• It wasn't too bad out. Not bad enough that I really needed to stay inside. So, like most other times, I was sent out to play. Rather than stay in the front or back yard, I went off into the woods behind our house. They weren't scary. In fact, I'd been out here alone so many times that there wasn't a single thing there that I could no longer identify. So, like the little idiot I was, I thought it was okay to go deeper in.

    I wandered around, examining the plants and animals. As I ventured further and further in, less wildlife appeared. And as less wildlife appeared, so did claw marks on the trees. I ran my fingers over them and looked around. There wasn't a single thing that could have made marks like this, at least not anything natural. I stood up and followed the markings. Maybe I could find what was doing this.

    The trail led to a small seemingly abandoned house. I shoved the heavy door open and coughed. There was dust all over the place. The furniture, that of which I had no clue as to why is was here, was old fashioned. Stuff that looked like it belonged in the Victorian era or something. I placed my hand on the thing closest to me. I had created a hand print on what I thought was a mirror. My fingers traced the edge of the frame.

    I went up the spiraling stairs and walked into one of the large rooms. The room wasn't nearly as dusty as the rest of the house. In facet, it was spotless. I pulled the deep red canopy to the side and stared at what lay before me. A boy with dark brown hair, weird ears that reminded me of a wolf, a tail of the same color, and he was dressed in a large bright orange shirt. He slept quietly, his breath even.

    I glanced around again, trying to think of a logical explanation for this boy to be here. There simply wasn't one. When I placed my eyes back to him, I realized that he was awake. And he was sniffing me.

    "You smell odd. Like flowers." I jumped and stared at him. His voice was surprisingly deep. His ear twitched. "Who are you." That was most defiantly a demand.

    "I-I'm Alli Clover." I mentally cursed myself for stuttering. He sat back, satisfied with my answer. I watched him with some interest. He seemed to be looking over me, analyzing me completely. I couldn't help but realize I should have been home by now, or at least closer to it. He grabbed my hand and growled, "Don't even think about it." I could feel fear grow inside of me. Was he going to keep me here?

    "But, m-my parents..." He gave me a sharp look to tell me to shut up. I shut my mouth and looked to the ground. This boy wasn't happy. He pulled me down to the bed and kept a hold of my hand.

    "You're staying here. Like it or not. You can't leave this house, even if you want to. I won't let you." My eyes widened in shock. I could feel my voice tremble in my throat.

    "Can I p-please have your name..."

    "Kiri."