Nicole strolled across the Academy grounds deep in her own thoughts when she heard voices from behind her. She felt herself tense up at the sound of the voices, knowing far to well who they belonged too without turning around to see Kelly and her small gang running towards her. Kelly hated Natalie and since she could not take the girl on in a fair fight she extracted her frustrations out on Nicole. More then one time Nicole had returned home after a long day at school with bruises upon her arms and chest. Kelly was smart and never hit Nicole in the face knowing that if Natalie found out it would be the death of her, but she also knew that Nicole was too proud of the fact that she was not a permanent resident of the Academy that she would never tell a soul about the beatings. "There you are you little twerp." Kelly called out as she raced across the school grounds, "I have a message for your sister." Nicole did not wait for the girl to catch up to her before breaking into a sprint, her small legs pumping with all their might as she hurried out of the academy ground and down the road to the village below. She had encounters with Kelly and her gang several times over the passed year and had learned several short cuts to get her home unharmed, or at least only mildly scathed. Taking a quick turn she darted down a small path through a small wooded area between the town and the school, sliding down the embracement and cutting her hand upon a sharp rock along the way. Nicole refused to allow Kelly to get the better of her, or to have to call on her sister for protection. She would fight her own battles in her own way. Sure at that moment it meant running away, but she was sure she would be allowed to enter weapons class next year and then she would ask Alyson if she can borrow one of the girl's swords. The elementary students were not allowed to carry weapons and they had to wait until they were in grade seven before they could join. She was nearly through her sixth year of school and just needed to keep one step a head of Kelly until then and she would be fine. She smiled to herself as she broke out of the woods and out onto a small road, a car honked as it veered out of the way of the girl, nearly missing her. Nicole's hear raced at the sound of the car horn and she took a moment to catch her breath when she heard the gang of girls sliding down the embankment towards her. Double quick she ran across the street and started down one of the many back alleys that wove throughout the town. She knew she wasn't supposed to enter The Alley's as much as she knew she was not supposed to go near the Western Woods, but at that moment she would rather face the creatures of The Alleys then Kelly, who she was sure would cut her with that knife of hers just like she had threatened to do the last time. She zigzagged down the many tiny streets that would not even allow a car to travel along. Tall brick walls towered over her with many boarded up windows, blocking out the light of an already cloud covered sun, some areas so black that streets lights had already began to flicker to life. She was certain that she was deep within the maze of the Alleys and prayed that meant that Kelly and her gang would leave her alone, too afraid to enter the depths of this nightmarish place. She stopped for a moment and glanced around herself, trying to gain her bearings, when she heard Kelly's voice call out for her, angrier then before. Nicole took a glance over her shoulder; stumbling over a trashcan in front of her and scrapped her knees and palms upon the rough asphalt road. Sobbing in fear and pain she staggered to her feet and was about to begin running again when something hit her hard in the back and she stumbled forward, skidding across the ground on her shoulder this time, banging her head off the ground. Dizzily she got to her feet to find herself surrounded by several girls, and Kelly standing over her with her knife in hand. "What did I tell you about running away from me?" Kelly snarled and motioned to one of the girls, "Pick her up." She commanded pointing the knife at Nicole. Two girls took Nicole by the arms and hauled her up against the brick wall, knocking several more trashcans out of the way as they did so. Nicole shook in fright, her eyes never leaving the girl's knife, "P... please d... don't hurt me..." She pleaded. "P... P... Please don't hurt me." Kelly mimicked and laughed, a couple of the girls joining her laughter, "You know the rules. You never make me run." She growled. "I... I'm sorry..." Nicole sobbed wishing Alyson was there to protect her, or even her sister for that matter. "Your sorry." Kelly punched the girl in the stomach with the bunt of her dagger, "You're going to be sorry that is for sure." Nicole cried out in pain and struggled to free herself from her captors only to find herself out of energy, "Please..." She sobbed, wanting nothing more then to go home. Kelly took the girl by the face in one hand and made her look into her eyes, "I think it is time to teach you a proper lesson." She stated holding the tip of the knife close enough to Nicole's face that she could see the refection of the fear in her own eyes in the surface of the blade. One of the girls backed up nervously, "Your not going to really cut her, are you?" The girl asked worriedly, glancing around anxiously. "No, not hurt her." Kelly stated as she moved the tip of the blade lightly across Nicole's cheek and down her chest, "Just give her something she will enjoy." She remarked with a sinister grin, "'Just like her slut of a sister." She slid the knife down to the girl's skirt and let the blade dig into the fabric, then pulled up the hem and revealing the girl's panties. Kelly then turned the knife around and took it by the blade and preceded to push the bunt into Nicole's crotch, "You want that don't you slut." Nicole cried as she felt the dagger grind against her crotch, "N... no... no..." She sobbed. "Maybe you want it inside of you." Kelly inquired, pushing the knife harder, "Or do you prefer tongue like your sister?" Nicole suddenly screamed out, her voice echoing against the walls of the Alley, filling it with the sounds of her anguished screams. Suddenly a bright light filled the end of the alley and a bright ball of fire came racing towards the girls. "A Flame Dog!?!" One of the girls screamed out and let go of Nicole as she hurried away from the light. "Don't let it eat me." Another girl cried as she followed the first. The rest chasing after their heels leaving only Kelly standing on her own, with Nicole curled up at her feet. The fireball disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and a large man dressed in a long white cloak appeared down the alley walking towards them, a sword in hand. Kelly turned to the man holding her knife out in defence. The man stepped up to the girl, allowing the tip of the blade to touch his cloak and he stared down her. "I suggest you leave if you want to live." The man commanded, and abruptly a flaming dog appeared over the man's shoulders and snarled at the girl. The beast stood at least ten feet in height with hungry eyes burning brightly and drops of red saliva dripping from its long unevenly jagged teeth. A forked tongue darted out of its mouth more like a lizard then a dog and appeared to lick at its lips. Kelly quickly scrambled backwards and ran out of the Alleys as quickly as her legs could carry her. Nicole cringed against the wall; hugging her knees tightly to her chest and staring up at the man, fear in her tear-filled eyes. The man looked down at the girl and watched her for a moment. "You are Nicole Harshaw, are you not?" He inquired simply, studying the girl. Nicole slowly nodded her head. "I am Drakious Dalfort," The man greeted the child, "Alyson's brother." Nicole's eyes brighten at the sound of Alyson's name, "H... Her brother?!?" She said in both surprises and awe, she had heard about the man from her sister before, but this was the first time she ever had a chance to meet him. His short curly white bangs hung over his eyes shadowing them from view, but somehow Nicole could not see this man as the monster that her sister described, in fact she found herself relieved to be in his presence. Drake slowly nodded and held a hand out to the girl, "If you come with me I can make sure those girl's never hurt you again." He offered kneeling in front of the girl. Nicole stared at the man's hand, then up at the man's face, searching for any sign of the evil that her sister had told her about. The man's face only showed sincerity in those deep dark eyes. Slowly she reached out towards the man when he pulled his hand away slightly and she stared at him in puzzlement. "First you must make a promise to me." ***** To be Continued . . .
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