We ran as fast as we could, an unknown member of the Edison Group had found us at our motel. Derek and I had been... in the moment, when a gun shot rang out. We were in a big forest now, and there were many trees and bushes we could have used for a hiding spot, but Derek wanted to get away from the guy more. We've been running for about 10 minutes now, and I was fucking tired. Derek being a Werewolf could run 10 miles in 2 minutes. Well that's what I think at least. We finally came to a stop, and Derek swung me by my waist behind a tree. How the hell was this Edison Group guy so fast? We held our breath. Wait was this guy sniffing around? I tried to whisper as quietly as I could to Derek.
"I don't think this guy is with the Edison Group." I said under my breath. Derek being a Werewolf heard me no problem.
"He's another Werewolf." He whispered back. That's what I feared. Last time- well the last few times we had crossed another Werewolf's path in their territory, it hadn't ended well. Suddenly, I saw a young girl walking her dog, coming towards us. I nudged Derek in the ribs, making him grunt quietly. I pointed to little girl who was coming closer. I gestured for Derek to watch the unknown Werewolf, while I got the young girl away. I bounded towards her, making her jump when she felt my hand on her shoulder. She was kneeling on the ground. When she turned to face me, she was crying, silent tears streaming down her face. I kneeled beside her, temporarily forgetting about the Werewolf.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" I ask quietly, surprised to see she didn't run away screaming.
"It shouldn't have had to die. It was innocent, and didn't even get the chance to live." She said sadly, her chest rising quickly. I guess I must have had a confused look on my face because she pointed a few feet in front of her. A fawn was lying in the tall grass, tongue lolled out, and its poor eyes were rolled in the back of its head. There were bites, and tear marks all over the poor baby dear's body. The worst part was that the poor fawn wasn't dead. It was laying there, moaning and twitching, suffering in pure agony. The girl began to cry again, and her little dog was becoming distressed. She surprised me by grabbing my arm forcefully looking me in the eye. I held my breath, waiting for what she had to say.
"I promised I wouldn't to this, but I have to. Please don't be scared or tell anyone- especially my mother. She thinks I'm crazy, and I had to pretend I couldn't use my powers in order to get off my pills." She said seriously. Powers? What is this little girl talking about? I nodded slightly, and I guess she took that as a yes I promise I won't tell anyone. She slid her dog's leash into my hand. Then she crawled over to the fawn. What the hell is she doing? A voice screamed in my head. When she was right beside the fawn, she laid down beside it. Okay this was just getting creepy, I thought. She began mumbling something under her breath, and she looking like she was trembling. I thought about going to get her, but what was I supposed to do with her dog? So I started inching towards her so I could hear what she was saying.
"Free this baby's spirit. It didn't deserve to die an ugly, terrible death like this." My mouth dropped in complete awe. This little girl was a Necromancer! I started breathing heavily, watching her work. Suddenly the fawn twitched and started to get up shakily. I couldn't believe what I was watching. A little girl Necromancer, releasing a fawn's spirit! Whoever was left of the Edison Group- if there was anyone left that is, they would kill for this little girl. Now the fawn was up on four legs. It looked like it had bowed towards the little girl then it seemed to sigh in content. She had released its spirit! Then the fawn's body fell gracefully into the tall grass. The little girl got up, and was surprised to see me smiling at her.
"What's your name? How old are you?" I asked softly. She seemed uneasy, after seeing my reaction to her releasing the fawn's spirit.
"Kayla. Kayla Summers, and I'm nine years old." She responded. I nodded. It was amazing a child at this age could do something like that.
"My name is Chloe Saunders. Kayla, are you a Necromancer?" I asked thoughtfully. The question startled her.
"Yes." Kayla answered, unsure of where this conversation was going.
"So am I." I smiled while I said it. Her face broke out into a huge grin, and she jumped at me for a hug. I hugged her back.
"Your mother doesn't believe you can do this?" I asked.
"She thinks I'm making it up. She thinks I should be hospitalized. She should be the one hospitalized!" She muttered angrily.
"Why is that?" I asked curiously.
"My father killed himself after I was born. Since then my mother just drinks and drinks, she doesn't even care for me. I haven't gone to school in two years." I gasped at this statement, unable to think how she would feel with her father dead, and her mother who is an alcoholic. Not to mention she is a nine year old Necromancer.
"Do you wish you could leave your mother?" The question slipped out.
"Every minute, of every single day. I hate her. She doesn't love me." She clenched her fists. I thought about all this. A Necromancer living with a neglecting parent should be taken care of. And idea popped into my head.
"Kayla… would you like to come live with me and all the other people who are different like us?" I was sure she would say no. Call me a kidnapper and whatnot. But she gave me a big smile, and began to pet her dog happily.
"I want to come with you Chloe! I want to be with people like me and you. I would feel a lot more normal. I would be happy." Kayla exclaimed. I stood up and Kayla got up too.
"Do you need any clothes from…home?" I asked carefully.
"No. This is sort of my only outfit. I've been saving up spare money for the past couple years. I have about 250 dollars. So I can go shopping or something." Kayla said. I grabbed her hand, and pulled her close to me.
"Kayla, I need you to listen very carefully. There aren't just Necromancers- there are Sorcerers, Werewolf's, Witches and more. Right now I'm with my friend Derek. He's a Werewolf and right now, we've crossed into another Werewolf's territory. There is a really bad Werewolf over there." Her eyes were big, but I could tell she understood. I motioned for her to get onto my back. Before she did that, she ran towards a backpack I hadn't noticed before, and put her now sleeping dog in it. There were many holes on the backpack, which I assumed were there so when the dog was inside it could breathe easily. She zipped up her backpack, and then hopped on my back. I walked quietly towards Derek, who nearly yelped when he saw there was a small head beside mine. Kayla had to contain her giggles, which made me smile. Derek looked at me like I was crazy, so I responded with a face that said I'll explain later. I peeked around the tree, and my eyes went wide. The man was changing into a Werewolf- fast. I pointed it out to Derek, and he started to run. I started to run to, making sure to pick up the man's gun on the way. As we ran through the forest I saw an old quarry, and chucked the gun into it. Finally we made it out of the forest. Kayla climbed off my back and walked beside me holding my hand. As we worked our way back up to the motel room, there were voices yelling at each other.
"WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE, YOU IDIOT!" shrieked Tori. I guess she was yelling at Simon- after all they were brother and sister.
"WELL WHAT IF THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING PRIVATE?" yelled Simon.
"OH YEAH, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR A GUNSHOT AND THEN YOU CAN'T FIND TWO PEOPLE, THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY MAKING OUT WHILE BEING HELD HOSTAGE!" barked Tori, smacking what I would think was a table.
"WOULD YOU SHUT THE HELL UP FOR ONCE!" retorted Simon angrily.
"AAHHHHHH!" Tori screamed, and I could hear the sparks exploding from her fingers. I looked at Kayla.
"She's a Witch- and her name is Tori." I whispered quietly. Kayla nodded.
"And the boy you hear is Simon. He's a Sorcerer." Kayla nodded again, squeezing my hand tighter. At this very moment Derek stepped through the door. Everything went completely silent.
"We're fine. Some asshole who tried to shoot us isn't though. He's changing on the forest floor at this very moment." Derek said. I could tell he was smiling.
"Then where is Chloe!" Tori demanded. I started to walk with a trembling Kayla beside me, squeezing my hand. I stepped through the door, and Kayla stood behind me. Everything went quiet again. I managed to smile. I pulled Kayla in front of me, and everyone looked at her. No one spoke.
"Why do you have a little girl with you Chloe?" asked Kit softly.
"She's a Necromancer. And she's staying with us. Her mother is a psychotic alcoholic who neglects her." I explained, pointing at Kayla.
"How do you know for sure Chloe?" Simon mumbled. I could have walked over and punched him in the face. Why didn't he trust my judgment?
"Because I saw her, release a fawn's spirit." I said slowly and clearly. Kit's eyes opened wide.
"How old is she?" he asked.
"Nine and her name is Kayla Summers." I answered. Kit looked bewildered. I knew what he was thinking; a little girl her age shouldn't be able to do something like that.
"Well Kayla and I are going to bed." I hissed. I was disappointed no one made her very welcome except me. I felt like a mother bear protecting her baby, getting pissed at anyone who treats my baby like nothing. I picked Kayla up, and brought her to the other motel room we had. I took off her jacket, and tucked her into one of the beds.
"Thank you Chloe… I wish you were my mother." Kayla whispered. Tears came to my eyes. I kissed her on the forehead lightly as a mother would. When I straightened up Kayla was asleep. I closed the door to the motel room, and went onto the fire escape breathing in the fresh air. Suddenly Derek was beside me, holding my waist. I turned to him and hugged him. I pulled away and looked into the night again. He leaned beside me. I thought about Kayla- I thought about what she had said.
"Kayla told me she wished I was her mother." I told him. He looked at me thoughtfully.
"And you wish she was your daughter?" He said reading my thoughts.
"More than anything. I can provide a better life for her. Her real mother treated her like yesterday's garbage. She acted the same as Mrs. Enright did to Tori. Except add that Kayla's mother was an alcoholic." I said through gritted teeth. Derek turned my face towards his.
"You'll be a great mother." He said. Then, I knew he would support me with whatever I decided to do.