Tired Of Running (NewScapeCrew)

We Have To Leave

The sky settled into a dark blue over the horrizon, stars barely shinning through the window of the small, one bedroom apartment. The walls were covered in bookshelves that contained books of all genres, hiding the faded, beige wall paper.

Off to one side of the room, a woman with bright red hair rustled through a drawer. Her teal eyes glided over labels. She took a few vials out, some containing liquids, others herbs, and set them on the desk. Picking up a piece of paper, she ran her finger over the list, checking to make sure she had everything that she needed. Seeming to be missing something, she began searching through the drawer again, then moving on to the others. Once again, she came up empty handed.

The woman narrowed her eyes, glancing around the boring room, watching the color fade by the second. She hated this place, and how cold and dark it seemed. Adding furniture made the room cramped, making it too tight to maneuver smoothly. Only a desk and chair were able to fit against the bookcase to the left of the window, leaving the room nearly empty.

On the bright side, this didn't give her too many options as far as misplacing things.

Walking over to the coatrack by the door, she checked the pockets of a black robe she had hung up. With a victorious smile, she pulled out the vial of purple liquid, reading the label. It was one of the cheaper, more common ingredients that had just been picked up, though that didn't make it any less valuable.

There was a knock at the door, soft and quiet- the old, rotting door shuttering despite this. She slipped the vial into the pocket of her shorts before opening the door. On the other side stood a man, slightly taller than her. His brown eyes were covered by his grey-framed glasses, his black hair and beard a little messed up.

"Ashlie, we need to talk." He started urgently. 

Ashlie moved aside for him to enter, shutting the door behind him. "What's wrong, Nick?"

He raised a brow, "Why are you so calm? Haven't you heard?"

Ashlie shook her head slowly, watching as Nick pulled something out of his pants pocket. He handed over a crumpled paper, a few rips and tears in it, though the writing was still able to be made out clearly. In the center was a picture of Ashlie, though it had no color. Ashlie wasn't smiling, just staring blankly at the camera. She couldn't even remember that picture being taken.

Wanted: Ashlie Nine-Five, for crimes against the community involving witchcraft. She is a dangerous criminal who has cursed several innocent civilians for reasons unknown...

Mind going blank, Ashlie continued to stare at the paper, rage and confusion building inside her. What on earth had she done besides peacefully practice her craft? Nothing! All she had ever done was help people who asked her for it. She protected people. She had never cursed anyone.

Nick slowly took the paper out of her hands, his voice low and cautious. "So, what do you want to do?"

"Do...?" Ashlie questioned, slowly looking up from her hands.

"About this." Nick clarified. "You're wanted for questioning Ashlie. They want to arrest you for illegal practicing of witchcraft. We need to hide everything-"

"Hide..." She shook her head, finally coming back to her senses, "Nick, we can't hide my stuff. They won't care, they'll burn me at the stake."

"Ashlie, innocent until proven guilty."

"Not when it comes to witchcraft." Ashlie quickly shook her head, heading into her bedroom, and grabbing a suitcase. "Nick, they'll kill me!"

"It's not legal to- Ashlie wait-" Nick tried to stop her as she attempted to fit all of her belongings into a tiny suitcase.

"If the city doesn't, than someone else will. I have to leave. You have no idea how far back this city and witches go."

Nick paused, watching his friend for a moment. He sighed, rubbing his face before making his choice, "If you're really dead set on leaving... Fine, wait for me, I'll run over to place and grab my things. I'll bring you another bag for your witch-stuff." 

Ashlie looked up, "Really?"

"Yeah," Nick sighed again, "They'll probably come after me too, accuse me of being a warlock or something. Or they'll find out what I am..."

"So it's not just because we're friends then? Wow." Ashlie joked, forcing a grin.

Nick laughed dryly. "I'll be back in half an hour, maybe less. See you soon."

Ashlie heard the door click shut as she zipped up her suitcase. The redhead carried it out to the door, looking around her apartment. Despite how much she disliked it, she wasn't sure this was how she wanted to leave it.

"How did I get myself into this mess?"

--

Not the best chapter, but I tried.

The rest of the crew will be introduced later

:)