She ran blindly through the forest, knowing that if she didn't escape from her pursuers soon, she'd be captured. Branches whipped at her face and arms causing long scratches. She cared not about that. What she cared about was getting away. Why did they want to harm her? Perhaps it had something to do with her mother's gift?
She stumbled on a root and tripped. After tumbling several feet she landed on her face. They were getting closer.
She got up and winced as sharp, blinding pain seared across her chest. I must get away…but where do I go? She continued her blind race for survival. During those few seconds that she tripped they had gotten close enough to see her.
"You can't run forever, little girl!" One of her chasers said mockingly.
She stole a glance over her shoulder and nearly froze in fear. They had sent ninja after her…and there was a tracker amongst them. Even if she did escape it would only be a matter of time before they caught up to her. Fear faded to determination as she ran with a new purpose.
"Come on, slow down! We only want to talk!" Another pursuer said with a sneer.
She ignored them and continued her flight through the forest. With every step, every breath, the pain in her chest seared. Whatever she had hurt would take it's toll soon. They were right, she couldn't run forever…
She stopped running as she came to a river that ended in a waterfall. She glanced down, the huge drop ended in white mists, rushing waters, and several rocks.
"Looks like you've run out of places to go." She turned to see the ninjas – six of them in all – standing just a few dozen feet away from her.
The leader stepped forward a little and smiled cruelly. "Just hand over what we want and come quietly and we promise not to hurt you, Winged One."
Winged One? Could the pendant be… Clutching her side in pain she smiled grimly. "I know not why you are after me or what you want from me, but if it is so important that you must steal it then I will make sure you never get it."
The tracker tilted his head. "How can you protect what we are after if you know not what it is?"
She smiled again. "I have a pretty good idea." She stepped closer to the edge of the cliff. "You want me? Come get me!" With that she threw her self over the ledge into the dangerous, turbulent waters of the waterfall's base.