My alarm rang before the sun had risen above the horizon. And by my alarm, I mean my brother Michael. He came into my room and dragged me out from under my blanket mountain. As usual he forced me to take a quick shower.

Afterwards I threw on my school uniform and some warm boots. Exiting the bathroom, I walked into the kitchen. Michael was standing broodingly by the counter and Reilly was typing away on his laptop again. As I tried to sneak a peak he shut it, again.

"Can I see now?" I asked.

"No," Reilly answered, shoving his computer to the side.

"Can I skip school today? Please?" I begged, getting myself a glass of water. I was parched.

"No. It would be suspicious if you weren't there either."

"Fine," I grumbled, grabbing my bag. "I'm leaving."

"Don't you want breakfast?" Reilly called after me, as I slammed the door. We didn't really have any food left, so by breakfast, I think he meant the box of stale wheat cereal in the back of the cabinet, surely collecting dust. No thanks.

I was halfway to school when I realized I had forgotten to get my diary back from Reilly, and he was probably going to burn it, just like all of our old family photos.

I pulled out my burner to message him, but what I saw in the screens reflection made my blood run cold, or well colder than it already was. The man in black was back again, only this time there was two of them. Oh god.

Quickly, I pulled up Michael's number and texted him with my half frozen fingers.

"There are two men now! Plz help!!!" I typed furiously.

He texted back immediately saying, "a minute away. Stay calm."

I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw him emerge from a side alleyway. He knew his way around this city better than anyone. We all did. In the event of an emergency we would have to know every possible way to escape.

"Thank god," I muttered, clutching onto his arm.

"Why do I always have to go saving your ass?
Can't you just walk a different way to school?"

"Sorry," I mumbled. I guess I was just a burden to him and Reilly. Probably because I was a girl or maybe just because I was his sister.

Seeing my glum expression Michael softened a bit and pulled me close. He never did that. Him doing that was rarer than him getting mad.

"It's alright. I'm just glad you're okay," he whispered. I was glad too. I don't know what would have happened if he wasn't there, and I don't want to imagine it.

"I'll see you later, okay," he said, standing in front of the school building with me.

I nodded slightly and watched as he left to see his friends. Part of me wishes I'd made some friends while I was here, but part of me knows how hard it is leaving people behind. I don't know how many times I could do it again.

•

My phone buzzed inside my pocket and for a second I jumped. No one ever texted me, but then I realized it was just Michael. So much to my excitement and dismay.

Michael texted, "meet me outside at the statue after the lunch bell rings. Don't be late!" He meant out schools giant bear statue. Our mascot was a giant grizzly bear. Kind of scary, but I'm scarier.

I set my phone inside my pocket and tried to pay attention, but I couldn't help but feel as if everyone was staring at me. Even in school I didn't feel safe anymore, which made this very problematic. But maybe Michael was write. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

•

Looking toward the clock I saw I only had 15 minutes left in pre-calculus. Just 15 minutes of solving equations with no real meaning pertaining to my life in any way. I hate school. Why can't we learn how to forage, or make fire from scratch? Not that I need that. I felt myself smiling. Hey, that's new.

I looked toward the clock again. 10 minutes left. I could make it. Only 10 minutes until the bell. Ignore the staring. Just imagine you are in a forest. Just–

"Quinn?"

My head swiveled from the clock to the teacher, Mr. Avers. He was a very nice old man, but he had a tendency to call on me suddenly, especially when I'm day dreaming. If they weren't staring at me before they definitely were now.

"Could you please tell us what you got for number 7?"

"Number 7?" I questioned, my mind turning to mush and not really comprehending anything that was going on anymore. Why couldn't the bell ring to save my life like on all those movies?

"Yes, number 7," he smiled, his wrinkles creasing.

I looked down at my paper. The words started to swirl and blur. I could feel my hands shaking. Why am I so anxious?! I'm not usually like this. I'm usually confident.

Quinn, you're fine. Just breathe. In and out. Just breathe. They don't know. They know nothing. They are only waiting for the answer. Just breathe. I felt myself relax a little.

The words had stopped swirling and my hands became less shaky. I took a deep breath, swallowed and said, "x=24".

A few people began to snicker, and Mr. Avers smiled lightly.

"Did anyone else get x=24?"

Fuck. I'd done it wrong. I'd gotten the wrong answer and now I'd made a fool of myself in front of everyone.

A chorus of no's erupted from the rest of the class, and I just sunk lower in my chair, eagerly wishing I could just disappear.

"I find it sad that Quinn is the only one to get the answer correct. I know this problem is challenging but it's no different than the problems we did yesterday."

Wait a minute. Are my ears working? He said I got it right, right?

I raised my hand, extremely curious as to whether I was deaf or delusional. "Did you say I got the problem correct?"

"Yes, yes you did. And if you would, see me after class."

Shit.

I tried to tell him I couldn't see him today, but the bell had already rung and everyone had already left, leaving me still sitting at my desk, alone.

Damn. How the hell was that 10 minutes?! What if he's a hunter or an executioner? What if he's here to trap me? I mean he's just an old man but he could be working for them! Maybe my school isn't safe anymore.

Mr. Avers walked over to me. I could feel my hands shaking again. I was worried that if I stressed out too much I'd transform right here, right now. I'd heard of it before, Bloodwings transforming accidentally, under pressure.

"I really should be going," I said, standing from my seat.

"Now hold on a second. I just wanted to give you this."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. On it was a recommendation letter for colleges. I was a little confused at first, as I'd never even planned on going to college, but I realized there was writing on the back of the paper.

I looked up at him before looking back at the piece of paper. It read:

They are watching. Leave tonight. Head for Montana, cross the border,  find your way.

My eyes looked back up at him. I noticed his red eyes, and his now fang toothed smile. He was a Bloodwing. And an ancient one at that.

"My age hides me well. Safe travels, Quinn."

I could only stare in awe at him. He was risking himself now to help save us. I felt bad that I hadn't really given a care in the world about him earlier. Now I could see what a kind and brave person he was.

I thanked him multiple times before heading outside to the statue where Michael was waiting very impatiently.

"I thought you got kidnapped! What took you so long?"

"Sorry. I got a tip off, from... from a friend."

I handed him the paper, and he read it slowly before handing it back to me.

"Montana," he whispered. "Thought so. Alright let's go. Reilly should be finished packing by now."

I walked home with Michael, as I did every day.  I felt safer with him. I didn't even pay attention to the people staring. I only looked forward until we were outside our apartment.

Unlocking the door, I found Reilly shredding all the books and papers we owned in a paper shredder. My diary sat in his back pocket, only just peaking out. I had forgotten about it again.

Seeing me, Reilly looked at me, and motioned for me to walk over. He handed me the diary discreetly, making sure Michael didn't notice.

"I didn't read it, if that's what you are thinking."

I wasn't but at the same time I was. I wanted to trust him, but he was very nosy and well Reilly.

"I packed your bags," Reilly yelled, over the sound of the paper shredder. It was full and beside it sat two other bags full of paper. Where did we get so much paper.

"Report cards, School work, criminal stuff," Reilly grinned, seeing me eye the bags of paper. I only nodded and turned to the bags he had packed.

I opened my bag and set my diary inside. Reilly had packed a roll of toilet paper, 3 changes of clothes, a hair brush, a pocket knife, a sleeping bag and some beef jerky.

I walked to my room and saw that everything was gone. My bed, my desk and the rest of my school stuff. All gone. I didn't have many personal items. No pictures, no stuffed animals. The only thing that I ever kept was my hairbrush and my diary and the locket around my neck. They were from my mom. Thankfully, Reilly had packed them.

"What did you do with all the furniture?" I asked Reilly, as he finished shredding everything.

"Rented a truck, took it to the dump, it's all gone now."

"Oh okay. When are we leaving?" I asked.

"About 10 minutes. I just need to clean off all the cabinets and counters. No fingerprints can be left." Reilly said, pulling on a pair of leather gloves that looked expensive. Where did he get the money to buy those?

"Okay. What should I do with my school bag?"

"Take out anything you need and throw the rest in the dumpster behind the building. Also you might want to change out of your school uniform."

I took my bag and walked to the fire escape. Throwing my bag over, I noticed a black van and several men with guns walking to the front of the building. There was no time to change now. I ran inside as fast as my legs could carry me.

Fuck. This is really happening. This is really fucking happening!

I ran back inside frantically screaming, "we have to leave! They're–"

A sharp knock sounded at the door. All three of us made eye contact and nodded. It was time.