Half-Bloods R • 2 : Growing Shadows

C • 2 : Clouds in Sky, Fire in Sunset

Anna, dressed in a beige Burn the Ballroom shirt and grey shorts, ran ahead, "Come on, hurry up!"

Elizabeth and Christopher lingered, walking side by side through the streets of San Antonio while Anna ran around, exploring and discovering new stores and venues. It was evening, the sky was blue with edges of orange and gold in the distance. Every skyscraper and tall building seemed to have a halo as clouds softly brushed through the sky. The streets, though filled with people, were quiet, and uncrowded. People walked alone, or in pairs, or in trios, yet all watched as the young girl- seemingly young woman -ran ahead of the cyborg and half-blooded kerronasen.

"Anna, hold up!" Christopher readied to run after her, but Elizabeth quickly pulled him back.

"Chill, Chris, nobody's gonna mess with her," Elizabeth said, her hair in a bun and hands stuffed into the pockets of her black leather jacket.

"She could get lost, what if she takes a turn and we don't see it?" he said, a prick of annoyance sparking in him as Elizabeth bubbled her purplish gum, "You're not even taking this seriously."

She popped the gum, and his eyes shot to the wall behind her as she turned her upper body toward him, revealing her black sports bra beneath her open jacket, "I am! But, like, when you have magic, normal people trying to cause trouble with ya is pretty much a joke. Plus, you two are cyborgs, pretty sure that means any punch you throw is gonna hurt."

"I guess," he said, trying to ignore the heat on his face.

She smacked his forehead, "You're acting like a child, my chest isn't fully exposed y'know? Besides, you wouldn't be the first to see it all," her eyes turned dim for a moment as she looked through him, into space.

"I just think it's best to be respectful," he said, playing with the hood strings of his grey, sleeveless hoodie.

Light returned to her eyes, she looked at him, cocked her eyebrow, and smirked, "Respect isn't denying your urges, take your peek and be done with it."

"I'm starting to think you've been spending way too much time with Demi," he said, his eyes leading towards Anna who darted towards them, her arms splayed out and forcing pedestrians to dodge out of the way with groans and complaints.

"Guys, guys! Come check it out!" She grabbed Elizabeth's arm and tore it out of her pocket as she ran away, laughing, with the kerronasen.

Christopher ran after them, "Hey, wait up!"

They ran through the sidewalk, approaching the crosswalk where the sign was counting down. The countdown reached ten, and Christopher dashed ahead to intersect the two.

"Hold up!" He said, spreading his arms out.

Anna, with wide eyes, and Elizabeth skidded to a halt. Elizabeth looked at Anna, then to Christopher, "Dude!" She yelled as a car quickly passed behind Christopher when the countdown hit zero, "Nevermind," she slumped forward.

"You need to be careful," he huffed, holding his chest.

"I would've stopped before it could hit me," Anna groaned, crossing her arms with squinted eyebrows.

Wait, is she mad at me again?

Christopher stepped toward the girl, "Anna-"

She stepped around him as the sign began telling them to walk.

He looked to Elizabeth who shrugged, looking just as shocked as him.

The two quickened their pace as they walked after the young girl. When they caught up to Anna, she ignored them, not once responding to their questions.