Prologue

Why is this happening to me? I shouldn't have left that clinic, but if I had stayed, I would have hurt somebody. Thought Pip as she ran. Something is following me.

Pip quickened her pace to the running speed. Something was following her. Something. Not someone. Pip knew this but she didn't want to see what that something was.

Things had been happening to her lately, things she couldn't explain. Pip had been dealing with this for about a year now, hurting people she shouldn't have and haring things without people talking. There had also been the dreams, odd dreams reoccurring every night in the same sequence.

I should never have left the orphanage. I would be much safer now if I had stayed there…On the other hand, if I would have stayed, someone would have gotten hurt.

Pip stopped running and all was quiet. She listened closely to the faint steps of whatever was behind her as it gained speed. Pip drew a deep breath and ran even faster.

Living at orphan homes all her life, going from place to place was difficult and Pip got used to it. But lately everything was getting difficult for her again. Pip had been an orphan since she was born. She had been told at an early age that someone had just left her there. They had left her on the steps without food, clothing, and worst of all, without a name. As she grew she became adventurous and cunning, living up to her name the orphanage gave her. Her name Pippi, which they got from Pippi Longstocken, was no misnomer.

Pip heard her pace quicken. Faster and faster she ran. Faster and faster the thing behind her ran. Then Pip heard it stop. She stopped, looked around, and then started walking.

It must have been an animal or something, she thought. All I am worried about is an animal. That's all it is! Pip slowly turned to see if that was all she had been worried about. Nothing was there.

Suddenly Pip heard a loud growl. She turned around quickly, ready to run but was stopped. Standing in front of her was a thing. A kind of beast or creature. It had a big ruffled like face with sunk in eyes, a button like nose and huge fangs coming out of it's mouth. The creature lunged at her before she could yell for help, but she got out of the way before it could reach her.

"Help, help." Pip screamed as loud as she could. She knew it was hopeless. Nobody would be able to hear her.

"Be quiet fool. No one will hear you. You're such a stupid child. Why are you running so far away from the city? Are you trying to run from reality? Foolish child. Don't worry, death will come quickly." The creature glared at Pip as if she were a hot stake.

"Wha…what do you want with me. Can't you leave me alone."

"No I won't leave you alone. I want your powers, Witch."

"But I am not a witch and I don't have powers, " cried Pip pleading for her life.

" Shut up, Witch. I said shut up," the creature screamed.

Pip couldn't reject his commands. Before she could say anything else the creature tackled her. She could feel his claws scratching her and ripping her skin open. She felt her lungs burst open and gasped for air after a blow to the chest, and then finally she felt a pole hit her in the forehead. Suddenly everything went pitch black to Pip.

I'm dead, she thought, I'm dead.