I sit against the tree for a long time, long enough, that I end up blacking out from exhaustion. I have no dreams, but I re-live the nightmare from a few hours ago on an endless loop. When I wake up, I realize something.

"Where's my bag?!" 

I pat around me, trying to remember where I put it. I didn't drop it somewhere, right? No, I remember resting my hand on it before blacking out. The light that slants through the trees tells me it's daytime, and that I most likely blacked out for the entire rest of the day and all of last night. Could an animal have taken it?

I use my good arm to use the tree to stand up, wincing in pain when my injure foot touches the ground. Limping around, I search in vain for it, when I suddenly hear a twig snap. Fear clutches at my heart, making my limbs freeze up. My eyes dart around nervously, searching for something dangerous. 

"Who's there?" I squeak.

"Are you a helper?" A voice growls.

The voice makes me jump, but when I think about their question, my fear is slightly dampened by curiosity. 

"H-helper? What do you mean?" I stutter out, confused.

"Do you help the government turn people into empty shells to be filled with training and a want to kill every Special alive?" 

"N-no, I j-just want my bag back." 

The leaves rustle behind me, before a boy steps out, holding my back by balancing it on one finger. He wears all black, and his fiery-red hair sticks out in an intentional fashion. He's tall, but has a lean and skinny build. He looks rough, and it makes me gulp nervously.

"You mean this?" He asks, smirking.

"Yes. Now, please g-give it to me," I say, reaching over in an attempt to grab my bag.

The guy lifts it up, just out of my reach, watching as I try to stretch without putting pressure on my injured foot. I end up almost falling on top of him, but he doesn't even seem to care or notice.

"I don't know, there's some pretty good stuff in here. How do I know you're not a helper? This is hospital-issued stuff." 

I stop stretching, limping back a bit. Looking up at him, I see his brown eyes harden.

"I'm not a helper. I'm trying to run away from the hospital," I whisper, looking down.

The bag suddenly drops at my feet, making me look up at him in surprise. He looks down at me, and scoffs, going over to a tree and sliding down it with a bored look. What?

"So, you're an escapee from a hospital? Interesting. What's you're ability, kid?" 

"I'm not a kid!" I protest.

Who is this guy? Why and how does he know so much about this kind of stuff? Am I the only one who wasn't in the loop? Am I still too clueless and naive to understand this situation? Will I ever  understand? My thoughts start to eat away at me, keeping me silent and lost. 

"Fine, whatever. Ability?" He says, rather impatient.

"I don't really know. When I get mad, I can disintegrate people, almost, corrode them away, I guess." 

"Ah. A rare one," he laughs.

He stands up walking over to me again and putting out his hand. I stare down at it, unsure of whether I should shake it. He's a stranger. He could be just like Asher; pull me in with a false sense of comfort and safety, then haul me back to Doctor Wilson. 

"Come on, shake my damn hand! I don't have all day!" He snaps, making me cringe back.

The foul word that rolls of his tongue makes me feel strange. I've never liked curse words. Hesitantly, I shake his hand. It's warm, and rough, engulfing my small and soft hands like a warm blanket. It's new to me.

"Name's Kano. Kano Jade. You?" 

"R-Ryan." 

He grins, his brown eyes now lighter. They seem to swim with fire, almost like a pool of molten lava. It's mesmerizing, and it makes me remember I used to think Asher's eyes were amazing, too. Asher... I'll never get to see his eyes again.

"So, Ryan, wanna' tag along with me?" Kano asks.

"Where are you going?" 

"No where and everywhere. I just walk and roam Vadem. I'm a free spirit." 

At the word 'free', my heart jumps. Free... I could be free. No rules, no pills, no medicine, no heart ache, no troubles. It sounds like pure bliss, like heaven. To be able to run free and not have to worry or fear anything or anyone. 

"I'll come with you." 

He grins again, picking up my bag again, and swing. "Great. Come on, then. Let's go." 

He starts to trudge back the way he came in from, and I jerk after him, limping still, trying to keep up. The pain all over my body is dulled by the thrill of freedom, and the happiness I'm feeling because now I won't be completely alone. You wouldn't be if  you didn't hurt Asher. If you didn't let your anger come out, Asher and you would still be together, trapped, but together. You wouldn't be alone.

My heart pangs at the thoughts swirling in my brain, but I push them away. For now, I'll follow Kano, and try to forget about my first best friend, who I left in a horror building filled with monitors, cells, guards, and the scattered ashes of the people I murdered. 

Omg, I'm so late! Sorry, I've been busy all day and I got distracted! I just opened up my computer again to see chapter three open and I freaked out. Well, uh, here it is.

QUESTION TIME: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

My Answer: Night owl BIG TIME. I hate waking up early, hate mornings period, and I love staying up late.

-Mel