Chapter 9

“This place, how far more do I have to walk?” Irina asked, panting with her palm against a bark of tree for support.

“I thought you like walking in the forest.” Nieal chuckled. “This isn’t inside the forest yet, still the ranch area.”

“Whaaaaat?”

“Please don’t ask me to piggyback you. My poor back can’t survive your not-so transportable weight.”

“What did you say?”

“You’re heavy.”

“Come again.”

“You’re fat.”

Irina fumed, glaring at Nieal. She looked down to the dry soil, searching for something to be thrown at Nieal. When she found a twig, Nieal had already ran. Irina ran too, chasing after him.

Nieal’s laughter sounded unclear and distant, and Irina began to laugh too. Nieal slowed down so that Irina could reach him. When Nieal had a complete stop, he turned his body around to see how far Irina left behind.

Turn out, Irina was not far. She looked surprised, didn’t expect Nieal would stop running so sudden. It seemed hard for her to slow down at that short distance. While Iri