the doors opened only a minute later and a girl around my age walked in , pulling with her by a leash made of vine one of those hissing , snarling creatures . you will need every ounce of your strength to travel . if i told you what happens next , youd try to prevent it . dinner at your house is served outside in the trough . '' although he rarely listened to me . `` did i ever tell you that i was once an idealist ? '' 