42 Suspicion...

Rose felt strength leaving her body and collapsed to the ground, feeling the chill of the snow seeping into her bones. She struggled to lift herself up, but it was as if a heavy weight was pressing down on her.

Her eyelids were also heavy, and she could feel herself slipping away.

Crunch...

Suddenly, a loud crunching sound broke through the stillness, and she could hear someone stomping through the snow nearby. She tried to focus her blurry vision on the figure, but it was all just a blur. All she could make out were the outlines of a man's figure, and the sound of his muttered words.

"Stupid lizard!"

He grumbled, and Rose couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear. She tried to muster the strength to speak, but her throat felt dry, and no sound came out.

Suddenly, the stranger picked her up and Rose's blood ran cold with fear. He carried her over to a nearby tree and leaned her against it, his warm hand gripping her wrist.

Swish...