~Met Behind the Masks~

Chapter 1

I walk through the fog, pretending to be a badass. Well, I wish I could. I, unfortunately, haven't got time to just have my own fun. I have much bigger problems to deal with. My name is Lauren Raine. I'm 21, and always on the move. It seems like any time I find a safe place, it gets destroyed. I can't risk killing anymore innocent civilians. I shove my hands into my pockets, and huff out a breath. I watch it float out in front of me, making me smile. 

I love winter. It's just the time when you can relax inside, with cocoa, all the family together. Just makes me all giddy inside. Or, in my case, I won't sweat as fast when I start running from abductors. So, win for me and for everyone else continuing their normal lives. I look up, seeing if I can see any stars. As I suspected, the city lights completely overpowers the beauty of nature.

I gain my focus back up and continue walking to nowhere specifically. Just somewhere I can eat and sleep. Warmth is preferred, but I'll take what I can get. I walk past a gas station, and sigh out of misery. I either have to try and steal, or I can walk away and leave it be. I hear, and feel, my stomach growl, so I make up my mind. I walk into the store, acting as casual as a starving person can seem. 

"Welcome! Seems a bit chilly out there, eh?" the cashier peeps up. I smile and nod. "Rather cold." I simply reply, then make my way to the burritos and stuff. I dig into my pocket, pulling out $2. I look at the price, it being 2.89, plus tax. I grab the smallest burrito and bring it up to the counter. The man types it into the register, then says "3.54" I put my two dollars on the table top with a sigh and a frown. 

I look up at with with the most pitiful face I possibly could, pulling the guilt cord in him. I grab my money off the counter and head towards the door. Dammit, that usually works. I continue walking out of the parking lot, when I hear a faint shout from the station. I jog back and peak inside, only to see a guy in black pointing a gun at the cashier. The guy has his hands up, pulling all the money from the register. I pull out my snowy owl mask and put it on. 

I check my pistol to make sure I still have some bullets, seeing 3 shots left. I load it back up and walk back in. "Make one wrong move." I threaten the masked man. He turns around, only to see a gun pointed right between his eyes. He slowly puts his hands up, showing his defeat. I know this move. They pretend to surrender, only to shoot you before you have time to react. 

I look at the guy behind the counter, and see him staring at me in return. I nod, but regain my focus back to the robber. I very quickly slide my legs underneath his feet, causing him to fall. I watch his gun slid a few feet away from him. I pick it up, putting it in my pocket. "Now. I will forget this happened, if you leave here and not return." I wager. He nods quickly, so I let him get up. I watch him walk out the door, getting into his car and quickly driving away. 

I sigh and put my gun away. "Who are you?" the cashier asks. I shake my head and place my two dollars back on the counter. "Deal?" I ask, before taking the burrito. "Yeah, of course. Thanks!" he yells after me. I wave my hand in the air, but open my burrito and hungrily munch on it. I eat up half of the food, but fold the other half in the wrapper to save it. I know that won't happen again. I'm out of money, and I'm not a good robber.

I'm more of the "Let's save and protect" type of person. I guess you could say like a cop, but I prefer more of a family thing. I know people have families, so I don't want them to have the same problem I do. You see, I'm basically an orphan. 

~Flashback~

"Mommy, mommy!" I scream, looking outside at the falling snow. My mom comes into the living room with her usual blue glowing eyes and happy smile. "What is it Lauren?" she asks, coming to my side. "It's snowing mommy! I wanna go play!" I say, smiling as wide as possible. She laughs a little, and says "Let's gear up!", then walks over to our winter closet. 

I run over to her, grabbing a thick coat and a scarf. She slides some mitts on my hands, then smiles. "And here's your hat." she tells me as she puts my little hat over my brown hair. I smile up at her and take hold of her hand. "Let's go let's go!" i yell impatiently.

"One moment sweetie." she orders. I release her and nod, watching her get herself all coated up. When she finishes, she grabs my hand and we make our way to the front door. I immediately jump into the white powder, laughing like there's no tomorrow. I make a snow angel, then watch my mom plop onto the ground next to me. She begins making one as well.

When we get up, we admire then with bright, smiling faces. "You are my little angel" mommy says, before taking off running. I run after her, and tap her arm saying "Tag!" and running from her. I run a little distance, before turning back and seeing her laying on her back in the snow. "Mommy! You're supposed to chase me!" I yell to her, but she doesn't flinch. 

I walk over to her, and see her staring at the sky. "Mommy?" I ask, poking her cheek. "Mommy, this isn't funny!" I scream at her. She still doesn't move. "MOMMY! PLEASE! STOP! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!" I yell, trying to get someone's attention. Like I wanted, someone comes over and asks "What's wrong?" 

"My mommy isn't moving!" I yell, tears going down my already ice cold face. The man pushes me back a little and picks up her wrist. I sit in a squat and cry my heart out.

~End of Flashback~

A few years after that happened, I learned that she had a heart attack. And since that day, I haven't once made a snow angel or cried. I just can't find myself to do so. I realize I get lost in thoughts and see myself leaning on a brick wall, curled up in a ball for warmth. I open my eyes, only to see a world of white. Also little flurries falling from the sky. "Looks like I'm going to need a roof." I mumble and force myself to stand. 

I look at my surroundings and see a pavilion across the street. Not much warmth, but it works for cover. I look both way before crossing, then run to the other side. I slip on some black ice (This shit is tricky! Black ice is ice on a road that's merely impossible to see for those who didn't know) and fall with an 'umph'. 

I start to get up, only to slip again. I pull myself off the ice patch, then stand up again. I brush myself off, only to be met with headlights, a honk, then nothing. No pain, no noises, no light. Just darkness, and peace.. Really nice peace.

~~~~~

First chapter! Hope you enjoyed! :)

~WildLadd