My shoes pounded against the uneven sidewalk as I ran through the blackened night. The air was cold and wet with fog, the wind held the promise of rain. The dark of night not harming my vision. Upon my back a well worn dark navy backpack was heavy and cut deep into my shoulders but I didn't bother to stop. I wanted to get back before the rain came down. Even without the encouragement of the threatening storm I didn't like being attacked or ambushed as I had been today. And it isn't like I needed the extra attention I would get if I got rained on.
The last few days had been especially stressful and I was still on edge. I felt exposed, an easy target, with the tall multilevel buildings all around me. I hated being on this side of the city, actually I hated demon world in general. Not that human world was any better, it was worse. As I turned down another street the graffiti stop sign informed me that if I keep up my pace I'd be back in fifteen minuets tops. Even to the residents of this place its streets were a maze. One could easily get lost even with a map, this I was grateful for. I seemed to be the only one who knew all the twists of this messed up city…town…place, what ever you called it. Even police had a difficulty with all the alleys and nooks. As I turned down the last alley on my journey 'home' I could finally glimpse the trees. Though my feet ached the sight of the forest made my pace pick up. The trees swayed and I was oddly reminded of my real home. As though they sensed my approach and were welcoming me; calling me back to the true place I belonged.
My feet did not slow when they left the badly paved road, or when I entered the trees. None of the residents of the….place behind me would have ever entered this forest. The reason, they feared getting lost in this labyrinth of ...what a silly idea, lost. After a few minuets more of navigating I at last slowed in front of a small cave. Home. For now. Just as I ducked into the shelter the rain thundered down behind me. I didn't turn around. Walking deeper into my shelter I dropped my bag at my feet and slid down the side of the cave. My energy was almost totally drained. Unzipping the front small pouch of my bag I pulled out an unopened bag of chips and quietly began to munch away. The rain fell hard and thunder rumbled above me, but for now I was safe, and I was much to exhaust to be on edge over something like a storm. The long two days had made me weary but I was hungry so I sat eating for the first time today. Finishing the chips I put the empty chip bag in another side pouch of my backpack and closed my eyes. A gust of wind blew at me almost angry, a reminder perhaps? Like I needed one. I opened my eyes and unzipped the largest pouch of the backpack and pulled out one of my trusted hand guns. Checking to make sure the safety was on (not that it really mattered) I at last fell asleep. Safer now, with the gun resting reassuringly on my lap.
After a thankfully uneventful sleep I was awakened as I was ever morning in this world, to the high pitch beeping of my wrist watch alarm. 4:50 exactly. I carefully set the gun on the cave floor. The morning was cold and still damp, so reaching into my backpack I retrieved my only pair of gloves. They were black, well worn like my backpack, and gave amazing grip. Picking up the hand gun I placed it snugly into a holster on the left side of my belt. I quickly scarfed down a little mini box of cereal and exited the cave. Before I could move back toward the dank city a shadow emerged from the trees. I placed my hand on my gun, tensed and prepared. A stray dog. I immediately relaxed, grinning and allowed the large dog to come forward. It sat, patiently in front on me, I agreed to its unasked question with another grin and a nod. Turning I began to back my way back to the paved streets, the dog now close behind, the grin still set on my face.
As we entered the dog kept close to me, a wise choice. The streets here were a dangerous place even in the day time, but just being close to me would offer a better protection then even the police could provide. No one would dare touch the dog if it was by my side. We ducked down ally ways and dark streets; nobody glanced twice at us, most too afraid look once. Finally I reached the place I'd been looking for.
The gang I was currently in had about ten people in it, they were meant to be the elite of this city. I being "sixteen" was young for the group as all of them were in their early "twenties". To me age meant nothing, only the abilities of the person maters. If a five year old did the job better then a twenty year old, you hire the five year old. Not that I'm saying the men here weren't dangerous, they just weren't dangerous to me. Hahahahahaha. Unlike most in the group I cared nothing for this gang, or any gang I'd been in and I'd been in a lot of gangs. No, these people were simply the side I was helping for now. Nothing in my life was permanent, concrete, which was just the way I liked it. Most people know which side they chose and weather is viewed as 'good' or 'bad'. I do not cling to such abstract ideas, I move and change constantly, and this includes which 'side' I am on. Thus I was on a side of my own. I helped who I wanted to help when I wanted to help; I live for what is happening not for what has happened. But most importantly I live by rules of my own, I live free. And that is why I had come to the decision it was at last time.
A new member scoffed as I approached "look the skhool girlz got anotha stray with ha. Suprized she doesn't got flies" I glared heavily. "Shut your mouth you idiot. She maybe young but she's the best shot I've ever seen. Never had a job this kid couldn't do." The leader, whose name I'd never bother to learn, yelled over. I stood there before them and grinned my wide grin. They all looked away, my grin giving off the feeling it was famous for "I'm leaving…for good" they all looked at me. Normally leaving a gang meant death but for me…I am different. HA, well isn't that an understatement. Anyway they would either let me go or I would fight, either way the out comes the same, I leave. They just needed to decide weather it was worth the fight.
In a place far from that dark city and the girl who carried guns, a great palace stood surrounded by clouds. This place served many purposes, it was an office, a head quarters, a place of knowledge, a place of training, a place of treasure, but for most the palace was a place of judgment, ever lasting and inescapable. However to the few who worked inside its walls it was something much rarer. To them it was a place of acceptance, a true home, one filled with realizing your self and second chances. Many of the palaces rooms were filled with gold, jewels, and priceless artifacts nevertheless one room existed that was quite different. It was bland and cheaply decorated; its walls were a pale yellow that clashed badly against the bright blue and red seats and pale green tile that covered the floor. The puff chairs, the only furniture in their, were stiff from underuse and placed all around the sides of the room. This was the room that had been selected for a very important meeting by the master of the stunning palace. Along one of the main hallways on route to this awkward space, walked a figure. And at the exact same time that the girl in the dark city turned the last corner to find her current gang, a young indolent teenager dressed comfortably in green, turned the last corner only to be confronted by a sight not seen in a very long time, his own gang. A gang that everyone called the spirit detectives.
