So this is a rewrite of chapter one. I read it a while ago and saw how confusing it was and realized I needed to redo it. I keep forgetting to post it so I'm doing it now. Its not to different and if you already read it the info is the same its just more explained and stuff.

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Chapter 1 "Once Upon A Time"

Siren's Blared in the distance getting closer and closer with each ragged breath. The could night air coursed through my lungs and dried my already parched throat. My heart was beating so fast, I was scared it would lead the cops right to me. That, or it would burst out of my chest. Both options sounded rather unappealing to me.

I let my hands rest upon my knees as I took two deep breaths. In through my nose out through my mouth. After wiping away the beads of sweat on my forehead I took in my surroundings.

I was safe for now thanks to the secluded area I chose to catch my breath in. The darkness of night should help, at least till I'm ready to run the last four blocks.

For the moment I was in the middle of a small lot, surrounded by over grown vegetation and tall buildings. There was only one way in and one way out.

"Oh Shit!" I muttered. One way in and one way out. Do you know what I just did? I trapped myself.

I would have screamed but that would have been just plain stupid. I settled on kicking a can. Stupid but not as bad. It was rusty old beer can from what I could make out. I sent it flying in the direction of the buildings, and waited for the noise.

There was a loud Klank as the can connected with concrete, but then another sound that followed. The sweetest sound I've heard all day! It was rolling, it was soft and in the distance but the can was rolling. Rolling meant opening.

I prayed that I'd given the can a kick so perfect it found a gap in the wall that could lead me away from here.

Walking towards the buildings were the rusty metal had disappeared, I hoped that I was the only one here.

I ran my hand against the dirty wall of the building searching for... something. Now I was wishing I'd payed better attention to the direction the can had flown.

As if I could, it was so fucking dark I couldn't see shit.

A humorless laugh escaped my lips. Wishing, hoping, and praying. How pathetic! Yet at this point it was the best I could do.

I came really close to screaming Hallelujah when I felt nothing. No rough wall caked with dirt and grime. It was a gap, around four feet in diameter. The space the can had found for me.

I strained my eyes to see further into the space. To say I was hesitant to run into a dark tunnel, not knowing where the hell my own feet were, was the understatement of your life!

I quickly sorted through pro's and con's weighing out my chances. The sound of another siren, closer this time is what made up my mind.

The blood pounding in my ear clogged my brain, and I launched into the alley at full speed. Auto makers would have been astonished by how fast I went from zero to sixty.

I just kept telling my self: 'You need to get back! You just NEED to. It's NOT an option.' That little mantra is what got me through this shitty day. I was still trying to comprehend what the hell happened within the last 24 hours.

I had my arms stretched out in front of me as I ran. If this path led to a dead end I wanted a bit of warning before colliding with a brick wall. Yes, two broken teeth would just be icing on the fucking cake-

"Shit" I more or less growled while I was in mid air falling face first. My jean covered knees and bare arms took the bruit of the fall. I had a uneven piece of asphalt to thank for this undesired introduction with gravity. The denim covering my legs protected my knees from anything but a bruise. I couldn't say the same for my arm. Since I was running like a mummy with my arms in front of me, when I fell my face was safe from meeting glass.

I couldn't see it but from the sharp pain, amount of blood, and crunch beneath my shoes as I stood, it was glass. No doubt some junkies old beer bottle they'd discarded, while high or dunk, possibly booth.

I silently cursed the bitch that left it and kept running. This time I lifted my feet higher into the air and ran with only one arm out front. I probably looked like a total idiot at the moment.

My pace picked up and I thanked everyone and anyone, when I saw the dim shine of a dying street light on the other side of the alley. I guess you could say I saw the light.

Once I got to the edge of the alley I was kinda stuck. I hadn't planned this far and now I didn't know what to do. I stuck my head out and looked left, right, up, down, you name it, I looked it.

I felt like one of those meerkats from Lion king, you know Tamone them. Or the real ones from that Animal Planet show, um what was it called now? Meerkat Manor! With the Whisker family and Flower the leader. That show was a drama.

So my next move. If I crossed the street I could walk through houses and stuff in the residential part of town but If I went the other way I could travel through alleys. With more broken glass to shank my self with. Eh.

Ok residential here I come.

I guess my only option was to run. I couldn't dive into a hole under the ground were no one could get to me like a meerkat. I had no one else to keep watch while I concentrate on one thing at a time. That's why they stay in big groups. Thats why they listen to their leader. Thats-

What the hell am I doing thinking about meerkats? I mentally and physically slapped myself.

The sound of another siren, closer this time sent my pulse pounding. The blood rang in my ears and I took off across the road. All thoughts focused on getting to my destination.

I got to the edge of the block and jumped into someones yard. A large hedge growing at the edge of their property providing good cover to hide in. I doubt there was anyone awake at 2 in the morning. And if they were they were probably not in their yards, on the look out for juvenile delinquents.

I closed my eyes and listened. There were no sirens close by. Just... heavy breathing? I opened my eyes and backed up slowly. There was something out there. I felt something soft hit my thigh. Fear shot through my body, like a strike of lightning. I swear my heart stopped for a second.

I gasped and jumped forward out into the road. I tripped but caught myself. Looking behind I saw a dog. He was a mutt it was to dark to tell what exactly. I could almost see the whites of his eyes, they were so wide. His fur was sticking up in every direction, while he leaned away from me. We scared the shit out of each other!

It took me a split second after that to gather my thoughts and I ran again. There's no way I'm risking a dog bite to go along with my glass cut. I just kept running, applying pressure to my wound. The blood had yet to stop.

I kept running till I realized I had no clue where I was going! Stupid, Stupid! The phrase 'hang out with stupid people and you'll come stupid' -or something like that- is really true. I must have lost half my brain in the last month or so.

It was settled, once I got to were I was going. I'm packing up and leaving, I have a place in mind.

But one thing at a time, right?

Yeah...

This was a different route from the one I had planned but It'll have to do. I'm not completely lost but I don't know what to expect now. I'm not about to go all the way back. I already wasted enough time scaring a dog and wishing I was a meerkat.

I kept to the side walk staying in the darkest corners. I just had to travel down this street, take a left and the small intersection and straight up the main road.

I was just about to turn the corner. Leaving the residential part of this town behind me and enter the business part, were the crucial main road was. That meant more dark alleys.

Before I got there I took my time to reassess the area. You can't be to careful now can you.

It was hard to explain where I was. I didn't even know where I was really. My brain messed up right now. Plus I didn't have contacts or glasses at the moment. After deciding that I would not get night vision in the next five minutes I got up and started to make my way towards the street.

Fuck! There were cops all over the place. Now what!

They were all parked in the middle of the street and in the small parking lot of a sleazy chinese restaurant. A few were on foot patrolling and the others were in their cars. Luckily most were on the opposite sides of the road.

I sighed in frustration and slumped to the ground next to a fence. In the cover of a thick bush that had over grown and left a hallow hiding spot perfect for me. I had to plan this right. One shot to do this and I had to make it count.

Unconsciously I grazed my hand over my knee. It bore the first scar I'd ever received. that was a story for later. No time for reminiscing now.

After five minutes I came up with a plan. It was weak but it would have to do. There was a narrow space between the restaurant structure and the fence that surrounded the property. I could hop the fence and travel along the back. Once I got out on the other side there was small parking area for delivery trucks. If I crossed that tiny opening safely I could climb a ladder on the next building over and get back by traveling on the roof. All the building were connected after that. It would take me right to my destination.

The cops were out front and would never think to look so close. It would be risky but if you have a better idea tell me. I'd love to hear it.

One deep breath... I prepared myself for the task. I was tired in every way possible. Second deep breath... I reminded myself why I needed to risk it. My sister was waiting for me. I could be dead for all she knows. Third deep breath... It was now or never. And when have I ever chosen never.

I stood up. Everything ached. I took caution in crossing the street to the restaurant. That was possibly the most dangerous part. It was clear and wide in the open. I made it to other end and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Most cops were checking the bridge parallel to the restaurant.

The restaurant was surrounded by a rusty oil stained fence. Dead grass and thorny looking weeds were growing along the sorry excuse for metal. The space between the barricade and the building created a narrow ally.

I'd go that way.

I reached the back of the building. Hopping the fence was harder than it should have been. Thanks to this bum arm. The narrow space between structure and fence was big enough to travel along but I had to travel slow.

I was around three feet from the delivery parking strip on the other side of the building. Once I crossed that I'd be on safer ground.

My heart started to pound again for no reason. That was odd. There were no new noises, nothing I could see. Usually I hear of feel fear before I actually see and acknowledge it. There was nothing.

Then suddenly an overwhelming sense of peace washed over me. I took it as a good sign and started to run. I ran right out of the crag like space, and straight into a girl.

It was a hard blow, my torso against hers. We both went flying. I mumbled a string of profanities before landing flat on my back. While she screamed bloody murder.

Damn it. She probably gave me away now. And what the fuck was she doing out at this time a night!

I was on my feet in an instant, so was she.

I could hear foot steps coming towards me but I didn't care. I was face to face with the most beautiful eyes. Even in the dark I could see the clear blue gaze piercing me. I was frozen. No this was impossible. What was she doing here?

"Spencer?" I breathed, just loud enough so she could hear. Recognition sparked in her eyes and her mouth opened slightly. She was shocked. It was written clear on her face. Her beautiful eyes blinked open and close a few times, as if checking to see if this was a dream.

"Ashley?" she said just as softly. If I thought I lost my brain earlier, it was gone now. Clouded and fogged up beyond use for the rest of the night. The foot steps were getting closer and louder but they sounded muted. Everything sounded muted. I felt like I was on another planet, like my own little bubble with Spencer. All thoughts and fears drained out of my mind like water in a sink.

A male figure appeared in the shadows. Slowly coming towards me and my old childhood friend. He was nothing but a dark silhouette behind the girl.

"Spencer? Are you ok" His voice questioned. Fatherly concern was present in his tough police voice. It sent chills through me but I couldn't take my eyes of the blonde.

"Spencer?" his voice was held a twinge of anxiety now. She still didn't respond to him. Our eyes were locked and we'd lost the key. He stepped close and finally came view.

"Oh my god" he breathed out. It was Arthur Carlin, Spencer's father. At one point he was like a father to me too. He froze as well, blinking his eyes a good amount a times. We were all lost in our memories.

His shiny badge on his black uniform was the only thing that snapped me back to reality. He was a cop and I was the culprit. Sure we had history but this was his job he had to do what he had to do.

I could not get caught!

He noticed my realization. He put his arms up as you would to a dangerous animal. His voice was gentle, soothing. "Ashley it's ok... just-"

A low menacing growl cut him off. A blur of something came charging out of the alley. It growled deep in his throat letting out a few sharp barks of warning. I backed up slowly. The waist high object lunged towards Arthur and Spencer Carlin. It was a fake lunge but Spencer screamed anyways.

There was screaming and barking and shouting. And soon more foot steps were making their way over to us. My brained cleared just enough for me to realize I had to get the hell out of here. I used this as my escape, and ran.

I ran back the way I came with only three things on my mind...

Run, and don't stop.

Thank you dog!

And Spencer Carlin...

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Thanks for reading and once again this was just a rewrite. Sorry if it looked like an update. If I do take long to update and have a reason I'll post it on my profile so you can check that for news.