Chapter 3- Topaz

    Running…Running. Cops after me. Duck in then out. Try to confuse them…. Finally! An abandoned factory! The floorboards were rotten so I sneaked under them and hid in a pile of rotting meat to mask my scent from their dogs. Big boots. Sniffing. Then… Silence. I’m safe. For now. Seven years exactly I’ve been on the run. Seven years without seeing my twin brother. Seven agonizing years. I step out and relax. The factory was and old meat processor, so naturally there were a lot of animals. I smelled like them, not a human. I’m 14 today and happy. On my seventh birthday seven years ago, I ran away from home. I begged my twin brother Onyx to go with me but, he wouldn’t. Now for seven years, I’ve been chased by people in black. I hope Onyx is okay, but I have no time to worry for him.

        My whole life has become a fight for survival. Never knowing if tomorrow is my last. I don’t know who the people in black are, but I know they will do anything to get me. I have no idea why though. I generally try to avoid urban areas, but today it was urgent. I deal with wildlife, but to blend in, I make my dresses out of deerskin, my canteen out of fish skin, my cloaks out of wolf pelts ( I didn’t actually kill wolves. The pack gave me old pelts), my boots out of various soft pelts and furs. I’m the legend known as the wolf child. I only carry a pair of scissors to keep my hair from getting too long, a picture in a watertight case of me and Onyx, and my weapons. I have a bow and a quiver of arrows I made.  I also have a knife i stole for emergencies. I live in a cold, remote area (I can’t tell you where because the people in black might get their hands on me.). The people in black want me too much for them to be FBI or some other government agency.

               My name, Topaz, is because when I first opened my eyes they were a shocking bright topaz. My brother was named Onyx for the same reason, except his eyes were a deep onyx black. I miss him more than anything and in my heart I know something happened to him. Sadly, I can’t do anything for him. Not yet. My only regret I have is that I couldn’t convince him to come with me. At least I know that now I’m in the woods they can’t follow me.

        The people in black have turned to drastic measures to capture me. They have tried a variety of traps including but not limited to, gassing me, trap doors, various snares, and creating a vacuum around me. I have only survived because of what I learned from animals. Hawks have taught me how to see and notice every detail while squirrels taught me how to sense a change of pressure in the ground or a hollow area. That information saved me from trapdoors and snares. Rabbits also taught me how to sense when I’m being hunted. That saved me from the gassing. Eagles taught me how to survive alertly for 10 minutes in low air conditions. Fish taught me how to survive alertly for 10 minutes with no oxygen. That bought me 20 minutes in oxygen deprivation to escape their vacuums. Now, I bet whoever is reading this is wondering ‘how does a girl learn from animals?’. I always respond with, ‘I’ve always had a special bond with animals’. I understand them, even if they don’t use words.

        Well i’ve never killed a person or committed any felonies(aside from minor stealing but no one knew it was me). I’m hoping that once I’m a legal adult the people in black will leave me alone.

Well, back to the present. I thought this town was pretty small and isolated. I didn’t think anyone would recognize me. Its not like I’m on the news. I’m just a legend people tell around their campfires. No could recognize me even if they had seen an old picture of me. I have changed so much. My originally midnight black hair has been sun-bleached beach-blonde almost white. My previously pale skin is now tanned.

        In an instant I know I’m being followed. By them. My first thought? How did they find me!? The next second, I pick up my companion, Webhopper. He’s a shimmery silvery white rabbit. I tell him to stay completely still in my bag. He knows the stakes. He does as I say. He also knows that if he so much as twitches he will lose me.

        I could tell by air patterns that they were in a helicopter. I would never be able to outrun a helicopter even at my top speed. I was doomed. My run might finally be over. I try to think positively. I sense that if I go with them I will see Onyx. Yet another half of me says that if I go they WILL hurt me. I know they won’t be here for another 10 minutes so i sit down. I realize that after seven years of outwitting them, they have me beat. I know when I’m beat, so I start softly sobbing. This might be the last time I see Webhopper. Unless…. I must make a deal with them. My deal. I need to think. I hear the blades of the chopper now. I know what must happen now. I scramble to the top of the closest tree and wait. I see them now. Tears are freely streaming down my face and I come to the realization that I’m scared.  Webhopper cuddles closer to me. He knows what’s about to happen. They come above me now and I step out on the branch with my hands up. I signal for the helicopter to land. They are cautious. I back up to the trunk of the tree and climb down. I signal for them to land again. This time, they oblige. I signal for one person to come out. A tall sturdy man with pale skin and midnight black hair comes out. I ask him to sit. He does and so do I. I feel my heart beating a thousand miles an hour. I hold Webhopper closer. I started off the conversation.

“May we talk?” The man nods

“I am Topaz Rain, child of the forest guardian of animals. And you are?” when I said my name I could’ve sworn a flash of surprise cross his composed face.

“I am Z” He had a friendly voice.

“Well Z. I have a proposition for you. I will quietly with you, no struggling, as long as you let me keep Webhopper.” I held up my rabbit.

“Let me consult with my team.” He started talking into his sleeve.”You can”

“How do I know you’re not lying?” I asked suspiciously.

“ I swear on the lives of me and my teammates.”

“How many?”

“10 agents a pilot and me. So 12 in all.”

“ Okay but you must drink this.” He held up a glass of water.”Inside this is a milliliters of a special drug that given in small dosages will only make you drowsy. You will not fall asleep and will be aware of everything.”

        “Fine.” I swallowed the water and immediatly felt drowsy. My legs buckled. When Z scooped me up in his arms I heard him say,” I’m so sorry my dear daughter. I never should’ve given up you and you brother. But understand. It was for your protection.” I felt a tear on my face. Z was crying. Then it hit me. Z is my REAL father! I knew now I was done running. I wanted to stay with my father forever. Then I drifted to sleep.