The air was crisp and dry. And the temperature surrounding the area was still uncomfortably frosty, though there was no snow on the ground here. I stretched, every tight limb providing a desperate fight against me after being forced to sit still for that long. Groaning, I turned to the brunette who was messing around with something in the trunk of the vehicle. "Hey, where the hell are we?'

Clancy took a step back and shut the compartment; a single back-pack in hand. "Well, we're right at the North Carolina state line…" My eyes narrowed at him as he held out the bag to me, "this is also where we part."

Everything stood still. The flames kicked up inside me by ten-fold. There's no way… "…what?" His arm still outstretched, Clancy nodded. "I spent the last six hours of that drive explaining the current state of things to you for a reason, Ka-" Flames licked the air off of my being. Clancy cleared his throat, "…I need you as an insider. I need that information; I can't allow them to destroy us." His eyes were the most sincere I had seen them. There was no smirk, he didn't bother brushing the stray locks from his forehead, he simply raised the bag slightly higher and the flames died out.

"…" The cold was felt once again when I realized I'd be back on foot. Stop your whining, riding in that thing is going to make you soft… I took the bag from him and turned slinging it on my back. There was a bird crying helplessly in the distance, no doubt being hunted by a much more dangerous predator. A beast. It was at this point my eyes snapped open, I hadn't even realized I'd closed them. But there was a click…. There was a snap. As I glanced back at him.

Clancy's slight look of surprise is what gave him away. And in the next moment he held a satisfied smirk. "Can you read a ma-" "Yes." I turned to face him, a now rigid structure given to my posture. "You of all people should have an idea of the training they force us to do." Clancy nodded once more. There was a steadfast burning sensation making its way through my chest and spine. It's finally time for some action… "Who is my target?"

My voice had changed. My sight was sharper. And I could swear Clancy was damn near grinning as he too realized every aspect of my being had clicked; reverting to the trained beast I had become. He pulled an envelope out of his pocket, and from that envelope a copy of what I had come to know as a 'skip-tracer' information page. The solitary picture of a girl printed on it; sullenly staring out at the viewer. "She's older than this photo now, and traveling with two other kids. You remember the false East River I told you about? Well that's where you'll find her." I took the paper from him and tore the photo off of it. Stuffing it away I Looked up at him one last time. "I know my mission. I'll see you in Colorado."

Tennessee wasn't as cold as the north had been. Or maybe my newfound clothes and purpose were keeping my blood heated. Or maybe the beast was simply content in knowing it once again had prey. The ground was covered in snow and I had ditched the car I had liberated from some unfortunate skip tracers a mile or two back. Ashes…ashes… A twitch worked its way up my spine; I had never really noticed the voice in my head until I was free once again. Trudging forward, every movement had my limbs burning.

Clancy had warned me about the commune of blues I'd no doubt be up against. And after the numerous hours of history on the situation of things, he had explained that the 'leader' of this shit group I'd soon come in contact with was a bit of a "poser" as he put it. A cold burst of wind bit at my face, and the landscape was a scene of white. Sneaking my way under a small bridge I took notice of an army checkpoint in the distance. Thinking back, Clancy had reiterated more than a couple times that I couldn't be as unsociable with them as I normally was. They couldn't know I was a red. At least…not right away.

I thought over his words again and again. "Keep your true color hidden as long as possible." Clancy gestured with his hand to emphasize his point, "and when push comes to shove, because you can be sure it will…" His eyes met mine, a cruel fire deep in them, "…then you use any means necessary to complete your objective." Memories were something new. And very welcomed. I notice a little more each time I socialize, the little quirks and facets of human nature. Whether it be when I burned those men to ash back north…or staring at Clancy while he drove the hours south.

I owe him my life. He might not have been the reason I escaped that faithful night, but I owed him for ultimately setting me free and then some for helping me get informed. Don't forget he's also the reason you even know your name… "yeah…that too." My voice cut against the dry air. Looking up in the direction of the nearby city, I realized I was almost where I needed to be. I stretched and tilted my face up to revel in the feel of the snow falling from the sky, "looks like its show time."

And like the fleeting wind, I was off. Sprinting full force through the tree line. Everything blurred under the icy white of the snow. White… The pounding of by boots was suddenly gone; all sounds of snapping branches, all smell and feel of the frozen weather lost. There was nothing left but the mission now… The mission… And the burning claws tearing at the back of my head.

Eyes focusing acutely on the nearing break in the woods, I sped up. And in the next moment, my world was turned upside down…literally. I hit the ground with more velocity than human and was brought to a miserable stop by the base of a large tree. Gasping for the air that had been stolen from me, my ragged breathing ceased at the ever familiar cocking of a gun. Play it off… "Shivering" I glanced up stoically. Damn facial expressions are hard… Before me stood a boy, bundled haphazardly and looking at least 17. "Get up." His voice was harsher than I thought he could manage, but I complied standing and making a point of putting my hands up in defeat, "watch where you point that thing, darlin'." "Shut up." He turned and shouted over his shoulder- Fucking imbecile, do you realize I could've killed you three different times by now. "Found another one!"

(wow it's been a long time; sorry for anyone waiting. I'm finishing up my first year in college and should be writing more soon! Hope y'all enjoyed- Tigger out~)