Every breath was hard and heavy as her footsteps barreled across the cobblestone path. She already tried hollering for help, but she knew it had all fallen on deaf ears. No one helped anyone in this damn town. Skin was moist with sweat that made the chill of the night air sting her flesh, but she had to ignore it. She had to keep going. Her chest was rising and falling violently as she continued on in a panic. She didn't know where she was going or what she was going to do, but when her basic instincts kicked in they had told her to run and that's just what she did.

She moved along the main street of the market place. It was so late that the only light came from the dim street lamps that sporadically lined the way. All of the stores were pitch black. Everyone was home and nestled safely in bed. Oh, what she would give to be at home in bed. She turned into an alley to come out onto another street. She just had to keep moving until she found someone. Anyone that could help her get away from Him.

She turned down another alley and came to a stop shrinking into the shadows. She bent forward placing her hands on her knees as she tried to calm her rapid breathing. "Shut up." She thought to herself. "Just shut up." She continued to scold. She had to be silent. She had a feeling He was still hot on her trail, but she had to stop. Her legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment and the last thing she needed was to trip and fall right under a lamppost. Just An open invitation. Post a sign on her back that says, "Come and get it" and be done with it.

But why was this happening to her? What did she do? She was just trying to be friendly. Her thoughts seemed to just now catch up to her and hot tears began to sting for release. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly as they streamed freely down her cheeks. In the back of her mind she pleaded, "Oh god. Please let it just be a nightmare." And it was, but it wasn't yet clear if she would be waking up from this one or not.

Then she heard them. Slow and steady footsteps. She inhaled sharply and pressed herself back into the shadows. Biting her bottom lip so hard to silence her gurgling cry she practically drew blood. Better her than Him. She strained to hear where the steps were coming from. She needed any sort of sign so she could take off running in the opposite direction. But they bounced off the various buildings and sounded as if they were surrounding her. She couldn't just stand here. A prayer was said, a path was picked and she was on her way in a sprint.

Unfortunately, she didn't get far before she turned the corner and ran straight into a cloaked figure. A shriek escaped her lips and she burst into sobs on contact. The figure had her by the shoulders, but something wasn't right. It wasn't hurting her, but instead it was steadying her. She blinked quickly through the tears. Everything was blur but she could see that the form was far too small to belong to Him. Once the figure was positive she could stand on her own, hands moved to lower the cloak hood revealing a young woman with pale blonde hair. The blonde spoke in a soft tone. "Sweetheart, you look at if you were being chased by a ghost." Her expression was calm yet curious with, what was that look in her blue eyes? It had to be concern. "My name's Dru. Who might you be, Sweetheart?"

The girl who had been running choked on more tears as she stared at Dru. The sound of someone's voice, her savior, it made her entire body shake while her reply came out in a shuddering whisper, "Anna." She suddenly went wide-eyed as panic gripped her once again. "We have to go! He's coming for me! He'll get you, too!" Anna hissed and pawed at the soft material of the blonde's black cloak. A soft grin spread across Dru's lips and she spoke in a comforting coo, "Calm now, Anna. Take a deep breath and tell me what's got you so scared."

How could this woman stand here so calmly when such an evil man was on the loose? Anna snuffled and spoke as she still tried to get Dru to move. Her sobs and gasps breaking up her words now and then. "I was at the Dragon! There was man- and... and I was being polite." She shook her head in disgust at her own stupidity. "He's a bad man. He's going to... to do horrible things to me. He told me! So, I left and now he's coming after me! Please don't let him hurt me! Please!" Her fingers wrapped themselves into Dru's cloak, ten quivering hooks that refused to come undone.

Dru nodded as Anna spoke and then shushed her with almost motherly warmth. It was somewhat awkward coming from such a tiny young thing, but it made the sobbing girl calm slightly nonetheless. Dru gently unlatched the girl's hands from her cloak, but only so that she could move to stand beside her. The little blonde took Anna's arm and began leading her steadily along the path.

Dru spoke once more. Her cool words an attempt to soothe the girl at her side. "Come along, Anna. No need to worry about the bad man now. I'm here. I'll take you to my home."

No need to worry about the bad man. Not right now. Now was the time to worry about the bad man's pet. But the bad man would be along soon enough.