Authors Note: I am not giving up on my POTC story; I just need a break as it involves A LOT of detail (in my opinion). Also, this story I will update better. I have a cunning plan! I will be doing another cunning plan. Which involves, I need at least ONE review for this chapter, to upload the next one. Then chapter 2, I need two reviews to upload Chapter 3. Chapter 3, I need three reviews to upload Chapter 4,,.. and so on...however, if I get say, three reviews for Chapter 1, then one review for Chapter 2 (I hope not!), then that will make one review for Chapter 2, but more reviews for Chapter 3. If that makes any sense, which it probably doesn't. But if you have read my other stories, then you will see these author's notes make no sense. Generally.

Dedication: I'm gonna mix it up a bit, this chapter is dedicated to Nicola Faulds, as she was there in tutor when I wrote the first draft, and she read it. So yeah.

Suggestions: (Not sure if I need the author's permission or not but I'm gonna do this anyway, unless people are against it, then I will stop) I was reading this today, and I love it! So if you like J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan to the 2003 film version, then I suggest "The True Story of Peter Pan" by SufferingInSilence. Tis awesum!

Keep on writing!

Yours sincerely,

The Red Crayon

"Now y' know the devil's got your number, Y' know he's gonna find y', Y' know he's right behind y', He's starin' through your windows, He's creeping down the hall."

The Mysterious Girl

PROLOGUE (Kinda)

She was running. Running faster than she ever had in her life. Because she was running for her life. Through the dark woods, past the tall imposing trees and away from the cave that had haunted her for the past two years. She felt bad for the others girls that she had been forced to leave behind. She was the only one, still strong in mind and body; strong enough to keep going. She was told not to stop, to never look back.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she tore through the thick thorns that covered the vast forest. Dodging fallen trees and ignoring the pain in her chest, she continued on. She knew that if he ever caught her again, the pitiful life she remembered would be heaven in comparison. The last girl to leave, well, she was never the same. Never moving, completely blank...empty.

Birds whistled noisily overhead as her dark blue eyes looked towards the noise. Fearing the change of behaviour, the feet, clad in broken brown boots, faded, and filled with holes, continued to break twigs noisily, with each hurried step.

She heard it then. Whipping around her head, stopping for the first time in hours, she almost broke. The birds flew hurriedly away from their nests as the unyielding anger of HIM, rang through the woods. Running faster than she possibly could before, her unwashed, unkempt blonde hair got caught in a stuck out branch. Screaming noiselessly at the interruption, she squirmed trying to break free with as much hair as possible.

The noise from the woods was deafening as she ran on screwing her eyes up as many hairs were ripped from her scalp. Skidding round a large oak, she continued North-East, hoping for a town or village. She was becoming desperate, time was short, and HE was catching up. She could feel it.

HE hadn't taken as much of her power as she thought. She could still feel the tides in her lithe frame, but she had no strength to call it. She would have to stop, but to stop, she needed protection.

Hearing happy laughter, rather than maniacal, she stopped briefly to get a heading. Something whistled centimetres from her ear.

Looking forward towards the noise, she saw a slashed dart fade slowly into the tree it hit. HIS weapon of choice, designed to immobilise the victim. Panic; terror; grief; washed through her as she continued to persevere forward. Reaching out with all her remaining strength, she burst through the trees into a camp.

The laughter stopped immediately as a withered figure bounded into the centre of the camp. The men stopped sharpening their equipment, eating or telling jokes to stare at the young girl. She slowly back away into a tree, as what looked to be the leader of the pack, started towards her.

"It's alright, I won't hurt you. Why were you running?" He said holding up his hands in surrender. Eyes wide, she pointed to a spot behind him. Gesturing to his men, they gathered their weapons and stood in the practiced formation.

Gladston, who was on the right flank, was suddenly pulled away by an invisible force. Quick as lighting, Brooks, Dannyl and Flint, followed after.

"Robin, what the hell was that? Where did they go!" A panicked Randal demanded. Robin just kept a stronger hold on his sword. He heard a slumping sound as he turned and saw the girl slide down the tree and curl into a small ball.

He heard a rustling and quickly resumed the centre position. Randal, Lucas and Garrett curved round in their positions, keeping a watchful eye. Lucas screamed as he was the next to be carried off, and Garrett was flung across the camp into a tent, causing it to collapse.

"Show yourself!" Robin demanded of the darkness surrounding them. Even the fire began to flicker as the wind picked up. The once joyous camp was eerily quiet. The girl, after catching her breath, then pulled herself up the tree leaning heavily against it.

"It's alright love; you'll be safe with us." Randal promised looking at the diminished girl. Her eyes continued to be wide as she concentrated on staying awake. "Robin do you think we should move her?"

Robin looked again at the girl as the THING that was after her spoke in a creepy whisper.

"Give me the girl, and you can live. She is mine!"

Robin saw her shake her head angrily as Randal was then rammed away. He couldn't let this strange girl get hurt further, she clearly needed help, and he wasn't the type to shy away from danger.

"Never, I would rather die than let this girl down!" Robins stated bravely, holding his sword in the ready stance.

"So be it..."

The wind began whistling ferociously making the hairs on the back of his neck stand. He had never been in such a compromising position. His own safety, or another's?

"Foolish boy, he's going to get himself killed because of me." She thought. "I cannot let that happen!" Bracing herself, she lunged forward and shot out what little power she had. The trees around them seemed to stiffen as the remnants of the failing fire shot up and blasted heat and energy around the camp, creating a shield.

Shuddering at the use of magic, HE had already used too much precious power trying to get her back; there was little need to continue this fight. "No, I will get her another day. She won't always be protected." HE thought, turning away, heading back towards the hideout.

"You win this time, child, but I will return..."

As he left, Robin turned in awe to the girl, whose eyes were blazing. As the heat came slowly back to the fire, he asked, "What was...?" He stopped as she fainted daintily to the ground, almost hitting the floor before he caught her.

Slowly his men came back sporting injuries and rubbing their heads. "What happened? Who's she?" Gladston asked cradling his arm.

"I don't know. Best get her to Loveday." Robin gathered her in his strong arms and got them both into the saddle of his horse. "She's different, and I want to know why."

The moon was still shining, watching over them, as they rode the familiar path to Moonacre Manor.

A/N: Yeah, so first chapter. PLEASE REVIEW! :P