Summary: Y/N and Sophia set out in search of a tree. Things don't go quite as planned.

Warning: language and possible grammatical errors.

A/N: sorry for the long wait, I've been dealing with some family issues and I've been sick recently. The chapters may not be posted consistently. But I do plan on finishing this story. I will also be posting this on AO3, as soon as I can figure out to work lol. And lastly, just so y'all know, Reader is in her 30's, so yeah. Anyways,

ONWARD AND YONWARD!!

_______________________________________________

Chapter [3]: A Nice, Tall, & Sturdy Tree

Reader's POV:

"You know, maybe if you could tell me where you were and who you were with, I could try and help you find 'em?" I said as me and my newly found teammate strolled threw the woods together.

I didn't get an answer.

"Where you nearby to where I found you? Maybe on the road? At a house, perhaps?"

Still no answer.

"Or maybe y'all were in trees? Maybe the ones with the pretty flowers? Uhh, dogwood trees, is what they're called. They're known to have a great bARK."

A giggle.

"Yes! Something! After an hour. I knew I'd get you! Gets everyone, it's a classic." I said proudly, as I glanced down at the small giggling girl.

I flashed a proud silly grin at her.

I never had good luck with people. Communicating and all that. Most were just assholes. But kids, though. They seemed easy to talk to. If they weren't assholes.

We walked and walked some more, going deeper into the woods. A thought came across my mind that it would be nice if we could find a little more than a tree for the night.

I looked up at the sky and saw navy and light blue colors.

"I think we've walked enough, yeah?" I said aloud as I came to a stop, not really expecting a response.

I look around, and listened, making sure they're were no Deadeads and possible "Livingheads".

I carefully scanned the area. My eyes stopping when I spotted a tree only a few feet away.

"What you think about that one, Little Blue?" I nodded toward the tree before looking down at Sophia.

Her eyesbrows were furrowed into a frown as she looked up at me.

I gave a small giggling, "sorry, it's just your shirt, and I just...I'm weird."

Sophia gave me the tiniest of smiles, before looking over at the big tree.

"It's tall. It looks sturdy." She whispered softly.

"That's exactly what I was thinking." I said as I walked over toward it, pulling Sophia along with me.

I looked up as we stood directly under it, "It's got lots of branches and leaves. It'd be pretty hard to notice us." I explained as I placed my bow onto my back.

"I'm scared." I heard Sophia whisper.

"Hey, it's fine. It's just a tree." I said.

"What if I fall?" She said as she looked up at me.

"How about, you go first, and I climb up right behind you? So, if you lose balance, I'll catch you." I said to her.

"Besides, we won't climb to high up. Just high enough so it'll be safe for us." I explained.

I watched, as she looked away from me, seemingly thinking about her answer. Sophia opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it again.

"It'll be okay." I tried to reassure her.

She looked up at me, and then down to her arm.

"Shi- I mean shoot. I forgot." I said as I mentally face palmed myself.

Now, it was my turn to think. I clicked my tongue as I scanned around us.

I sighed as I let go of Sophia's hand. I took my bow from off my back, along with my bookbag and quiver, then my side bag from across my shoulders. I placed them all onto the forest's floor.

"Guess we sleep under the nice, tall, and sturdy tree." I said to Sophia as I squatted down and started digging in my bookbag, "and by we, I mean you." I pulled out two blankets, I laid one out onto the ground, and I sat.

"Come on. Get comfortable, Little Blue." I said as I looked up at her, patting the open space beside me.

She plopped down on my right, sitting Indian Style with her doll in her lap. I laid the second blanket out over her.

"Try and get some shut eye. I'll be up, keeping watch." I said as I looked at her with a small smile.

She gave one back.

I sighed as I grabbed my bow and placed it into my lap, I pulled my knives out from their holders and sat them on my left side.

I leaned my head back onto the tree, only for it to shoot back up when I felt something go across my legs. I looked down to see a tiny hand laying the blanket across me.

I pulled my bow out from under it, as I looked to Sophia.

Once she was done settling the blanket she gave my leg a small pat.

I smiled at her, "Thanks." I said. "Get some rest."

She scooted closer to me laying her head on my shoulder, I stiffened up a bit before relaxing. I pulled my arm out from between us and wrapped it around her.

"Sophia? Were you alone?" I asked, kinda nervous about the answer.

There was a long silence, I thought she had fallen asleep already, but I got an answer. "No." She said in a tiny voice.

I let out a small breath and looked down at her.

I watched as she pulled her doll closer and closed her eyes.

I went back to keeping my eyes and ears out. Listening and watching for any danger, that I hoped wouldn't come.

It wasn't out of the norm for me not to sleep. I only usually got an hour or three in general. Four at the most. But, it would have been nice to catch some z's.

Spending the night in a nice, tall, and sturdy tree was most likely safe. But, maybe just for tonight, it would be safe to spend it under one.

_______________________________________________

I feel like this chapter was pretty bad in some parts, but I hope y'all like it. Let me know what you think?

I'm working on the next chapter now, so hopefully it'll be up later today.

@coffeebooksandfandom, @checkintoreality, @wnygirl2012, @assassinsasha23, @catlya, & @aristocracy-y