not sure how much later, but we see a root sticking out and I manage to grab hold of it. I let Scratch climb up first and then I follow close behind. Once we're safe on the bank, away from the edge, we lie down and catch our breath. A few minutes later we hear a rustling in the grass and sit up, neither of us move. All the sudden we're grabbed from behind. I try to see who grabbed us but they blindfold me before I can see anything.

"Hey! let us go or you're gonna be in big trouble!" I shout,

"Who are you, and what do you want from us?" Scratch asks,

"It's none of your business who we are! As for what we want from you, well let's just say you have something we need." A deep, harsh voice says from behind.

"Us? What could we possibly have that you would need, and how would you know anyway?"

"Yes, you two have something we need to save our village. As for how we know, we've been watching you every-time you come into this forest over the last decade. You two and the giant that's been holding you captive," the voice says.

"Ok. first off, creepy! and second, he hasn't been holding us captive, we chose to be with him. Ever since he took us in when we were younger. He saved our lives, and he cares about us." Scratch explains, 

"yeah, so you better let us go before he finds us! " I say, 

"One of those giant monsters? Caring? Yeah right. The only things those things care about are themselves and their possessions, which is where you come in. A giant rock has fallen and is blocking the only entry point to our only source of food, if we don't find a way to move it soon, the whole village will die. We need your giant to move it for us," He says.

"Oh, well if that's the case, then this is not the way to get him to help. Look once we find Rob, we can ask him to help you guys out. You can even come with us, if you're worried about us just bolting off. Either way, if you want our 'giant's' help, first you need to release us and then we need to follow the stream back that way." Scratch says, pointing back the way we came.

"hmmm... Well you two seem trustworthy enough. Alright, release them! Just know, if you're trying anything, you will be killed on the spot. Now then, before we go looking for your giant friend, let us take you back to our village so you can change into some dry clothing. You must be freezing in those drenched rags you're wearing,"

"Oh, well thank you, but we promised our friend to stay by the stream." Scratch says sheepishly,

"Oh no need to worry, our village isn't to far from here, just a few minutes walk from here heading down stream. The water won't be to far out of eyesight, we'll still be able to here it, or your friend if he's nearby."

"Well..." Scratch looks over to me, I shrug. "Sure why not, what's a quick visit?" He decides,

  The man only nods before turning around and walking back into the grass, his two two accompanies waiting for us to stat walking. Scratch and I look at each other then start walking. I don't trust him 100% yet, but I don't question him as we walk supposedly towards the village.

. . .

"Curse my god dam luck, I can't believe I let them get away from me so easily! What kind of friend am I?!" I mutter to myself as I continue along the stream, watching carefully in the stream and where I step.  

 I got up from my minor slump a few minutes after Dart and Scratch disappeared and I've been walking for about haft an hour looking for them so far. 

"Geeze how far could they have gone?" I continue walking.

(time skip)

 I follow the stream for only god knows how long with still no sign of Dart and Scratch. As it grows darker, my worry increases. "I've been looking for hours, why haven't I been able to find them yet?" 

Suddenly, I hear my dad's voice calling me. I debate whether to call back or not, but I know my family must be worried, so I call back. "I'm over here dad,"

"Oh thank goodness you're alright! Your mother and I were so worried about you, what are you doing out here?" He asks as he's walking towards me.

 I quickly take off my pendant and put it in my pocket, "I dropped my pendant in the stream and it floated away, I was looking for it but I can't find it. I'll be back at camp within the hour I promise, just give me a while longer to try and find it! Please!" I lie,

"I'll give you haft an hour more but that's it," my dad replies.

 He turns around and walks back to camp. I let out a sigh of relief and putting my pendant back on before continuing to look for Scratch and Dart.

. . .

"Thanks for the clothes, they're really comfy, and warm!" I say, looking over to the man I haven't learned the name of yet.

He is pretty tall compared to others around here, but we're still taller by a bit. He has long blonde hair pulled back into a braid and sky blue eyes.

"Yeah these threads are sweet, what are they made of?" Dart asks,

"Ummm, I don't know off the top of my head. Honestly I'm not sure if I want to know," 

"Ok then. By the way, I don't believe we caught your name." I say

"Oh, my apologies. It's Charlie, Charlie Leef." He replies,

"Nice to meet you Charlie, I'm Drake and this is my friend Sarae. Pleasure to meet you," Dart says.

"Same to you. So how long have you been living with the giant?" Charlie asks,

"The giant's name is Robert first off, please call him so. and we've been living with him for a little over 12 years," 

"Oh my, you must really trust the gi-I mean Robert." He says, correcting himself at the last minute.

"Yes, we trust him with our very lives. I'm sure he would love to meet you and others that live here, but first we must solve your food problem. how about you show us where the problem is before Robert gets here?" I say, pulling on my new shoes.

"Um, that is quiet the trek away from the stream and we wouldn't want your friend to be anymore worried than he must already be. That reminds me, we should get going. It's getting dark and your friend will probably be heading back to camp soon." Charlie explains,

"Oh, good point. Hey do you know where our camp is?" Dart asks excitedly.

"Yes, we know almost every inch of this area by memory. It's actually a short trip from here, given that you don't mind heights." He answers,

Dart goes white as a sheet. 

"Come on Dart, I know heights aren't really your thing but do you want to be able to sleep with Rob tonight or not?" I say, trying to convince him to do it.

"Yeah I guess. So, how are we getting there?" Dart asks nervously,

"by birds!" Charlie says, (yes I kinda stole that from "Epic")

"Ok then, lets get this over with." He says, sound less and less confident by the second.

"One thing before we go, do you have any bags we can carry our stuff in?" I ask, motioning to our socked garments.

"Oh, yes of course. Just a moment, Huckle, go get two of the extra leaf bags out of storage!" He orders one of the soldiers, 

"Yes sir!" He replies before running off,

"Thank you so much for your help, we greatly appreciate it." I say looking back to Charlie,

"Oh it's not a problem, the best we can do after treating you as we did earlier. Besides, this also means we may have our food problem solved sooner."

"Of course," 

Just then, the soldier, carrying two bags, runs back into the room. "Here you go, this should hold your stuff just fine." The soldier says, handing us each a bag made of leaves.

"Thank you," I say.

"Thanks man," Dart replies for the first time in a while.

we quickly pack up our stuff and fasten the bags shut, "so we ready to go?" I ask,

"Yes, let's get going." Charlie says, leading us to something that looks like a stable with a bunch of humming birds. (ya I know, real original! ;))

"Sarae, you'll be flying with Huckle. Drake, you'll be flying with me." He orders,

"Ok, lets get home!" I say, climbing up on the humming bird behind Huckle.

"Come on boy, saddle up." Charlie says, looking down at Dart from on top his bird.

"uhhhh, lets get this over with. the sooner we leave, the sooner we can land again!" He replies, climbing up on the bird.

The three of us laugh then take off,

"Oh god this was a bad idea!"

To be continued...

Squirt out :)