Encounter

3 Years later.........

It was quiet. The only sound that can be heard are the rustling of leaves and birds sang joyfully throughout the forest. A young girl that looks about the age of 10 and a boy about the same age stood silently for a moment, breathing deeply the scent of nature. The girl glanced around, taking in the beauty around her before finally going forward while holding the boys hand.

As they walked, the forest seemed to turn silent around the two of them. They continued to walk through the forest curious what lies ahead as it is their first time going deep through the forest and just the brother and sister at that.

Rustle

Rustle

Rustle

Rustle

Continuing on their way, they soon came upon an empty field. There was a wooden hut at the middle the empty field. They took a glance at the surrounding and saw a man that was just laying down at the grass near the hut. It was as though the man noticed the both of them that the temperature had dropped several degrees. The girls mind wandered at the man. He didn't look "normal" to say the least, his skin was black and was missing an arm he had leaves for covering his body. 'Are we going to die' was the girls though as she stared at the man.

What am i doing? She thought. Why was she not running with his brother back, why were they still standing there like rocks. She hadn't even notice her back was full of cold sweat. Has she lost her mind? What would happen to them now?

"Don't move"

"Wh-what?" She looked straight at the man as she heard a voice echoed in their ears.

"Do not move" The voice was dull but somewhat soft, yet firm.

"Ummm....."

"What are you children doing here in the first place?"

The man said while sitting down. There was definitely no way she was going to stay here, As soon as the man sat down she already ran from where they first came from. Where was the path? There! The forest was no longer quiet as she can hear her own heart beat pounding louder and louder. And darkness seemed to have fallen in a blink of an eye.

Tripped on something.

Fell.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

She tried to run faster with her brother beside her. And as Her footsteps became faster, So did the feeling that someone was just behind them crept into her soul. Her heart was pounding so hard she almost couldn't hear their footsteps as they ran.

Although the girl was only ten years old, her skin was white as snow and exquisite face to boot at that and the boy has delicate features which one might mistake his gender if he was not wearing clothing for men. But no one could pay attention to this as there was no one near the vicinity, Except the man with a missing arm above observing them properly.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

"KYAAAAHHHHHH"

The girl screamed as a man suddenly appeared before them, that man was naturally 'Ye Qing' with black burned skin and a missing arm he looks a little bit frightening when one looks at him directly.

"Sob.. Sob.. Sob.. Sob... Sob..."

".................."

"We...'we're sorry.. ...For disturbing you.... Mister... Please don't eat us we do not taste good."

The girl said while sobbing as the boy hide behind her sisters back shivering from fright.

"Relax i don't eat people especially kids like you, From the first place i was just asking what are kids doing at this place?"

"Umm... We wanted to explore.... deep into the forest..... because we heard we can get a lot of herbs deep into the forest."

"I see.... But do the two of you know how dangerous this place is?"

The girl nodded her head fully knowing just how dangerous being here is, while the boy peeked at the side to see the man in front of them.

"Then why did the two of you insist on still going through this forest despite knowing the danger?"

"Because our mom is sick and dad is injured from hunting, their is no one else to take care of them and we don't have money to buy medicine at the village so the only choice for us is to look for them ourselves!"

The girl said almost screaming as water filled her eyes again.

"Ohhh? That was why you two are here? Then let me ask you.... Do you even know what herbs you are looking for, What they're called, and what they looked like?"

"Ahhh! ..... No"

"The-" Before Ye qing finished his words the girl spoke again.

"Even if we don't know what type of herbs we picked up as long as we can sell it then maybe... maybe we can get enough to buy the medicine for our parents."

The girl said with determination seen in her eyes, and as ye qing heard her words. He observed them closely and to his surprise the girl lost all of her fear as she stood in front of him.

"You said your mom is sick and dad injured?"

"Yes."

"I see..." After pondering for a second he spoke again.

"Then why don't i help you cure your parents?"

The girls eyes widened in disbelief of what she just heard, She couldn't help but ask again to see if she was just day dreaming or what she heard was true or not.

"Cu...cure our parents? Mister can you really cure our parents? I will do anything please help our parents!"

The girl said as she bowed her head to the man while her brother mimicked and bowed his head as well.

"No need for that, By the way what are your names?"

"Uhhh....." The girl looked at her brother for a second before speaking again.

"My name is Su Yexin and this is my little brother Su Feng, By the way what is yours mister?"

The girl said as she looked at the man in front of her.

"Ye Qing" He replied.

"Ye qing....." The girl uttered.

"Take me to your parents but you have to promise me not to go in dangerous places in the future got it?" Ye Qing said while eyeing the two kids.

"W...We promise.." The girl muttered softly and a tint blush appeared in her face.