Another new mystery story since I can't seem to stay away from them :)

Her heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn't stop running, if she did they would catch up to her, and she couldn't afford that. She needed to get away. Heavy raindrops poured over her body, blurring her vision. The slick, wet grass felt cold under her bare feet, every now and then she would stumble over some branches or other obstacles in her way, but she didn't stop running. She couldn't stop, If she stopped... Oh goddess she didn't want to think of what would happen if she stopped. She was completely unaware of her surroundings, all that mattered was getting away. She ran until she couldn't run anymore, and then she collapsed.

"What's wrong with her?" Neil asked. He had found the young girl laying unconscious, and had quickly run to get the town's mayor, Dunhill, who lived close by. The young animal dealer was out of his comfort zone and was ill equipped to deal with this type of situation. People did not show up like this in a small town like Echo Town.

"Not quite sure. You say you found her here in the square?" Dunhill asked.

"Yup, right where I usually set up shop."

"Poor thing musta got caught in last night's storm, wonder what she's doin' here," Dunhill mused. His brow furrowed. It had been a long time since anyone new had moved to Echo Town. While it had certainly become more established than it was before, people weren't exactly flocking to move there either. "Best go get Dr Klaus. He'll be wanting to examine her for sure." Neil grumbled something under his breath and left to get the doctor.

The young girl laying on the concrete was small. She had a dark chestnut brown hair that was tangled around her face. She looked pale, almost lifeless. Dunhill could see the rise and fall of her chest indicating life in her. As Dunhill continued to examine her, checking, with his limited knowledge, for serious injury, the girl started moving. A soft moan escaped from her lips.

"Wha-" the young girl started saying. Her voice was hoarse and weak. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. Instantly she set up. Her head was spinning. "Where am I?"

"Well hello young lady, you are in Echo Town," Dunhill answered soothingly. The girl regarded him with fearful eyes. Something inside of her screamed to run, but she remained rooted to the spot. "My name is Dunhill, I'm the mayor here. What is your name?" He was trying his best to soothe the girl, it was clear that her nerves were shot. She appeared to be almost frightened.

"I... My name?" She asked. She lifted her hand up and stared as if the answer to his question was buried somewhere within the lines on her palm. Why couldn't she remember her name? Panic started to settle in. How does one forget her name?

Dunhill was shocked. He'd heard of cases like this, but never saw it first hand. This girl must have amnesia. Not wanting to scare her further, he didn't press any more for her name.

"It's alright," Dunhill soothed. "We've got a Doctor on the way, he's going to help you." For whatever reason this thought offered little comfort to the girl. In fact, if anything, it filled her with dread.

"How long have I been here?" The girl asked.

"I am not so sure myself," Dunhill answered. "Someone else found you. Neil, he's the one that went to get the doctor."

The girl pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her arms. She could not think straight. Fear enveloped her.

"Dunhill!" Klaus called out.

"Over here!" Dunhill answered. He waved his arm in the air. The doctor and Neil came rushing over.

"Good to see that's she's conscious," Klaus stated. He held his hand out to the girl. Instantly she shrunk away from him. He had a stern looking face with sharp angles, and a pointy nose. Even though he was smiling, the smile failed to reach his eyes. She looked instead to Dunhill. Sadly, right now, he was the only person that she knew; albeit only for a few moments. Klaus sighed. He was accustomed to people being afraid of him.

"It's alright," Dunhill advised. "He's here to help you." The young girl finally relented. She still refused to take his hand.

"Are you coming too?" She asked Dunhill.

"Sure I reckon I can tag along," Dunhill chuckled. Perhaps it was because she reminded him of his daughter who had moved out of Echo town a long time ago.

"Thank you," the young girl stated. The trio walked to the small town's clinic.

"She seems to have amnesia of some sort," Klaus informed Dunhill after the examination. "Her injuries are superficial, there's no bump on her head, so I can only deduce that she's had some sort of trauma happen to her."

"So she doesn't remember anything?" Dunhill asked.

"Not a thing, it's like she's a blank slate," Klaus informed. "I have never seen a case this bad before." Dunhill looked over the small girl. She looked so helpless and lost.

"What are we going to do with her?" Dunhill asked. Klaus shrugged.

"Not our responsibility is it?" Klaus asked annoyed.

"Yes it is," Dunhill stated. Klaus was a great doctor, but too distant and uncaring at times.

"Look if you feel the need to help her go ahead, my job's done. Physically speaking she's fine," Klaus asserted. Dunhill shook his head and walked over to the girl.

"So you really don't remember anything?" Dunhill asked. She shook her head.

"I wish I could," she sighed.

"Well you are more than welcome to stay here if you wish," Dunhill explained. Her eyes lit up.

"I would love to stay here!" She gasped.

"Now what should we call you?" Dunhill asked.

"Rachel," the girl responded.

"Where'd you get that from?" Dunhill asked chuckling.

"Not sure," she said scratching her head. "It just came to me."

"Well then Rachel it is!" Dunhill stated. Rachel smiled, for the first time since she'd regained consciousness she was starting to feel safe.

The shrill ring of the phone pierced through the air. A man answered it quickly.

"Speak!" He boomed. He had little patience for mistakes. The man he had hired had made enough of them already.

"She got away sir," a voice said timidly. "We couldn't catch her.

"What?!" The man shouted.

"I'm sorry! I'm not sure what happened but she got away!" The other pleaded.

"Well then I suggest you go find her," the first said attempting to keep calm. "You know what's at stake here."

"Yes sir," came the response. He hung the phone up. He'd put a lot of money, and had a lot invested into this project and he was not prepared to lose it all because of a stupid mistake some lackey underling made