Chapter 5

Slowing, I stopped and curled up under a tree in a large den. I placed my tail over my nose and closed my eyes. Hearing a THUNK, I crawled out of the den and crept toward the noise. There was a girl sitting on her butt, rubbing her head and muttering, "Stupid Sasha. He knew that would happen." She has short, black hair with dark red highlights.

Shaking my head, I snorted, "There are The One's followers around here, so I would be careful girl."

She looked up, startled. "Who's there?" She asked.

"Who are you? That is the question," I growled. "If you work for The One, then I can't trust you."

She replied, "My name's Zia and I work for the rebels."

I believed her so I replied, "My name is Violet."

Changing into human form, I stepped into the light and Zia gasped, "They posted your name and face on a large wanted sign!"

Rolling my eyes I grumbled, "What else is new?"

She shrugged and said, "Follow me; I can take you somewhere safe."

I gave her a funny look and nodded. "Okay, show me where Zia."

"Okay, but I need to find a new portal."

I blinked. "A what now?"

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. "A portal. You know, and entrance between-"

"I know what a portal is," I snapped. "Why do you need one?"

"It's the only way to get to the Free Land."

Zia turned and started to walk away. I followed her because my other reason was turning myself in just to be killed. But I was starting to regret that decision. Zia. Talked. Non. Stop. The. Whole. Way. To. A. Freaking. Brick. Wall.

Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the wall. "I didn't follow you to have my brains mashed to a pulp!" I yelled but Zia ignored me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I waited for the pain, but nothing happened. Opening one eye, my jaw dropped. "What did you do?" I demanded.

We were in a dark realm, gray mist floating around. MOOAAN. I bristled, ready to say the spell.

Zia cursed. "Welcome to Shadowland! That was a Lost One you just heard. Sorry, but this tour has been canceled. We should leave now."

She yanked me again, harder this time, and I yelped. "You almost dislocated my arm!" I snarled. Zia shrugged and kept running, I really had no choice but to run. Well, yeah I had a choice.

Get dragged along the ground.

Run along after her.

Or let go and wait to see what the Lost One's are.

I safely choose option B.

Zia leaped into another portal and I went in after her. We both landed on the ground; she landed on her feet, and I landed on my rear end. Standing up, I glared at Zia.

She smiled sweetly and chirped, "We are here!"

The "Freeland" was a wreck. Ruble was littered the whole place. Few buildings were still up. Zia picked her way carefully through the ruble and gestured for me to follow her. I did follow, trying my best not to slice up my legs on the sharp objects. She opened a door to a building and I made my way inside.

Gagging, I slapped a hand over my nose and gasped, "What the heck?"

Zia chuckled. "Perfume makes an excellent electricity replacement." Note to self, never, ever, burn perfume unless you want to stink out your enemies, I reminded myself.

"Hello!" I girl called. She walked over and narrowed her eyes at me. "You look familiar," she said, a hint of wariness in her voice.

Struggling to keep the fear down, I replied, "Probably seen my face on a wanted poster." No one could find out why I look familiar! No one! She nodded and said, "Most likely. Zia, can you show her around?"

"Sure," Zia replied. The girl nodded and walked away. Zia glanced at me and said, "You know she's right. And it's not from a wanted poster. I can't place my finger on it, but you certainly look like someone."

I shrugged. "Get that a lot."

"What are you doing here?" A voice behind me asked; half irritated half surprise.

Turning, I smirked, "So glad to know you missed me."

I'm sorry for not updating before! I was running out of ideas. But I will not delete this story! Promise! It just might take awhile for an update 'cause I have to think what will happen and when they discover Violet's "secret"….