A soft glow of blue and purple light blanketed them, providing enough light to provide visibility up to 7 feet away.  If they needed more, Robin could easily take the lantern out, and if they needed less, she could use her hat to dim the light.  

They pressed onwards, the leaves of billowy trees hovering over them as if providing protection.  The panicked sounds and light were still behind them, but farther now, as they picked up pace.  Robin continued her swift progress forward, with no idea where she was heading.  They just needed to get away from whatever was after them.  The farther away they got, the louder the dead leaves sounded under their feet, the louder their heavy breaths—

”Robin..I’m Robin.” she said.  The last word got caught dryly in her throat, and she broke into a coughing fit; speaking wasn’t her strong point, and she was reminded how much every time she opened her mouth.  It was better to get names out of the way if they were going to stick together.  

A hand slipped into her own.  They didn’t break their speed and kept moving swiftly, avoiding the thick roots of the trees and the occasional debris that scattered the floor.  It was almost calming, this feeling.  Nostalgia hit her like a brick, and she silently longed for her home, where she was free to roam the alleys and rooftops with her motley crew of runners, and where her family was, working and toiling at the inn like they always did.

But there was a lightness in her; there was adventure and new terrain to explore—if there was one thing she got from her father, it was her wily nose for adventure.

Her senses still screamed danger, but there was an undercurrent of excitement.  Looking into the darkness of the forest, she wondered if she was foolish to feel that way. 

The blue light from behind her dimmed and she looked back, to see the translucent girl stop and spin in circles.  They had made considerable ground, and the lights that followed behind them were much smaller than before.  

Fireflies fluttered around the mysterious girl as she spun, gently light reflecting off her dress and flowers; Robin stood silently, transfixed by the radiance of the girl compared to the eeriness of the forest.  She could almost understand how someone could feel so at home in such a strange environment, but the absolute carefreeness of the girl eluded her. 

Robin looked back at the lights in the distance and let go of MC’s hand, rushing towards the nameless girl.  She grabbed the girl’s wrist and gently tugged her forwards.  Robin looked at her with steady eyes and urged her to continue with them.