1. Freddi

I ran from the unfamiliar. Behind me, there were cars, planes, houses, apartments, people. In front of me, freedom. I found peace among the comforting smell of pine, the enclosed space of trees, the light peering through the leaves above me. My forest was my home.

Each step I took brought me closer to my home, where I was free from arguments, from police, from the bustle of others' lives. But yet I wondered, as I did daily, if my lonesome life really was a good choice. I've always lived by myself, well not all my life, because I did live with a family, once. It was a long time ago, a time I don't really remember. Living on my own, on the run, is a good thing, yet sometimes, especially after I've paid a visit to the city, I wonder how bad it would be to have someone else around.

Finally, I was running through the deep woods. I knew every step by heart. All around me, trees, animals, nature. When I reached my little clearing, my home, I was greeted by the singing of the brook, and the rustle of leaves.

I dropped my parcel of stolen objects near the stream bank, and kneeled down to rest.

A sudden crackle of a stick brought me to attention. I heard a cough, and in a quick movement, snatched the parcel up and jumped to my feet, running to the tree in which I slept.

And then I did what I do best; I hid.

But no one came. And even with my razor-sharp eyes and sense of living beings, I couldn't find anyone. It was as if a ghost was there.

I sat down near the stream, and watched my reflection and the world behind me. The only person I saw was a girl with tan skin, deep, troubled brown eyes, and reddish-brown hair. Me. I stretched my long fingers toward the water, swirling it around.

I leaned back and took a deep breath. I was home.

* * * * *

A noise woke me from my dream. I bolted straight up, and leapt to my feet. My 'tree house' floor groaned as I backed away from any place I couldn't escape from. I stifled a scream as I nearly tripped over my small pile of clothes.

I heard the tree groan as another's footsteps jumped through the branches that only squirrels, birds, and I could get through.

My heart pounded quickly, preparing me for the worst. I held my arms in front of me, ready to fight.

The mysterious thing ascended quickly, and made it up onto my board.

"Sorry for scaring you," the mystery person said, in a quick, feminine voice. I narrowed my eyes.

"You've been following me," I accused. Now that my eyes had adjusted, I could see it was a girl, standing before me. She had strong arms, dark skin, and wavy black hair. She was small and thin. She could be like me, but I knew that, realistically, no one could ever be that different. The mystery girl nodded.

"I don't know why, I don't want to know, but however you've been following me, however you got up here," I paused for a breath. "I know how you're getting down."

I pushed her, catching her off guard, and she fell out of my sanctuary, twenty or so feet off up into the tree. It wouldn't be enough to kill anyone, I told myself. But I still looked down.

And gasped.

Because, not far below me, the mystery girl had unfurled her black wings, as dark as her hair, and flew.

And I knew that she was exactly like me.

She was another angel.

She was another Dark Angel.