I listened to the preacher say some parting words that were supposed to offer comfort, but nothing could help right now. I didn’t belong here, maybe not anywhere. Hearing the screeching sound calling for me, I turned and spotted the creature standing by a tree. Turning sharply, I spotted a warrior man, another creature…shit, they’re everywhere. I felt the now familiar stone in my pocket and the warmth offered me comfort. Instead of letting go, I held it in my hand. As soon as the preacher finished, I headed away from the crowd, toward a couple of huge trees. I wanted to draw those things away from the others: it wasn’t their fight. I could feel them following me, gaining ground. Ignore them, I thought, but I knew the charade was over. I took off running. As I rounded the tree, all I could think was I wished my mom or dad were here to help me. The warmth from the stone encased my body. A bright light opened up in front of me as I plowed onward, afraid to stop. I tripped, fell to ground and hit my head. This was the end.
