Hooray! Two reviews! Thank you, Tora the Storm and 11greengummybears! Here's the second chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter two: Maia

I jumped over a big puddle, splashing muddy water all over my white flats. My breath was coming out in raspy gasps and my legs felt like they were going to fall off. Despite that, I ran faster.

They were gaining on me.

I turned into an alley, hoping to lose them. Apparently, hoping was too much. They spotted me. I ran into the narrow lane. Up ahead of me, I saw a metal wire fence blocking off my escape.

I wanted to scream. I was trapped! I couldn't climb over it in time! At least, not in this stupid dress! And these stupid flats!

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Hi, I'm Maia. I'm about to die. Back to story.

I just reached the fence when the first one of them appeared turned into the alleyway.

I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. I wanted to tell myself that fire and poison breathing ants the size of bathtubs aren't real and it's just me going crazy. Still, there they were, crawling (at surprisingly fast speed) towards me.

I clenched my fists and felt it grow hot. Very hot. If I'm going to die, I might as well take some of them with me.

One of the ants lunged at me and I instinctively ducked and ran to one corner. The ants turned to me, its beady eyes glaring into mine and its mouth foaming with poison.

Ew. I hate ants. I felt what little courage I had melt away and my fists grew cold again. Okay, I admit I was scared. Freaking out. About to go insane from terror.

I literally saw my life flash before me.

I don't remember where I was born, or who my mom and dad were. My earliest memory was living in a group home. I found it really hard to make friends because I was different from the others. I could do things others couldn't; like read facial expressions and emotions so well I practically know what others are thinking. They called me a freak but I couldn't do anything about this strange ability of mine. I also saw weird monsters (although no one believed me). The adults didn't have the patience to tolerate me, either. I had a hard time learning because I could never pay attention and sit still. And I also sucked at sports. The other kids laughed at my clumsiness and I couldn't do anything to defend myself because I was really shy. Plus, I didn't like fighting and arguing. I had what you would call a 'mother hen instinct'. I couldn't stand violence.

When I turned ten, I was adopted. The first few months living with my foster family was the best time of my life. My parents were nice and my little brother was fun to play with. Then, one day, we were attacked by a monster that only I could see when we were walking in the park. I tried telling them it was a weird looking snake woman that attacked us but they said it was a crazed ice cream man with a balloon. After that incident, more monsters would attack but they wouldn't believe me when I told them what I saw. Soon, they began looking at me suspiciously. It soon became just like living in the group home again but this time, it was worse. The next two years were almost unbearable but I kept hoping that maybe if I behaved, my parents will like me again. I did my best in school (even though I was failing almost every subject). One Sunday morning, when we were at church, I overheard my parents talking. They were thinking of sending me back to the group home. The realization came crashing down on me. They don't want me. I did the only thing I could think of. I ran away. I excused myself to go the bathroom during the talk and ran away. After getting pretty far away, after my mind cleared from the shock and despair, I stopped to rest, realizing a few flaws in my plan. First, where was I going to go? Second, I was wearing nothing but a simple white dress and flats. (Suitable for church but not suitable for running away.) Third, what if the monsters come back? I was in a huge mess, alright. I thought of going back but then thought against it. My parents won't miss me. If I went away, the monsters will stop attacking my family. Besides, if I go back, I'll only be sent back to the group home again.

The first day went pretty well, excluding the part where I almost drowned. I decided to go the park I used go to with my family and walked by the river in the park until I reach a place I could stay for a while. I accidently fell in. (told you I'm clumsy.) I didn't know how far I drifted down the river until I manage to grab onto the shore and drag myself out. The river must've carried me a long way because I wasn't in the park anymore. I was in a forest. And right in front of me, there sat a huge black dog sleeping by a tree. Strangely, instead of feeling the need to run away, I walked up to the dog. His big friendly eyes stared at me like he's been waiting for me to come. He was so big I could sit leaning against his back. I didn't feel like going away after that because the big dog was warm and my clothes were all wet. I pat his head and talked to him and, the funny thing was, he looked at me like he understood everything I was saying. Because he was so smart, I started calling him Einstein. I slept right there in the forest that night. The next day, when I got up to leave, Einstein got up and followed me. I smiled. I think I made my first real friend that day.

The second day sucked. Monsters, or should I say, giant killer ants, came out of nowhere and tried to kill me. Einstein ran away. Right now, I am about to die a horrible gruesome death. And that's the story of my life.

I looked around me hoping for the tiniest chance that I could escape. Yeah, right. There were at least 30 ants that trapped me in a corner. I've probably got seconds left before they kill me and… and…I…

I felt something snap inside me.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

The whole world seemed to grow darker for a second.

Suddenly, the shadows moved and-wait a minute, the shadows moved?

Five skeletons grew out of the shadows. They were holding swords and spears. They turned to face the ants, who hissed in alarm and backed up a little.

My own shadow was getting bigger. Slowly, two figures ascended from it. A boy dressed in black and…Einstein?

I didn't know who was more surprised, me or the ants.

Everything stood absolutely still for two heartbeats. Then, the ants gave a terrifying half-scream half-hiss that made me scream right back and push my back against the fence behind me as a vain attempt to get away from them.

Absolute chaos broke lose.

The skeletons demolished the first row of ants. As they were stabbed, they melted into green muck. The boy drew his sword, a pure black blade, and ran into the battle with Einstein.

I was so stunned I couldn't move at all. I mean, this wasn't exactly a part of my every day life.

Apparently, the ants knew I was stun, too. One of them turned away from the skeleton it was about to attack and ran towards me. I only saw it for a split second before the sword came out of nowhere and impaled itself deep into the monster's head. It was so close to me that when it melted, the goo splashed all over my shoes.

I looked up. It was the boy who saved me. But…that's impossible! He was fighting at least 10 metres away from me a second ago! How did he get here so fast?

Our eyes met for a second. His eyes were wild, filled with the light of battle. I could've sworn there was green fire blazing in them, intense and terrifying. I shrank back as much as I could (which wasn't very much since my back was already against the fence.) He wasn't human. That much, I knew.

Another ant crawled up behind the boy while he was pulling his sword out. I tried to scream but my throat was so hoarse from panting I could only manage a small whimper. He must've seen the shock on my face and realize what was happening because his eyes widened. I knew in my heart it was too late. He won't be able to defend himself fast enough.

Then he…disappeared.

The ant's jaws smashed down on where the boy was half a second ago and it looked up, surprised. Then, it let out an awful wail and collapsed.

The boy took his sword out of the monster's back and stepped away from it as it dissolved. He sheathed his sword.

I looked around the alleyway and saw five beat up skeletons and Einstein chewing on an antennae.

All that's left of the monstrous ants were puddles of green goo.

How do you guys like the story so far? For the story to continue, I will now need...60 MORE REVIEWS! MUA WA HAHAHA!

Just kidding, just kidding. I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible:)