Chapter Text
The barking woke you from you slumber. Then it turned to growling. Growing concerned, you walked out of your home in your night gown to see what your dog was barking at. When you opened your door, you hadn’t expected to see a large fire take over your town. It was slowly making it’s way towards your home. You then heard screaming and yelling. People’s homes and lands being burnt to the ground. There was nothing you could do about it but you had to at least get away from the impending fire. With speed that would rival the Greek god Hermes, you quickly changed and grabbed a bag and filled it with supplies. Your dog still hadn’t stopped barking, trying to warn you of the danger that was creeping towards you. By now it had taken a bit more than half of your small town, eating everything like a starved lion. You quickly went to untie your dog from the post he usually stayed at. You would never leave him behind and he would never leave you either. He was your best friend. You two ran as fast as you could away from the fire. You didn’t know where you were going, you just ran. You and (P/N) had to get as far away as possible. Who knew how long the fire was going to last for. Or how much it would destroy.
You ran as far as you could before you felt like you couldn’t breathe anymore. Slumping against a tree you catch your breath. (P/N) stopped running and sat with you catching his breath as well. You two had run far enough to not be able to see the town anymore. Sadly you could still see the faint glow of the fire that took your home. You had nowhere to go. You didn’t know anyone in Boston or anywhere. Even if you did, you didn’t exactly know where you were. Slowly you start to sink down to the ground crying. Everything was gone. No one to go to for help. No place to sleep or eat or live. (P/N) came closer to you and nudged you with his wet nose. He never likes it when you cry. “ At least I have you, (P/N). Thank you for waking me.” You say sweetly to him. (P/N) was so kind to you. He made sure nothing bad happened to you. Most people were afraid of him, confusing him with a wolf. You’d just laugh at them. He was large and scary looking, but he was no wolf. As you finally start to calm, you got up and started walking. “I don’t know where we’ll go (P/N), but we’ll make it.”
You two had walked all day through the forest. When ever (P/N) would see a squirrel or a rabbit he would try to catch it but it would always get away. This made you laugh. He’d start wagging his tail and barking at you if he couldn’t catch something. So you’d start running and he’d chase after you. You eventually got tired and just decided to rest for the evening. The sun had almost set completely by the time you got your little campsite ready. The campfire crackling as you shared some bread with (P/N). In your rush to leave your home, you didn’t think about bringing extra clothing or very much food. Maybe enough food to last until tomorrow night. You sighed, trying not to think about the tragedy that happened earlier this morning. You didn’t bring a pillow or anything for your head to rest on, but (P/N) didn’t mind if you used him as one. You both fell asleep quickly, hoping to have a better day tomorrow.
The next morning you woke to the sounds of the birds singing their songs and the smell of morning dew. As you packed up your things, you wondered if you might come across a river for water or maybe even a farm that would help you. As you and (P/N) were walking, you could hear the sound of rushing water. Smiling you took off into a run with (P/N) following close behind. You came across a shining clear river. Beavers stared to run away to their homes when (P/N) started barking and chasing after them. You cupped your hands and dipped them into the river to drink. It was so refreshing. When you looked up you saw (P/N) lapping happily at the water to. You heard a twig snap behind you then heard a huffing noise. Slowly turning around, both you and (P/N) see a massive bear sniffing around. It isn’t very close but definitely not far enough away. Looking at (P/N), see him start to growl lowly at the bear. “(P/N), please be quite. Let’s just escape while we can!” you whisper. You grab (P/N) by the collar and start to cross the river as quietly as possible. The river wasn’t very deep, the water level coming to just above your knees. When you made it to the other side, (P/N) was completely soaked and started to shake the water off. The sound making its way to the bear’s ears, it turned its giant head towards you across the river. Slowly it started walking towards and you could feel the fear rising within you. (P/N) started growling, ready to strike. The bear took that as a challenge, roaring and running full speed at you. You grabbed (P/N) by the collar once again and start running as fast as you could, but the bear was gaining on you. You skidded to a stop at the edge of the river. Looking down below you could see where the river picked back up again from the waterfall. The bear was right behind you and you had to make a decision quickly. Fight a bear and most likely lose or jump off the waterfall and hope you live. Neither one really seemed like a good choice but what else could you do? Quickly you grabbed (P/N)’s collar and jumped off the waterfall. Still screaming, you and (P/N) hit the water below with a large splash. When you surfaced, you started to panic. Where is (P/N)?! You start thinking of all the things that could have happened until you heard a muffled bark coming from the shoreline. Quickly, you made your way to the riverbank. You were exhausted, and wet and felt like there was 100 lbs. on your back. Turns out it was just (P/N) making sure you were okay. Whining and nudging his head under your arm, you groan and roll over onto your back. (P/N) was thrilled that you were alright. He began to wag his tail happily and lick your face. You pushed him off of you and got up. As you were walking through the forest again, still wearing your wet clothes, the sun began to set. Luckily you still had your pack bag. Sadly, everything in it was soaked. The bread you were hoping to eat was now soggy and your blanket was drenched. The only good thing was that you were able to build a nice little fire to help dry your clothes and (P/N)’s fur.
The next morning you woken up by the sounds of the forest along with a low growl. Sitting up quickly, you see (P/N) is growling at something and his fur is standing up on his back, making him appear bigger than he is. Slowly you stand up to see what he is growling at only to see nothing. “(P/N), what are you even growling at?” (P/N) didn’t even acknowledge you, he just kept growling at nothing. Sighing, you just pack up all of your things and make sure the fire is completely out. Just as you begin to leave the campsite you hear something rustle in the trees. You stopped in your tracks and (P/N) is growling once again. Cautiously, you move to look above and see nothing. Just tree branches and a blue sky. Walking slowly, you hear the trees rustle again. Then you hear a thud behind you. (P/N) is facing behind you at whatever just fell from the trees, snarling, ready for attack. You slowly turn around to see a tall man with a hood drawn over his face. You notice all the weapons he has on him. The bow, the tomahawk, the pistols. He’s armed to the teeth. “Don’t come any closer, or (P/N) will get you.” You warn the man, trying to sound strong but failing miserably at it. (P/N) barks as if to agree with your threat. The man slowly raises his hand in surrender and for the first time speaks. “I do not wish to harm you. I have been following you since yesterday afternoon when I heard you scream and emerge from the river.” You and (P/N) must have been so tired after the fall that you didn’t even notice him. “If you would like, I can take you to my homestead.” He added. “It’s alright (P/N). Calm down.” You soothe to your furry friend. He settles but he still seems wary of the man before you. “We don’t really have much of a choice, so if you could kindly take us to your homestead, we would be thankful.” You say honestly. The man nods his head and lowers his hands back down to his sides. “Follow me. The homestead is not very far from here.” As he walks pass you, you hear (P/N) give huff. “Its alright (P/N). Maybe we can sleep in a warm bed tonight.” You whisper sweetly to him.
As the three of you are walking back to the homestead, you realize he didn’t give you his name. “I’m sorry but, I don’t know your name. Mine is (Y/N) and this is (P/N).” “A pleasure to meet you (Y/N). My name is Connor.” He says. Connor? That’s not a name you were expecting from him. He looks like he is from one of the native tribes here. You had a feeling that “Connor” wasn’t his real name, but you wouldn’t press him for information. “Nice to meet you as well, Connor.” You greet. Getting to the homestead didn’t take very long. An hour had passed by the time you three arrived. At the top of a hill you could see a manor. You’d never seen a home so big before. You old home was a little wood cabin where the kitchen was also a bedroom.
Connor brought you to the manor on the hill. (P/N) was very interested by the stables. He must have marked everything by the time you all made it into the house. “There is a guest bedroom at the top of the stairs to the right that you may use. I will see if there are any clothes to change into.” He offered. You thanked him and you and (P/N) went up to the room to get settled. “Connor is that you?” you heard from the bottom of the stairs. The voice sounded very old. I better change before they see me like this, you thought. “Yes, Achilles. I came back early and we have a guest.” You hear Connor reply to the voice. “WHAT?! Boy, what have you done?” Achilles yelled. He didn’t seem to happy about having guest. An exasperated sigh left Connor, “I will explain in a moment.” Connor came by a few minutes later with some fresh clothes for you. “There is food waiting for you both down stairs in the kitchen.” He said when he was handing you your new clothes. You quickly got dressed. It was a simple under shirt and a pair of brown trousers. You and (P/N) came downstairs and saw the dining table had a plate of food for you and a bowl of meat on the floor for (P/N). (P/N) immediately ran over to the bowl and practically started inhaling all of it. You giggled and sat down and started eating as well. Connor came in and sat across from you at the table. His hood was down and you could see his face much better now. He had deep brown eyes, tanned skin and his brown hair was half up half down with feather braided in on the side. “Thank you so much for all of this. I didn’t know where to go. Not that I really had anywhere to go to.” You tell him. “Why were you in the river?” he asks. You remember what happened yesterday and a tired sigh left your lips. “Well,” you start “(P/N) and I were running away from our town that had caught fire. By the time we left, more than half the town was engulfed in flames.” You started to choke up thinking about what had happened. “We walked all day, not knowing where we would go. Then yesterday we happened upon a river and while we were drinking from it,” You had to stop and take a deep breath. You looked over to (P/N) who was sound asleep on the floor next to your chair. You continued, “While we were drinking from it, a bear showed up and chased us to the end of the river. We either had to jump or fight a bear, and I took my chances and we jumped down the waterfall.” You finished with a shaky sigh. Connor seemed very intrigued by your situation. “I was hunting yesterday when I heard you scream. When I got to the river, you were already out and walking into the forest.” He said. You heard some shuffling from the other room. An old black man with a cane came into the dinning room. “So, this is our guest. Oh and look at that she has a dog too.” The old man said. He sighed and came over to you, completely ignoring (P/N) sleeping next you, and extended his hand out for a hand shake. “My name is Achilles Davenport and I am the owner of this homestead.” “Oh lovely to meet you, Mr. Davenport. My name is (Y/N) and this is (P/N). Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home.” You greeted. “It’s no problem (Y/N). After what you’ve been through you could use a break.” He said sincerely. “Rest for today. When you are ready I will introduce you to the other Homesteaders.” Connor offered. “Thank you again, Connor.” You told him as you and (P/N) got up to go back to the guest bedroom to finally sleep peacefully.