Tom and Jerry stood atop the tower, gazing at the lands beyond. All across the mountain peaks and forests and valleys, the world sparkled, as if a mirror broken into a million pieces.

“The snow is melting,” stated Jerry.

“It is, master…” Boney sighed. “Our time is running out.”

“And the Billies have still not returned.”

Back in the early days of November, the squad of soldiers led by Captain Reymond had demanded that Jerry leave the tower. He had refused, and they’d promised to return with their superiors. Later on, when Jericho similarly came and threatened Jerry to join him, those soldiers had become his ray of hope.

Alas, despite the entire winter having passed, the Billy squad had not returned, and any attempts at having Birb deliver a message to Milaris had failed too—mostly because the tiny bird was physically incapable of carrying any sort of wood case that far, and the paper by itself got terribly soaked in the falling snow and moisture. He’d even tried securing an eagle’s body for this job, but to no success.

Now, Jericho’s deadline had arrived. Jerry would either submit to him, joining the bandits… or perish.

“And the Mayor has no way to contact the Guard either…” Jerry shook his head. “We are out of options, Boney. Before Jericho arrives, we must flee.”

“Are we really going to leave everything behind, master?” The skeleton’s voice carried a hint of pain. “Shorty’s revenge, the fence, the basement, your soft chair…”

“The soft chair, we will take along. But as for the others… we will have to leave them behind.” Jerry let out a sigh. “This tower was a nice home, but all things come to an end. Let’s not delay; Jericho could arrive any day now. Have the others pack up and let’s go.”

“Yes, master.”

Boney agreed readily, but how could Jerry not know what the skeleton was thinking? And not just Boney, every one of his undead had a bitter fire burning in their souls. For them, Jerry was their master, their world. To see him forced to flee, to see another person cause pain to their master… How could they not feel burning anger and seething hatred?

But alas, there was nothing that could be done.

The two turned around and quickly left the terrace, each hastening to make their own preparations. They had packed many things already, but some couldn’t be handled until the nick of time.

Skeletons and a zombie ran around packing and preparing stuff, and the entire tower was bursting with activity. Jerry, meanwhile, sat on the doorstep and looked at the trees and mountain ahead.

Unlike his previous journey through the forests, this time, he was not alone. He refused to leave behind any of his beloved undead, or his most important belongings. They would travel as a group, and it would work out.

Jerry really didn’t want to leave… Not only was his tower here, which felt like a warm home, but his friends, Derek and Ashman, were in the nearby village of Pilpen. He had finally found a village willing to accept him, or at least tolerate him, and now he was forced to abandon everything and walk off again.

This time, things would be even more difficult; what village would accept an entire host of undead? At least they had an entire nine months until next winter—plenty of time to visit many dozens of villages, or, if things didn’t work out, construct their own home in the wilderness.

Jerry would like to have some human contact as well, but… he wasn’t willing to abandon his undead friends. Where he went, they would follow, and of that there was no debate.

In truth, other than fleeing, they had discussed several alternatives during the long winter nights, but none seemed promising.

The ideal case would be if Jerry had the power to destroy the entire bandit organization. Not only would he rid himself of them, but he would also save many surrounding villages and people—the Greenskin bandits plundered, robbed, killed, raped, kidnapped, assaulted, blackmailed, and generally were quite unpleasant neighbors.

Jerry wanted to help everyone, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the strength to. Jericho’s monstrous power had been evident; as much as Jerry wanted to act as a hero, he was a good guy, not a stupid guy. He was unwilling to let himself and his undead friends die for nothing.

Another alternative would be to contact the Milarisian Guard for assistance, but alas, they had not shown up. Moreover, if they really wanted to deal with the Greenskin bandits, they would have done so long ago.

Therefore, as much as it pained Jerry, fleeing was the only option he had—and therefore, he wouldn’t think too much. If he did think too much, he wouldn’t be Jerry.

Standing up from the doorstep he was sitting on, he whistled and went inside to help with the preparations. They would leave soon.

However, fate always loves to toy with mortals. Unbeknownst to Jerry, just as he was preparing to depart this place forever, another person was inadvertently, and very unfortunately for themselves, working to keep him here.

***

Amidst the woods, in a small hut partly sheltered from the elements, Holly sat on Brad’s lap, kissing him with passion.

Her hands were on his chest while his hands wandered over her body, under her clothes. They caressed her belly, then rose higher until they reached her small chest.

She gasped and pulled a bit away, causing his hands to slip back down.

“Brad…” she said in a trembling voice. She gulped. “Can… can we please go slower?”

“Don’t worry, baby,” he said. “It’s okay.”

He pulled her back into his embrace, passionately locking her mouth with his own, muffling her protests. His hands rose, once again reaching her chest, and they firmly grabbed on. She squirmed helplessly.

Holly’s mind was hazy. She felt vulnerable, not in total control. Was she ready? Was she not? How would she know? She did not want his hands there, she knew that, but when she pushed them a bit he refused to budge. His tongue was still entangled with hers, drawing her into a sea of pink, and her mind was in total disarray.

Was she ready? Was it too fast? Too slow? They’d known each other for months now and she had always kept him at bay, insisting on taking things slow. Now, he insisted too. If he really wanted to, shouldn’t she just let him… He had been patient for her. She could be brave for him.

And yet, her chest was feeling uncomfortable. His hands squeezed and pulled greedily, and she was aching a bit, and she was not at all sure whether she was enjoying this or not. Everything was hazy, unclear, and she was lost in his arms.

But even if she didn’t like it, it was natural, right? She should be brave, right?

One of his hands suddenly let go and she instantly felt relief. Then, the same hand began to descend, reaching her naval region and heading lower. Fireworks went off in her brain. Her pulse skyrocketed. She panicked. She tried to pull away but he held her close, smothering her with his manly kiss.

No… No!

Brad’s hand touched somewhere he really shouldn’t touch.

Like a cat, Holly yelped and jumped away, unable to contain herself. She did not want this. She could not do this.

Raising her eyes, she met Brad’s frown, and she immediately felt guilty.

“Brad…” she said weakly, panting and with her heart beating as quickly as a rabbit’s. “Please… Can we please wait, just a little bit more? Please.”

Brad’s eyes carried a dark storm.

“Wait?” he spat out, clearly dissatisfied. “We have already waited for months. You want me to wait even more?”

“I… I don’t—”

“No. It’s already been too long.” He crossed his arms, striking her with a hard glare. “Come here or we are over.”

Holly’s eyes widened to the limit. She shivered.

“No, I—But... Please, I lov—”

“Come here!” he thundered. She froze, unable to move.

“You scared bitch!” Brad snorted. “I’ve already been patient enough. The whores at the base will all sleep with me, but you still want me to wait? Just for you? Ridiculous.”

Holly’s mouth moved without making any sound. If she was frozen before, now she was petrified, unable to even form coherent thoughts.

What is he… Brad...

“Enough already.” Brad stood up, a bulge clearly visible under his tunic. “Come here. You will enjoy this, you’ll see.”

He reached out for her and her mind disappeared. She only saw his hand approaching, and she only wanted to escape. Nothing had ever been more important.

If he grabbed her... he wouldn't let go.

She fell backwards, crawling away and screaming at the top of her lungs. Her arms brushed against the hard ground, cutting her, but she didn’t even notice. Brad stopped. They were very close to the village—her screams had undoubtedly been heard.

“You…” he said, but Holly was already out of control. Screaming uncontrollably, she turned around, opened the door, and dashed for the village, stumbling but still faster than she’d ever been. Brad didn’t follow her.

“Whatever. I have better whores anyway.” His voice trailed over but Holly didn’t listen, she didn’t want to listen. Like a banshee, she burst out of the woods and made for her house at the village edge, still screaming. Several villagers looked at her and spoke but she didn’t hear them.

She fell on the door, pushing it open and revealing her father’s agitated form.

“Holly?” he said, hand already on his bow. “What—”

She fell on him and held on tight, only now realizing her cheeks were wet with tears. She screamed and cried unreservedly, and it was only a long time later that she regained her faculties. She was still in her father’s embrace, the fur he wore on his chest wet from her tears.

She held on tightly, sniffling and panting, squeezing him hard in the hope that she’d melt into him, no longer existing. Derek’s hand was on her hair, gently caressing them.

“Holly…” his voice came out rough, his pain evident. She didn’t look up. “What happened?”

“I—I—” Holly relaxed ever so slightly. Suddenly, her head was in pain and her chest felt bloated, as if her heart would jump out. She was so scared that she yelped.

“My daughter…” Derek’s deep voice reverberated through his chest, causing her body to tremble. She smiled through her tears. That’s right. He would protect her. Her father was here.

Not looking up, Holly’s mouth moved on its own, telling him everything. She spoke of Brad, how they’d met in the forest and struck up a conversation. How he was a bandit, and how he came from Milaris. How he had promised to take her there, how he told her stories of the city, and how he stole her first kiss. How she snuck out to meet him when he was close by, how she felt her heart skip. Their relationship was something new and exciting, something she loved to explore and experience.

But Brad wanted to go further and she wasn’t ready. She told him to wait, but he was clearly unhappy, and then he…

After she finished speaking, Derek was silent. Trembling, she pulled away to look at him.

She had never seen such a terrifying look on his face. Not on anyone’s face. Her heart shook, half with fear and half with joy.

“Dad…” she said, looking at him, but his eyes stared right ahead. “Dad.”

“Wait here,” he spoke. Gently pushing her away, he made for the door, reaching it in two strides and pulling it open.

“MELISSA!”

His deep voice echoed through the entire village. Within a minute, both Melissa and Ashman had arrived, having already heard Holly’s screams before.

With a few words, Derek explained the situation to Melissa, whose face shook. Her strict eyes mellowed as she rushed to Holly.

“Melis—” she said, immediately smothered into a hug.

“Shh,” said Melissa, caressing the girl’s golden hair. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay…”

Tears once again appeared in Holly’s eyes.

“Holly.” Derek arrived by her side, looking her in the eye. His gaze was still filled with iron and darkness, but there was also caring love that could not be hidden. “I must go on a trip. Ashman and Melissa will take care of you. Be a good girl, okay?”

“Dad?” she asked. “What are you—”

“I love you,” said Derek, his eyes like dark, moonlit lakes.

Her heart shook in realization, and she froze. “I love you too…” she muttered. “Dad… Please don’t go…”

“I will return.”

With this promise and not a glance backward, Derek grabbed his bow, quiver, and knife from where they rested against a wall, stepped outside, and closed the door behind him.

Inside the house, Holly broke down into sobs. Ashman’s eyes glazed over. “May the Wall hold forever, Derek…” he whispered.

Outside, night was already approaching. Derek closed his eyes and took a deep, frozen breath, clenching his bow so hard that his knuckles turned white. When his eyes reopened, they were cold and hard, and his jaw was clenched. A murderous aura oozed from his body, filling the very air around him.

He did not care about the cold. He entered the forest, bearing a full will to kill. Silently, his form merged into the darkness and disappeared from sight.