Soul on Fire

Chapter 5: Dirt Road

She gasped and the shadow forms disappeared. Tears welled in her eyes as her left hand darted to the back of her neck to cover a spot. A new heaviness was on her head but all she could think about was what had happened. The unsteady eyes of Issac became wide, glued to something else besides her own eyes.

Jane didn't use her ability but simply ran deeper into the leaf filled forest floor. Stumbling occasionally from the scrapes of thorns, she didn't stop. Her heart pounded with the same dread that she has in the car. Jane wanted to be sick. So far to screw it up now.

Her feet scraped against tree bark as did her nails.

Learning about foreign concepts like simple social skills to end up here. Causing pain unintentionally wherever she went. She let sleep consume her after climbing the rough bark of a tall tree and sitting on a branch.

•••

She struggled to slip back into her apartment with the neighbors chatting it up in the stairwell. Jane was drained from being blasted all night. Once inside and letting off a small pulse, she changed into a T-shirt and breathable leggings. Her suit was folded away along with her mask until, whomever the news was calling her today, would be needed.

Jane slumped down on the old brown couch that sat in the middle of her apartment. A sight let out as the sun peaked from its hidden place. Reluctantly, she got up to grab her jacket and bag. Just as she locked her door a squeal came from behind her.

"OHMYGOSH! HI!" Florescent pink hair bounced on top of someone who was about her age. Excitement boiled over in the female. "I am Remi, your's?" She smiled with pure joy and stuck out her right hand.

Jane left it there till it dropped. "Jane, nice to meet you." She started down the stairs but Remi trailed closely to her side.

"We live across from each other and leave at the same time. Maybe we could get breakfast."

"I need to go to work."

"Where do you work?"

"PI."

Another burst of sounds came out. "I'm starting as an intern for someone, trying to get mine." Jane left Remi alone and didn't want to further the conversation till she kept following. " I'm sure you probably know a lot of other investigators. Maybe you could help me find Blackbird?"

She froze. "You're looking for Blackbird?"

"Are they bad?" The first look of concern wasted over Remi. "Like one of those corrupt one that end up committing crimes?"

Jane rushed to her office and left her running to catch up. A slam of the door to her office was all that Remi could hear before the front desk person stopped her for paperwork before going through. Jane Blackbird, Private Investigator, one of the best this city side had. She knocked softly but there was no scuffles or shadows under the door.

As Remi presses her ear against the door she could hear the muffled coughs Jane gave out as papers fell on the floor. The light above the door flickered slightly and came back stronger, glowing hot till it bursted. A thud came as something heavy hit the wood floor.

•••

A hard blast to the chest knocked her out of the branch. Leaves flew as Jane hit the ground and groans escaped. The pure white figure hovered near, barely unseen. She stumbled up and let her mussels tense up in anticipation. A wild glow radiated from her eyes and thin white lines coated her arm. Warning growls came through her closed mouth, testing for someone to attack once more.