~Authors Note~
Hello! I apologize once again for the late chapter, it's been very busy!
Meh... this was kind of depressing to write, actually... might just be me though. hope you enjoy nevertheless!
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Akeela screamed as the bullet hit right beside her foot, and dropping all of the hotdogs, ran the way she had come, back to the docks and warehouses. The police around Akeela had ducked automatically, and jumping back up they glared at Karu.
The man in charge walked up to Karu, who was trembling a little bit. He was confident of his marksmanship, except, of course, there is always that little voice in the back of your mind saying "your gonna miss... your gonna hurt her". Karu straightened a little bit as the officer walked up too him, "What do you think your doing?! You scared her away!" He said angrily, and not giving Karu the chance to reply he jumped into the police car.
"We're giving chase!" He shouted, and the other officers ran to their vehicles, he started to close the door, giving Karu a 'we'll-talk-later' look.
Karu bowed a bit, "I will chase on foot, perhaps I can corner her easier." He told the angry officer. The man just grunted and slammed the door, bringing the engine too life.
As soon as the police cars were out of sight, he took off running full speed down an alleway. Years ago, when he was just a lad, he had been homeless. Living in alleways, stealing hotdogs, that was how he had lived. It was in this area that he and other boys would play, so he still remembered shortcuts to the warehouses.
He pushed on, cutting through different streets and alleways. After running for a couple minutes, he caught sight of a small figure run across the street; police cars in hot pursuit. Karu frowned, being chased like this... I wonder what is going through her mind right now?
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Akeela ran as hard as she could, her eyes wide in fear as she turned random corners. She could hear those strange objects chasing her from the street, hoping too corner her from entering certain alleways. What did they want her for?? What did she ever do wrong?
She closed her eyes for a moment as she pushed herself even harder, I'm not the bad guy... you are. You did something too mama.... I may never get too see her again. It's all your fault! She screamed at them inside her head, tears starting too pool down her cheeks. Why don't they listen too me? Why?
Akeela saw the policecar block her route in front of her, and she quickly darted into the alleway on the right. I just wanna go home... I wanna see mama and daddy... why won't you let me? She turned more corners, she hated this. The walls... it seemed like they were closing in on her, blocking her escape. Trapping her, forever. They were getting smaller and smaller... making it harder for her too run. They were sucking the energy out of her**.
More tears trickled down her nose, falling ever so slowly too the ground. Lifting up her head, she took a deep breath, "Just leave me aloonneee!!" She wailed, ducking her head and running even faster on all fours.
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Karu almost stopped when he heard the anguished cry, Was that the girl? It sounded like she had said,'Just leave me alone!' Getting chased continuously must be taking it's toll, he thought. Setting his face in a grim line, he pushed himself further, willing himself to catch up too her. She was fast, very fast. Even faster then him. But with his willpower... he might be able to catch up too her.
Miraculously, in half a minute, he caught sight of her darting into a familiar alleway.
Quickly scanning his memory, he knew she was headed into a "one-way out" alleway, no forks or anything. If he could just get there in time...
He started running again, the girl and cars had already disappeared. Men were jumping out of their vehicles to continue the pursuit on foot.
Luckily, he was the fastest officer in their unit. Even if the girl was faster then him, he was faster then them.
Taking a deep breath, he ran even faster, going through another few alleways, he came out beside the entry where the girl would come out.
In just a few seconds, Akeela bolted out of the alleway onto the small street. Seeing the police man, she stopped for a split second, her already broken expression crumpled up even more in defeat and terror, and changing direction she was about ready to run away again.
Karu's hope dropped, No....! That's the direction where they are planning to cut her off... Little one... I'm the good guy!!
Reaching out his hand, he quickly grabbed her tail, the only thing within his reach. Thankfully, she stopped moving as to not yank her tail, giving him the moment he needed. He leapt forward, grabbed the girl and put her under his arm, thankful she had not ran into their trap.
"Wa...wait... what are..." She whimpered, struggling against his hold. She knew he had shot at her. She didn't know what it was exactly, but after examining where the bullet had hit and destroyed a bit of the pavement, she knew it was ment to hurt people.
Karu put his hand on her mouth and stopped, listening. The men were very close, about to come out any second. Turning, he ran down a separate alleway. Which was lucky for him, the men had come out of where Akeela was a split-second after. Hearing pounding footsteps, the police were in hot pursuit of Karu (although they didn't know it was actually him they were now pursuing).
Karu kept running, he was tired and the little girl didn't help. But he kept running anyway. He had to save her, he could only imagine what they would do too her. One thing nagged at him though, this girl... she had a strange presence about her. He couldn't explain it. He stored that though in the back of his mind, deciding to voice it aloud later if he got the chance. Right now he had to focus on running. With himself being so tired, the other policemen were starting to catch up due to his fatigue.
They had arrived at the warehouses, there was a lot of open space. The streets were wide, littered with garbage. Crates, garbage cans and the like were scattered everywhere, lining the old, eerie looking buildings.
Thinking quickly, Karu ran too the side of the closest warehouse. Spotting a biggerish, empty garbage can, he opened the lid, and as gently as he could, settled the little girl in there.
"Don't... move... or make a sound..." He said breathlessley, putting the lid back on the can.
Akeela obeyed, scared of what might happen if she didn't. She couldn't tell if he was helping her, or going to hurt her without the other policemens help.
Karu walked a few steps away from the garbage can, but still close enough to grab her if need be. The officers, cars and the lot had all caught up, they spotted Karu. If he had hesitated even just a few seconds... they would have gotten caught.
One of the officers hopped out, "Karu! What are you doing? Did you see the girl?!" He shouted.
Karu took a deep breath, looking disappointed. "She slipped out of my sight. She's too fast. She kept dodging through the warehouses. She's too far now."
The officer nodded his head slowly, "We're done, then." They all knew Karu was very fast, and if someone was faster than he... there was no point in giving chase.
Karu nodded, "I'm going home." He said with a soft sigh, letting the fatigue overcome his movemnts and facial expressions. If he looked like he was about to faint, they would let him go with no problem.
The young man nodded, noting his condition, "Want a ride?"
"I'm gonna walk, cool off. I'll feel better." Karu said, turning on his heel, "Tell the chief I'll apologize tomorrow for todays incident."
The police cars started to turn around, heading back to the station. Soon he was left alone. He sighed and leaned against the warehouse, We're safe... for now. Turning, he walked the few paces to the little girl and lifted up the lid.
~Authors Note~
The usual... please review!!!
and I do have a question for you, Akeela is 5, right? Well... with how she thinks and acts... does she seem to be older than 5? I don't know if she's acting too mature or not... I haven't ever really hanged around 5 year olds before... especially half-demon's that are 5 :P maybe since they are half-demons and have that ... pere pressure, they are more mature? noc clue, anyway please review and help me out, maybe I can make some adjustments if need be. hope you enjoyed the chapter!!
For the **... the whole "Walls closing in" thing was not really physically... it was more emotionally. After going through all of this turmoil, it was taking it's toll on her physically as well as emotionally. hence the whole "sucking the energy out of her". anyway... just wanted to clear that up in case you were confused :)
Angel