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We scrambled to stand up, debris prickling through my skin, reminding me that we were alone in what once used to be a bar filled with people waiting to steal my blood for themselves.

The girl.

We had to save the other Scaleborne.

It looked as though we were in a war zone. Fragments, shards, and ash from the nightmare that I lived in were scattered across the ground, reminding me of what I went through and what could’ve happened. The man stayed limp near the wall, his blood stains a reminder of what was on my hands.

I was almost a part of the Scaleborne trade. It was a world that I had never wanted to experience again. It pained and ached for me to know that others were living this every single day–a torment over and over again. Their bodies were being bruised, hurt, and touched in ways that should never be.

Kids, too.

I shook away the thought and the tears that filled my eyes. I wanted to make sure that this never happened again.

The sconces that used to line the bar were now tipped, oil leaking out. We stepped over the broken and knocked over tables and chairs as we reached the damaged door frame that led into the back. I begged the gatekeeper ofEzu1 that no one kidnapped her and took her with them in their efforts to escape. My eyes remained closed, nervous about what I wouldn’t find.

I almost couldn’t peer around the door frame, fearing what I wouldn’t see. However, I pushed through my fears, needing to help her.

She was there.

Alongside the dog who had the tail of a snake, there were also birds with multiple heads and hundreds of eyes that I didn’t notice earlier, displayed in every color that you could imagine. There were rats with large ears and claws, or even snakes with teeth that draped out of their mouths.

A sob released from my mouth. It was the same room I had been in before, being held captive alongside the other animals. She was still confined in the small barred cage. Her knees were up, her arms wrapped around her legs, hiding her face. Her green hair was greasy and cloaked over her battered shoulders. Slices of gold and raw skin covered her body. Other gashes were deeper and more intense than others.

I dashed toward her, dropping to my knees in front of her cage. The sound of Damian's presence lingered behind me, his silent observation tense.

“Malua2?!”I scrounged for a mental connection for her to hear me. “Are you okay?!” I repeated out loud.

Panic emerged, filling my body with dread. There was not even a sign of her moving, let alone breathing.

Finally, it erupted. The sound was deep, and her chest was heaving with the efforts. The sobs came next, uncontrollably spilling over.

I reached my arm in, placing my hand on her leg, letting her know I was there for her. I glanced over my shoulder, locking eyes with Damian across the room. He was standing near the door frame we entered through, surveying the place. His face held remorse for what the girl was feeling.

As I shifted my focus back to the girl, the rhythm of her sobs gradually eased, their intensity waning. Removing my hand back, I started to mess with the silver lock on her cage to get her out. Her legs must be so tired and sore from the small cage, bending to fit in a size that was not fit for a human.

The lock was a bulky, rounded one with a small key portal. Rising to my feet, I scanned the room, searching for any sign of the key. That horrible man probably had it. I cursed him toHaxnau3 until I heard a large slam.

Damian had grabbed the hilt of his knife and busted it into the rusted lock. It didn’t move, but made a large dent. The girl with lime green hair had lifted her head, fear on her face as Damian lifted the knife up into the air to smash it again. Her golden eyes flinched with each movement.

After a few hits, the lock collapsed, releasing the secured part. The gate door swung open, and Damian stood back, impressed with his work.

I opened my mouth to ask her where she was from, to ask her how we could help her, but she darted. Shock overwhelmed my body, not even processing that she was running. She made it out the door when I finally encouraged my legs to follow her.

“Hey!” I called out, tracing her steps by hopping over the piles of dust and debris and out through the opening. Her green hair streamed behind her as she raced ahead, outpacing me.

I tripped, wasting time, and reached the large gaping entrance. I saw Belle still in the same spot in the bar, waiting for Damian and me.

“Hey! Wait!” I yelled. I arrived at the entrance, my gaze sweeping the area, but there was no sign of her presence. I wasn’t sure which direction she ran in, as the shadows and darkness of the forest, mountains, and ocean merged into one large oil painting.

Searching for her presence in my mind, it was no longer there. It had fled.

Damian came up behind me.

“We lost her,” I said, disappointed. I wasn’t sure why I was so upset.

“It’s not your fault. We freed her, and she made her decision.” I nodded, agreeing that he was right. “Should we go camp and create a fire?”

“We have to do one more thing,” I commented, returning to the caged room.