It's a Dangerous Game

Magnet for trouble

Snow flittered through the air in beautiful swirling patterns. The sky was a dark and dangerous but beautiful blue. Aomi Savis would normally be strolling through the city admiring the snow and sky while rubbing her nose to try and bring it back to life, but this time she was dashing through the snow, eyes casting around in search of something.

Stupid, stupid! Slipping and sliding she took a hard right, using a trashbin to avoid falling over backwards. In her minds eye, she pictured the directions that would take her to a jewlery shop. It was late night, almost 11pm, and Aomi prayed the shop was still open.

It was Christmas eve, and usually Aomi would spend it alone with hot cocoa and either a book or movie--being the introvert she was--but her cousin, Nya, decided to drop in unannounced and with a wrapped gift in hand. Savis paused by a qclothing shop, pressing a hand to the glass as she considered buying a coat or dress. She eyed a jacket that caught her attention, wondering if her sister might like it. Too bad the store was already closed. Her eyes refocused, and a girl with messy black hair, almond-shapped frazzled eyes and dark skin stared back at her. Aomi jerked back, only to realize the girl was her reflection.

Huffing, she turned and ran across the road. The light was red, but there weren't any cars at that moment. Halfway across, she slipped on some ice, and shrieking, she fell on her back, hitting her head. For a few seconds, all Aomi saw was stars.

With her hand on her head, she sat up slowly, still dazed. The sound of screeching tires and blinding lights sent spikes of fear into Aomi's heart. On ice like this, the car couldn't brake, wouldn't stop in time.

Just as her arms were moving to cover her head, a blast of ice cold wind and a blanket of snow pushed her to the side of the road. The car collided with the soft snow pile. It took a moment for the fact that she was OK to sink in. Aomi had landed on her back again with her arms spread and her legs resting on a slightly higher surface--the sidewalk.

"Are you alright? Miss?"

Legs appeared out of the side of her vision, and she turned her head to the person. "I... think so. No broken bones." She smiled sheepishly as she took the offered hand. "Thank y--" Her eyes widened as she realized who she was holding hands with, who she stood a mere few inches from.

Zane Julien, the Ice Ninja, chuckled. "You're very welcome."

"You... you're Zane!"

"Yes, I am." Being polite, he asked her name.

Aomi bit her lip to make sure her jaw wasn't still on the ground. "I'm Aomi Savis."

Zane shifted his grip on her hand and shook it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Savis."

"Thank you--I mean, the pleasure is mine!" Aomi let her hands drop to her side, mentally kicking herself. Be normal! "Umm, thanks for saving me?"

"You're most welcome." With one last smile, the Ice Ninja left as quickly as he appeared.

Aomi blew her fringe up and out of her face, then she shook herself, continuing on her way to the jewlery shop.

Her mind was still running the event several times through her head when she knocked on the glass door of the Jane's Jewlery store, opening it and walking into the warm store.

"Sorry hon, we're closing up." An old lady behind the counter smiled warmly at Aomi. Her husband stood on the far side of the shop, closing and locking the windows.

"I know, I'm sorry, but all I need is something small." Looking around at all the closed and locked cases, Aomi added, "I'll take a look at whatever you haven't locked up yet."