purple_drake
~Elite obsessed~
- 119
- Posts
- 19
- Years
- Blackthorn City. :3
- Seen Feb 5, 2011
Okies, finally finished editing the first chappie... this fic is PG-13, for violence, swearing, and reference to drug-like substances.
Now, highly recommend you read my other fic, Heart of the Magma, beforehand. Not required, but things would make a helluva lot more sense.
Also this first chappie is in two posts... <_< I set my limits according to the post limit on SPPf, which is larger than it is here. Ah well, what can ya do?
'Nways. Comments appreciated - posting here is the final step before posting on ff.net, and I want to catch all the mistakes before I do :P
NIGHT.
The streets of Alto Mare were quiet, darkness hanging over the city like a thin layer of fog. Moonlight glinted off the graceful steel curves of the city?s various window frames and railings, their reflection rippling in the black canal water. Comfortably slumbering within their homes, the inhabitants of Alto Mare were unaware of the two shadows which flashed over the rooftops on silent feet, mirrored only in the water below.
Stealthily Keegan jumped from one rooftop to the next, crouching cautiously and looking around to make sure her presence had gone unnoticed. Like a shade, her eevee Hazel appeared at her side, her fluffy tail twitching with tension. Throwing a quick, slightly forced grin at the pok?mon, Keegan lay on her stomach over the edge and rapped lightly on the glass pane of balcony door below.
?Ross!? She hissed. Something inside the room rustled and Keegan heard the sound of someone fumbling for the lamp nearby before light flashed on inside the room. She saw Ross rubbing his eyes sleepily, sitting up in his quilted bed, the white stripes on his otherwise blue shirt looking orange in the dim glow. Blinking, he slipped out from under the covers and padded across the wooden floor, running a hand through his sleep-tousled brown hair.
?Keegan?? He threw open the window, almost hitting Keegan in the face, and winced at her expression. ?They said no, huh??
?Good guess,? Keegan retorted, her voice unintentionally angry. Her cheeks were beginning to look flushed from hanging upside-down and her blonde hair glinted in the light from Ross?s room. ?Listen, can we talk??
?Sure,? Ross yawned. ?It looked to be a nice night at sunset.?
?I? didn?t see,? Keegan admitted reluctantly. Usually all she looked at was the night sky? unless she was too angry at her foster parents to notice. She swung back up to the tiled roof as Ross clambered onto the balustrade of his balcony and hoisted himself up onto the edge to sit with his legs hanging down. Keegan brushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled gratefully, the faint burn scars on her arm looking shiny in the dim light. ?Sorry for waking you,? she apologised, settling down beside him with her legs crossed.
Ross just waved a hand and smiled good-naturedly, the slight breeze tugging at his hair and clothes. ?It?s no problem,? He assured her, and chuckled. ?I should be used to this by now.? He gave her a quick squeeze around the shoulders and leaned back on his hands as Hazel crawled onto Keegan?s knees, a bundle of warmth compared to the chill night. ?So what?s up??
Keegan stroked Hazel?s fur absently, taking comfort in her pok?mon?s presence as the eevee yawned and snuggled into Keegan?s lap soothingly. ?It?s not fair,? she said, her tone frustrated beyond words. ?It?s like my foster parents are trying to stop me from having a life. I mean, this is Alto Mare, for God?s sake, but they won?t even let me participate in the water chariot races!?
?You know they?re only trying to protect you,? Ross pointed out mildly, gazing up at the stars winking down from the heavens. There was a multitude up there, the only witnesses to Keegan?s nightly rooftop walks.
?Then they?re screwing up,? Keegan retorted viciously, glaring down at the water of the canal below where Ross?s boat bobbed gently. Hazel?s ears twitched and she looked at Keegan mournfully upon hearing her tone of voice. ?Because they?re going too far. There?s a difference between protecting and coddling, and they crossed the line years ago.?
?Yeah,? Ross agreed sympathetically. ?But when Pete and Simon found you, you were half dead. Ever since then you can?t stand the open sea or being under water. I guess they can?t see the difference between that and surfing.?
?Surfing I can control,? Keegan grumbled. ?Out in the ocean you?re at the mercy of the waves ? and underwater you can?t breathe. That?s the difference; how is that difficult to understand?? She plucked at her fire stone pendant with her spare hand broodingly. It flashed in the dim light emitting from Ross?s window and Hazel licked Keegan?s hand sympathetically. ?But it?s not just the chariot races,? Keegan continued angrily, squeezing the pendant so the chain dug into the palm of her hand. ?It?s like they think I?ll break apart if anything bad happens to me. I don?t even remember what happened that night, why do they assume I can?t handle the bad stuff??
Ross shook his head, regarding his frustrated friend with a slightly sorrowful look. He didn?t want Keegan to be hurt as much as her foster parents, but he was closer to her in age and knew when to let well enough alone. But they?re good people. Sometimes I get the feeling she wants to do more and more dangerous things just because they?re trying to stop her. Instead of speaking the words which leapt to his lips, he said something else.
?You know what I don?t get?? Interested, Keegan looked up to find him studying the sky and followed his gaze. The wind whispered past, making goosebumps rise on her bare arms. ?You come out onto the rooftops every night, which some people would say is practically trespassing, and your parents would definitely disapprove.?
Keegan snorted a little derisively. ?Of course they would. I could fall off, I could get hurt, I could come across a real criminal and it breeds mischief.?
All valid points, you know. Was Ross?s immediate thought, but he squashed it. He wanted to give Keegan his support, not more doubts. If she felt he was the only one to whom she could rant, how could he estrange her by seeming to take her foster parents? side? ****, but they?re gonna hate me for saying this? Ross turned and shot a slightly forced grin at her. ?So why haven?t you just entered the chariot races, with or without their permission??
Keegan blinked and remained silent, thinking about the answer. ?Because that?s crossing some major lines,? she said at last. ?They don?t know about what I do at night, so we can?t argue about it ? but if I entered a race, then they?re sure to see it.?
?So?? Ross shrugged, his next words honest. ?You?re eighteen. That?s old enough to make those kinds of decisions in my book.? If only you would listen to them once in a while?
Hazel put her paw in Keegan?s hand and the girl looked down at her. ?Bui,? Hazel mewed encouragingly.
Keegan chewed the inside of her cheek and gazed up at the stars thoughtfully. She remembered the fight she?d had with Miriam and Peter, her foster parents, mere hours ago, and again felt the anger rise. Ross and Haze are right, she thought to herself, her jaw clenching with determination. I should be able to choose for myself. I should be able to choose if I want to enter the race, and I should be able to choose if I want to leave Alto Mare. Then she remembered something and groaned, the excitement which had been building vanishing in an instant.
?It?s tomorrow,? she said dispiritedly. ?And because it?s not the open chariot race, there?s no more time to enter.?
Ross laughed, covering up a twinge of guilt. ?Hey, no sweat. You can take my place.? I just hope none of you overreact? maybe it?ll end up with a fight. Maybe you?ll start listening to each other. Discreetly he crossed his fingers, praying for the latter.
?Serious?? Keegan exclaimed, her blue eyes suddenly blazing with anticipation.
?Sure,? Ross shrugged. ?I can redeem my loss next year.? He grinned truthfully this time. ?I just have to hope Misty?s not there.?
Keegan laughed and threw her arms around him, disturbing Hazel. Fondly miffed, the pok?mon scrambled out of Keegan?s lap and instead curled up beside her. ?Thanks a ton, Ross,? Keegan hugged him fiercely. Ross just chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders while she twined the fingers of her spare hand into Hazel?s fur. The three of them looked up at the stars visible over the line of the buildings, listening to the lap of canal water against the curb long into the night.
The next morning Keegan hardly noticed her lack of sleep; she was too charged up, knowing she was about to participate in the water chariot race for Alto Mare citizens only. The fact that it was a secret from her parents just made the tension worse ? she had to pretend she was still angry when really she wanted to jump for joy. Although she was directly disobeying them, the freedom of knowing she had made her decision was intoxicating.
She deliberately wore her denim shorts and her cut-off, sleeveless top. It could be cold, but at least her customary jeans wouldn?t weight her down. ?Okay, Firefoot, today is gonna be different,? Keegan sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of her room, stroking Firefoot?s orange pelt. The growlithe pup gnawed playfully at her hand, making small growling noises in the back of his throat as his shaggy orange paws danced over the wooden floor. He wasn?t as good at climbing as Hazel or Keegan and so had to remain behind during the night.
Keegan grinned and tousled the white tuft of fur on the top of his head. ?We?re gonna go to the library like usual,? she told him, lowering her voice so Peter or Miriam couldn?t hear. ?But we?ll sneak out the back window first chance we get. I?m gonna enter the water chariot race, Firefoot.?
?Graawlth!? Firefoot barked, cocking his head and wagging his thick, fluffy white tail furiously.
Keegan chuckled. ?So I guess it?s okay if I leave you and Hazel with Ross on the sidelines, right?? She glanced up at Hazel, lying on Keegan?s bed and chewing on her white-tipped tail.
?Eebui,? Hazel mewed, her brown eyes sparkling with her own excitement and not a little bit of pride that Keegan was finally making her own choice.
?Keegan!? Miriam called from down below. ?We?re leaving for the library soon!?
?Alright!? Keegan yelled back, tugging on her running shoes. Hazel jumped off the bed, leaving behind an imprint and moulted fur on the quilt, and shook herself. ?C?mon,? Keegan gestured to her pok?mon, unable to resist a grin as she trudged downstairs. Firefoot followed closely, his wet nose occasionally bumping the backs of her legs, while Hazel squeezed past to lead.
While they walked to the library, Keegan barely listened to Miriam as the plump, good-natured woman chattered on. Her gaze was set absently on the cobblestone path in front of her and her mind dwelled on the race she was to run. Hazel and Firefoot bounded ahead of them, darting and playing blithely, dodging the other citizens of Alto Mare who were enjoying the early morning.
When they reached the library, Keegan was beginning to feel nervous, because she had to get away in time to reach the canal where the race was to begin. But that day luck was with her, for Miriam left her in the back room with orders to unpack the books stored in boxes while she herself went into the main area to watch over the looming shelves.
With a deep breath Keegan set to her task. Switching on the television to make some noise, she worked in the light of the round window overhead, illuminating the otherwise darkened room. Firefoot, nosing around a pile of books in the corner, squeezed past the perilous stack. Hazel, however, jumped nimbly onto the round table where Keegan worked to settle down and watch her trainer.
The next thing Keegan heard was a creak and she turned around just in time to see the tall, unsteady pile of books tumble down around Firefoot, making dust billow. Firefoot, sitting back on his haunches among the books with a look of utmost surprise, sneezed and shook his head, blinking owlishly. Keegan giggled, stepping carefully through the mess of books and removing a loose page which had floated down to land on Firefoot?s head.
?Bui,? Hazel sighed in a long-suffering manner, rolling her eyes skyward and licking her paw delicately.
Keegan began stacking the books carefully, checking the time, as Firefoot watched. The fine dust settled about him turned his black stripes grey and made Keegan?s eyes water annoyingly.
?Oh, I can?t take this anymore,? The girl groaned finally, grabbing Firefoot around the belly and lifting him up onto the top of the bookcase in front of the window. The growlithe, moving carefully against the slight rocking of the shelves, put his paws on the round windowsill and nosed open the latch. The window swung open as Keegan lifted Hazel up to the top and Firefoot bounded through, onto the slight ledge outside.
Within seconds, all three had escaped the stuffy office. Keegan pulled the window closed behind her and clambered down, catching each of her pok?mon as they jumped from the ledge. ?Okay, let?s hurry,? Keegan urged, checking the clock just visible through the glass for the umpteenth time, and the trio hurried off.
Behind them, the television blared to an empty room.
Ross scanned the multi-coloured crowd anxiously, searching for Keegan. I hope she didn?t get caught. I hope nothing?s happened. I wish she didn?t have to sneak away at all? in the canal beside him, his wailmer tugged impatiently at the leash, almost pulling him into the rippling water. Most of the other contestants were already at the starting line, waiting for the race to begin.
Finally Firefoot bounded out of the crowd, tongue lolling happily. Hazel squeezed her way past two legs and Keegan pushed through the crowd, tugging off her shoes almost as soon as she?d reached a relieved Ross.
?Good luck,? he murmured, handing her the leash. Maybe this will prove to Miriam and Pete that they don?t need to worry? I just hope you don?t forget why they?re so strict. He thought inwardly, his soft eyes regarding Keegan with unseen seriousness.
?Thanks, I?m gonna need it,? Keegan answered with a nervous laugh, stepping uncertainly onto the slick, streamlined chariot. She almost tipped over right there and then as the chariot rocked, making the water splash over the curb and drenching Firefoot and Hazel, but after a moment she regained her balance and Wailmer motored its way to the starting line.
Keegan found herself staring into the clear water. She could almost see the bottom, fragmented and distorted by the waves, and shivered. Falling in wasn?t going to be fun ? but she wasn?t intending to fall in. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. When she looked again at the glittering water track in front of her, her blue eyes were determined. Water, yes. I?m not under it, so it doesn?t matter.
?Okay, Wailmer, ready to show ?em what we?ve got?? she said to the round, rubbery blue pok?mon. It nodded, making waves rock nearby chariots, and Keegan found herself grinning. Who cares if we win? She thought silently to herself, enjoying the bob of the chariot. I?m on the water, I?m about to go fast and I?m sticking to my decision for once. What does it matter if we win or not?
She cast a quick glance to the side, fleetingly touching her pendant for good luck, and Ross gave her a thumbs up sign; then she heard the xatu crow. Wailmer surged forward, already speeding through the water and throwing up two curtains of foam on either side of Keegan?s chariot.
Blonde hair lashing in the wind, Keegan leaned back on the leash the way Ross had taught her during one of the memorable nightly excursions. Someone cut in front of them, spraying Keegan with water, and Wailmer cut their speed abruptly to avoid the collision as Keegan?s spare arm windmilled frantically. Oh God, don?t fall in?! With a jerk the whale pok?mon rushed forwards, dodging a spiky, scaled seadra to dart around the corner, hauling the chariot behind him as it skidded on the surface of the track against the force of its momentum.
Her heart pounding, Keegan caught her breath and her balance as they streaked towards the man in the lead, the walls and canals of Alto Mare blurring past her in a rush of exhilarating wind.
Back at the library, Miriam lifted the pile of old books she had just sorted from the shelves, heading to the back office where she?d ask Keegan to pack them away into a box for shipping to the library on the mainland. The salty water around Alto Mare made it difficult to maintain the library properly, so the oldest and most precious of books were kept elsewhere.
As she came to the door, Miriam heard the sound of the television and smiled. Of course Keegan would want to watch Ross in the water chariot race. Using her elbow, Miriam levered the door open and was greeted by an empty room. Shocked, she blinked, setting the books down on the table and looking around.
?And newcomer Keegan just taken the lead with former champion Ross?s wailmer, but Marlin and his golduck aren?t gonna let the race go that easily, as he tails her close behind ??
Miriam whirled about to stare at the screen incredulously, sure she?d heard wrong. But no, there was Keegan, balanced perilously on a speeding, streamlined chariot with her rival pulling up beside her. Miriam?s heart leapt to clog her throat as the water shifted, throwing the chariots together. The plump woman let out an involuntary cry of distress, clutching herself fearfully as they scraped each other, the announcer?s voice merely noise in the background. Keegan?s chariot rocked wildly, almost sending her plummeting into the water. Don?t let her fall, don?t let her fall, don?t let her fall?! Marlin leaned away, narrowly avoiding a second, more serious collision as the foamy plumes sprayed up around them, and Miriam let out a breath she didn?t know she?d been holding.
She could have gotten herself hurt! Miriam thought tearfully, covering her eyes with frustrated apprehension. I don?t care how old she is, she acts like an irresponsible child! That?s half the reason we?re so strict with her, doesn?t she realize that? How could Ross have let her enter? she shuddered. Without looking again at the screen Miriam hurried out of the office, her adrenaline-weak legs fuelled by worried anger.
Back at the race Keegan swerved around the last, sharp corner, the chariot wobbling dangerously. The side scraped the brick wall and Keegan winced, her cheeks flushed with windburn and her fringe threatening to lash in her eyes. Not far ahead, Marlin was speeding towards the finish line.
?Let?s go!? Keegan urged Wailmer. With a deep rumble, Wailmer picked up the pace. His watery backlash made Keegan?s chariot veer from side to side but she had a firm grasp of its capabilities now and balanced skilfully against its roll as they drew abreast of Marlin. He glanced over at her and found the time to grin at her under his beard. Catching Keegan?s gaze, she grinned back as Wailmer slowly pulled in front, the water around them and the rainbow coloured audience ranged on the streets a mere blur.
The next thing Keegan knew, the finishing banner had flashed overhead and Wailmer came to a halt, slinging the chariot around as Keegan struggled to maintain her balance. Her adrenaline-weak legs collapsed on her, sending her careening into the clear, lapping water. Her shoulder jarred the chariot, making her hand tingle numbly as water closed over her head with a shocking of gasping panic. Nonono, God this was supposed to be fun! Terrified, choking on water, she scrambled for the surface as Wailmer came up beneath her, lifting her on its rubbery blue back to safety.
Trembling and weak with relief and exhaustion, Keegan coughed and took in a gulp of blessed air to calm her pounding heart, sitting with her legs sprawled on Wailmer?s back as she brushed her wet hair from her eyes with a shaky hand. She suddenly became aware of the shouts and calls coming from the sidelines and looked up to see Marlin give her a fleeting salute, which she returned with a weak, slightly forced smile. She glanced over to the side to see a worried-looking Ross, prepared to jump in the canal for rescue her. She threw him an unsteady grin and a thumbs-up. Relieved, Ross settled for waving his hands with reproachful elation as Firefoot jumped about excitedly, accidentally knocking Hazel into the water. Drenched, looking remarkably like a wet rattata, Hazel scrambled out of the water and glared at Firefoot, long fur dripping.
And then it finally began to dawn on Keegan, something completely unexpected: she?d won.
The medallion flashed in the light of the day, the path barely visible through the rippling, tinted glass. Keegan studied it, rocking it back and forth and admiring the way the sun brought out the different hues.
Ross chuckled, poling his boat along the canal beside her. ?You?ve seen that thing a million times, you know,? he reminded her.
Keegan grinned. ?Yeah, but that?s always after you?ve won it.? She rubbed her hand proudly over the raised glass outlines of Latios and Latias circling the Soul Dew, unaware of the troubled look which passed over Ross? face.
She didn?t learn anything, he thought with the chill of sorrow. She got dunked in and she didn?t even realize why Miriam and Pete?s fears might be justified. He shuddered, remembering the look of terror on her face as Wailmer lifted her through the thin, crystalline sheet of the surface; the look which no one else had seemed to notice.
Firefoot jumped up onto his hind legs, forepaws stabbing in the air as he struggled to see the medallion, so Keegan lowered the medallion to let the growlithe pup take a look. Up ahead, Hazel stopped in her tracks with a gasp, then darted back and hid behind Keegan?s legs. Keegan giggled elatedly, too much on a high to realize something dire might have happened. ?What?s the matter, Haze??
?Grawlth, grrra,? Firefoot backed away slowly, nervously. Keegan finally looked up to see Miriam bearing down on them with hard steps, her brown curls accenting her furious scowl. She didn?t see the worry buried deep in her foster mother?s brown eyes.
?Uh oh,? Keegan went pale, having completely forgotten about the consequences of entering the race. ?Listen, Ross, I ? I?ll see you later, okay? No point in her getting angry at the both of us.?
Ross nodded, leaning on his pole and staring at Miriam between the long fringes framing his face. ?Yeah, sure? ? He felt a pang, knowing that the upcoming argument was his fault. I?m the one who let her enter, I was just hoping that maybe ? without finishing his thought or figuring out exactly what he?d been hoping he pushed off the curb, turning down a thin canal, and waved after him. Keegan raised a hand in answer, then glanced down at the medallion.
Once again she rubbed her thumb over the raised glass, her eyes darkening. It was worth it, she thought defiantly, and raised her chin to face her foster mother.
?What were you thinking?!? Miriam shrieked in her shrill voice once Keegan was in hearing range.
<<She?s not happy?>> Firefoot?s ears went down and he slunk behind Keegan?s legs to look at Hazel. His head lowered near the ground and his mournful eyes darted back to Miriam, his fluffy tail twitching.
Hazel rolled her eyes apprehensively in his direction, ears flickering. <<You think?>> she answered, her tone heavy with sarcasm as she rubbed her furry head against Keegan?s legs comfortingly. Oh Latias, when will this conflict end? She thought sadly, regarding Miriam?s round, red face.
?I was thinking about having fun,? Keegan snapped back to her foster mother heatedly, only half aware of the exchange which had gone on beneath her. Miriam grabbed her hand and began dragging her back home, while Hazel and Firefoot exchanged a worried glance and trailed after.
?There?s a reason your father and I stopped you from entering those races!? Miriam said angrily between breaths, yanking Keegan under a bridge down one alley and then another. It was as much for punishment as for safety, didn?t you see that?
Keegan tried to tug her hand away, but for a plump woman Miriam was amazingly strong. ?Pete?s not my father!? the girl retorted, her tone just as angry as Miriam?s. Her spare hand was clenched around the medallion, the metal edges digging into her palm and the chain trailing behind her. ?And you?re not my mother! You have no right to tell me what to do!? Miriam?s stride faltered and she gave Keegan a stricken look, stopping in the sheltered alley. Keegan wrenched her hand out of Miriam?s grasp, massaging her fingers, and ignored Miriam?s hurt eyes as Hazel and Firefoot crowded supportively at her legs.
She doesn?t think of us as her parents? Miriam swallowed through the hurt lump in her throat and took a deep breath. ?We?ve been your only family for eight years, Keegan,? she began, her tone thick with forced calm. Keegan scowled into the ground, trying to fight off the feelings of guilt which were warring with her anger. There was already a lump in her throat and her eyes began to shine with unshed tears; she hated arguing. ?I would have thought that meant something to you.? Miriam?s voice was unintentionally accusing.
Keegan gritted her teeth, looking away. How dare she use guilt on me like that! She raged inwardly, angry enough to say something she?d regret forever. ?Well, it doesn?t!? she choked. ?All you?ve done is hold me back! You won?t even let me compete in harmless chariot races! You won?t even let me leave Alto Mare!? she gestured wildly with the hand clutching the medallion, looking up finally to meet Miriam?s shocked eyes.
Keegan took a deep breath, tears spilling down her cheeks. ?All I want to do is make my own decisions,? she continued stubbornly. ?I want to be able to decide what I do and where I go, but you won?t even let me do that!?
?And until you learn to look at life seriously, I won?t!? Miriam snapped, finally finding her voice. I can?t! You might get hurt, you might accidentally hurt other people! ?So far all you care about is having some fun and getting up to mischief! I?d thought that reading about Lance the dragon master and the other Elites might make you realize just how dangerous it is out there, but so far it doesn?t seem to have worked!? Keegan flushed and Miriam continued relentlessly, brushing her curls behind her ear as she tried passionately to make her stubborn foster daughter see, make her understand ? ?You of all people should know how dangerous the world is, Keegan. It?s because of those dangers that we came to call you our daughter.?
?It?s because of those dangers that you?ve chained me here to Alto Mare!? Keegan retorted in a trembling voice, her cheeks still pink under the tear tracks. ?You?re afraid I?ll break apart or I?ll get hurt, but you don?t know that at all! How am I meant to prove myself if you won?t let me shoulder any responsibility? Facing danger is just part of that!?
?Facing danger is being stupid,? Miriam countered angrily. ?You don?t go looking for danger, you have to take it as it comes.?
?I can?t take it as it comes if I can?t live my own life!? Keegan shouted, her voice shaking dangerously. ?I don?t even know what I want to do with myself, because this city is all I remember!? she gestured around at the shadowed, ivy-swathed brick walls. ?I don?t even know where ? where I got this,? she tugged at her pendant vehemently, her wet eyes boring furiously into Miriam?s face. ?When am I going to find out who I am, what I?m meant to do??
?When you finally realize that life isn?t all fun and games,? Miriam answered heatedly. ?The people here in Alto Mare know that better than anyone ? the sea is dangerous, you have to take it seriously! It?s not a game! No matter where you go and what you do, there are always rules to follow ? but you seem to dedicate yourself to breaking them! Until you learn a little responsibility and respect, you?re not ready to go out into the world.?
?Wha ? how dare you decide that for me!? Keegan?s fists were clenched, and she was shaking and crying with fury.
Miriam sighed, her frustration draining out of her like a sieve. ?Come on home, little fox,? she held out a hand, her tone as gentle as she could make it. Please, please come home. I?m only trying to protect you.
?Don?t call me that!? Keegan screamed, covering her ears childishly, and Miriam flinched with a jolt. ?You can?t! You?re not allowed!? With a ragged, choked sob, she dodged down the alley, shoes pounding the stones.
?Grawlth!? Firefoot barked, darting after her. Hazel paused and looked up at Miriam with sad, accusing eyes; then she bounded after Keegan and Firefoot. Shocked, angry and guilty, Miriam watched them vanish around the next corner.
Now, highly recommend you read my other fic, Heart of the Magma, beforehand. Not required, but things would make a helluva lot more sense.
Also this first chappie is in two posts... <_< I set my limits according to the post limit on SPPf, which is larger than it is here. Ah well, what can ya do?
'Nways. Comments appreciated - posting here is the final step before posting on ff.net, and I want to catch all the mistakes before I do :P
~ I ~
TO DANCE OR NOT TO DANCE
TO DANCE OR NOT TO DANCE
NIGHT.
The streets of Alto Mare were quiet, darkness hanging over the city like a thin layer of fog. Moonlight glinted off the graceful steel curves of the city?s various window frames and railings, their reflection rippling in the black canal water. Comfortably slumbering within their homes, the inhabitants of Alto Mare were unaware of the two shadows which flashed over the rooftops on silent feet, mirrored only in the water below.
Stealthily Keegan jumped from one rooftop to the next, crouching cautiously and looking around to make sure her presence had gone unnoticed. Like a shade, her eevee Hazel appeared at her side, her fluffy tail twitching with tension. Throwing a quick, slightly forced grin at the pok?mon, Keegan lay on her stomach over the edge and rapped lightly on the glass pane of balcony door below.
?Ross!? She hissed. Something inside the room rustled and Keegan heard the sound of someone fumbling for the lamp nearby before light flashed on inside the room. She saw Ross rubbing his eyes sleepily, sitting up in his quilted bed, the white stripes on his otherwise blue shirt looking orange in the dim glow. Blinking, he slipped out from under the covers and padded across the wooden floor, running a hand through his sleep-tousled brown hair.
?Keegan?? He threw open the window, almost hitting Keegan in the face, and winced at her expression. ?They said no, huh??
?Good guess,? Keegan retorted, her voice unintentionally angry. Her cheeks were beginning to look flushed from hanging upside-down and her blonde hair glinted in the light from Ross?s room. ?Listen, can we talk??
?Sure,? Ross yawned. ?It looked to be a nice night at sunset.?
?I? didn?t see,? Keegan admitted reluctantly. Usually all she looked at was the night sky? unless she was too angry at her foster parents to notice. She swung back up to the tiled roof as Ross clambered onto the balustrade of his balcony and hoisted himself up onto the edge to sit with his legs hanging down. Keegan brushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled gratefully, the faint burn scars on her arm looking shiny in the dim light. ?Sorry for waking you,? she apologised, settling down beside him with her legs crossed.
Ross just waved a hand and smiled good-naturedly, the slight breeze tugging at his hair and clothes. ?It?s no problem,? He assured her, and chuckled. ?I should be used to this by now.? He gave her a quick squeeze around the shoulders and leaned back on his hands as Hazel crawled onto Keegan?s knees, a bundle of warmth compared to the chill night. ?So what?s up??
Keegan stroked Hazel?s fur absently, taking comfort in her pok?mon?s presence as the eevee yawned and snuggled into Keegan?s lap soothingly. ?It?s not fair,? she said, her tone frustrated beyond words. ?It?s like my foster parents are trying to stop me from having a life. I mean, this is Alto Mare, for God?s sake, but they won?t even let me participate in the water chariot races!?
?You know they?re only trying to protect you,? Ross pointed out mildly, gazing up at the stars winking down from the heavens. There was a multitude up there, the only witnesses to Keegan?s nightly rooftop walks.
?Then they?re screwing up,? Keegan retorted viciously, glaring down at the water of the canal below where Ross?s boat bobbed gently. Hazel?s ears twitched and she looked at Keegan mournfully upon hearing her tone of voice. ?Because they?re going too far. There?s a difference between protecting and coddling, and they crossed the line years ago.?
?Yeah,? Ross agreed sympathetically. ?But when Pete and Simon found you, you were half dead. Ever since then you can?t stand the open sea or being under water. I guess they can?t see the difference between that and surfing.?
?Surfing I can control,? Keegan grumbled. ?Out in the ocean you?re at the mercy of the waves ? and underwater you can?t breathe. That?s the difference; how is that difficult to understand?? She plucked at her fire stone pendant with her spare hand broodingly. It flashed in the dim light emitting from Ross?s window and Hazel licked Keegan?s hand sympathetically. ?But it?s not just the chariot races,? Keegan continued angrily, squeezing the pendant so the chain dug into the palm of her hand. ?It?s like they think I?ll break apart if anything bad happens to me. I don?t even remember what happened that night, why do they assume I can?t handle the bad stuff??
Ross shook his head, regarding his frustrated friend with a slightly sorrowful look. He didn?t want Keegan to be hurt as much as her foster parents, but he was closer to her in age and knew when to let well enough alone. But they?re good people. Sometimes I get the feeling she wants to do more and more dangerous things just because they?re trying to stop her. Instead of speaking the words which leapt to his lips, he said something else.
?You know what I don?t get?? Interested, Keegan looked up to find him studying the sky and followed his gaze. The wind whispered past, making goosebumps rise on her bare arms. ?You come out onto the rooftops every night, which some people would say is practically trespassing, and your parents would definitely disapprove.?
Keegan snorted a little derisively. ?Of course they would. I could fall off, I could get hurt, I could come across a real criminal and it breeds mischief.?
All valid points, you know. Was Ross?s immediate thought, but he squashed it. He wanted to give Keegan his support, not more doubts. If she felt he was the only one to whom she could rant, how could he estrange her by seeming to take her foster parents? side? ****, but they?re gonna hate me for saying this? Ross turned and shot a slightly forced grin at her. ?So why haven?t you just entered the chariot races, with or without their permission??
Keegan blinked and remained silent, thinking about the answer. ?Because that?s crossing some major lines,? she said at last. ?They don?t know about what I do at night, so we can?t argue about it ? but if I entered a race, then they?re sure to see it.?
?So?? Ross shrugged, his next words honest. ?You?re eighteen. That?s old enough to make those kinds of decisions in my book.? If only you would listen to them once in a while?
Hazel put her paw in Keegan?s hand and the girl looked down at her. ?Bui,? Hazel mewed encouragingly.
Keegan chewed the inside of her cheek and gazed up at the stars thoughtfully. She remembered the fight she?d had with Miriam and Peter, her foster parents, mere hours ago, and again felt the anger rise. Ross and Haze are right, she thought to herself, her jaw clenching with determination. I should be able to choose for myself. I should be able to choose if I want to enter the race, and I should be able to choose if I want to leave Alto Mare. Then she remembered something and groaned, the excitement which had been building vanishing in an instant.
?It?s tomorrow,? she said dispiritedly. ?And because it?s not the open chariot race, there?s no more time to enter.?
Ross laughed, covering up a twinge of guilt. ?Hey, no sweat. You can take my place.? I just hope none of you overreact? maybe it?ll end up with a fight. Maybe you?ll start listening to each other. Discreetly he crossed his fingers, praying for the latter.
?Serious?? Keegan exclaimed, her blue eyes suddenly blazing with anticipation.
?Sure,? Ross shrugged. ?I can redeem my loss next year.? He grinned truthfully this time. ?I just have to hope Misty?s not there.?
Keegan laughed and threw her arms around him, disturbing Hazel. Fondly miffed, the pok?mon scrambled out of Keegan?s lap and instead curled up beside her. ?Thanks a ton, Ross,? Keegan hugged him fiercely. Ross just chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders while she twined the fingers of her spare hand into Hazel?s fur. The three of them looked up at the stars visible over the line of the buildings, listening to the lap of canal water against the curb long into the night.
The next morning Keegan hardly noticed her lack of sleep; she was too charged up, knowing she was about to participate in the water chariot race for Alto Mare citizens only. The fact that it was a secret from her parents just made the tension worse ? she had to pretend she was still angry when really she wanted to jump for joy. Although she was directly disobeying them, the freedom of knowing she had made her decision was intoxicating.
She deliberately wore her denim shorts and her cut-off, sleeveless top. It could be cold, but at least her customary jeans wouldn?t weight her down. ?Okay, Firefoot, today is gonna be different,? Keegan sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of her room, stroking Firefoot?s orange pelt. The growlithe pup gnawed playfully at her hand, making small growling noises in the back of his throat as his shaggy orange paws danced over the wooden floor. He wasn?t as good at climbing as Hazel or Keegan and so had to remain behind during the night.
Keegan grinned and tousled the white tuft of fur on the top of his head. ?We?re gonna go to the library like usual,? she told him, lowering her voice so Peter or Miriam couldn?t hear. ?But we?ll sneak out the back window first chance we get. I?m gonna enter the water chariot race, Firefoot.?
?Graawlth!? Firefoot barked, cocking his head and wagging his thick, fluffy white tail furiously.
Keegan chuckled. ?So I guess it?s okay if I leave you and Hazel with Ross on the sidelines, right?? She glanced up at Hazel, lying on Keegan?s bed and chewing on her white-tipped tail.
?Eebui,? Hazel mewed, her brown eyes sparkling with her own excitement and not a little bit of pride that Keegan was finally making her own choice.
?Keegan!? Miriam called from down below. ?We?re leaving for the library soon!?
?Alright!? Keegan yelled back, tugging on her running shoes. Hazel jumped off the bed, leaving behind an imprint and moulted fur on the quilt, and shook herself. ?C?mon,? Keegan gestured to her pok?mon, unable to resist a grin as she trudged downstairs. Firefoot followed closely, his wet nose occasionally bumping the backs of her legs, while Hazel squeezed past to lead.
While they walked to the library, Keegan barely listened to Miriam as the plump, good-natured woman chattered on. Her gaze was set absently on the cobblestone path in front of her and her mind dwelled on the race she was to run. Hazel and Firefoot bounded ahead of them, darting and playing blithely, dodging the other citizens of Alto Mare who were enjoying the early morning.
When they reached the library, Keegan was beginning to feel nervous, because she had to get away in time to reach the canal where the race was to begin. But that day luck was with her, for Miriam left her in the back room with orders to unpack the books stored in boxes while she herself went into the main area to watch over the looming shelves.
With a deep breath Keegan set to her task. Switching on the television to make some noise, she worked in the light of the round window overhead, illuminating the otherwise darkened room. Firefoot, nosing around a pile of books in the corner, squeezed past the perilous stack. Hazel, however, jumped nimbly onto the round table where Keegan worked to settle down and watch her trainer.
The next thing Keegan heard was a creak and she turned around just in time to see the tall, unsteady pile of books tumble down around Firefoot, making dust billow. Firefoot, sitting back on his haunches among the books with a look of utmost surprise, sneezed and shook his head, blinking owlishly. Keegan giggled, stepping carefully through the mess of books and removing a loose page which had floated down to land on Firefoot?s head.
?Bui,? Hazel sighed in a long-suffering manner, rolling her eyes skyward and licking her paw delicately.
Keegan began stacking the books carefully, checking the time, as Firefoot watched. The fine dust settled about him turned his black stripes grey and made Keegan?s eyes water annoyingly.
?Oh, I can?t take this anymore,? The girl groaned finally, grabbing Firefoot around the belly and lifting him up onto the top of the bookcase in front of the window. The growlithe, moving carefully against the slight rocking of the shelves, put his paws on the round windowsill and nosed open the latch. The window swung open as Keegan lifted Hazel up to the top and Firefoot bounded through, onto the slight ledge outside.
Within seconds, all three had escaped the stuffy office. Keegan pulled the window closed behind her and clambered down, catching each of her pok?mon as they jumped from the ledge. ?Okay, let?s hurry,? Keegan urged, checking the clock just visible through the glass for the umpteenth time, and the trio hurried off.
Behind them, the television blared to an empty room.
Ross scanned the multi-coloured crowd anxiously, searching for Keegan. I hope she didn?t get caught. I hope nothing?s happened. I wish she didn?t have to sneak away at all? in the canal beside him, his wailmer tugged impatiently at the leash, almost pulling him into the rippling water. Most of the other contestants were already at the starting line, waiting for the race to begin.
Finally Firefoot bounded out of the crowd, tongue lolling happily. Hazel squeezed her way past two legs and Keegan pushed through the crowd, tugging off her shoes almost as soon as she?d reached a relieved Ross.
?Good luck,? he murmured, handing her the leash. Maybe this will prove to Miriam and Pete that they don?t need to worry? I just hope you don?t forget why they?re so strict. He thought inwardly, his soft eyes regarding Keegan with unseen seriousness.
?Thanks, I?m gonna need it,? Keegan answered with a nervous laugh, stepping uncertainly onto the slick, streamlined chariot. She almost tipped over right there and then as the chariot rocked, making the water splash over the curb and drenching Firefoot and Hazel, but after a moment she regained her balance and Wailmer motored its way to the starting line.
Keegan found herself staring into the clear water. She could almost see the bottom, fragmented and distorted by the waves, and shivered. Falling in wasn?t going to be fun ? but she wasn?t intending to fall in. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. When she looked again at the glittering water track in front of her, her blue eyes were determined. Water, yes. I?m not under it, so it doesn?t matter.
?Okay, Wailmer, ready to show ?em what we?ve got?? she said to the round, rubbery blue pok?mon. It nodded, making waves rock nearby chariots, and Keegan found herself grinning. Who cares if we win? She thought silently to herself, enjoying the bob of the chariot. I?m on the water, I?m about to go fast and I?m sticking to my decision for once. What does it matter if we win or not?
She cast a quick glance to the side, fleetingly touching her pendant for good luck, and Ross gave her a thumbs up sign; then she heard the xatu crow. Wailmer surged forward, already speeding through the water and throwing up two curtains of foam on either side of Keegan?s chariot.
Blonde hair lashing in the wind, Keegan leaned back on the leash the way Ross had taught her during one of the memorable nightly excursions. Someone cut in front of them, spraying Keegan with water, and Wailmer cut their speed abruptly to avoid the collision as Keegan?s spare arm windmilled frantically. Oh God, don?t fall in?! With a jerk the whale pok?mon rushed forwards, dodging a spiky, scaled seadra to dart around the corner, hauling the chariot behind him as it skidded on the surface of the track against the force of its momentum.
Her heart pounding, Keegan caught her breath and her balance as they streaked towards the man in the lead, the walls and canals of Alto Mare blurring past her in a rush of exhilarating wind.
Back at the library, Miriam lifted the pile of old books she had just sorted from the shelves, heading to the back office where she?d ask Keegan to pack them away into a box for shipping to the library on the mainland. The salty water around Alto Mare made it difficult to maintain the library properly, so the oldest and most precious of books were kept elsewhere.
As she came to the door, Miriam heard the sound of the television and smiled. Of course Keegan would want to watch Ross in the water chariot race. Using her elbow, Miriam levered the door open and was greeted by an empty room. Shocked, she blinked, setting the books down on the table and looking around.
?And newcomer Keegan just taken the lead with former champion Ross?s wailmer, but Marlin and his golduck aren?t gonna let the race go that easily, as he tails her close behind ??
Miriam whirled about to stare at the screen incredulously, sure she?d heard wrong. But no, there was Keegan, balanced perilously on a speeding, streamlined chariot with her rival pulling up beside her. Miriam?s heart leapt to clog her throat as the water shifted, throwing the chariots together. The plump woman let out an involuntary cry of distress, clutching herself fearfully as they scraped each other, the announcer?s voice merely noise in the background. Keegan?s chariot rocked wildly, almost sending her plummeting into the water. Don?t let her fall, don?t let her fall, don?t let her fall?! Marlin leaned away, narrowly avoiding a second, more serious collision as the foamy plumes sprayed up around them, and Miriam let out a breath she didn?t know she?d been holding.
She could have gotten herself hurt! Miriam thought tearfully, covering her eyes with frustrated apprehension. I don?t care how old she is, she acts like an irresponsible child! That?s half the reason we?re so strict with her, doesn?t she realize that? How could Ross have let her enter? she shuddered. Without looking again at the screen Miriam hurried out of the office, her adrenaline-weak legs fuelled by worried anger.
Back at the race Keegan swerved around the last, sharp corner, the chariot wobbling dangerously. The side scraped the brick wall and Keegan winced, her cheeks flushed with windburn and her fringe threatening to lash in her eyes. Not far ahead, Marlin was speeding towards the finish line.
?Let?s go!? Keegan urged Wailmer. With a deep rumble, Wailmer picked up the pace. His watery backlash made Keegan?s chariot veer from side to side but she had a firm grasp of its capabilities now and balanced skilfully against its roll as they drew abreast of Marlin. He glanced over at her and found the time to grin at her under his beard. Catching Keegan?s gaze, she grinned back as Wailmer slowly pulled in front, the water around them and the rainbow coloured audience ranged on the streets a mere blur.
The next thing Keegan knew, the finishing banner had flashed overhead and Wailmer came to a halt, slinging the chariot around as Keegan struggled to maintain her balance. Her adrenaline-weak legs collapsed on her, sending her careening into the clear, lapping water. Her shoulder jarred the chariot, making her hand tingle numbly as water closed over her head with a shocking of gasping panic. Nonono, God this was supposed to be fun! Terrified, choking on water, she scrambled for the surface as Wailmer came up beneath her, lifting her on its rubbery blue back to safety.
Trembling and weak with relief and exhaustion, Keegan coughed and took in a gulp of blessed air to calm her pounding heart, sitting with her legs sprawled on Wailmer?s back as she brushed her wet hair from her eyes with a shaky hand. She suddenly became aware of the shouts and calls coming from the sidelines and looked up to see Marlin give her a fleeting salute, which she returned with a weak, slightly forced smile. She glanced over to the side to see a worried-looking Ross, prepared to jump in the canal for rescue her. She threw him an unsteady grin and a thumbs-up. Relieved, Ross settled for waving his hands with reproachful elation as Firefoot jumped about excitedly, accidentally knocking Hazel into the water. Drenched, looking remarkably like a wet rattata, Hazel scrambled out of the water and glared at Firefoot, long fur dripping.
And then it finally began to dawn on Keegan, something completely unexpected: she?d won.
The medallion flashed in the light of the day, the path barely visible through the rippling, tinted glass. Keegan studied it, rocking it back and forth and admiring the way the sun brought out the different hues.
Ross chuckled, poling his boat along the canal beside her. ?You?ve seen that thing a million times, you know,? he reminded her.
Keegan grinned. ?Yeah, but that?s always after you?ve won it.? She rubbed her hand proudly over the raised glass outlines of Latios and Latias circling the Soul Dew, unaware of the troubled look which passed over Ross? face.
She didn?t learn anything, he thought with the chill of sorrow. She got dunked in and she didn?t even realize why Miriam and Pete?s fears might be justified. He shuddered, remembering the look of terror on her face as Wailmer lifted her through the thin, crystalline sheet of the surface; the look which no one else had seemed to notice.
Firefoot jumped up onto his hind legs, forepaws stabbing in the air as he struggled to see the medallion, so Keegan lowered the medallion to let the growlithe pup take a look. Up ahead, Hazel stopped in her tracks with a gasp, then darted back and hid behind Keegan?s legs. Keegan giggled elatedly, too much on a high to realize something dire might have happened. ?What?s the matter, Haze??
?Grawlth, grrra,? Firefoot backed away slowly, nervously. Keegan finally looked up to see Miriam bearing down on them with hard steps, her brown curls accenting her furious scowl. She didn?t see the worry buried deep in her foster mother?s brown eyes.
?Uh oh,? Keegan went pale, having completely forgotten about the consequences of entering the race. ?Listen, Ross, I ? I?ll see you later, okay? No point in her getting angry at the both of us.?
Ross nodded, leaning on his pole and staring at Miriam between the long fringes framing his face. ?Yeah, sure? ? He felt a pang, knowing that the upcoming argument was his fault. I?m the one who let her enter, I was just hoping that maybe ? without finishing his thought or figuring out exactly what he?d been hoping he pushed off the curb, turning down a thin canal, and waved after him. Keegan raised a hand in answer, then glanced down at the medallion.
Once again she rubbed her thumb over the raised glass, her eyes darkening. It was worth it, she thought defiantly, and raised her chin to face her foster mother.
?What were you thinking?!? Miriam shrieked in her shrill voice once Keegan was in hearing range.
<<She?s not happy?>> Firefoot?s ears went down and he slunk behind Keegan?s legs to look at Hazel. His head lowered near the ground and his mournful eyes darted back to Miriam, his fluffy tail twitching.
Hazel rolled her eyes apprehensively in his direction, ears flickering. <<You think?>> she answered, her tone heavy with sarcasm as she rubbed her furry head against Keegan?s legs comfortingly. Oh Latias, when will this conflict end? She thought sadly, regarding Miriam?s round, red face.
?I was thinking about having fun,? Keegan snapped back to her foster mother heatedly, only half aware of the exchange which had gone on beneath her. Miriam grabbed her hand and began dragging her back home, while Hazel and Firefoot exchanged a worried glance and trailed after.
?There?s a reason your father and I stopped you from entering those races!? Miriam said angrily between breaths, yanking Keegan under a bridge down one alley and then another. It was as much for punishment as for safety, didn?t you see that?
Keegan tried to tug her hand away, but for a plump woman Miriam was amazingly strong. ?Pete?s not my father!? the girl retorted, her tone just as angry as Miriam?s. Her spare hand was clenched around the medallion, the metal edges digging into her palm and the chain trailing behind her. ?And you?re not my mother! You have no right to tell me what to do!? Miriam?s stride faltered and she gave Keegan a stricken look, stopping in the sheltered alley. Keegan wrenched her hand out of Miriam?s grasp, massaging her fingers, and ignored Miriam?s hurt eyes as Hazel and Firefoot crowded supportively at her legs.
She doesn?t think of us as her parents? Miriam swallowed through the hurt lump in her throat and took a deep breath. ?We?ve been your only family for eight years, Keegan,? she began, her tone thick with forced calm. Keegan scowled into the ground, trying to fight off the feelings of guilt which were warring with her anger. There was already a lump in her throat and her eyes began to shine with unshed tears; she hated arguing. ?I would have thought that meant something to you.? Miriam?s voice was unintentionally accusing.
Keegan gritted her teeth, looking away. How dare she use guilt on me like that! She raged inwardly, angry enough to say something she?d regret forever. ?Well, it doesn?t!? she choked. ?All you?ve done is hold me back! You won?t even let me compete in harmless chariot races! You won?t even let me leave Alto Mare!? she gestured wildly with the hand clutching the medallion, looking up finally to meet Miriam?s shocked eyes.
Keegan took a deep breath, tears spilling down her cheeks. ?All I want to do is make my own decisions,? she continued stubbornly. ?I want to be able to decide what I do and where I go, but you won?t even let me do that!?
?And until you learn to look at life seriously, I won?t!? Miriam snapped, finally finding her voice. I can?t! You might get hurt, you might accidentally hurt other people! ?So far all you care about is having some fun and getting up to mischief! I?d thought that reading about Lance the dragon master and the other Elites might make you realize just how dangerous it is out there, but so far it doesn?t seem to have worked!? Keegan flushed and Miriam continued relentlessly, brushing her curls behind her ear as she tried passionately to make her stubborn foster daughter see, make her understand ? ?You of all people should know how dangerous the world is, Keegan. It?s because of those dangers that we came to call you our daughter.?
?It?s because of those dangers that you?ve chained me here to Alto Mare!? Keegan retorted in a trembling voice, her cheeks still pink under the tear tracks. ?You?re afraid I?ll break apart or I?ll get hurt, but you don?t know that at all! How am I meant to prove myself if you won?t let me shoulder any responsibility? Facing danger is just part of that!?
?Facing danger is being stupid,? Miriam countered angrily. ?You don?t go looking for danger, you have to take it as it comes.?
?I can?t take it as it comes if I can?t live my own life!? Keegan shouted, her voice shaking dangerously. ?I don?t even know what I want to do with myself, because this city is all I remember!? she gestured around at the shadowed, ivy-swathed brick walls. ?I don?t even know where ? where I got this,? she tugged at her pendant vehemently, her wet eyes boring furiously into Miriam?s face. ?When am I going to find out who I am, what I?m meant to do??
?When you finally realize that life isn?t all fun and games,? Miriam answered heatedly. ?The people here in Alto Mare know that better than anyone ? the sea is dangerous, you have to take it seriously! It?s not a game! No matter where you go and what you do, there are always rules to follow ? but you seem to dedicate yourself to breaking them! Until you learn a little responsibility and respect, you?re not ready to go out into the world.?
?Wha ? how dare you decide that for me!? Keegan?s fists were clenched, and she was shaking and crying with fury.
Miriam sighed, her frustration draining out of her like a sieve. ?Come on home, little fox,? she held out a hand, her tone as gentle as she could make it. Please, please come home. I?m only trying to protect you.
?Don?t call me that!? Keegan screamed, covering her ears childishly, and Miriam flinched with a jolt. ?You can?t! You?re not allowed!? With a ragged, choked sob, she dodged down the alley, shoes pounding the stones.
?Grawlth!? Firefoot barked, darting after her. Hazel paused and looked up at Miriam with sad, accusing eyes; then she bounded after Keegan and Firefoot. Shocked, angry and guilty, Miriam watched them vanish around the next corner.
Last edited: