The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,2
making my way to the next roof. The rain was getting harder, pouring down with anger and strong enough to make people start running for shelter.
I wished I could be like them, running from the rain and not from all these people who were desperate to find me.
Dropping to the ground, I thought I was safe, but in five seconds two men came to stop ten steps away on my left, their hands lifting up and pointing in my direction.
"There!"
Oh, no.
Springing into a run, I raced in the opposite direction. I picked up the pace when I heard their footsteps picking up, darting my eyes from left to right to get a grip on my environment and where I was going.
The only advantage of being homeless was that I knew this city like the back of my hand, and the adrenaline thrumming through my veins was giving me the determination to lose these guys.
Turning a corner, I ran through another alleyway, ready to jump over the large fence, but a man came out of nowhere, leaving me no time to avoid crashing right into him.
"Oomph!" I hit him hard, falling back toward the ground, but was caught at the last second.
My wide eyes looked up at the man, who had long golden hair. There were hints of silver that reminded me of how my short black hair had a number of white strands.
This man was tall and wore a black suit with a gold tie. He looked rich, like someone you'd associate with the higher-class men and women in the city who had the privilege to do whatever they wanted.
I noticed he held a gold cane in his other hand, as well as black leather gloves.
I swallowed as I looked up at him in horror, recognizing that I was in his domain and could potentially be a prisoner.
"RIGHT THERE!"
I lowered my head back to see the upside-down view of the two men who were chasing me earlier. My heart stalled when the remaining three showed up, making it five against me and this new man — and I had no clue which side he was on.
"Well, well, well. Isn't it far too late to be chasing after little children?" the man questioned. He easily lifted me back up, placing me on my feet and taking a step forward.
His hand reached back, knowing exactly where I stood, shivering and out of breath. Ever so gently, he moved me to stand behind him.
Protectively, like I was someone of value to him.
And not in a negative, selfish way like these men glaring at us.
"Get out of our way! She's our bait. We sought her out first!" the leader of the group roared, stepping up in front of the four men who crowded behind him.
Together, they were fierce-looking and made me tremble, but I tried to remain strong. To prove I wasn't afraid of their large muscled frames and the tattoos along their arms and legs.
Yet I was still a kid, one who didn't have the strength of these men to fight back evenly, and that was scary.
They wanted me for my powers, for the magic that came to my call when I needed it the most, but I didn't know how to control it, leaving me just as useless as someone who had no powers at all.
I could run, fly with some wind, and hide in the midst of the shadows, but an uneven battle like this was a lost cause. I'd lose if this man changed his mind.
"Children should not be used as a pawn in adults’ silly games. This girl has done nothing to you. What would you need from her?"
"We don't need to answer you, rich scum. Get out of the way or you'll just have to be another victim of our wrath," the leader spat, conjuring a ball of ice in his hand and smiling wickedly at us.
Out of instinct, I moved closer to the man. Gripping his expensive coat, I whispered, "Go. They'll hurt you. I-I don't need your help. I can fight on my own."
My tiny voice held little conviction, but I didn't want this man's help. Well, deep down I did, but that would leave me having to do a favor in return, and that was something I definitely didn’t want.
No one helped someone out for free.
His head tilted slightly to the left, giving me a chance to see his tiny smirk.
"Do not fear, Tracker. Today I'm feeling a little generous."