Alright, since I have all the time in the world right now, I guess I can upload another chapter. ^-^ This one introduces my Oc, Carrie Strata, and I'm sorry if this chapter is a bit short. Sadly, this and the next chapter are, so I appoligize in advance. I'd like to thank MissIndigo for being the first to reveiw on my story! Thanks! Phew, just finished moving plants in from the gazebo because of the coming hurricane.

Sigh, I'm still waiting for Retrace 64. :(

Chapter 1: Under Dawn's Sky

I waited for the door to close, indicating that my sister had left for work. When I heard the noise, I peered out the window of my room, watching her get in the car and driving away, over the hill and out of sight.

"Alright. Now's the time!"

I rushed to my closet and took out my lovely dress. It was a plaid red with black ribbons on it, and I simply adored it. After that, I put on my black and white stripped stockings and my knee-high black boots. Finally, I put on my fingerless black gloves and combed my hair.

With a smile on my face, I flung open the front door and rushed outside to the place behind my house I loved to explore. It had rained last night so the grass sparkled with the glistening raindrops left behind. My feet sent them flying as I ran though the grass. A morning like this was perfect to me, besides, I had five hours till my sister returned home, and as long as I didn't get my clothes dirty, I'd be fine.

If you're wondering who I am, my name is Carrie Strata. I'm 16 years old and quite known for my exploits around here.

Long ago, both my parents were killed in a car crash. From that point on, my elder sister, Sasha, raised me. I mostly known for my deeds of good will and my bright personality, leaving my mark on my sleepy town, Kara. It's not exactly a city nor is it a small town, it's in-between.

My house is situated in the countryside of Kara on the way into town. And outback...is my favorite place to be. My sister doesn't know I go outback and do this, only a few of my friends do. But out there is a grove of trees (well, more like a small forest) that give way to a plain of short grass. Then there is a ciffside that overlooks the beach. They're not overly tall, but if someone were to fall off them, there's a good chance of death.

Anyways, I had to be careful. One, not to fall of the cliff and die, and two, don't dirty up my clothes, especially with a certain day approaching.

See, next month will be the 300th anniversary of the famous Tragedy of Sabiler. Even though me and my sister are descendents of Sharon Rainsworth, the records still left very little to say about this event.

Among these, are tales of Pandora. The organization that investigates the Abyss, whose goal was to obtain the Intention of the Abyss, and whose enemies were the Baskervilles. They were also in the records. It's said that they are messengers of the Abyss and the ones responsible for plunging the old capital of Sablier into the Abyss.

Still though, even with a legend surrounding the events that took place 100 years after that tragic day, I feel some of the details are hidden and there are gaps in the tale. I look for these, but I have yet to find one good piece of evidence.

Okay, enough of this. Let's get back to the current events.

So, I made my way through the trees and danced about the plain. The morning was lovely and the sun was maybe a quarter way into the sky, clouds around it and often shadowing. But rays of light still came through, shining down on the land.

'These rays will make the ocean sparkle.' I thought. The beach is a cool place to hang out, and to watch sunsets or sunrise. I preferred the cliffs better, but I had to be more careful around them.

When I arrived there, the glassy blue surface did indeed sparkle. The sun shining down upon the vast expanse of water below me. Water lapped the beach were the ocean began, both the sand and the water remaining undisturbed, at least for now. Seeing this wondrous scene made me feel at ease not only with myself, but with the world.

"So...beautiful." I was careful not to get close to the edge, so I stayed around a tree that sat on the cliffs. A light ocean breeze blew across the cliffs, rustling the leaves on the tree.

I figured an hour had gone by already, and I was hungry. Blame me for not eating anything before I left the house. I turned to leave, taking one last look at the scene of the ocean beyond me. I had to go back sometime before Sasha returned, and, I was starting to get bored and needed something to eat.

Although, as I made my way back through the grove, I will admit that at the moment, I was unaware of the roots that stuck out of the ground at the gorge. I might of left out the fact that there's a fairly big hill (I call it a gorge) with a river at the bottom at the end of the grove that I walk up.

I cast a glance at the river, and, as I passed by a tree near the edge, my feet suddenly tripped on a forlorn root sticking out of the ground. My body started falling forward, air rushing past me, and in a flash, I saw the river.

I was about to fall over the river, possibly plummeting to my death.

I guess I'll leave it at that for today. (Insert evil smile here) Oh, and we'll see Leo again in the next chapter, in case you were wondering.