Run For Your Life

Hello

Song: The Joker by Steve Miller Band

May 15

Deep purple eyes stare from the shadows, but no one seems interested in moving any closer. Her eyes are bright and haunting, just like their own. Only this sets them back, seeing as a missing persons case already took up in this county. None figured they'd catch sight of another person of the storm.

Yet there she is, only a few feet away. And still no one wants to greet. Which only means she's the one to finally emerge from the darkness, letting all eyes fall upon her. She looks to each, every time just as curious and cautious. Of course the girl immediately recognizes some, due to all her tracking and work.

She's actually been waiting for this moment ever since she began her studies. "Hello." Her voice carries, yet no one responds.

"I've been waiting for your arrival." She speaks again, which definitely pulls the others out of their thoughts.

Bill's the first to step forward, though he usually is. "What d-do you mean?"

"You think you're the only ones tracking this storm and the people involved? I've had my eye on you since day one." Her smile might be genuine, but it doesn't mean it unsettles them any less.

"How so?"

"My parents were killed due to someone in the storm. I knew immediately I wasn't alone. And your little stunt went viral only days after. There was no way it was a coincidence. Especially when word got out you were on the run. There were many missing persons cases, but your group was never included. You're just as curious as I." The girl turns to Kate and Emmitt, who look to her with defensive glares. "And you two? Your faces scattered the news just this morning."

"S-Speak for yourself. You're a missing person as well, are you not?"

"Well of course I am. I wasn't safe. They'd get me if I didn't move. So I went into hiding. I'm not stupid enough to be caught, which is why I couldn't wait around for you to find me. I had to face you."

"So you know about the storms? You know about the-..." Sydney's cut off.

"Abilities? Yes of course. However I don't know what you all possess." Her eyes finally stop glowing, which reveals her almost obsidian eyes. She smiles now, and really smiles. The girl holds a back pack while she walks towards the rest, as if she knew she wouldn't be staying. "Alright enough with the act. I just like freaking people out." The girl's head turns to the rest, eyes barely turning purple again.

The entire crowd, besides one, stare in horror as she enters the bus. The fear only lasts seconds before they're back to normal. After that they follow behind, for there's not much of a choice.

"What's your name? You've yet to introduce yourself." Greta crosses her arms at the young girl. "And what exactly is your age?"

Richie appears out of nowhere, offering a hand. "Richie is the name. And I'm very curious on what you can do." He sits, as does Eddie. They look at the girl with wide eyes. It's obvious they're intrigued.

But the girl only stares at Kate with a frown. However, soon she's back to normal, staring up at the rest. "I'm Ashley. I'm fourteen."

"And what can you-..." Richie starts back up.

Her eyes flash purple and he stops, feeling too uncomfortable to continue. Though then she laughs and he does as well, despite being confused on all of the sudden mood swings. "I do that."

He continues to laugh, still confused. "You do what?"

Richie is back to being uncomfortable in seconds. He looks to her and then to Eddie and then back to her, not quite knowing what to do. "You're feeling uncomfortable," she smiles, "now happy," her lips fall, "sad."

"W-Wait is that how you m-made us stop earlier? You toyed with our emotions?" Bill stands over her, brows scrunched together.

"It kept me safe, did it not?" She shrugs like it's nothing, but then her gaze settles back to Kate. Ashley's eyes are still purple, but soon they're back to normal and away from the small girl. She's clearly frustrated, everyone can tell. Especially Kate, who stares back.

"So you can what? Manipulate emotions?" Eddie pokes at her head, but she's barely focused.

"I can do more than that." She says before placing a hand on the boy's head. Curiosity and daringness fills her brain, as well as a deep love and want for adventure. Ashley takes her hand off and smiles.

"S-So you're able to read people's minds as well?"

She hums. "Not exactly. It's more like I can feel their emotions. I don't know what they're thinking, but I do know how they feel."

"Kickass." Richie lifts a hand, which the girl gladly accepts.

"It is kickass. Which is why there's no way I'm letting those idiots get to me first. I wouldn't be surprised if the people like us are getting torn apart out of their curiosity."

Bill visibly gulps and everyone goes silent, knowing what this might mean. He's angry enough as it is, which is why they keep positive. But it's apparent this girl has no idea what's really going on.

Bill leaves the room before anyone has a chance to react. It's been a weird day. It's been a weird month. "Well that was odd. So what can you all do?" Ashley smiles around the room. That is before her eyes land on Kate and then she's back to frowning. "What can you do?"