Don't forget about me.

Fairytale lay still for a few moments, absorbing Oath's soothing words as they slipped from his lips. Her body relaxed yet again, and she sank back into slumber. The sensation of him nuzzling against her brought her a sense of calm. It felt effortless to stay at ease nestled against his frame, secure in the knowledge that she was cherished and protected. No matter where she found herself, she felt his love for her true self. Fairytale adored him, wishing he could understand the depth of her feelings. She also longed to regain her health, to return to the vitality she had when they first met—before she had run off to the caribou. How foolish she had been, remembering the way Big had chased after her. The memory sent her legs twitching in her sleep, and she whimpered softly, her body shivering intermittently.

The caribou sprinted swiftly away from the hunters, the wind howling and swirling around her. Snow lifted and swirled in the air, chilling her further. Her petite figure was briefly pursued by Bigs, but soon she lost him. Determined to find him, she pressed on, but luck eluded her, leaving a heaviness in her heart. As despair took hold, panic began to rise within her. She searched for the young companion of Atreyu, desperate to locate him. In her frantic quest, she only became more lost than she had been before.

The dream jolted her awake, her heart racing as she momentarily lost her bearings. She took deep breaths to calm her racing thoughts, catching sight of Oath beside her just as a coughing fit took hold. The approaching thundering sounds made her ears flick, and a shiver ran down her spine as she coughed into the ground. As the figure drew nearer, her lips curled involuntarily, and her fur began to bristle along her spine. It was Atreyu. Her heart ached even more upon recognizing him.

Once more, she drifted off into a slumber. It felt unusual for a girl who was perpetually hungry to lack any appetite at all. But the sights she had witnessed had left her deeply traumatized. Other animals, infected or whatever was plaguing them, were acting erratically—some hurled themselves at trees, while others frantically tried to burrow beneath the ice, only to plunge through the thinning surface. They would freeze instantly, becoming prey for something else. Nightmares. Pure nightmares. It felt as though they were trapped in a realm of horrors. Everything felt out of place.

Feeling her small frame be lifted, the words that fell from Oath and Atreyu seeming distant. Like Fairytale was here with them, but at the same time far away. And once more the girl was asleep upon his frame, allowing the safety of being with those she loved to help protect her. "Home." Fairytale's voice whispered out in whines as she dreamt once more.

"Speech"