THE EXILED MOON

a rodent but I had no choice rather to accept it if I didn't want to sleep on the road.A sudden cough racked my chest, making me curl up even more.The heavy, cold wi

the bright rays of the sun shining down on my face.I groaned, rolling to avoid the heat but it still burned my back.Pushing to my feet, I padded barefoot out the door to check on my barrel of water.No one wanted me around in the main town, not even to hang around so I had no choice but to find a home on the outskirts of town, near the bank of a river covered by trees.Hunger had set in, my stomach growling loudly which was why I picked up my machete, tying my mask around my nose.A few minutes into the forest, I heard a loud sound like a boom.Immediately, I ducked in front of a nearby tree to protect myself.However, nothing else happened after that.My curiosity was peaked so I abandoned my food search, heading towards the source of the blast.Only to be tackled to the floor from the side, pressed flat on the ground.My protective instincts kicked in and I struggled against the stranger's hold, kicking, biting, and screaming.The stranger clamped his hand over my mouth to trap the shout."Can you just stop making so much noise?!" He grunted.I chomped down on his hand and he yelped.Rolling to my feet, I grabbed the nearest branch, holding it up like a weapon, breathing hard. "Who are you and what do you want?!"The guy smiled, showcasing his pearly whites.I was stumped for a moment.I was the one holding a weapon yet he was smiling?"Drop it, I'm not here to hurt you." He waved at my weapon, giving me an easygoing smile.I snorted. "Says the man who attacked me first.""I was trying to save your life." He pointed out. "The bomb you heard? A couple of bandits just arrived from shore, hoping to loot the town."I took a step back, checking the area up ahead. "Really?""Yeah, I overheard them talking about it." The guy shook his