OW! Wildfire woke up to find himself on the floor. standing up he realized he fell asleep in a chair on the balcony. “you always could sleep anywhere” a voice said. “how long was I out” he asked shade. “ 3 days” shade replied.” Come downstairs I’ll breakfast ready In a bit” Shade made the best food he had ever tasted. “wildfire, do you remember when we first met?” shade asked. “how could I forget” he replied

Flashback

A young wildfire was walking down a hall of the main research building when something caught his eye, a crate moved a inch. Using a dagger he stole from the armory he opened the crate. there was a girl hiding in it. “What are you doing here?” wildfire asked. “I don’t know where here is, I was running from some guards and I hid in this crate and wound up here.” wildfire, not seeing how it could hurt anyone, explained about the hidden research center. “you’ll be in big trouble if you get caught” he told her.” “can you help me” she asked. “ok just hide and I’ll see in I can sneak some food over here” he said.

they managed to keep her presence secret for weeks. But the guards noticed that he wasn’t eating all the food he took. One day a guard followed wildfire to the place where the girl was hiding. “So this is why you’ve been so distracted in your training” “you’re not going to hurt her” said wildfire placing his hand on his stolen dagger. “I have a better idea” the guard said. “who are you” he asked the girl. Her answer shocked both the guard and wildfire. “I don’t have a name” she said.

The flashback ends here

“ because I was so good at stealth I was the reason they started project nightshade. The researchers called me nightshade and I just shortened that to shade”.

Wildfire and shade finished breakfast at the same time. I’ll clean up” said wildfire. “ you just go relax” he told her. “no I‘ll help. After we’re done let’s explore. I know a old fort that’s just begging to be looted” she said. “I love the way you think” he said as he dried the last dish. 3 minutes later they were out the door.