Leon: V.O It’s been five years since I slain my parents. That horrible day is etched in my brain for all eternity. They were not themselves. They were monsters. They kept mumbling incoherently. As I inched closer to them, they attacked me. They struck me and attacked my wife, Jada. I couldn’t let that happen. In my rage and anger, they forced me to do something that made God weep. I’m sorry, mother and father. *shouts aloud* Please forgive me. Please Forgive Me!
Jada: *calms Leon down* Shh, Honey. You’ll wake Renee. *whispers* We wouldn’t want that, would we?
Leon: *kisses her cheek* You’re right, darling. Sorry. *whispers back* Do you think that we should tell her, now? *looks over at Renee and Sam cuddled together sleeping soundly, frowns*
Jada: No, we’ll wait until tomorrow. She seems to be enjoying her company.
Leon: Does HE have to be sleeping so close to her like that?
Jada: *giggled softly* the boy likes her, let them be, dear. Besides, we were that age when we started dating.
Leon: *shouts furiously and startles Renee and Sam awake* Renee and that boy are too young.
Renee: *rubs her eyes* what the heck, Leon? …Sam and I were sleeping and you woke us up.
Leon: *smiled widely* Well, It’s early enough for breakfast.
Renee and Sam look at each other and start to hesitate, they suddenly get a death glare from Jada as Leon starts to pass out food. Jada’s eyes said, “Eat his food or I shall strike you both with lightning.” The two young teens took the food and backed away slowly from the couple. Sam smiled at Renee as she ate the food, glumly. Renee blushed and looked away from Sam. It was shortly after breakfast and Leon called Renee over.
Leon: Hey, Sis. Would you like to take a walk with me? I have something important to tell you.
Renee: *replied as she brushed off her dress* Sure, big brother. *turns to Sam* I’ll be right back.
Sam: *nodded and smiled*
Jada: *whispers* be gentle about it.
Leon: *replied* I will.
Leon and Renee took a walk in the woods. He watched as she spun around happily. Leon’s face grimaced as he told her what happened.
Leon: Renee, do you remember the day, mother and father disappeared?
Renee: *starts to tear up* How could I forget? They left without saying goodbye.
Leon: *continued choking back sobs as he shouted* They didn’t just leave!
Renee: *startled* What do you mean?
Leon: *voice trembling* they---I had to. I killed them.
Renee: *almost didn’t believe him* you---What?
Silence followed shortly after as Renee tried to make sense of it. She couldn’t bear to look him in the eye. Leon continued and told the story. He told her everything, he could remember. He told her about the mysterious virus and how it got started with experiments on rabbits for attempting to cure a flu like virus that was killing a lot of people. He told her, how the rabbits turned into wild feral animals and how they bit the scientists researching them. At that point, Renee covered her ears, she couldn’t take any more of this information.
Renee: *ran away from Leon and screamed* Stay away from me, you monster.
Leon: *ran after her, pleading* Renee, please come back.
Renee: *shouted back* No!
Renee ran out of the woods and kept running until she ran into Sam and Jada. Sam tried to calm her down but she pushed past him and kept running. Leon ran up to Jada and Sam. Sam immediately grabbed Leon by the shirt. His eyes flickered with anger.
Leon: *tries to reassure Sam* Calm down, Sam. I just told her what happened. She took it the wrong way.
Sam released Leon’s shirt.
Leon: *asked* Could you please go check on her?
Sam nodded and went after Renee. After a few minutes of searching, he came across an old abandoned cabin. He entered slowly and she turned to face him.
Renee: *huffed out of breath* Go away, Sam.
Sam ignored her request and wrapped her in a warm embrace. He smiled down at her and started humming a little tune. She blushed and began sobbing as she wrapped her arms around him, too.
Renee: *cried heaving sobs* Oh, Sam…It’s awful, my brother, Leon---He killed our parents. How---How could he?
Sam: *spoke slowly* Renee, I had to do much worse. That same virus got hold of my whole family and I couldn’t save them, I couldn’t save her.
Renee: *sniffled and asked* her?
Sam: *replied sadly* my little sister, Juniper. *voice broke* I had to kill her. She was only five years old.
Renee: *sniffled* I’m sorry for your loss…I didn’t know.
Sam: *replied* You’re the first, I’ve told.
Renee: Really? So, Leon doesn’t know.
Sam: Leon…doesn’t even know I can speak. When your party found me, last year, Leon and Jada thought I was deaf.
Renee: *gasped* I thought the same thing.
Sam: *teary-eyed* Well, you’re all wrong. I just never really opened up to anyone…except…*blushed* You.
Renee: *blushed* I don’t know what to say.
Sam: *smiled* don’t say anything.
The pair sat there for a while not speaking until Sam quickly added.
Sam: Yeah, I’m sorry for your loss too. But at least you have your brother. I don’t have anyone.
Renee: *erupted with anger and shouted* You have us! We’re your family, now. *blushed and whispered* You have me.
Sam: *chuckled lightly and whispered back* Thank you. Now you see why Leon did what he had to do.
Renee: *sighed* Yeah, but I’m still mad at him.
Sam: *replied* Just be glad that he didn’t have to kill you, too.
Renee: Thanks, I’ll remember that. *shuddered and asked* Do you think he would have killed me?
Sam: *replied* It probably wouldn’t even phase him. However, I don’t want to think about that so instead I’ll protect you until the ends of the earth.
Renee: *blushed and stammered* you’ll---what?
Sam: *took her hand and kissed it* I’ll be your shield.
Renee: *blushed and stood up* No, I don’t need a shield. I need a friend. Can you do that?
Sam: *nodded*
Renee: Good. Let’s go back, Leon and Jada must be worried sick about us.
The teens headed out of the cabin, when they were attacked by infected rabbits. The rabbits attack Renee. Sam immediately rushed to her aid. He put up a strong defense around her. Renee got up and grabbed her bow and arrows. Her light green dress danced in the wind as she pulled back the bowstring. The rabbits hopped toward her ready to attack. She released the string and slew all five rabbits. Sam was impressed.
Sam: *exclaimed* Wow, I had no idea, your level was that high.
Renee: *blushed* I’m only level 18.
Sam: *took her hand and pulled her close* Me too!
Before Renee could say anything else, Leon and Jada showed up. Leon frowned.
Leon: *shouted* Sam, I told you to check on her not get her involved in a battle.
Before Sam could say anything, Renee spoke.
Renee: IT was my choice not his. *shouted* I’m not some delicate little doll, Leon. I’m a person. I can handle myself just fine.
Leon: *started to tear up* I’m sorry, Sis. I’m so very sorry. Please forgive me.
Renee: I can’t…I can’t do that, right now. Maybe someday.
Leon sniffled and nodded.
Leon: *wiping his eyes* Come on, I saw another village not too far from here.
Jada: *smiled lovingly at her husband* What’s it called?
Leon: *pulled out the map* It’s called Sapphire Grove.
Jada: *eyes lit up* I’ve been to Sapphire Grove. They have a lot of shops, there. We can finally get better armor and robes. *stared at Renee’s outfit* I mean look at your little sister. She needs better armor.
Renee: *blushed* What’s wrong with my armor?
Jada: *hissed* It’s too revealing. *looking the outfit up and down*
As soon as Jada said that, Sam draped his thick cloak over her. He looked over at Jada in disgust.
Renee: *blushed and whispered* Thank you, Sam.
Sam flashed a smile in her direction as Leon cleared his throat interrupting the innocent moment.
Leon: *sternly* After much thought and consideration, I’ve concluded that we’re going to Sapphire Grove. *put the map away in his bag* From there, we’ll plan one long trip to Star Falls.
Renee: *protested* A trip to Star Falls will take months.
Leon: *angered* Don’t fight me on this. Besides, Grandma and Grandpa had already sent a whole bundle of coins to the next nearby bank.
Renee: *crossed her arms and hissed* What makes you so sure that Grandma and Grandpa are even alive?
In one swift move, Leon motioned toward his little sister. Leon outstretched his hand to slap her and Sam swiftly apprehended Leon before anything could happen.
Sam: *snarled* Don’t you dare touch her? *craze look in his eye*
Leon: *shocked that Sam spoke* Okay, just let me go…Sam.
Sam, instead tighten his grip of Leon. Renee pulled out her bow and arrow and readied the bowstring. Finally, Jada had enough and stepped into aid her husband. She started singing an old elvish song. The effects of the song caused the young teens to lose balance and soon, they were sound asleep. Leon thanked his wife and chuckled.
Leon: Thank heavens that song worked. I don’t know what came over those two. *picked up Renee* I got her, if you get him. *pointed at Sam*
Jada: *chuckled* Yeah, we have our hands full with these two numb-skulls. *picked up Sam with ease* Let’s get to Sapphire Grove before nightfall.
Leon: Okay, let’s go.
Leon led the way as Jada followed after him. He turned back to look at his wife and smiled.
Leon cradled his little sister in his arms as the party left the forest.
End of Introduction
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