1 Prologue

I trip, cutting myself on the maple tree's branch, underneath my right eye.

'Fuck...' i whimper to myself. my face is starting to feel sticky, i guess it cut pretty deep.

I start tearing up, exhausted at running away and hearing the dogs barking around me. They're still a ways away, but i can hear them getting closer. 'Why am i in this situation? If it wasn't for that stupid fucking bastard! Fuck... What do i do...?' I'm torn between anger and fear at this point.

I want to break something. Someone. But i can't. Running is the one thing i need to do. Have to do.

I can't see the flashlights of the policemen yet, it must be the dense trees blocking the light. That's one thing to be grateful of i guess.

Trying to keep a positive mind, i run. Which direction, who knows, surrounded by dogs, police and trees, I'm as lost as lost can be.

So i run forward. And keep running. And will run until i fall.

---

'God this is tiring', i shake my flashlight to my sides.

As a policeman in a relatively peaceful area, you hardly ever try to find a murderer; especially a 5ft 1 girl in her teens. I guess people just aren't what you expect them to be from their first appearances. That's something to keep in mind.

The girl herself is quite pretty, black hair, blue eyes, a short stature that makes her look cute. She has a mole on the corner of her left eye, giving a charm unexpected of a 17 year old. However she seems to have a constant scowl on her face, something close to contempt.

I've never talked to the girl personally, but i heard she's a sweet girl. The kind who would help others, not big stuff, but things that others would deem too troublesome to do to waste a precious minute of their time, helping another.

And now here i am, searching for her. She killed her own father. Pretty bad right? However, after we investigated the murder a bit more, we found out that he was an abusive man. In other ways than just physical and verbal abuse too. Karma definitely had it coming to him, and i would definitely be on her side if it weren't for the fact she tried to kill her 14 year old brother too. I wish i could have helped her before any of this happened, but regret is easy in hindsight. And honestly, even if i knew, i probably would have told another person instead of helping personally. I guess it's one of those 'hero' moments you wish you could do, but never would have.

What a great way to ruin Saturday night, by searching for a murderer. Moving my torch around, i search for any footprints or clothing. Why did we have to get an anonymous tip for her location today? I just want to lay in bed all day.

Suddenly, i see a bit of blood on a branch, and some footprints nearby too. It looks fresh.

'Finally!' i exclaimed. The faster we arrest her the faster i get home. Feeling motivated, i start running after the footprints, not forgetting to radio in my findings.

Naturally, as a man, as well as one who's job is required to do a lot of chasing, i start catching up to the fatigued girl.

"Freeze!" I shout, pulling out a taser.

"Agh" She squeals. Showing me her terrified face, filled with tears and blood.

"Put your hands on your head and get down on your knees! Now!"

"Please stop... Just let me go officer, please..."

"We'll talk later, after you show me your harmless. If you don't do what i say, then i will taser you." Maybe i'm getting a bit too carried away, but she seems to understand the situation more now.

Suddenly, i hear a rustling sound from behind me, and a loud barking noise. The girl, feeling frightened like a mouse once more, shoots off before i attempt to calm her again.

'Shit' i whisper, and start running after her again, once she makes a turn behind a tree, i follow.

Only to find that the footprints have stopped completely. Without Alicia Whitlocke in them.