One morning... Posted at 8:30 AM 0 comments (+) It came to me in a dream. Dew glimmered on the grass, and the sun shone through the trees in the woods with a silvery brilliance. I was inside the setting of a gorgeous fairytale. That, I knew.

Cielo awoke on a pile of damp leaves. When she opened her eyes, she saw Rio laying beside her, facing the other way. What time was it? she wondered. She stood up and brushed away the brittle leaves on her skirt, examining their surroundings.

They were in the forest they escaped to last night. Cielo looked around, slowly taking everything in. She breathed, the air slightly crisp. Rubbing her hands together to keep warm, she looked at Rio intently. She didn't want to think about what had happened to the manor, but she found herself remembering it anyway. She had set the mansion, along with her family, on fire. It was all my fault.

Taking a crimson ribbon from her pocket, Cielo brushed her similarly coloured hair back and tied it up. Rio stirred, and mumbled something under his breath.

"Morning," Cielo smiled, wistfully.

"Damn, it's so cold." Rio got up, still half asleep, running his fingers through his hair.

Cielo noticed that he didn't ask her to use her magic to warm them up, and for that she was thankful. "We'll leave after we eat breakfast, and then..." She stopped. And then what? Where would they go? Where would she go?

A reassuring hand touched her shoulder. "Hey," it said. "Don't try to take all the responsibility for yourself, okay?"

"As if you would let me."

Cielo sensed Rio smile confidently. "Look, I live in the town on the other side of this forest. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind you staying with us for a while."

A strained silence.

This time, Rio knew. He withdrew his hand and stood back to back to Cielo. The lighthearted tinkling of a music box could be heard.

-end part 2-