Drifting

AN: I DO NOT OWN KHR.

Also, apologies to those who follow my other pics. It will be awhile before i update them.

BetaReader Honorable Mention: QueenofRhymes.

Chapter 1: Before

Skull could remember the moment vaguely - the day she discovered Dying Will flames. She was an awkward transfer student from California to a school in Paris, the name of which she couldn't recall very well. Skull could remember the jeering from her fellow classmates since she was little, and Paris was no ddifferent. After all, Skull had to live through constant bullying and ridicule, and was generally friendless.

Her aunt, technically her mother's former bestfriend, took care of her. Her biological parents had been part of a clique of five friends. Aunt Selena was, ironically, in love with Skull's father. Her father, on the other hand, couldn't see any of his friends that way. Said man had had a series of one night stands one of which was with Selena's best friend, Patricia. The result was a splintered friendship, a dead friend and an unexpected child.

Unfortunately, neither of Skull's parents or family members wanted anything to do with her, and the only person who bothered with her was Aunt Selena. However, their relationship was not on a personal level. Her biological parents had each their own little, joyous family to take care of and she, the one who was before Skull, hated it. Somewhere deep inside of Skull grew a resentment towards people. There was a hatred for contact and crowds, and most of all, a strong need to get rid of everything in her way.

Skull despised people, despised living and despised herself, in general. However, that day in Italy, when she discovered the flames, she had forgotten everything in a moment; an unfortunate bystander to what was a scene of a mafia war; the only one who remembered the incident and who had seen how it started. For once in her life, Skull had felt significant.

"Hush." A voice whispered from behind. The owner of said voice's hand was currently covering the girl's mouth.

"If they find out you're alive, they'll kill you." The man uttered. The girl nodded hesitaintly, but didn't say anything in response.

"Good. Now, I want you to quietly step backwards, small steps, or else you'll attract unwanted attention." The man explained in the same quiet tone he had previously used.

Nodding, the girl in her teens stepped slowly back. She gazed carefully around into the dark, narrow alley, while the man said bluntly, "Right, brat. You seem like a smart girl, so I'll help you out. if you do the same for me, capice?"

Taking the girl's silence as a positive answer, the man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards a backdoor inside an empty office building. It seemed as if someone had broken the lock beforehand. The girl allowed herself to be dragged by the man through the entrance, giving the man and her surroundings a passive gaze. Pushing a bag filled with clothes towards her and a small booklet of some kind, he indicated for her to get changed. The girl simply stood there. Since time was running out and her lack of actions was starting to get on his nerves, he commanded:

"Brat, hurry up and get dressed! You're too young to be of any interest to me, I assure you"

There was still no reaction. The man looked towards her and sighed. " Come on, put the clothes on. You are going to play the role of the girl in that passport."

The teenager opened the passport and saw a picture of a girl that looked quite similar to her. The name written on it was Emilie Argon, who had both an italian and French background. Shrugging, 'Emilie' placed the passport down and procceeded to get dressed. The Italian man kept looking out of the window. Once he was finished, he explained:

" You'll play the role of my younger sister."

Noticing that 'Emilie' was finally dressed, the man grabbed two suitcases and a duffelbag. He shoved one of the smaller bags in her arms, grabbed her passport, then gripped her arm and dragged her along. After that, he walked out of the front door of the office, which opened up to another street. Said street was still deserted, but Emilie had no doubt that it wouldn't stay that way for long. The man walked carefully towards the other end of the street where an old, blue Mini Cooper sat.

'Emilie' scrutinized the car, before she was unceremoniously pushed into the vehicle. The man seemed uncaring of her mental state and procceeded to get in. He was swift in starting the car and driving off, no doubt trying to get away from the conflict. Emilie watched him quietly, as he drove around corners and sharp turns, but her mind was occupied by the strange occurance that happened behind. All she could seem to remember was sitting at a coffee table and seeing this same man walk in. He had sat down at the table next to hers and half an hour later she had heard screaming. She had also seen men with strange coloured flames that appeared out of nowhere. There were too many coloured flames for it to have been normal.

"How good are you at using your cloud flames?" The man's voice startled her.

' Cloud flames?' she thought, watching the man curiously. He noticed her bewildered gaze and frowned, asking, „You've never actually used your flames before, have you?"

Emilie said nothing, deciding to keep her thoughts to herself. The man did not look directly at her when she had remained silent. Judging by her lack of answer, his assumption was true. With a small smirk he whispered his conclusion to himself, "Hmmm, well. It doesn't matter...much."

Naturally his lack of patience returned he felt the need to voice his displeasure when she had neglected to answer him once more by demanding:

"Brat, I actually expect a response from you when I ask you something, got it?!"

'Emilie' nodded, flinched and said instead " Yes sir!"

The man glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, before returning his focus on the road.

'Emilie' shifted slightly, but refrained from fidgeting. She was confused as to whether she was doing the right thing or not. Technically, this could be considered kidnapping, but 'Emilie' couldn't find it in herself to care. She wondered why he had choosen her of all people, but she wasn't complaining. There was a spark inside her, one that felt impatient and excited. One that made her want to fight and yet, walk away. And for some reason, Emilie had the strange desire to say, " I'll beat them to death."

The man gave a snort followed by a slight chuckle, before he replied, " Well, at least we know you are actually a cloud."

'Emilie' was startled by his words. She had had no intention of saying that outloud. The man's face turned quickly into a frown.

"Unfortunately, now that you are involved, you're gonna need trainning. I have no intention of my little sister dying on me." He said.

'Emilie' made a face at the choice of his words. It seemed like the man was already placing himself in the role of her older brother.

"Okay…" The Italian man said nothing further, seeming more concerned with the road and driving than participating in a monologue. Sighing, 'Emilie' directed her attention towards the scenery that was changing quite fast as she thought, 'This is going to be one long ride.'

Several hours had passed before the car finally came to a complete halt at a small hotel. It was in quite a bad state of disrepair, but it looked liveable compared to its surroundings. 'Emilie' wondered slightly to herself just what was wrong with her to be doing this so freely and willingly. Naturally, a girl her age would've been kicking, screaming, even fighting to get away. But, all she did was go along with it. So many bad things could happen to her, especially given her age.

'But you know what?', Emilie thought to herself before she smirked and enquired, ' What is life without a few risks?'

The Italian man had grabbed the suitcases and was already unlocking the door.

' If humans as a race never took any risks; never found anything to live for, where would we be today?'

Emilie slowly made her way towards the door.

'Dead. That's where.'

'We would've never have evolved to this point. if all we did was stand around and cry. Many great leaders wouldn't have become who they were or accomplished what they did, if they hadn't taken risks.'

Emilie stopped in front of the door.

'The outcome is not always benefical. But...in the end...Who the fuck cares!? I won't stop here because it's scary!'

She smirked as she opened it.

'Plus. I do enjoy risks.'

The contemplating youth stepped through the door, closing it behind her.