Anna Claire

I sit alone in the middle of the dance studio, relaxing after practice. Most girls were panting as they were leaving, but not me. Dancing is my life. I live and breathe to dance. It's my passion... most times. Other times my mom and dad push me so far that I hate it. They don't seem to care what I want, as long as I have money coming in from sponsors and the competitions I win. I'd just won a contemporary solo today, not a big deal, really. I'd won solos before. In fact, I win more than I lose. The girls around here still treat me like I'm some sort of star, though. I'm thirteen, older than some and younger than others.

They seem to think I was blessed with some sort of gift, considering I can do forty-nine turns, ten more than the second runner up in my dance team. I've been in dance since I was younger. I don't completely have the body for it. I am tall, but I'm no far too flat like most of the girls here. I have a flat stomach, but that's it. My dance teacher, Ms. Shay, says my body is a gift, but I don't believe her. I look out of place with most of the other girls and everyone knows it. But I'm better than most of them. Maybe even all of them.

They've come to learn and except that. After I'd won my first solo, they'd called it luck. They'd called it a coincidence when I'd won my second and fourth. They'd said I was cheating by the time I'd won my fourth and fifth, but by the time I'd won my ninth or tenth, they just excepted the fact that I was gifted and far more talented. I never brag or say I'm better than the other girls, I'm nowhere near that cruel, but it seems to be an unspoken agreement that I am. My name is Anna Claire, but everyone else calls me Anna.

I like the short version better, it suits me. It's plain and simple. But I've always known, from a very long time, that I'm not plain or simple.
I hear the studio door open and close. The lights are mostly off except for the one pointing at me, so I can't see anything. A little bit of panic feels in my chest.

"Hello?" I call out, as if anyone will answer. "Who's there?"

I hear a hissing sound and shiver. I've always been terrified of snakes, I've never enjoyed them. I hear a little bit of laughter and see a girl with curly jet black hair and baby blue eyes that I recognize all too well.

"Tanner!" I scream, outraged. My best friend laughs but raises her arms in defeat. "Sorry, I know, I know. You hate snakes."

I giggle a little and stand, hugging her. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tightly. My wavy blond her mixes in with her jet black hair and we stand there for a moment, hugging. It's a simple embrace, but it's the first time I've seen her in a few days.

"How was your trip?" I ask her, releasing the hug. She makes a face then her eyes widen.

"Oh! That trip! It was great. I had a lot of fun."

I nod, barely understanding her. She smiles, quite shyly, back. I hear the door open and close again and more hissing sounds. I chuckle.

"Did you get a partner to help you?"

"Um... no..." Tanner says, backing away. I back away with her, almost out of the light. A woman with sunglasses and a wrap on her head steps into it.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"Medusa. Prepare to die demigod."

I back out of the darkness and she backs away, too, in the opposite direction. I feel the need to breathe again and be thankful that the scariness is over... only it isn't. I hear the hissing right behind my neck and I jump while screaming. I step back into the light, Tanner by my side, and I see the woman. She is moving toward us again. The woman rest her hand on her sunglasses, ready to take them off. Just as she moves them, I realize Tanner isn't beside me anymore. The power shuts off and I'm engulfed in darkness.

I feel someone grab my wrist and cover my eyes, muffling my scream.

"Shh, Anna! We have to get outside. Be careful, and be quiet." Tanner whispers in my ear.

I nod against her hold and we slowly start walking. I know where the door is, even in the darkness, so I lead us to it with no problem. We escape the studio and begin running. I'm running in my competition outfit and with any shoes. It's pretty hard to keep up. My shirt, well it's more of a sports bra type thing, scratches me as I run. The dark brown, short skirt that matches rubs against my legs. I feel the cold air on my body as I run.

"Don't stop until I tell you that you can." Tanner says.

"Why?" I ask.

I hear glass shatter and I turn back to the studio, finding Medusa running out.

"Never mind." I say, grabbing Tanner's wrist and dragging her down the road. We run until my legs burn and my muscles beg for mercy and cry in agony. I finally stop running, not caring for the danger anymore, and look over to see Tanner doubled over and panting. I stand beside her and look around for the crazy woman but I don't see her.

"Anna..." Tanner says, stopping to take a deep breath of air, "I need to tell you something."

"Then tell me."

"I have to get you to a camp, first. You trust me, don't you?"

"I honestly don't know anymore."

I follow her quickly as she leads us out of town, nonetheless.