Writers Note:A lot of the names were created by word mixers and are hard to pronounce for instance the main Character's name Laurace should sound like Lore-ace. Vili is pronouced Vee- lee and Fada is pronounced Fay- da. But without further a do Laurace is Smiling.

Chapter 1

Laurace checked behind her. There was going to be no one out in the hills on a snowy day like this. But living in this day and age even the hills were not safe. She carried a bow slung across her back and a quiver over her shoulder. They were old-fashion that much is true. But they were effective and cheap. Laurace enjoyed the silent frost. It reminded her of when her Papa would help her make the perfect snow angel when school was canceled and her Nana would make her hot chocolate. She remembered how her Nana and Papa made everything feel safe.

Things were not safe anymore. They were anything but. Laurace didn’t live with her grandparents (Nana and Papa as she called them) anymore. She lived out on her own in the city. The city was dangerous. Everyone had a weapon in the city. Everyone owned a stealth car in the in the city. Everybody was after someone or something in the city. Laurace was afraid of this urban jungle. But it was Nana and Papa’s wish that she graduate a university. The universities were only in the big cities. So Laurace lived in that giant metropolis beneath the hill hoping someone would show her the good in it.

The cold air surrounded Laurace like a blanket. Nana’s voice filled her head, “Jack frost has always been very good to your face deary. I’ve never seen your face chapped once.” Her papa would take her outside on cold days into the barren basins and teach her archery. Most of the time Laurace wished she still lived in the village. She happily remembered the last time she had paid a surprise visit to the village.

Laurace’s bus had reached the town during one of the boring Friday town meetings. She pulled her things off the bus and walked through the tiny town. She pulled a key out of her side jean pocket. She turned the key and stepped inside. Laurace place the luggage inside and walked towards town hall. It was a cold snowy day. The big wooden doors of the hall were frosted and made a muffled crunching sound. She hung her windbreaker up on a coat hanger. Laurace leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.

The moderator asked, “Are there any issues this week?” Laurace walked forward she smiled, “Yeah! No one has said hello yet.” Everyone turned around. Shouts of glee echoed through the hall. Her Nana and Papa rushed over to her and hugged her tightly. Laurace’s best and oldest friend came up to her and began to inquire everything about the past few months. That was definitely her happiest memory over the past year.

Laurace sighed and looked around her. The dim gray skylight had turned into a fading violet shine. The sound of crunching snow came from behind her. She whipped around pulling her bow and arrow into place. “Who’s there?” She called. There was no answer. A dull light came from the darkness. She saw glowing yellow eyes. The yellow eyes came from a young girl. Laurace assumed the girl was a robot. “Who are you?” Laurace lowered the bow.

The girl’s voice was ironically smooth for a robot. “Laurace McCann, the hills are not safe at night, especially for you. There is someone who is planning on stalking you.” Laurace removed the arrow from the bow. She put them back into their proper places. The girl continued, “He was my master. His name he did not tell me. But my knowledge of his plans made me dangerous. He tried to delete my information. But when I would not allow him to erase my files he discarded me. Yet not before taking a magnet to my main database. Then someone found me and for a project rewired my hard drive. I recovered your profile and the plans. The person found the information and told me to warn you. I am glad I have found you. God’s speed to you Laurace.” The yellow lights of the girl’s eyes flashed once than disappeared. The violet light of the sky had morphed into black. Laurace took out a flashlight and shined the bright light towards the city.

Laurace’s long black hair brushed the bottom of her back. Her blue tips hidden by the night sky. Her descent was quicker than climbing. Yet when she checked her watch near the bottom of the mountain it was almost 7 o’ clock. Laurace spotted her car’s blue seal. She pulled her keys out of her pocket. She clicked the top button for the seal to rise. She slipped the keys in the lock. Warm air began to flow through the air conditioner.

Laurace drove down Mageian Avenue. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a little café. Laurace pulled into parking lot. She sat for almost an hour sipping coffee and munching on a hamburger. When she finished she paid her bill and walked to her car. She flipped on the radio and hummed along with the music until she pulled into the college parking lot. Laurace sighed. She clicked the button to lower the car shield and walked into the dorm building.

Laurace unlocked her dorm room door. Her two roommates were in the living room. Fada stared sadly at a physic’s paper. Vili sat on the couch curled up with a book. Vili smiled, “Hi Laurace. Your grandmother called. She said to call her back as soon as you could.” Laurace looked at the clock. It was 9 o’ clock. Nana never called after 8:30 p.m. Laurace asked Vili, “When did she call?” Vili kept reading her book, “She called about 5 minutes ago.”

Laurace ran into her room and picked up the receiver. She dialed her Nana’s number as quickly as possible. The phone rang for times. The answering machine picked up. Laurace’s mind began to race, “Nana, Nana, It’s me Laurace. What’s going on? Nana where are you? Please pick up the phone.” The machine clicked off.

A scream echoed through the living room. Then a Vili’s voice started yelling, “I’m sorry Fada I didn’t mean to. Fada! Fada come back here! We can fix it. Just type it.” Laurace sighed. Vili turned to her, “So what’s going on?” Laurace fell onto the couch and put her hand to her head, “ I have no idea.” A crash came from the kitchen area. Both Vili and Laurace stood up. Fada’s yelled, “Everything’s alright!” Laurace walked to the kitchen and talked to Fada, “I’m not feeling well Fada I’m probably going to take tomorrow off can you take notes or video tape?” Fada smiled, “Sure.”

Laurace climbed into bed. It only seemed like a few hours that she was asleep that the phone rang. Vili groaned and Fada was still typing her physics paper. Laurace picked up the phone. Nana’s voice said in a panicky tone, “Laurace darling, I have horrible news.”