A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 3

Run. Run. Run.

I could hear the troopers behind me, yelling and firing. People watched me run by or maneuvering around them down the sidewalk. I had to find a way to get onto the roof, that's my strategy. Get on the roofs and they'll eventually lose me or try and blend in with the crowd.

As I was running past an alley, there was a familiar looking symbol on the side of a bricked building. Where have I seen it before?

I lost my concentration and tripped over some of the sidewalk sticking out of the ground. I looked over my shoulder to see the troopers catching up. My legs felt stiff and stomach churned from burning off breakfast. I still stood up and tried to make another run until the troopers made it to the alleyway.

A huge burst of fire engulfed the troopers. When the fire died down, the troopers were running around screaming like headless chickens, trying to stop burning to death. Everyone watched with wide eyes as they fell to the ground and their screams went silent. No one moved to help. No one dared to move or speak, like they may have the same fate as the troopers. I was paralyzed to the spot and felt myself shake.

Thankfully, the troopers were the only ones eaten by the fire. Yet, that doesn't mean it scarred any of the youth in the area that watched. Admittedly, I'm scared.

Something laid on my shoulder which made me jump and squeak a little. I quickly turned and saw ponytail standing there.

"Come on, kid," he said gesturing for me to follow. "Before more of them come."

"Why should I? I don't know you," I said, crossing my arms. Somehow, I spoke with more confidence than I feel at the moment.

   "Don't try to act like you're brave or snarky with me," he said, poking me in the chest. "It's either coming with us or having the Empire on your tail until they catch and interrogate you for information that you don't have. Your choice."

   I bit my lip. It was true, yet why would he want to help a street rat out of this? No one has ever did this kind of stuff to get me out of bad situations like this.

   "Times up, you in or out?" he asked anxiously. I knew troopers were coming and the next choice I make could end in success or disaster. I made my choice.

   "Where do we go?" I asked quickly. He ran down the nearest alley and I followed him and couple blocks until finally arriving at that gray RV. Ponytail knocked on the door then eyes peeked through the window and it opened to reveal baldy.

   Ponytail gestured for me to go in first and so I went up the steps. He trailed in behind and shut the door.

   "They're in," the girl called into a room then the RV suddenly jerked and started moving.

   "Welcome on board," Baldy grumbled, "of course, I could of told you that earlier if you actually did the first time around."

   "Zeb layoff..." the girl said and I smirked for a moment feeling victory before she continued, "he's just a kid."

   "You don't look any older than me," I pouted, fixing a glare.

   "How old do you think I am?" She asked angrily.

   "Enough arguing," ponytail said, pinching the bridge of his nose. I huffed and crossed my arms then looked around the RV.

   There was a couch to my right and on the other side was a table. Tessbo was sitting at the table and fiddling with his fingers. He was back to his original tan skin tone. I rolled my eyes then saw a kitchen set on the other side of the RV. Baldy, now known as Zeb, was leaning on what looked like a counter.