TWO HOURS LATER

R: You stay here and be good. We're going to be gone for a few hours. Please don't get into any trouble girl.

N: Alex waited for Rose to leave before turning back into a human and returning to the streets. She found herself with at least three ample opportunities to kidnap Rose and bring her back to one of the bases, but Alex just couldn't bring herself to it. That last, 'I love you!' and 'I love you too darling!' left a hole in her heart. Had Alex betrayed the Huntsclan to help Rose and then destroy Rose in order to help the Huntsclan? Wouldn't that have defeated her purpose?

ONE HOUR LATER

N: Alex was at a crosswalk that had told her to go – unfortunately, it was the wrong time to go. Just before she had almost made it safely across, Alex heard shouts. 'Stop! Hurry! Watch out!' Multiple car horns blasted their ways through the crowds, but there was only one that stuck out from only one car – the car that was about to hit her. The tires locked shut as the car tried to come to a screeching halt. Closer and closer the car came, Alex knew she wasn't getting out of this – it was too close. Bang! She felt the cold blacktop below – thankfully, she could feel it. Yes, Alex was neither unconscious nor dead, but this time, she had been stunned.

RD: (Getting out) No! Oh my gosh! Are you okay sweetie? (Helping elevate head)

HG: Yes sir… (Recognizing who hit her) (Quickly) I should have been paying more – ah! (Agitated injury)

RD: Is there a number I can call for you?

HG: No, I'm alone.

R: Dad! (Running over) We're so sorry! You'll have to excuse my father's driving. Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?

HG: I doubt it.

R: (Helping Alex to her feet) Did you say you weren't alone?

HG: I have been for a while now. My guardians were um… they went missing a few weeks ago. I've been living on government money for the last few weeks.

R: (Whispers in Dad's ear) Daddy, can she stay with us for a few nights until she heals?

RD: (Sighs) Sure. (To Alex) Would you like to stay with us until the find your guardians?

HG: (Hesitant) I'd like that.

RD: (Motioning to car) Hop in.

RM: Honey, are you sure you don't need a doctor?

HG: Yes ma'am, I'm fine. I've been through worse.

S: Like what?

HG: Oh, (Hatches idea) I was pushed into a raging river for hours by my lifelong best friend.

N: A moment later.

RM: Rose honey are you all right?

R: Yes, I just had this really weird feeling. (To Alex) Hey, what did you say your name was?

HG: Alex.

All but Alex: Are you serious?

HG: Yes? Why do you ask?

S: Rose named the last thing my dad hit Alex.

HG: Silver, she's not a thing.

S: Oh, sorry, Alex, I meant the dog was a thing.

HG: You have a dog?

RM: Is that all right honey?

HG: Oh yes! I love dogs!

R: Then you'll love mine. She's the perfect pooch!

S: More like a mangled mutt.

RD: Be nice girls.

S: Sorry dad. So, Alex, is it okay if I call you Aly? I add a 'y' to everyone's name.

HG: (Chuckles) Everyone does!

S: Cool, so do you play any sports?

HG: Well… I'm not sure if you could count it as a sport, but I like to hunt.

RD: Did you say hunt?

R+S+RM: Oh here we go again!

HG: (Smiling) Yes I did… if it's not a problem.

RD: Are you kidding? I LOVE hunting! So what type are you most developed in?

HG: Well, my guardians taught me just about every type of hunting. But my favorite kind must be duck – but I do really enjoy other kinds too.

RD: What kind of shotgun do you use?

HG: Oh sir, I hunt with a rifle. My dad said that I had perfect aim with a shotgun at the age of six, so he moved me to a single shot rifle, and I have to admit that I do even better with that.

RD: Maybe tomorrow you and I could go out. That sounds nice.

N: All night, Rose, Silver, and Alex talked in Rose's room. Everyone had tried to keep Rose calm after the disappearance of Alex the dog.

HG: I'm sure you'll find her Rose.

S: Mutts don't stay gone fore long.

N: After hunting the next day, Rose's parents began to become very suspicious around the three girls. They often whispered to one another.

RM: Why don't we go on a ride girls?

S: Well, we were actually going to take Aly upstairs to play videogames. Can you believe she's never done it before?!

RD: Silver, we really need to go out and grab some lunch. Your mother and I were hoping we could do it as a group of five.

R: Sure, it could be fun.

N: The car ride seemed to go for a long time. They had passed several decent appearing restaurants, but hadn't stopped at one.

HG: (Growing nervous) Um, sir, why are we stopping at a police station?

RM: Just sit still Alex.

HG: No! Tell me!

RD: Alex, that burn, those scares, you running away from home, you need to talk with someone who can help.

HG: No, I don't need help! I don't want help!

RM: Honey, Alex, it's not about what you want! It's about what you need, and you need to see an officer, and we should also get you a doctor.

HG: I've already been to one! Let me out if this was your only purpose!

R: Alex please –

HG: I don't need your help Rose! (Punches Rose's jaw and runs out of car down the street at top speed)

R: (Holding jaw) I – I've heard her say my name like that before.

N: Unfortunately for Alex, the cops had been waiting for her. She was like a cornered horse, but less dangerous – possibly. Rose and Silver tried not to look at the girl being violently drug back to into the police station. Their mother and father, though, did all that they could to help contain the child.

Inside, Alex could not bring herself to talk. She knew that the minute she even said the words 'my dad' or 'my mother' they would make her breakdown – and she hated crying.

Cop1 (C1): Honey, just tell us your name.

N: Nothing.

C1: Your age?

N: Nothing.

C1: Honey, if you don't tell us anything, we're going to have to put you in a foster home.

HG: You'll do that anyway! That's the problem with you today! They see a girl who gets herself into too much trouble, and automatically say her parents did it! Well I'm not saying anything. From now on, I am taking a vow of silence. You can figure out my personal information however you want. (Squeezes lips together)

C1: All right. I think it's best to send you back to the states. Foster homes are more available. I'm putting your age, as 15 and your name will be Star. As for parental record, I am writing unknown. Your plane will leave in three hours. I will personally escort you there. I'm sorry about this. (Holds up handcuffs) You're just too wrestles.

ON THE PLANE

N: Alex was given the window seat, and she took full advantage of it. Everything appeared so tiny, when she knew that she was the smallest of them all. As they crossed the ocean, Alex swore that she saw a mermaid swim by. Her mind instantly thought of the seven ways to capture and kill a mermaid. She was particularly fond of #3.

C1: Have you ever been to the States?

HG: Occasionally.

C1: How about New York?

HG: When I was little. Then I moved to Australia. (She had given up on the silence, so short answers were the next best thing)

C1: How were you in Hong Kong then?

N: Alex refused to respond.

C1: That's a nice necklace. It's different.

HG: (Trying not to remember) My father gave it to me a long time ago.

C1: Do you and your father have a good relationship?

HG: I never knew him.

C1: Stepfather then?

HG: No.

C1: How about your mother?

HG: Killed when I was born.

C1: So who have you been living with?

HG: Look, I'm not giving any information, so you can forget trying to squeeze it out. I just needed to speak up for my parents.

C1: Star, we're only trying to help.

HG: And as I clearly stated before, I don't need help.

C1: You won't be able to leave the house without her permissions.

HG: Like I'd have anywhere to go. New York's full of painful memories. I wish not to revisit.

C1: Care to explain?

HG: Nope.

C1: All right then. Next stop, New York.

HG: What's the foster mom's name?

C1: Mrs. Drapes.

HG: (Stunned) Great.

THE NEXT DAY C1: We're here. Now, I want you on your best behavior, got it?

HG: Who are you, my dad?

C1: That ankle tracker will keep you in that house unless given expressed permission, so don't think of any funny business. (Knocks on door – Alex still in cuffs)

Mrs. Drapes (D): Hello? Oh, officer! How was your flight?

C1: Fine, thank you Mrs. Drapes. I'd like to introduce you to Star. (Whispers in ear) She won't speak to us, so we gave her that name, and I guessed 15. Feel free to change our information when necessary.

D: I'll keep you updated. (To Alex) Come on Star! Let's go see your new room and meet your new roommate! Shall we?

C1: I'll leave. You two take care. (taking off cuffs) You be careful Star, no one's going to hurt you here. (Gets in car and drives off to airport.)

D: Aren't you coming Star?

HG: Please old woman, you know that's not my name.

D: Is that anyway to make a first impression?!

HG: Oh, you already know me. (Sarcastically) We've been just the best of friends!

D: Honey, I apologize, I have not met you – or at least I don't remember?

HG: Maybe this will renew your rotting memory! (Shows left palm)

D: A-A-Alex?

HG: Thanks to you, I've become the best of the best! And let me show you the coolest part! (Transforms into dragon, ogre, unicorn, and pixie. Returns to human form.)

D: Y-Y-You're the Southern Huntsgirl?

HG: I like the fear in your voice. I was her.

D: Oh! Right! How can you possibly be alive?

HG: You wouldn't understand.

D: And why not?

HG: Because you're only a dragon!

D: Apparently, you're magic too. Do you know how much I could use that gold?

HG: Sorry, just found out, you can't kill me! So, what will you do this time? Chain me to the bed so I cannot 'infest' or 'infect' the others?

D: No, of course not. That would scare your roommate – Jessica.