The following story is true.

Names, dates, and places have been changed to protect those who were involved.

Some of what you are about to read it false. However, the author had kept these additional scenes to a bare minimum, and ensures that they were added solely to enhance the purpose of the story and to add clarity.

Thank you.






Prologue

Andrew Adams



It was far too late to look back. It was a possibility that was detrimental to her health, as scary as it was impossible. No, she could not betray her position, the repercussions would be horrible. As long as she never looked back, she would be safe. She had never really considered herself a troublesome girl - she didn't like to dwell on the truth. She was a reckless fire, and as spirited as the proudest of tigers. An unstoppable force when riled up, Zoe King was loved by all.

And loved by some too much, it seemed. The streets were dark, for it was a particularly cloudy day, and the street lamps had not yet come on. The clouds had been massing together slowly for the past few days, molasses dripping together. A gray haze soon obscured all the blues from space, and the majority of the population found themselves locked up in their houses. The streets were silent, like the calm before the storm, and an amazing amount of people strayed from the outdoors for a town like Phantom. A stray cat made a hissing sound as Zoe passed, but the street stayed silent otherwise.

Zoe ducked into a side alley, but those following her were not fooled.

The pursuers paused, recognizing that Zoe had just enters into a dead end. The man ordered the woman he was with to stop the car, and he got out to wait for Zoe. The tall man stood by his car, poorly concealing a some black object beneath his coat. His black hair was smoothed back, and his face was hidden in shadows, masked by the bright headlights. A quick flick of the wrist and the woman inside turned off the lights. They keys stayed in, though, for both knew that a chase might soon come about.

Marisol Dìez Delgado was there at Zoe's side, though more as a companion through thick and thin than anything else. She was, as well, an unstoppable and uncrushable spirit. Marisol would never let herself fall into the life of a sidekick, and liked Zoe's ideas too much to take complete control. But that didn't stop her from controlling others... Not one to go down without a fight, Marisol abandoned the 'proper' clothing for a more nude lifestyle. However, not one to be arrested for public indecency more than thrice, the Spanish vixen often retreated into her world of tight tank tops and tighter jeans, if not the short shorts.

Zoe peered out, obscuring herself from view behind the brick wall, but no one was coming into the alley. She and Marisol silently crept behind a dumpster, their conversation a whisper. "I can't stand how they keep doing this." She eyed the streets again. "What say we ambush them?"

Marisol shook her head. "No, no! That wouldn't look good, now, would it?"

Zoe turned, an odd look on her face. "Since when have you been one to please others?"

Marisol snickered. "You think this is for you? No way, sister. It's Friday night, and we have plans. Bailamos toda la noche, ¿no?"

Zoe grinned and nodded, turning her head. She began observing her options. The alley was rather small, and covered with a heavy layer of graffiti. The dumpster was a worn green, with many scratches and peeled areas. A tall chain link fence with some plaster obscuring the other side of the alley stood between Zoe and the rest of the city. She turned to her partner's side, tapping Marisol's bare shoulder. "Do you think we could get away from them if we climbed the fence? There's probably an escape route on the other side! We could go out and explore the city."

Marisol glanced at the gate, noticing that it was not too hard to climb. "It's a deal, amiga." She ran at the fence, leaping onto it. Her slender fingers grasped the fence, and she pulled herself upwards. She was much stronger than her body would make one think, and easily was able to push her beautiful body over the fence. Zoe soon followed, jamming her red, leather boots into the holes in the fence. Her arms were heavily muscled, and Zoe pushed herself over the wall.

Balancing herself on the top, Zoe cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hey, guys! It was a pleasure knowing ya!" There was a shout from around the bend, and the man in the dark suit burst into the opening.

"There she is!" he shouted, reaching inside his coat. The woman rushed behind him, searching for Zoe. It was hardly a moment before she was in the alley. "Ms. King! Ms. King! Zoe King! Please, stop where you are!"

Zoe gave a wide smile and a small wave, and the man fumbled with the object in his hands. "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" The man lifted the tool upwards, aiming at Zoe. She fell to the ground, hidden by the plaster. A white flash pierced the dark of the alley, immediately followed by a loud bang.

It didn't matter. Zoe and Marisol were long gone, in a giggling run down the back streets of Phantom.