Fritz’s POV

The tent was set up in mere minutes. Esme had put it up quickly before crawling inside without another word. Fritz had moved to sit by the fire for a bit, making himself a cup of warm tea with the leaves Gort had given them. He watched the flames dance silently as they twirled and spun and flickered in a peaceful way. He frowned at it when he heard footsteps behind him. “You look like a scholar.” Came a deep voice. “Great.” Fritz growled as Richard sat next to him, stretching his arms high in the air. “Look, I’m sorry for earlier.” Richard said abruptly, wincing slightly as Fritz turned on him, “Okay.” He said coldly, getting to his feet. “Wait.” Richard said, grabbing Fritz’s arm before letting go almost immediately, wiping his hand on his shirt. “Can’t we be- not even friends- but not enemies?”

Fritz nodded slowly before sitting back down. Richard and him sat in an awkward silence before Richard broke it. “Don’t hurt her. Either of them.”

“What?” Fritz asked, his brow furrowing.

“Don’t hurt either of them. Don’t make them feel bad.” Richard said, his shoulders hunching forward. “She is already hurting by your actions.” He looked at Marisa, a frown on his face. Fritz nodded, though he felt no guilt, only bitterness as he watched her breath in and out slowly. The silence continued. “Fritz.” Richard started, “why did you leave her?” he asked. Fritz looked into the depths of the blazing red fire. “I loved her.”

***

Esme’s POV

Her eyes burned as she walked away from the tree she had been hiding behind. He said “I love her.” The other doe. Not her. Of course not. No one would ever love her. She felt a feeling of sickness come over her and she bent over, ready to be sick. But instead her body started to lurch with sobs. The pain was unbearable. The only buck she had actually ever loved hated her. The tears poured down her face and she collapsed to her knees, taking shuddering breaths of cold night air. Esme wanted to scream, scream and let the world feel her pain. But she didn’t. She held it in and let her heart shatter into millions of pieces. Esme stood, wrapping her arms around her stomach. She stumbled to the tent and grabbed the small bag next to her blanket. She shoved some supplies in her bag and collapsed pulling her ears over her face, hiding herself. She stood and grabbed her bag, then remembering something she pulled out the map and threw it on the ground. Fritz could find his own way to Terrilain. Esme felt broken, more broken than before. She walked out of the tent swiftly and began to stomp to the wood entry. She didn’t need Fritz. She didn’t need a buck. She never did. The woods were dark and eerie, a feel of dread filled her even though she knew she was very capable of surviving. She had only walked a little while when she heard someone calling her name softly. “Esme?” it wasn’t Fritz, that was for sure. She wiped her face as a black doe entered the clearing. It was Marisa. “What do you want.” Esme spat, unable to keep the tears from pouring down her face. Marisa looked her up and down, confused. Her eyes were narrowed and she frowned slightly. “What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously. Esme looked away, the moonlight reflecting on her face. “Leave me alone.” Esme said, continuing to walk. Marisa didn’t stop her, just stood awkwardly. “Say goodbye to Fritz.” Esme whispered. There was no answer so she continued walking. She wasn’t going to look back. And she left the clearing, her heart broken.