So the last chapter wasn't really a chapter but obviously a clipping from a local newspaper, figured that I would do this to help you readers get a broader look on the situations in the story. Plus it will help to move the story along quicker. So here is chapter 2 and all I ask is for a quick review. Please and thank you!

Samantha

Voices from the street below wake me along with the light filtering in through the curtains. Getting up I gently sneak past the bed with my sleeping sister and into the bathroom where I close the door. Lifting my clothes off the counter I smile as I find them dry since I washed them last night. I bring my arms through the sleeves of my black shirt I button up the front except for the three on top. Next I put on my jeans, frowning as I see a faded patch on my knee threatening to rip. I run my hands through my hair in a poor attempt to brush it. As I hangs just above my shoulders I hold the staggered ends questioning whether or not to trim it but drop it as violent noise from the other room makes me run out.

I jump out only to find Allie picking herself off the floor fully dressed. Crossing my arms I glare at her but she just gives me a half smile as she tosses the bag at me. "Ready to go? We should get moving,"

"Yep we sure are." I open the door and follow her out, "Come on, I found a library near here that we should be able to do some more research."

"But big sister, aren't you forgetting something?" She waves something silver in my face and I snatch from her hands.

"Thanks, you got your gloves?" I slip bracelets on my wrists as Allie fits her gloves onto her hands. Fingering the small charms that dangle from the bands I smile as a warm memory fill my head but quickly push it away as we enter the busy street. "Allie, this way!" I have to shout over the crowd for her to hear me and weave our way through the mass of people. The crowd thins as we get deeper into the city and more shops appear in buildings instead of being stands on the side of the road. Casually walking down the road Allie stares wide eyed at all of the cars that drive past us. We have only seen one car in our whole life, and it's not a very pleasant memory.

"Look, big sister, look! It's the library, and it's huge!" she starts to run to the building and I follow her. She opens the doors and disappears behind it. Out of breath by the time I make it inside Allie has already asked the front desk for what we are looking for and is being lead there. Marveling at the towers of books I take my time finding my sister. Once I do I see her pulling books off of the shelves.

"Here, let me help." Taking a large stack from her arms I set it on the ground and we begin to leaf through them. Hours fly by as we go through books and books, pages and pages, words and words. We re-shelve the last book and are the last to leave the library.

"All of that work and nothing, not even a hint." Discouraged her shoulders slump and she trudges along the road. Night had fallen and weak lamps light the dark, but shadows everywhere threaten to hide some danger.

Slowing down to walk beside my little sister I place my hand on her shoulder, "Now hold on Allie, we just hit a minor bump in the road, we'll find something soon." She jerks away from me, her eyes angry.

"Just shut up Sam!" her voice cuts the client air with ferocity as she continues to yell. "Stop being so damn optimistic all the time as if everything will be ok."

"Alyssa, don't use that language." She starts to back away from me and I slowly follow.

"Don't act like mom, you aren't her and you can never take her place!" she turns and runs, turning a left into an alley. Chasing after her I enter the alley just in time for her hand to hit my head.

"You brat!"

I slam into the wall, shaking away the memory to focus on the present. "I've never tried to take her place and you know it."

"You always act like her, trying to control me." she advances on me as I stand, "You think that I'm still a baby, unable to take care of myself."

"No, that's not what I-"

"Shut up! Just be quiet! You always act as if someone is just going to walk by and drop things onto our lap. Money, a home, safety, answers to our questions. That's not the way things work!" Her right hand comes at my head as a fist and placing my hand on my wrist, on the steel bracelet, I make a blade and block her hand. Her angry eyes bore into mine, and as she reads the calmness in mine I watch as she becomes even more infuriated at my lack of reaction. She jumps away to prepare for another attack. This happens all the time, an argument turns into a fight since we found that's it's the best way to voice our frustrations. Though it never is fair, she doesn't use alchemy which gives her a disadvantage, but that right hand of hers gives her a different advantage that makes our fights interesting.

Her hands clench into fists, and instead of coming at me she falls to her knees mumbling sorry over and over. With a sigh I return my bracelet to normal and walk over to her. Kneeling in front of her I place both hands on her shoulders and look her in the eye. Sorrow floats in her tears, the same kind that I had shed last night. "I know, and I'm sorry, if it's more responsibility that you want then it's more you'll get." She rolls her eyes and wearily shakes her head.

"No thank you." We get to our feet and I start to lead her out of the alley when the ground rumbles. I quickly make the same blade again and slice a mark in the ground where a wall shoots up, just in time to protect us from the bits of brick that fly at us as the wall explodes. Backing away I quickly turn around and see the shadow that had sent the attack. The person is rigid, stiff, and apparently angry.

"Basic alchemy, easily sensed, easily deflected." I mock him as I move in front of Allie. She doesn't protest knowing full well that alchemy isn't her thing. With my arm in front of me I enlarge the blade, the charm sparkling as it catches the light. The shadow step forward until I can barely make him out. He lifts his hand up, palm towards me, and I see a transmutation circle painted on it. As it starts to glow I spread my legs, preparing to deflect the blow, but a whimper from behind reminds me of the person I must protect. As he releases his attack I spin my heels and the slash the ground deep to draw up a thick wall in front of Allie. Turning back around now equipped with a blade on each bracelet I hold them in front of me just in time to stop the attack. I barely hold it off, I hold myself steady watching it run out of the energy. That's when I see him to my left, and the knife in his hand, my knife in his hand. "How did he…"

If I move the attack will hit the wall and injure my sister, so I close my eyes as the metal cuts open my side.