Hunted

Chapter 1: Time To Go

I could make out the constellations of the stars as they reflected off the surface of the lake. It was the most magical place I had ever been. Now it was soiled by the blood of a family, whose only crime was wanting to protect me. I could not force myself to turn around, to look at the ashes of the once warm house, now smothered by the flames. I heard the rubble shift and crumble behind me, but I just continued to stare at the lake.

The people behind me moved about. Some sifting through the rubble of what remained of the building I had just recently decided to call home. Some just stood and looked at me, wondering what would happen to me now, or just thinking about how sad my life is. I ignored them all, so I could give a final goodbye to this wonderful place.

Sarah walked over and put a gentle hand on my shoulder. She didn't say a word, but she didn't have to. Sarah knew what I was thinking. It wasn't hard to know, for this wasn't the first time.

We stood side by side, staring into the lake, until she finally spoke, "It's time to go."

I straightened my shoulders and turned to leave. I thought of the people that had taken me in; the smiles they always shown on their faces. The people who I called family, friends were all gone. I stared at the ripples made as the ash crashed into the peaceful water. As each wave died out, I let each person leave my mind in a final goodbye.

I kept my gaze on the lake as long as I could, but eventually, I had to let it all go.

We walked slowly past rescue workers, firefighters, and police that were on the scene. Each gave me a look of what they thought must have been understanding and compassion. All I saw was depression and the loss of what I was leaving behind. They watched us until we were in the car, driving away.

We drove for miles before Sarah began to talk again. Letting her mind come up with the correct thing to say to a girl that just lost everything for who knows how many times now. It never got easier, "I'm sorry this has happened," she paused to allow the words to sink in, "You remember what happens next, right?"

"I'm never allowed the time to forget," I replied with no feeling at all in my voice. I wouldn't allow the dread to fill me, not yet. If I chose to feel, the pain would never end. It had always been easier to shut out the pain, so I could move on and start again.

"The organization has decided to relocate you to Arizona this time," her eyes focused on the road and didn't change course until I gave an answer to the unspoken question between us.

"I don't know how he found me," I stated.

I watched as her knuckles turned white from her grip on the steering wheel. It was almost five minutes before she let out a sigh and spoke again, "We know. It doesn't change the fact that you were found."

"Time to disappear again," I state, the cold chill present in my tone.

The car fell silent as I looked back out the window, lost in the abyss that was my mind. No matter where I went or what identity I had, it would be only a matter of time before he found me. There was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

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