The sun was just setting over the west Chicago bridge, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the brick buildings. Women of all ages clutched their belongings to their chests nervously, hustling along the darkening streets. The fright behind their eyes was nearly tangible, almost a living thing. Kurin shuddered with fear of her own, causing gooseflesh to spread across the flesh of her exposed arms.

What once used to be a semi-decent city was now a hotspot for kidnappings. Fifteen women, daily, were disappearing without a trace. By now, the truth had started to settle in with most of the women. They were being hunted. By what, nobody had figured out.

Kurin hoisted her purse strap higher onto her shoulder before crossing the street. Trash, caught by the wind, danced around her ankles as she walked. She added a skip to her step, the exhilaration of almost being home suddenly lightening her mood. A sudden memory tickled her conscious. A fond memory from her childhood.

Kurin, in a room painted with light blues and green, twirled a circle around a crib. Pushing herself up onto tiptoes, she peered over the edge of the bar. That moment marked the first time she'd ever been truly happy. Nestled in the bottom of the crib was a child, only days old. His clear blue eyes stared back into green ones. That child was her newborn brother, and he belonged to her. Kurin's fiery hair spilled over the edge, into the crib, mixing with the child's blonde tuft. With shaking hands, he reached for the waterfall of fire. That was the first time Jayson ever pulled his sister's hair. Her cries of pain were dwarfed by his laughter, and in that moment, Kurin was as happy as she'd ever been.

It took a moment for Kurin to notice the silence settling over the streets. With a glance up, she realized just how alone she was. All the women who had previously been hurrying home were now safely behind locked doors, leaving Kurin stranded in the bare streets alone. The darkness washed over the city, draining the color from her surroundings. Her knuckles tightened on the strap of her purse and she started to jog, her heart running faster than she was.

Calm down. You're fine. What are the chances you'd be abducted, anyway? Slim.

She attempted talking herself out of a panic attack, which only made her predicament worse.

Only two blocks to go. You're alright. You've got this. You took track. Just breath.

She could feel eyes on her, from every window she passed. Curious bystanders, watching from the safety of their homes as a lone teenage girl raced home after curfew. Everyone watched, waiting for the mysterious abductor to appear and snatch her up. At least then, they would know who, or what, was taking the women.

One more block. You're almost home! Don't trip. Don't trip. Don't trip.

The darkness deepened, swallowing up Kurin's ankles. She pumped her legs faster, her sneakers making a disturbing amount of noise in the otherwise silent city. As she passed an alley, a sudden clicking drifted to her ears. Loud enough to trump even her heavy breathing. She skidded to a stop, only feet from the mouth of the black alley. Why? She had no idea. She was silent a moment, and a moment was all it took. The clicking bounced off the walls again, followed by what sounded like a growl.

Whatever that was, it was huge…

Her body suddenly went rigid, and as she turned to bolt, a hot breath crawled across the back of her neck. Her fiery hair danced in the current of it, falling in strands over her shoulder.

With her heart in her throat, Kurin took off. Her speed surprised even her, but what surprised her the most was her uncontrollable curiosity. She just had to look back as she ran. What she saw, or rather, what she didn't see, was a huge creature standing in the street. The street lights flickered on right as she glanced back, and a huge, shimmering form stood under the streetlight near the mouth of the alley. The shimmering lasted only a moment before smoothing over and disappearing completely, but she knew what she saw.

Whatever that was, it was huge, it was loud, and it was still watching her.

She turned around and continued her mad sprint for home. She could see her door now, the only red one on the block. It creaked open as she neared, and she feared her house had been broken into, until Jayson stepped out, searching the street.

His eyes landed on Kurin, and they both let out a sigh of relief. Kurin ran up the steps to her door and hooked an arm under Jayson's arms before running into the house, slamming the door, and sliding the deadbolt into place. His blonde hair was tousled and windswept from her sudden retrieval, and he patted it down with an annoyed expression on his face. Kurin, still out of breath, laughed at his efforts before running her fingers through his hair affectionately.

"You're late." he whispered. He lost all annoyance in his tone and expression. He was suddenly the sad little boy that Kurin was familiar with. She stopped her ministrations on his hair and sighed.

"I'm alright, Jayson. I'm home now, that's what counts." she replied. He looked up into her eyes, and she could see that happiness shone there, even if it wasn't apparent on his small face. That happiness should have been the brightest of his features, just like any other ten year old, but it wasn't. That small fact saddened Kurin.

"I was worried about you. I was going to come looking for you." He dug around in his jacket pocket before holding out both of his hands. In one, there was a small flashlight. In the other, an even smaller pocket knife. Kurin recognized the knife as her Father's, and went to reach for it. Jayson pulled his hand away, hiding the knife from her.

"I didn't steal it. I swear. I was going to put it back when I was done." he grumbled. He wouldn't meet her eyes, and she chuckled sadly.

"It's okay, Jayson. Dad would have wanted you to have it…" she whispered. He shoved the knife into the pocket of his pants and she placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

Kurin offered her hand as she stood, waiting for Jayson to place his hand in hers. When he did, she gave it a reassuring squeeze and led him to their bedroom. As they readied for bed, Kurin paused to grab a picture sitting on the nightstand. The picture was that of a happy family. A Father on the left, holding a son with the same striking features that he had. Bleach blonde hair, clear blue eyes, and strong bone structure. A mother on the right, her hand on the shoulder of her daughter. Their hair, which was similar in so many ways, drifted on a current of wind. Their Mother and Father were the ideal couple, with the ideal children, and a happy life.

She placed the picture back on the stand as Jayson came into the room. He caught the movement, and pain shot through his eyes. It was the kind of pain that left deep scarring, further down than anyone could reach. Too severe to be healed by anyone. Kurin knew this pain because it festered within herself, and it was a pain that a child so young should never feel. She crawled into bed, and Jayson soon after. She pulled Jayson to her chest and tucked him into her body, holding him there like Mother used to do.

When his labored breathing finally evened out, Kurin gave herself to sleep. Unlike most nights, where she dreamed of the screech of tires, the squeal of brakes, and the crushing of metal, she dreamed of clicks. Of growls. And of shimmering figures, just beyond her line of sight.