Disaster struck

A young girl was playing with her dog in a small village at the countryside. The girl, Rin, had long crimson hair and emerald eyes. Her dog, Hero, was a loyal and brave dog.

One day, Rin and Hero were running happily through a forest nearby. As they were running, they saw an injured young boy. Rin, being kind hearted, approached the crying boy. However, Hero disagreed. He growled at the boy as he did not want his mistress to be hurt.

Rin, ignoring Hero's warning, called to the boy, saying, "Hello. What happened to you?" The boy, surprised, said," I was running when suddenly I tripped on a stone and fell. It really hurts."

Rin quickly ripped her red dress which she was wearing into a small long piece. Gently, she tied her torn cloth over the boy's injury. By this time, Hero had come near the duo. The boy who had stopped crying said, "Thank you. My name is Pri.....I mean Laurance. Yeah... Laurance!" Rin, not suspecting anything, said," Well nice to meet you Laurance. I'm Rin."

"Rin?" Laurance said," That's a nice name" Hero, feeling left out, barked." Oh! And this is Hero." said Rin " Anyways, why are you here? I've never seen you before." Laurance nervously said," Well, I kinda ran away from my guards....I mean... friends. They were always following me so I don't have any personal space, ya know?"

Rin replied," Huh, I've never thought about it that way. I mean I don't really have any friends unless you count Hero. Most kids just avoid me because they say I'm weird."

At this, Laurance laughed," It's different for me. People want my attention even if I reject them, they still come back. Say, do you want to be friends?" Rin, surprised, asked, " Really! Are you sure? You don't think I'm weird?"" Really. In fact, you're not weird at all." The duo talked together for some time after that.

As the sun was setting, Hero licked the friends' face." Well, I have to go now. See you tommorow?" asked Rin." Of course! " answered Laurance.The two friends then said goodbye.

Rin and Laurance would meet day after day. They were having so much fun with Hero too. After meeting for a week now, Rin went to the same spot where she had helped Laurance ( Their meeting place ) at the same time like always but this time, Laurance was not there.

Confused, Rin thought that he was just late but little did she know, a guard was looking at her. With his sword out, he carefully approached her. Luckily, Hero was on high alert,as Laurance was never late, and knew something was wrong. As the guard came nearer, Hero growled at him. The guard, knowing that he had been found, charged forward. Rin, taken by surprise, quickly ran to the direction where she had come from.

Hero followed her. Rin was worried something had happened to Laurance but there was no time to think about that. Rin quickly ran into her house and locked the door. Her grandfather who was there asked," What is the matter, Rin?" Rin panicked said," There was a guard chasing me, Grandpa. I didn't know what to do except to come here."

Rin's grandfather, being an ex general, was worried that the guards had come for him. Afraid, something will happen to Rin, he replied," Come Rin. We are going to the capital." Rin's dream was always going to the capital but she couldn't as her grandfather would not let her. Happy, she quickly went and packed her things.

As she was packing, there was a knock ob the door. Her grandfather went to answer it and saw several guards. A guard said, " Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for a girl with crimson hair." The old man then answered, " There is no one in the house except for me." Rin who was within earshot heard this and decided to keep her mouth shut. Hero however, barked and growled. Rin quickly tried to quiet him down and succeeded. Unfortunately, the guards heard her. Without hesitation, they entered the house. Rin's grandfather quickly blocked their way and shouted," Rin!! Run away! Quickly!!"

Hearing this, Rin turned her back and left the place. She left with Hero and afraid of what she would see, she didn't look back. With a smile, the grandfather saw Rin running away and was stabbed in the heart. Rin ran and ran into the forest and finally, found a hiding spot.She hid in a tree which was hollow as the guards came looking for her. Rin, instantly, hold onto Hero as a sign to not make a sound.

A guard was approaching her hiding spot.

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