Afraid

Chapter 2

As she was walking, she walked past a bank with a big crowd in front. She got closer to the crowd and heard a woman giving a speech. As she listened, she looked around. There was a man behind the woman talking, proudly holding up a banner of hands holding a broken wand in bright red and yellow flames.

She raised an eyebrow. She scanned the crowd and saw the man from the ship, with the worn blue coat and battered brown case. How odd. First time here and I keep seeing him. Could be coincidence.

She then turned her attention back to the speaker.

"But where there is light there is shadow, friend. Something is stalking our city, wreaking destruction and then disappearing without a trace. We have to fight- join us, the Second Salemers, in our fight!"

The girl scoffed quietly. If she weren't magical, this woman would sound like a madwoman.

Suddenly, a man tripped over the case of the man from the ship. The man from the ship helped the man who fell up. The man from the ship started to apologize but the man who tripped brushed it off- but kindly.

"Excuse me!" said the man who tripped as he made it up the steps of the bank.

Apparently the commotion drew the speaker's attention to the man from the ship.

"You, friend! What drew you to our meeting today?" She asked him.

"Oh... I was just- passing.."

"Are you a seeker? A seeker after truth?"

He paused before replying, "I'm more of a chaser, really."

The girl snickered quietly at the Quidditch reference, especially since this man didn't seem like a Quidditch player.

The speaker seemed to take that as a answer, because her next statement addressed the crowd.

"Hear my words and heed my warning and laugh if you dare: Witches live among us! We have to fight together for the sake of our children- for the sake of tomorrow!"

She turned her attention back to the man from the ship. "What do you say to that, friend?"

He didn't respond, his attention seemed to be somewhere else before he jolted forward saying, "Excuse me."

He ran up the steps and into the bank. The speaker continued, "Witches live among us!"

This woman is getting annoying. The girl moved closer to the front.

"What's your proof?" she called up.

The speakers attention went directly to her. "Well, friend, have you not heard of the invisible attacker?"

The girl shook her head.

"Nope, I haven't been in the city long."

The speaker nodded, "Well surely you've heard stories of witches?"

She shook her head again. "Nope."

"What about stories from your homeland?"

"Oh, like the fairy tales and bedtime stories? Yeah, I know those. There are kelpies, fairies, elves, werewolves."

"Do you believe them?"

"Not anymore. Sure as a little girl, I'd go looking for fairies. I mean, what little girl doesn't want to see a fairy?"

There were laughs throughout the crowd.

"There are witches here, friend."

The girl scoffed. "Sure, and I'm secretly a siren. No offense ma'am, but you sound like a madwoman claiming witches exist."

The speaker started to reply but the girl cut her off. "And, even if they did exist, why do you hate them so much? What'd they ever do to you?"

The woman opened her mouth and the girl spoke again. "Look, it seems as if you have a grudge against these mythical beings for no reason, and as much fun as this is, I gotta go. If I see you again, it'll be a tad to soon." She walked away as the woman regained her composure.

The girl started to walk down a deserted side street by the bank when suddenly alarms from the bank go off and the man from the ship and the man who had tripped Apparated next to her.

She yelped and jumped back. She hit a wall and cut her left hand. She hissed and looked at the cut. Just a scratch, it'll be fine. Just need to dab up the blood.

The man from the ship heard and turned to face after wrestling a small creature into his case. She quickly shoved her hand in her pocket.

"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't know anyone would be out here."

She waved her uninjured hand. "It's fine. It just surprised me that's all. Was that a Niffler you just put in your case?"

He blinked, "You're a witch?"

She hesitated before answering. "Yes." She nodded to the Muggle cowering by the wall. "Uh, I think you need to Obliviate him."

"Ah, yes, thank you," he turns to the Muggle," I'm awfully sorry about all that-"

The Muggle cut him off, "What the hell was that?!"

"Nothing that need concern you. Now unfortunately you have seen far too much, so if you wouldn't mind- if you just stand over there- this will be over in a jiffy."

The Muggle kind of scoffed and gave a small mock nod and grabbed his case and hit the wizard while he was looking for his wand. The wizard fell back and landed on top of the girl. They heard a faint "Sorry" and running footsteps.

The wizard hurried and got up and helped the girl up. When they had fallen, her hand had come out of her pocket. He looked at it and saw the cut. But that wasn't what shocked him.

It was the golden blood. He looked from her had to her widened eyes. "You're a-"

"Yes, I am. Be quiet about that please. You know what they do to my kind here."

She put her left hand in her pocket and stuck out her right hand. "I'm Rayla Williams." He shakes her hand. "Newt Scamander."

She smiled, "Nice to meet you."

"You too."

He bends over and picks up his case. They started walking to the main street when they saw a woman with dark hair, a hat kind of low of her head, and an upturned collar walking towards them. When they passed her, one on each side, she grabbed their elbows and Disapparated.

(an) the italics are Rayla's thoughts. Just in case you didn't catch on to that. Also, what do you think is so special about Rayla?:)