3 1/2 years later...

"Anything in particular you would like to do today?" Asked the brown eyed brunette who sat directly across from me in the shadowed alley way. Meet May, my current best friend.

She wore a laced black bralette paired with high waisted ripped jeans. Classic combat boots were strapped on her feet and her signature red bandana across her head. May held a quirky smile that never failed to brighten my day. She had a cute button nose and soft freckles sprawled on her cheeks that from a distance, could not be seen.

I met May a few years back, when I first moved to Vaniville town. In fact, we met right here in this alley way. Instantly, we clicked like lock and key. She had been my best friend ever since.

"There's nothing much going on, it's a Tuesday morning in the middle of March after all." Pointed out a green haired boy who I had also familiarized myself with very well. Drew made up the last third of our little trio. He approached us with his usual hair flick before slinging an arm around May.

Drew and May were a complicated relationship that even I had trouble describing, and people often said I had a way with words. They were defiantly close, closer than friends but not quite a real couple. The pair were constantly on and off. It got frustrating to the point where I stopped bothering to ask wether they were on good terms or not. Most of the time I ended up third-wheeling but it didn't bother me. Instead, I threw snarky comments that would turn May's cheeks dark red and cause Drew to throw me a dirty look.

Good times, good times.

"We could always go to the gym." I piped, finally causing the couple to look at me. May shrugged Drew's arm off, then winked at him before coming to sit next to me. See what I mean! Complicated relationship.

Drew owned a gym in the middle of town. Though, it wasn't your typical gym. There you could be taught tricks and stunts in a style Drew liked to call parkour. Truthfully, the gym was owned by his father but Drew ran most things, including lessons. He taught May and I our fair share. It actually came in handy sometimes. Often, the three of us would hang out there if, for some reason, we weren't in this alley way.

I no longer went to school. After the whole incident with my father I was extremely reluctant to return. At first it was because of the scars I didn't want anyone to see. But soon it was the thought of school that brought back horrible memories. Memories of a sweet little girl that had been locked away so long ago. My mother never wanted to push me, not after what we went through. She homeschooled me for a while but soon I met May and Drew. They let me forget my past and I will be forever grateful to them.

May and Drew did have school, or at least, they were meant to. Those two always ditched, almost every single day. They didn't have a care in the world for school and instead would come and hang out with me.

Maybe we were ruining our futures. Maybe we didn't care. We just wanted to live life in the moment.

"I heard that PokeChicken is giving out samples at the mall again! Plus, I'm kinda hungry" May suggested as she rubbed her stomach tenderly.

"You're always hungry." I laughed, amused by May's strange eating habits.

"Crashing the mall? That sounds good to me." Drew chirped and we nodded in agreement. In the three years I had known the pair, we had all been suckers for reckless entertainment.

*. *. *. *.

The mall was mostly empty when we arrived. It wasn't particularly busy on a Tuesday morning in the middle of March. The only people there were a few middle aged woman pushing baby carriages and an elderly couple. Nor should I forget the odd mall cop. We strode up to the mall entrance and May quickly spotted the PokeChicken staff member giving out samples.

She was a girl in her mid-twenties, dressed in a classic red uniform while balancing a plate of skewered goods in her left hand. I had to admit, the aroma surrounding her was certainly mouth watering. May licked her lips eagerly.

"Hey Miss! Are these samples from PokeChicken possibly?" Drew asked as we approached the employee.

"They most certainly are! Try one here and then check out our location inside the mall food court." She informed us as she offered a sample. I plucked one from the plate and gently plopped it in my mouth. I chewed slowly, making sure to savor the sweet and salty taste. Nothing better than traditional PokeChicken.

"Those are good." May said through her mouth full as she snatched another from the tray.

"Only one! If you want more then you're going to have to pay for them at our location inside the food court!" The employee raised her voice, giving May a stern glare. My best friend simply laughed.

"I'd rather not pay when I can get them for free." Drew exclaimed as he quickly grabbed the whole plateful. The PokeChicken staff stood in astonishment, her mouth hanging open and eyes wide. I couldn't suppress my giggle so I curled over in laughter. Drew dropped another sample in his mouth and May copied.

"Hey! Give that back!" She shrieked, flailing her arms at the green haired boy. Drew towered over her, easily holding the tray out of her reach. May and I were in hysterics as she continued to jump up and down like an overdosed rabbit.

"Drew! Over here!" I called, waving my hands and asking for him to pass the plate of samples. My friend gave me a playful nod before tossing it like a frisbee in my direction. Quickly, I sidestepped the on coming danger, letting it clatter to the floor. "Oops, my bad!" I cried in a sarcastic manner while giving a sheepish smile.

The three of us laughed like there was no tomorrow while the employee pouted, not sure what to do with herself. She was lost of words. Barbecue sauce was smeared across the pavement and chicken scattered everywhere.

Call this whatever you want. Maybe it's bullying and feel free to judge how you like. But to me, this was fun. It was how I spent my days repeatedly. After the incident with my father, it was the only thing that made me forget that gaping hole in my heart.

"Excuse me, what's going on here?!" I heard a deep voice boom. Our laughter simmered to small hiccups as we looked up to find a slightly over weight mall cop standing there. He had his arms crossed and held a harsh glare. I had to clamp my teeth on my lips to stop more giggles from escaping them.

"These imbeciles took my chicken samples from me and-!" The PokeChicken girl started but May soon interrupted her.

"Hello officer! Don't worry, there's no trouble here. But I have to say, that's a very nice hat you've got there." May complimented in a sing-song voice. Next thing, the hat was in her grasp and she was fixing it on her head, over her bandana. My best friend paraded around in a comedic manner, the uniform hat bouncing into her eyes.

"It looks gorgeous on you, babe." Drew whispered as he planted a kiss on May's button nose. She grinned, baring a set of pearly teeth. The middle-aged mall cop looked at the couple with hatred and pure annoyance.

"Hey! Give me that hat back! I have the right to escort you to a police station if necessary!" He cried in anger, an unhealthy vein protruding out of his forehead. I laughed, watching the scene before me play out like a comedy film.

For the fun it, I stealthily snatched a black device attached to the cop's belt while he scolded my friends. Admittedly, it was a stupid idea but I was doing it in the moment. After all, I was a junky for the thrill. Anything that could spike my heart rate until I forgot everything. To the point where I was high off my own pulse.

"I've always wanted to call for backup on a walky-talky." I announced, capturing the attention of everyone, most specifically the over-weight mall cop. A mischievous smirk played on my lips as his eyes widened in horror.

"It's strictly forbidden to take that! I can have you fined for this young lady. I suggest you give the walky-talky back right this instant before this situation escalates any further." He boomed. I looked on with amusement, not particularly caring about the threats he threw at me.

"Oh, you want this back? Then I guess you're going to have to catch me." I gave him one last smirk before dashing in the opposite direction.

"Run Serena!" I heard my friends cheer as I sprinted down the pavement, wind whipping past me. The rush caused my short honey colored hair to bounce in all directions. My legs pumped beneath me as I approached the edge of the mall. A look over my shoulder told me that the cop was chasing after me. His face was scrunched as if he'd ran a marathon and a rogue color stained his cheeks.

And I just laughed. The carefree feeling that pulsed through my body was refreshing. The adrenaline was suddenly my oxygen. I let myself be encased by a numbness that allowed me not to think. I became whole, just for a minuet.

Pressing a small button, I brung the walky-talky to my lips.

"I'm calling for back up! A seventeen year old girl with honey blonde hair has stolen my walky-talky!" I shouted into the device, hearing an eruption of voices from the other end of the line. In my carelessness, I ignored them, shoving the walky-talky into the pocket of my sleeveless red overcoat.

My legs took me around the building, somewhere I knew lead to a dead end. But the layout of that mall was imprinted in my mind. I knew it back to front. After a few seconds, I found myself staring at a brick wall too tall to climb. To most, it appeared as if I was stuck. But in truth, I was just finding another course.

A few years back, there had been plans to expand the mall from the left wing. Unfortunately, construction never exceeded a tower of scaffolding bolted to the wall. My escape rout stretched forty meters above, rusted and rickety. Not particularly ideal, but I had my ways. Years of knowing Drew proved of much value.

Without a second thought, I began climbing the scaffolding. My hands curled around the rusted bars, swinging myself higher and higher. I never hesitated, my fingers familiar with the feeling. Strength from years of training combined with the spike of adrenaline propelled me skyward with ease. My movements were precise and swift, allowing for smooth transitions between bars. I threw myself forwards with brute force, sending tremors shooting up my arms as I clutched my next obstacle. Like Tarzan, I climbed higher, probably resembling some sort of monkey as I leaped from bar to bar with unnatural speed.

My favorite part of the experience by far was having a clear head. Nothing crossed my mind, every limb working like clockwork, like second nature. But sooner than I would've liked, I reached the top. And the thought process started again. With one final swing, I was standing proudly on the mall rooftop.

I peered down, smiling at my accomplishment. Forty meters below stood the over-weight mall cop, staring up at me with his lips parted in shock. He was obviously breathless, I could still tell from this height. Maybe a workout or two would be good for him. I plucked the walky-talky from my pocket, holding it out for the mall cop to see.

"To bad you couldn't catch me! I guess, now, you can have your walky-talky back!" I shouted, grinning as the horror of realization crossed my new friend's face. Next, I released my grip, sending the device plummeting towards the ground. I didn't bother to wait until it hit, rather listened for the crash as I sprinted off.

I ran, as fast as my legs could take me. I drank in the magnificence of the morning, letting the March sun soak my shoulders. My feet tapped on the rooftop in a musical rhythm. More giggles filled the air as I enjoyed my numbness. Being completely free of morals and disconnected from the stress of everyday life. I let the wind filter my worries away.

Soon, I reached the other side. The drop daringly invited me, calling like a song bird. I bit my lip, still debating the idea. I stepped to the edge of the building, observing the forty meter drop before me.

And then I jumped off.

Thankfully, only four meters down a widespread window sill protruded from the wall. I landed on it with a small thud, wobbling a little. Once I regained my balance I peered into the window and found myself looking at a store full of woman's apparel. The shop clerk gaped at me, her face totally astonished. I smiled and gave her a small wave. Hesitantly, she returned it while still awestruck.

A few feet away, a drain pipe ran down the wall. I leaped from the window sill, my fingers wrapping around the drain pipe. I tended not to think much while performing my ambitious stunts, it was better that way.

Gently, I loosened my grip allowing myself to slide swiftly down. I felt myself start to relax from my high as I descended. The feeling I craved never stayed long. I sighed as my feet finally hit the cold concrete. Game over.

When I turned around, my heart skipped a beat. I gasped in shock and almost choked on my breath, looking like an uncoordinated idiot. Before me stood another mall cop. His face was twisted in an angered way that made my stomach turn. Unlike the first, he seemed rather fit with a shaven beard and bear-like hands. His grey eyes were cold as they glared at me with zero sympathy.

"Hello officer, any trouble here?" I spoke unsurely, a slight clatter in my teeth frame.

"I believe you are the girl in the possession of a police walky-talky?" He said in a deep, flat voice. It sent a small shiver up my spine. I smiled weakly, in an attempt to put on a careless charade. Slowly I lifted my hands up, showcasing their emptiness.

"No sir, I'm not in the possession of any such device." I remarked.

"Well then, I should take you to the station for destruction of police property instead." He resorted, tilting his head with emphasis.

Oh, he thought he was really funny? I don't think so.

"You can hardly call yourselves police. Not when all you do is watch harmless shoppers walk in and out of a mall all day." I grumbled, being a professional at making situations difficult for myself. Sometimes my sarcastic manner and big mouth got in the way.

"Excuse me miss, but you better shut that witty trap of yours before this situation escalates any-"

"Sorry sir, but I have to apologize deeply for her behavior. This difficult child is mine." Came a unrecognizable but clearly feminine voice. Behind the mall cop stood a woman, delicate yet somehow frightening. I had no idea who this woman was, let alone belong to her. The man was about to speak but she quickly cut him off, again. "There's no need to take her anywhere, I'll handle it from here."

I watched with wide eyes as she placed a couple green bills in his hand. With a firm nod, the cop eventually got the memo and slipped the cash into his back pocket before stalking off. I shuddered, watching as his figure left me alone with this mystery woman.

She looked in her mid-thirties with pale, marble skin and curvy hips. She wore a pristine gray suit with flesh toned tights and a pair of leather flats. Her eyes were a stormy grey and her tree bark hair was strung in an equally as immaculate bun. Her thin pink lips bared nothing but a slight frown and the wrinkles on her forehead held what seemed to be a mixture of impatience and pure annoyance.

"Come with me." She uttered. I gave her a funny look before shaking my head. Who did she think I was?

"Thank you for getting him off my back and all, but I'm not going anywhere with you." I said flatly.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which would you like?" She raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow at me. I simply brushed her off.

"Neither. My mother always told me to never go anywhere with strangers." I attempted to push past her. She was out of the ordinary and gave me an uneasy vibe. I didn't want anything to do with her.

One second, I was walking in the direction outta there and the next, I was pressed against the hard concert floor. It scraped my back, allowing a small yelp to slip out my mouth. And then there was a sudden weight on my throat. It exerted an undeniable pressure that caused me to chock on my own saliva. I spluttered unrecognizable sounds, shock coursing through my body like a tidal wave. My hands wrapped around the shoe placed firmly on my throat, clawing at it in a desperate attempt to escape. My eyes flashed open, revealing the mystery woman staring down at me with her left foot flattening my airways. I tried to scream for help but all that came out was strangled groans.

Then she let go.

I sat up instantly, allowing my lungs to inflate with air. My fingers gently prodded where her foot had dug into my throat, feeling a new tenderness. The scrapes on my back burned lightly and a distinct throbbing started in my head. My vision blurred for a second, black dots appearing everywhere. I had to balance myself on my forearms. After a minuet of taking deep breaths and calming from my state of shock, I finally had the courage to meet her eyes and somewhat stand up.

It didn't particularly hurt that much, I had felt worse pain, but the fact that it was so unexpected left my limbs quivering like unstable jelly. The woman looked back at me with no emotion, her stormy eyes drilling into me like daggers. I looked her up and down, trying to conclude how she was capable of such actions.

"Come with me." She repeated. This time, I didn't argue. Simply, I nodded and followed and we slipped away without another word.

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Well, Serena has an interesting character that is very different from her actual personality. But hey, she has been through a lot in her short life so she has good reason. Anyways, I hope you like the first chapter! Comment and tell me what you think!