Chapter 2

Escape again

I woke up in the middle of the night to the sounds of yelling. Elisa. I found her and David in the hall.

"Talia, are you alright?" She asked.

"You know, still stuck here." I said.

"As you can see, detective, she's fine." David blocked me from getting to her. "She's also grounded."

"You're not the boss of me." I slipped out from behind him and tried to get away, but he caught my arm. I jabbed him in the throat and ran before anyone could catch me.

"Talia!" He was mad.

I went to the stairs and ran down as many as I could before I heard David running up the stairs. He misjudged how far I had gone. I stumbled and fell off the stairwell where the there was no railing.

"Talia, no!" He yelled as I passed him.

The wind rushed past my ears and I knew I'd probably break my legs, but it'd be ok as long I could get away. Something strange happened as I got closer to the bottom. I started glowing green and I stopped falling. I was floating? I was set down on the path to the door and I took it. I saw Owen at the front desk and I knew I didn't have long. I snuck around him and ran outside.

I saw Elisa's car parked on the street and Matt was inside. "Open the door!"

"Talia? What's-" He asked.

"There's no time! Open the door and drive." I demanded.

He thought a moment before letting me in the car. He started to pull out when Elisa stopped him. "Where are you going, partner?"

"Hi." I waved to the rearview.

"Xanatos still thinks you're inside." She said.

"I know, which is why we should get going before he notices." I said.

"Are you running away from your-" Mat asked.

"He's not my father!" I frowned.

"I've been to wanting to get her away from him for awhile. Matt, trust me." Elisa told him.

"I'm not assisting in this!" He shouted.

"Oh no…" I saw him down the street. David started toward the car. I hid as best I could.

"We have to go, now!" Elisa urged.

He paused and then we sped off, using the lights as a cover. I sighed in relief and buckled in. "He's going to be looking for you." Elisa told me.

"You have to get me out of the city." I said.

"I kidnapped a child in her pajamas!" Matt said, running a hand through his hair.

I looked at muti colored star covered pants. Ok, so this wasn't my most thought out plan ever, but I had to. "Don't worry, I have a bag in the back." She told me.

"You planned for this?!" He shouted.

"He isn't someone you should trust." She said.

"Found it." I tugged it out and unzipped it.

I changed as Matt and Elisa argued. I covered my eyes with some sunglasses. The intense green was a dead giveaway I was Talia "Xanatos". I put a beanie on just in case my black, wavy hair was enough to tip people off. I tugged the shoes Elisa bought me on.

"I'll take the subway out. Then you won't be involved anymore." I said.

"Talia, you can't go alone." Elisa frowned.

"I have to. You have a life here. I don't. Ah, there it is." I got out of the car and ran to the station.

"Talia!" Elisa shouted.

I wormed my way through the crowd and studied the map as quickly as I could, finding the path out. I got a ticket and rode the train. I sighed and slumped in my seat. This was the farthest I had ever gotten away. I set the alarm on the phone Elisa put in the bag and slept. I woke up and switched trains. It was sunrise now and I was so close to freedom. One last switch and I was free.

I got off and was waiting for the next train when there was an announcement of a runaway girl last seen going in a station. I gulped, but kept calm enough to pay attention. I got on the next train when I saw David and Fox on the platform. I kept my head low and watched them. I had come so close! I could still make it if I got lucky.

"Talia Xanatos." Owen said loudly, looking at me. He must have snuck on the train. I winced and then he ushered me out of the train. Fox hugged me and I awkwardly stood there. David smirked. What was that about?

We flew back in a helicopter. "Talia." David said.

"What?" I asked.

"That was an impressive last minute plan." He smiled.

"I didn't do it to impress you." I glared at the floor.

He looked like he was about to say something, but thought against it.

We got back and I went to my cage and went to sleep. I didn't get much before I ran away. I woke up hungry and I didn't want to go face David. I knew I was grounded for much longer now. I wanted food. Why couldn't I eat in peace? My hands glowed green and I had a sandwich in my hands now.

"Ok…" I bit it and found it was very good.

I just finished it when Owen knocked on my door. "Talia, Mister Xanatos-"

"Wants to see me in the dining room. I've been through this before." I went to the dining room and sat down.

"You're grounded for 3 months now." He said.

"I figured as much." I told him.

My mind wandered as I nibbled my food. Can I freeze time? I tried to gather enough whatever-it-was and thought of a rhyme. But the energy I gathered was hard to control so I let it go carefully. It made my hands sore. I went to my cage after a late lunch and tried to figure out where these powers came from. How could this have... I remembered the strange dream I had days ago.

"PUCK!" I yelled.