Blue eyes fringed by long dark lashes stared hungrily at the bundle of Sophia bread that was being advertised in an open market. Long olive tinged fingers itched to snatch the warm bread and a lean stomach grumbled to be full.
Zalean Shepard was a South American, Latino- white mixed breed who was orphaned when she was eight. For the eight years following she had been forced to adapt to street life having no family or home. For food and bored as well as a little cash she sold her "services" on the corner allowing her to live in relative help. Sometimes, work didn't go well, like if her "employer" kicked her out or didn't pay her, her dues. During theses times she'd go for days without food until she could find another "employer".
Now was one of those times and the bread was just begging to be eaten. The store clerk was preoccupied at that moment with a customer; so taking the chance Zalean walked forward and swiped the bread out from under their nose, and stuffed it into her shirt. Guilt gripped her like an icy hand causing her to freeze momentarily, but she shook herself and continued on; walking fast to get away. Thinking she was in the clear she began to breathe again but with the first sharp inhale came the shouting.
"Thief thief! She stole the Sophia bread. Look there, she is right there!"
"Get her!"
Zalean didn't bother to look back she jetted down the street in a weave to avoid the milling people. A siren wailed in her ears warning her of police involvement. It was too late now for her to change what she had done she had become a criminal, who couldn't be caught.
Turning without thinking into a side street Zalean realized that she was heading for the river. Subconsciously her body must be taking her to the only place she felt safe; the water. Ever since she was a little girl after her parents' death she had been unusually drawn to the river that cut through her town. It was what connected her to the rest of the world because water is continues and has been many places. It was her place to escape and go anywhere she wanted.
Like a glass snake it slithered in and around the bends one of Mother Nature's finest gifts. Clean fresh water just beautiful as it sparkled in the afternoon sun. Before she knew it Zalean had arrived at the edge of a pier, with the police cars stopped behind her blocking the only escape.
If she were caught they'd probably put her in jail or in a Home. Zalean had heard stories from fellow "workers" about how bad the Homes were. Each girl had their own stories to tell about how they'd been abused, or forced to take medicine they didn't need, or how the people had run tests on them like a science experiment. So many different stories that were now making her tremble in fright.
"Put your hands up!" The police men yelled behind here, "You have no where to go."
Without a guardian she might be placed in an orphanage; the last place she wanted to be. Who would want her after all she'd been through no one would find her acceptable and if she was adopted that would be even worse. Being adopted was the last thing she wanted no one could replace her mm and dad. It had always been her greatest fear that one day she would mess up and get sent to an orphanage. That is why she couldn't be caught.
So closing her eyes she filled her lungs with the sweet air you can only get at the riverside. Wind picked up her brown hair and sent the brown wispy strand to blow about her. Then she pushed off the pier with her feet and although it seemed that she was flying she was actually falling, into the water.
Dorothea was losing her patience with the old priestess. If it wasn't for the fear that gripped her, Dorothea could have managed to open the portals herself but for now she'd watch from a safe distance while an old, well-paid priestess weaved her magic.
For the past weeks Dorothea had been trying to implement an idea she had formulated that would save her if Hekatah's plans backfired. Upon discovering a book of legends, Dorothea had vindicated that the gates linking Hell, Terrielle, and Kaeleer also divided all three from an entirely separate world. If only she could figure out the right way in which to light the candles, then she could crossover and with a fresh start dominate this new world.
A startling cry broke through Dorothea' thoughts and she saw that the wall holding the gate had dematerialized. Scrabbling forwards she held up her hand and tentatively touched the wall, which had become a swirling vortex. The old woman whimpered behind her; a sniveling whine of fear. Thinking that the woman might actually know something that she was keeping secret Dorothea turned on her.
"What is it old hag!"
At the word "hag" the priestess set her jaw ridged and turned about stubbornly refusing to answer. Dorothea's patience snapped and uncoiled in a string of magic which she round around the woman's neck slowly strangling her. As the woman began to struggle for breath Dorothea licked her lips and came forward.
"Now you will tell me dear. Tell me what you know or," Dorothea closed her fist and the old woman struggled harder as the noose tightened, "I'll destroy you."
"You won't kill me." The woman spat back.
"Oh wont I?" Dorothea smiled wickedly summoning a jagged dagger and indicated her intent. "I don't need you. I can pay another priestess to open the portal and shell even have your notes to work with."
At this the old woman burst into hysterics. "One is coming," The woman cackling only fueling Dorothea's rage, "One is coming who has the power to close this door forever!"
Dorothea raised the dagger ready to plunge it into the woman's heart when suddenly she was slammed onto the floor. Blood flowed openly from her nose and she quickly passed into unconsciousness. For at that moment Zalean had been flung through the portal, which closed behind her.