The Puzzle Game
tes·ser·act n. 1) the four-dimensional analogue of a cube; 2) a box bigger on the inside than on the outside; 3) doorway that allows one to travel thousands of miles in less than a second
FATR: My attention span sucks! Sigh. All well... This is just a short intro, you know, to test the water. Also, this is your chance to influence what characters are used. Frieda pretty much has to be included, and Ebon, but who do you, the reader, want to make up Ebon's gang? Any input that is offered will be taken into serious, serious consideration. This I promise you. Seriously. I want your opinions. This is an open ended story right now. Influence while you can, but keep in mind I own next to nothing. I only partially own the keyboard and computer I'm composing this on, for crying out loud! Do you really think I own Static Shock? Thought so, I know you're smarter than that. I also reserve the right to change the rating if it should seem fitting. Now, without further delay, on with the chip chiplet...
X)O(X
Her breath clouded the frosty air in front of her face. There were little white ice crystals dancing across the leaves of the bush she hid behind. Trembling, almost blue fingers pulled the strings of her oversized black hoodie tighter as she scanned the moonlight painted grounds. Nothing was stirring, not even the wind. Taking a deep breath and keeping low to the ground, she scurried through the neatly manicured and freshly frost dusted grass. There it was! The fence! Now if she could only reach it before...
An alarm shattered the wintry silence. She threw a panicked look over her shoulder as the lights in the immense mansion flew on, dyeing the front lawn in its immediate vicinity a warm yellow. No longer bothering with stealth, she leaped to her feet and fled for the nearest high stone wall. It was ten yards away and closing when she heard the dogs. Ducking into the trees bordering grounds, she continued her desperate flight. No, I won't go back. I won't go back. You can't make me. I won't go back. You can't make me.
Her breath was rasping in her throat by the time she reached the wall. Panicked eyes darted around for a convenient tree to climb but there was none; not that she could climb easily. She turned her course parallel to the wall and set out to find one. The barking drew inexorably closer, spurring her heart and her pace. Voices now drifted to her on the gentle breeze that had sprung up. Someone was speaking into a walkie talkie.
"We have a lock on her, sir. She won't escape."
But I will. You won't drag me back. I won't go back. You can't make me... Success! She jumped up, missed the branch of the tree, and jumped again. Even with the power suppressor on, she could still jump. Acrobatics were a human feat, after all. On her third try she caught it and strained with her scrawny arms to pull herself up. She was halfway there when something latched onto her ankle and tried to drag her back.
"You're coming with me," a voice colder than the air hissed.
"Leave me alone!" She kicked at her captor's hand over and over again with little effect. He was determined to carry out his orders. Her grip was slipping! But I won't go back. I can't go back. You can't make me! With a loud snarl, she kicked out one last time, successfully nailing him square in the face. He yelped and jumped back as she shot up the tree.
"Get back here!"
She crouched on the top of the wall and cast one last glance into the sea of shadows below her. Setting her jaw, she clambered hastily over the iron spikes crowning the wall. When faced with the drop on the other side she gulped and held her breath. She had to go, now. There was no telling what they would do to her if they caught her. Abandoning all caution, she launched herself into space. She hit the ground and rolled. The impact knocked the air out of her lungs. When she scrambled to her feet, fire shot up her leg. She'd done something to her ankle, but that was inconsequential at the moment. The frightened girl hobbled off into the night. Sirens, shouting, and barking chased her for miles, but soon faded into the distance.
She fled through the night, too terrified to consider where she would go next. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as she stumbled upon the New York city limits. Exhaustion overtook her as the adrenaline wore out. Finally, she found an abandoned building to crash in, but just for a couple hours. After a quick nap, she would assess her resources, and go... where? Where could she go where she wouldn't be recognized? One name slipped across her mind as it spiraled into sleep. This name had crossed her mind several times in the last two years. It meant comfort and anonymity. This name was: Dakota.