I had this idea about a year ago, and it won't leave me alone. So I decided to write a prologue to see if I like it.

Edited: December 23, 2018

Laura tripped over a branch on the forest floor and landed herself in the mud. She'd been running for nearly an hour, and it was becoming harder with each step to lift her feet above the under growth and drag them through the mud. She'd broken at least two bones, her left wrist and a lower left rib. Her legs were covered with shallow cuts and deep gashes; she could feel the blood dripping into her shoes. Only she couldn't stop, not even for air. She had to get home. She had to warn them.

Her arms, weak from pumping as she ran, barely managed the strength to lift her back to her feet. Her legs shook with each step, but adrenaline propelled her back into a sprint. Only a few hundred yards to go, she could make it in time if she just kept running. There wasn't a moment to lose.

Abigail was outside on the porch when she saw her, and she knew immediately what it meant. Laura was bloodied, broken, and terrified. There was only one thing that could make Laura run for her life.

"Rebecca!" Abigail bolted to the open doorway. There would be time to help Laura later. Right now, they needed to run. "It's time."

Upstairs, Rebecca had already spotted Laura through the front window and packed. Only the basics, nothing that could be tracked: keys and clothes in her bag, cash and Laura's journals in another. She had everything they would need before Abigail even got to the top of the stairs. Abigail grabbed the first aid kit off the bathroom counter and ran back downstairs without a word, Rebecca hot on her heels. The other girls barely spared a glance as Rebecca lit a match and set the house ablaze. They were out of on the road in under two minutes. It was fast, but Rebecca wasn't sure it was fast enough.

"How long do we have?" Rebecca asked quietly as she drove.

Laura's voice from the backseat sounded strained, "Just long enough, but there's no time to spare."

They hadn't expected any time to spare. Still, it was disheartening. To lose everything you loved with only a moment's warning was bound to be, but there was no time to grieve. There was no time to look back now. This would be their last moment together for many years. They had to prepare for what was to come.

Rebecca pulled into the parking lot of a rundown motel and looped around behind the building, away from prying eyes. "Don't step out of the car," She reminded them as she pulled out her new clothes, "and don't touch me." The others couldn't risk leaving any traces of scent behind.

"Keys," Abigail reminded Rebecca. Rebecca dropped the keys on the seat between them as she opened the door and stepped out of the car. Abigail slid across to the driver's seat. It only took a moment for Rebecca to change throw her old clothes back in the car. "Turn around." Rebecca did as she was told and faced the back of the motel, taking several steps away from the open car door. She couldn't risk catching a glimpse of the car as it drove away; she couldn't risk seeing their faces as they pulled out; she couldn't risk catching a whiff of their perfume.

"Thank you," Laura's voice was quiet, but Rebecca heard it all the same.

Rebecca smiled as a tear fell down onto her cheek, "We'll see each other again one day." She should be sad, but she wasn't. She was happy for the chance to protect them one last time, even if she wouldn't remember that she did.

"Of course," Abigail agreed with a sad smile. "But you won't remember this moment when we do."

Rebecca blinked several times. She was staring at a red brick wall, only she couldn't remember why. Her feet carried her back towards the main road and down several blocks where she sat on a bus bench and waited. She wasn't waiting long.

"You must be Rebecca."

Rebecca tensed. She hadn't heard anyone coming, but when she looked back over her shoulder two large men in black coats were staring down at her from only a foot away. "I am," She addressed the one who'd spoken, getting to her feet, "and you must be Demetri. I've been expecting you."