A Second Chance

Chapter 11: The Map

After spending an hour around the city, Quin went back to work for her second shift. Once Quin finished her second shift, she was preparing to go home. She had said goodbye to the kids and was currently at Mrs. Huxley's desk. Giving her a scroll of instructions, "Here. Evacuate everyone in this facility tomorrow morning. Then try and evacuate as many people around the city as possible." Quin sighed, "You know of my secret. I feel them coming, they're near. Once the ninja and I leave the city, they'll find out my true identity soon enough." She looked away, "I'd hate to trick them like this..."

Mrs. Huxley placed a hand on her shoulder, "There is no other choice. You're doing this for good, Quin. If the ninja know who you are before you set off, they won't believe you." She said.

Quin nodded, "You're right. I'll do this even if it makes them hate me even more." She flipped her hood on, "It's time to prove that I've changed. It's time to prove that I'm not the girl I once was. I've changed and I want the world to know it." She looked back at Mrs. Huxley, "I will turn-"

Mrs. Huxley cut her off in a panic, "Dear, no! If you can prove to everyone in Ninjago that you are a new person, you won't have to do it." She put more emphasis on the word 'It'.

Quin shook her head 'no', "No." She said firmly, "Even if they see me helping the ninja, they won't believe that I've changed. I just want them to know that I changed, I don't need for them to believe it." Her lips turned into a frown. She closed her eyes and sighed.

Mrs. Huxley had a sympathetic look on her face as she turned Quin around to face her, "I know and believe that you've changed. I believe that others will too! But whatever decision you choose, I'll support it." She smiled.

Quin looked at the hand on her shoulder. She looked back at Mrs. Huxley and smiled, "Thanks, Mrs. Huxley." She looked at the window and saw that the sun was near to setting. She looked back at Mrs. Huxley, "I have to go."

Mrs. Huxley nodded in understanding, "I understand." She took her hand off Quin's shoulder and watched as she exited the building.

Quin looked back at her one more time, "Take care, Mrs. Huxley. Tell Mr. Huxley and Mason that I'll miss them." She smiled.

Mrs. Huxley nodded, "Of course, I will. Take care of yourself, Quin." She said her goodbye.

Quin left the building and ran to the Monastery. The streets of Ninjago were really busy. She saw that she won't be able to get back to her temporary home in time like this. She looked around to find any alternatives to get to the Monastery quicker.

Bikes? No time to get one. A bus? No, too crowded. Taxi? None in sight. Walk? Even the sidewalks were too crowded for that. She sighed and groaned in annoyance before thinking, "There has to be some way I can get to the ninja faster. I just got to think." She thought in a hurry.

She looked around again, but being calm wasn't what she was feeling right now. Panic flooded through her as she looked around. Only the sight of Ninjago Citizens clouded her view. She hit her back on a wall of a building. She slumped down on the floor and took a breather. Away from the crowd.

The sound of metal clanking stole her attention. She whipped her head towards the sound and saw someone walking down the emergency stairs of an apartment building. Flashbacks came to her mind. The panic. The mixed thoughts. The sacrifice. The fall.

She shook these thoughts out of her head. If she didn't do this, Ninjago would fall. Ninjago was at stake if she was too scared to do this. Clearing up her mind of her fear, she stood up and ran up the stairs.

"I am not afraid. I am not afraid." She chanted in a whisper over and over again while climbing to the top of the building. In no time, she was at the rooftop of the apartment. There was a building right beside the apartment, not too far.