True Love

Prologue/Running

Prologue/Running

~Prologue~

I'm fire. I'm as hard as a rock on the outside and on the inside. It's been like that ever since I was four. I have been living on the streets of New York City, carrying a small katana blade for my safety. Obviously, it's not enough, no matter how skilled I am with this dangerous tool.

But only one thing keeps me alive on the streets: finding my sister, April O'Neil. We were separated when we were four, and a murderous family took me in. They beat me, and I still have bruises to this day, scarring me for life. I ran away when I was only four, and that family has been looking for me ever since.

But I'm getting ahead. I'm called Annie. Ann Elizabeth O'Neil.

I, Annie, had never had feelings for anyone. And I never plan on having any. I'm just as solitary as a rock. But that is then. Now, on with my story of life.

-------------------------------

~Chapter 1~

Running

Dark shadows cover the whole of New York City. I run along with them, my black boots slapping the pavement quietly. I'm running on the empty road, away from a group of idiot guys.

As I run, I curse at myself. Why didn't I use my weapon? I don't have a weak spot to keep me from violence, so this is a big mystery. I grumble to myself and keep running.

I run down an alley, which is a stupid, yet smart idea. They'll either think I'm helpless and weak, and I'll surprise the crap out of them, or they'll know what I'm planning and come with reinforcements.

I stop at the end of the alley and face the guys. There are four of them, but they all look the same. They're holding weird, gun-like things, and I grab my blade, ready to fight. But I'm dangerously outnumbered.

Suddenly, the light above me goes out, and I hear the guns blast. Crap. I shield myself and close my eyes, praying to not die today. Suddenly, something-or someone-bumps into me, knocking me down.

"Oh, sorry," a voice says. I open my eyes and see a dark green shape in front of me. I squint my eyes to see better, but it disappears in a cloud of dust.

I cough, and run out of the alley, trying to find the green shape. Nothing. The four look-alike guys are gone, too. Weird. I sigh, slide the blade back into its holster on my waist and head for my rooftop home.

I climb up on a telephone pole, reaching the roof of an old abandoned warehouse. This building hasn't been used in ages. And I own the roof of it. It's been my home since I ran away from my foster home.

I grab a pillow and blanket from the roof and wrap myself in them. I try to fall into sleep, but I can't. I finally do, with the dark green shape from earlier in my dreams.