Tarah's POV
Callie and I ran to the window just in time to see two giant bird-things take off. Much to our horror, Nat was clasped firmly in the talons of one, while Mrs. Lamera, (or Lamia, or...whatever!) was comfortably astride the second chicken thing. They flew off, and after a few moments they were only specks on the horizon.

I turned to see Callie crying, and I decided right then and there that I'd have to be the strong one. Knowing how that must have looked to the other kids, I knew the police were on their way, and I'd probably be the one to be blamed. I looked around for the other kids, but the only one left was Eugene. He had somehow managed to get the door open and all of the kids out. Well at least someone was saved today I thought.

Eugene turned and saw me staring at him, and he blushed. It was no secret that he always had a crush on me, so I didn't blame the kid. I was expecting him to start rambling on about our killer teacher or something when he spoke up suddenly, "I could see her. I could see her the moment she walked in. I just...I thought it was another hallucination." I could hear sirens in the distance, and he snapped out of whatever reverie he was in. He looked up, and his face hardened, lips bulging from his braces and broken glasses slipping down his nose. "Go," he said, looking at Callie and me. "They'll think it's you, I know it. Go, I'll handle the police."

I surprised everyone in the room, including myself, but suddenly hugging him. "Thank you, Eugene," I whispered. He blushed and started stammering. I let go, grabbed Callie's hand, and we ran out the building and down the block to our orphanage.

As we reached the gate, someone called my name from the front door. I looked up and saw Sister Mary Clarence walking swiftly towards us. Callie looked nervous, but I smiled. Mary Clarence was always nice to me, and I got the feeling she would help us now. She always smelled like the ocean wind, and for some reason her scent always calmed me down.

"Tarah, Callie, why aren't you at school? You know Reverend Mother told you one more slip up, and you'd be on restriction for the rest of the year. Where is Natasha? I expect her to keep you out of trouble." She unlocked the gate and furrowed her brow.

"Sister, we need to get to our dormitory. I can't tell you why, but it's really important," I said in a rush.

Sister Mary's eyes flashed, and I could swear they changed color to gray for a moment, but it disappeared as quickly as it came, and she hurried us inside. "Go, I need to make a call." She bustled off down the hall, while Callie and I ran up the stairs to our room.

"What are we going to do?" Callie fretted as we closed the door behind us.

"We need to get out of here. Grab your stuff and put it in your backpack-no, not with our books! We don't need those right now!" I sighed as she proceeded to try and fit all her school books in the same bag she was using for clothes. "We don't know if that thing is coming back for us or not, so only bring the necessities."

I got on my knees and peered under my bed. I carefully pulled out my secret box and opened it up. The only things inside was a wad of money I had saved up from doing extra chores for the nuns and my father's necklace. It had nine beads. each with a different symbol carved on it. I tied it around my neck and stuffed the money in my bag. I ran over to my drawer and shoved my clothes into the bag. I looked around, What am I forgetting?

Of course! I looked at our sink, and there, next to my toothbrush, was my sword. I grabbed it and shoved it in my jacket pocket. I turned and saw Callie shoving her favorite hat in her bag.

"I'm ready," she said. We walked into the hall just as something large swooped by the window.

"They've come back!" I whispered. We quickly ran to the front door and I peered through the frosted glass, my sword clasped firmly in my hand. I could just barely make out a figure making its way towards us.

The door handle started to turn, and I raised my sword above my head. Suddenly, the door flew open and my sword came down hard. Unfortunately, my blow was blocked by...another sword? And holding that sword...a boy?

"Blimey, what are you trying to do, kill me?" He groaned. His accent was obviously British, but he was wearing a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt.

"Well, yeah," I replied, not lowering my sword.

"Who the hell are you?" Callie interrupted, glaring at this new arrival. I could feel the air heating up around her, and I knew she was about to fry the kid. (yes, I mean literally. It's hard to explain.)

Before he got the chance to reply, Mary Clarence bustled from around the corner. She stopped when she saw my sword, but instead of looking scared or surprised, she just looked annoyed. "Tarah, stop being so dramatic. And put that thing down! It's already the source of enough issues today!" she lectured. Ignoring my bewildered face, she stubbornly placed her hands on her hips and glared at me until I had lowered my weapon. However I didn't put it down, but rather held it at my side, ready to strike. The sister rolled her eyes and turned to this boy. "I'm glad you got my message, can you contact her yet?"

"No," the boy replied, eyeing my sword and fingering his own. "She's gone unconscious, it may be a bit before we can find out whats happening."

"Excuse me, but you never answered my question'"Callie interrupted.

The boy sighed, "Bloody hell you're impatient. If you must know, my name is Andrew Claybourne, but you can call me Andy...I'm, well, I'm a friend of Natasha's."

"Girls, he is a friend, you need to trust him," Mary Clarence ordered us. "Tarah, I can't protect you anymore, you've been found."

"What do you mean protect me? Found by who?"

Mary Clarence started to reply, but froze suddenly. After a few seconds, she turned to Andy and said, "He needs me, you'll have to take it from here." Turning back to me, she said, "I'm sorry, I'll see you again soon, Tarah. Just trust him." Then, suddenly, she was gone. I mean, she literally vanished, leaving nothing but the salty scent of a sea breeze.

"Let's go," Andy said, turning and walking out the door.

Callie glanced at me and I shrugged. "I guess we have nothing to lose," I whispered. We walked into the courtyard and saw a horse...with wings. Giant white wings. Could things GET any weirder?

I quickly discovered that yes, they could, when Andy jumped on its back and held out his hand to us.

"Uh uh, no way. There's a reason I never went on pony rides at the country fair, and I'm not starting now." Callie crossed her arms.

Oi, watch who you're calling pony. I heard in my head just as the horse snorted.

"It's a Pegasus, and it's either this or walk. Your choice," Andy shrugged.

"Where are we going?" I interjected before Callie could reply.

"Long Island. Now are you coming or what?"

I grabbed his extended hand and swung on the hors-excuse me, Pegasus's back. Callie groaned, mumbled something about loyalty, then reluctantly let me pull her up in-between me and Andy.

The Pegasus jumped into the air, and I could see Andy chuckle as Callie was forced to throw her arms around his waist. Great. I thought. I'm going to end up the third wheel.

You and me both, doll