((Okay, great!))

Jackie sat up, and moved his hair out of his eyes. What was he doing here? He stood, feeling pain in his leg. He was at home with his sister, Leah. Suddenly he pas$ed out and then when he awoke, he was here. The sound of footsteps on leaves was all he heard and the rest was still. This forest was too dark for him. Way darker than it should have been. Leaves crunched and he rose to his feet, brushing off the brown and yellow leaves that clung to him. He could feel something. A strong pas$ion, a desire, and a feeling of loneliness, sadness. He had this power since a young age to detect the feelings, desires, and such of others. He turned his head and walked in the direction that he felt the strongest empathic connections. He wondered what Leah was doing now, but she needn't worry. Everything would be fine.

((wow, that took long)) 

Rune crouched by a small stream, splashing some water into his face. The cool liquid ran down the front of his neck and he rubbed his still-wet hand along the back of his neck to cool it off as well. When he was finished, he wiped his face on his sleeve and stood up.

"Remind me again why you brought me out here, Dusty," he said, turning around to face the other boy he was with.

"I thought you'd enjoy it." Dusty said, smiling. 

Rune scowled. "The real reason." He could always see through Dusty's lies.

"Oh alright! I wanted you to play a trick on a bird. You know, one who just caught his lunch?" Dusty admitted, shooting Rune a hopeful look.

"Not a chance."

Dusty only smiled and grabbed Rune by the arm. "Maybe you'll change your mind if we find one!" He said as he dragged a protesting Rune farther into the forest. 

Rune and Dusty had been walking for a while before Dusty suddenly stopped, causing Rune to bump into him. "Why'd you--" Rune began but Dusty slapped his hand over Rune's mouth before he could finish. He used his other hand to point in front of them where two other people were talking.

Both boys silently ducked behind some plants just in time to hear what the male had said. They glanced at each other and silently agreed that they shouldn't make themselves know. They could sense something different about the two people. Something they shouldn't get involved with.

Rune and Dusty stared in horror at the two people, unable to answer.

"This is all your fault," Rune spoke up first, glaring at Dusty. "Dragging me into some forest just to prank a stupid bird!"

Dusty glared back. "Is now really the time?!"

"Yes, because if they kill me, I want you to know it was all your fault!" Rune growled.

Totally caught up in their argument, both boys completely forgot about the others. It was common for this to happen, even if they were close friends.