The world was blurry.
A dull ache pulsed in Alex's head, his body heavy, as if weighed down by unseen chains. His mind drifted between consciousness and a strange, dreamlike haze. He could hear the distant murmur of voices, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the soft crackling of a fire nearby.
Then—
"My name is Harvis. But you can call me Harvy."
The voice was calm, steady. A boy's voice.
"What's your name?"
Alex's eyelids fluttered open. The world around him slowly came into focus. He was lying on something soft—a bed of thick, dry grass. The scent of earth filled his nostrils, mixed with the faint, smoky scent of burning wood.
His gaze moved sluggishly to the boy sitting beside him.
Harvis.
He appeared to be around the same age, maybe a little younger. His dark blue hair was neatly tied back, but what caught Alex's attention most was the cloth covering his eyes. A blindfold.
Yet, despite being blind, Harvis's face was calm and composed, as if he could still see everything around him.
"What's your name?" Harvis repeated, his voice patient.
Alex hesitated, his throat dry. His thoughts were scattered, fragments of memories swimming in and out of reach. For a brief, terrifying moment, he struggled to remember.
Then, like a flickering candle in the dark—
"My name is Alex," he murmured.
Harvis nodded. "Alex. Got it."
His voice was warm, unbothered by Alex's disoriented state. "You've been unconscious for a while. We found you floating down the river, half-drowned and battered. You must've had quite the journey."
Alex swallowed. His mind raced, trying to remember what had happened.
Then, it hit him.
Lily.
His breath caught in his throat. He sat up too quickly, dizziness washing over him like a crashing wave. His vision spun, his body weak.
"Lily…" he croaked. "Where is she? I need to find her!"
Harvis gently placed a hand on his shoulder, firm but not forceful. "Calm down. You're still recovering. Who's Lily?"
Alex's chest tightened. "My sister… she was with me before the wolves attacked." His voice was hoarse, shaking. "I left her in a hiding spot, but when I went back—she was gone."
Silence stretched between them.
The silver-haired girl, who had been sitting quietly by the fire, finally spoke. Her voice was soft but carried an air of quiet strength.
"A girl… younger than you?" she asked.
Alex turned to her, noticing her properly for the first time. She appeared slightly older than both of them—around fifteen. Her silver hair framed her pale face, and her maid-like attire was strangely pristine, despite being in the middle of the forest.
Alex nodded urgently. "Yes! Have you seen her?"
She shook her head. "No, but if she's somewhere in this forest, we might be able to find her."
Harvis tapped his fingers against his knee, as if deep in thought. "Wolves, you said?"
Alex clenched his fists. "They chased me all the way to a cliff. I had no choice—I had to jump into the river." He exhaled shakily. "But Lily… I don't know where she is. I need to find her."
Harvis tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something Alex couldn't hear. Then, after a pause, he spoke.
"Alright." He stood up, dusting off his clothes. "Then let's find her."
Alex blinked, surprised. "Just like that?"
"Of course." Harvis smirked. "You think we'd just let you wander off alone in your condition?"
The silver-haired girl also rose to her feet. "If she's lost, she won't last long by herself. We should start searching before nightfall."
Alex's chest tightened with gratitude. He barely knew these people, yet they were willing to help him.
He swallowed back the lump in his throat and forced himself to stand. His legs wobbled slightly, but he steadied himself.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Harvis grinned. "No need to thank us yet. Let's find your sister first."
And with that, the three of them set out into the forest—unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows.