I didn't even attempt to climb down the tree this time. I threw my sword out the window and jumped out after it. It wasn't a soft landing but seeing as I didn't fall through ten feet of branches, it hurt much less than last time. Rubbing off the mud and purposely cracking a few joints, I forced myself to my feet. Whose idea was it to make my dress white?

     I walked to the park, thinking myself more a moron with every step. Before leaving I had thrown on a long black coat, to somewhat cover the dress, but still I stood out like a sore thumb. If anyone spotted me, I'd have to claim that I was on my way to a renaissance fair.

     I took the long way around, planning to hide behind the trees next to the park's main area. I let my eyes study my surroundings. The structures were empty, swings still and benches unoccupied. Even the soccer field and bike trail were vacant. It was never this quiet; never this eerily empty.

     The sole person I spotted, was a police officer pulling into the park's parking. I inched a few trees closer as the officer stepped out, seeking to catch the words they uttered in the walky-talky.

    "I've patrolled the block for the past hour, nothing's happened. There's no one in the park." Though he had just stepped out, he was already heading back towards the car.

    I resisted the urge to scream, "Don't leave!"

     What awful timing. I just got here; there was a citizen to protect. I barely had time to panic. Before I or the cop knew it, his phone shot out of his hands, hitting a tree near mine. Damn. I should have procrastinated an extra ten minutes.

      Searching for the attacker, the officer took his gun out, only to have it also knocked out of his hands. Wonderful, and I could almost guarantee he didn't have back up. I call about an attack, and they send one person? Really?

     The two— I didn't know what to call them, black material from head to toe, they genuinely looked like ninjas— came out of nowhere. Hit between the eyes with the hilt of a spear, the cop crumbled to the ground. Two seconds, and he was unconscious! Was it too late to run?

     One of Kundanskie's minions positioned the sharp end of his spear to the unconscious officer's throat. Ah, shit. I couldn't run now. I couldn't let him die. I had told myself I wouldn't fight; this wasn't supposed to be my responsibility... but it was my fault the cop was here in the first place. I should have listened to Mimpi.

     The two, let's call them Tall one and Short one, looked around impatiently.

    "We know you're here chosen one," Tall one spoke, voice monotone. Words spilling from their lips instinctively, as though they were under someone's control, a shiver ran down my spine. "Show yourself, or we will kill this man, husband of a very ill wife, and father of a newly born child."

     How did they know I was here? And why had my mother raised me right? She made me susceptible to guilt. I'd be a much better warrior had she not done so. To make matters worse, Small one found a young boy, and dragged him out of his hiding spot, beneath a red slide. Why? I complained internally. The dark-skinned boy's face was glimmered in sweat and tears. The poor thing was shaking. They wouldn't actually harm him, would they? The blade to his throat made me think otherwise. "Children will die", Mimpi's words haunted me. Panic surging in my chest, I grabbed the nearest rock and launched it towards the one holding the child. It hit them harder than I expected. Dark eyes grew wide, before the limp body hit the ground. I looked down at my hand in surprise. Well... I couldn't hide anymore. But at least one was down. That had been unexpectedly easier than I thought.

     "Run," I urged the kid who bolted back into his hiding spot beneath the slide. I'd have rather him run much further away, but now wasn't a great time to argue the matter.

     I still couldn't see why Mimpi thought the blade would solve all my problems. My sword felt useless compared to Tall one's stolen gun. I couldn't help but remind myself the gun wouldn't be involved, if not for the dumb call I made. Did Mimpi always have to be right? Bullets hissed towards me faster than I could count. Heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins, I dashed between trees trying to dodge the bullets. It was working out well for now, but it was only a matter of time before my luck ran out. I was hiding behind a large oak, breaths falling out in gasps when the bullets finally stopped. Through the maze of trees, Tall one started in my direction. Overcome with terror, heart bounding from my toes to my throat, I was at a loss. I could run, but I'd be no match. I urged myself to think. Nothing. I had no plan, so naturally I awaited my certain death. Tall one didn't know my exact whereabouts, maybe I could surprise them.

     I held onto my sword for dear life, sensing someone's fast approach. If I hoped to go with the element of surprise, it was now or never. Only steps away from me, I jumped out slashing in Tall one's direction. As expected, I missed. I should have practice manhandling the sword before coming. Luckily in attempt to dodge the blow, Tall one tripped. I was relieved for about zero point two seconds. Sure, it was nice to have your opponent fall but not if they pulled the trigger before reaching the ground. I guess the sucker hadn't run out of bullets. Somehow the sword just happened to be in the right position, taking the blow for me. I took a moment to stare crazy-eyed at the blade before jumping back into action. I took Tall one's short moment of weakness to kick the gun away. To my dismay, that didn't stop them. Moments after I kicked it away, Tall one jumped up, and reached for the wooden stick strapped to their back.

     A stick? The sword finally felt useful. I actually had the upper hand... Or so I thought. Do not underestimate the danger of a stick. Before I could even move, I received the piece of wood to the head. Head spinning, I stumbled backwards. I did my best to dodge the blows, but I was seeing stars, vision too blurry to focus on anything. I tried to raise my sword, only to be kicked in the stomach. What had made me believe I could trust Mimpi? Had the woman just forgotten to inform me that my enemies would also have super strength? I had no upper hand, whatsoever. Tall one kicked me so hard, that I went flying into a tree ten feet away. You'd think being thrown that far away would lessen the strength of the impact... I was very wrong. The impact knocked the wind right out of me. I felt as though every bone in my back had snapped. Not only was I seeing stars, but I was now seeing two of the same attacker. I laid on my stomach, wheezing. I had to get up, Tall one was coming, but I couldn't do anything other than try to catch my breath.

    I could see Tall one's shadow peering over me out of the corner of my eye, hear the threatening footsteps coming my way. As the shadow raised its arms and brought down the spear, I rolled onto my back, the sharp blade missing me by an inch. Weapon planted firmly in the ground, I mustered all my strength and brought the sword down on Tall one's head, making sure not to use the sharp end. The hilt of my sword met skull with a dull thump. I wasn't aiming to kill; still Tall one would be down for a while. Dark eyes were hazy and hooded, proof that neither of Kundanskie's minion would be rousing anytime soon. I laid next to Tall one, allowing myself to catch my breath, giving my heart the opportunity to slow before it burst through my chest.

    I did not let myself celebrate my victory, for had I done so I'm certain a third attacker would have appeared just to spite me. That was proven to be correct, the moment I let myself think it's over. I opened my eyes, only to realize that a man in purple cloak stood above me. I darted up, placing the tip of my sword to an unprotected throat.

    "Put the sword down, Clara," he spoke evenly. The blade at his throat seemed to pose him no concern. "Had I intended to harm you; I'd have done so a long time ago."

     I put my sword down, but still clutched it tightly with uncertainty. I took a moment to observe the man in front of me. He was only an inch or two taller than me, dark hair falling to his shoulders. Eyes as dark as his hair, with a single scar running across his wide nose, his expressions were impossible to decipher. His light brown skin was dry compared to my moist pale skin, my body damp with sweat, despite the colder weather. Compared to my current state, he was incredibly well-kept. Even his cloak was untouched, wrinkle and stain free. I had seen that cloak before. It was the same one I had seen people wear in the community that triggered the nightmare that had become my life. This was one of Mimpi's guys.

    "You've been watching me?" I demanded. How long had he been here?

    "Yes. You've done well."

     "Why didn't you help me?!"

     "You had to learn what you were capable of. I was merely here in case of emergency." He had Mimpi's way of stating ridiculous statements in casual tones.

     "Merciless. You're all merciless," I mumbled dragging Tall one's fallen body towards the other. Though I was struggling, I of course had no help. I had to drag Tall one's heavy body all by myself.

     "He's still alive," Mimpi junior informed me.

     "Good observation. I don't intend on killing anyone."

     "Suit yourself," he said. "I'll see you soon." He disappeared into the woods without another word.

     The arse didn't even consider offering to help carry the two-hundred-pound body.

    With great effort I managed to place Tall one next to Small one. I wanted to leave before more cops showed up, but I was afraid the two would wake before their arrival. The nearby unconscious officer finally coming to use, I used a pair of his handcuffs to tie them both around the park bench.

     It was only as I was heading home that I heard a small whimper and remembered the boy. I approached the slide slowly, as to not scare him.

    "Hi." I crouched next to the slide. His little head popped out, not daring to fully come out.

    "You can come out now. They're gone," I said softly.

   Big brown eyes watched me uncertainly, clutching his Iron Man doll to his chest.

    "I won't hurt you," I promised.

    It took a few moments, but he seemed to conclude that he could trust me. Trembling he came out of hiding. He was probably four years old; younger than Bella. Why was he on his own?

     "Where's the last place you saw your parents?" I asked.

    The park was quite big, but not big enough for the chaos not to have been heard had his parents still been here.

    "Home," he answered quietly.

     Home? As in they hadn't come with him. I suppose if he lived nearby, he could have run away, or... no I wouldn't even go there. They couldn't have possibly thought that was a good idea.

    "You came here alone?"

     The boy shook his head, sinking my chest with dread.

     "The man in purple brought me." My entire body went rigid; sudden tightness of my jaw threatening to break a tooth. Rage coiled through my veins. Putting my life in danger was one thing... an innocent little boy? Completely different story.

    Good thing I was exhausted and in the presence of a terrified little boy, or I'd have flipped. I wouldn't have hesitated to chase Mimpi junior. I could not believe Mimpi was responsible for his presence. I had told her I wouldn't come. I don't care if she was confident that I would show up, there was a possibility I wouldn't and still she brought him here knowing he might die. What would have happened had I not shown up?

    I picked the boy up. Easing him on the side of my hip, I walked towards the street as I tried to retrieve directions to his house.

     As I expected, he lived near the park. It was only a block away. I carried the boy, Cody I learnt, until our arrival to the blue house.

     "Ok, Cody." I put him down. "I can't go any further. You go knock on the door, and I'll stay here until your parents find you."

    "You'll watch for bad guys?" He looked around nervously.

    I nodded. "No one will hurt you."

    He walked to his front door and gave me a small wave goodbye before being engulfed by the arms of his mother. I smiled at the happy family until I remembered the many blocks, I'd have to walk to reach my own home... Not my home. I wouldn't open my front door to have my face plastered in kisses from my dear mother. I wouldn't even be using the front door; I'd have to use the window.

     After a long, depressing walk, I finally got home. At least I got to use the front door; it was so late (early I should say) that Anna and Jim were asleep. And as for the plastered in kisses, thankful for my safe return... well, Andrews' cat greeted me with a pretty friendly meow.

    I wish taking off the suit was as easy as it was putting it on. I just wanted to go to bed, but with Andrews' tendency to enter my room unannounced, I figured I'd better not risk getting caught in the outfit. Many questions would be asked if I was found wearing this. And the answers to those questions would only make me look more foolish.

     Before finally settling into bed, I dared sneak a glance at my clock. I had three hours to sleep. In three hours, I'd be expected to wake up and go to school. I doubted that was happening. If it did happen, though, tomorrow was going to be a great day (please note the sarcasm). World... get ready for a very cranky Clara Molino.