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The sound of chirping birds awakened Chase from his sleep. His eyes slowly opened, instantly darting down to look at Red. Chase smiled when he spotted the girl curled up in his arms. She was still fast asleep.

He nudged her. “Hey Red, wake up.” He called softly, “Red, wake up.”

Slowly Red’s eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Chase and blinked. She then let out a soft yawn.

Chase chuckled softly. “It’s morning now.” He said, “Let’s get you something to eat.”

Red debated about it before slowly nodding her head. She watched as Chase got off the bed and slipped on a fresh shirt.

Chase turned his attention to Red and realized something. “You must be tired of wearing that hoodie. Do you want to borrow some of my clothes?” He asked, “I doubt they fit but it’ll have to do.”

Red looked down at her powder pink hoodie. She debated about it before slowly nodding her head again. She smiled at him.

Chase pulled out a pair of jeans and blue and white polo. “There, that might look nice on you.” He said, “Those barely fit anymore.”

Red studied the clothing before nodding again. She began changing right in front of him.

Chase quickly turned away, hiding his embarrassment. ‘She probably doesn’t know what privacy is.’ He thought silently to himself. He then felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Red fully changed and sitting on the bed. “Ah, good, it does fit you.” He said.

Red nodded her head, continuing to smile.  

Chase looked to the time. It was nine in the morning. “Let’s get you something to eat.” He said, “You’re probably hungry.” He grabbed her hand and led her in the kitchen. “You can sit there by the counter.”

Red nodded her head and sat down as instructed. She watched as Chase prepared their breakfast. It consisted of waffles and berries.

Chase sat down across the counter from her. “Hey Red, could you pass me the Syrup.” He asked.

Red looked to him and nodded. She looked through the stuff on the counter. She spotted what she thought was the syrup. Suddenly, the bottle of syrup began levitating in the air. It made its way over to Chase.

Chase grabbed the bottle without realizing it was levitating. “Thanks Red.” He said. Finally it clicked in. He looked to her and then the bottle. He jumped out of his seat and pointed at the bottle of syrup on the counter.

“RED! WHAT HAPPENED?!” He yelled, “Was that bottle just floating?!”

Red blinked and tilted her head. She then looked to the bottle of syrup. It began levitating again. It floated over to Chase. “Syrup?” She asked.

Chase stared at the bottle, eyes wide. He gulped. “Red…are you doing that?” He asked her, “Are you making the bottle float?”

Red debated about it before slowly shaking her head. “Give syrup.” She said. She then pointed to him. “Syrup.” She said.

Chase nodded. “Yeah I wanted the syrup.” He said, “But are you the one moving the syrup.”

Red debated about the question again before nodding her head. “Give syrup.” She said.

Chase frowned. “How are you moving it without your hands?” He asked, “You need to use your hands to get it to move.”

Red nodded her head. “Yeah move with hands.” She watched as the bottle of syrup moved back and forth.

Chase crouched down, leaning against a wall. He rubbed his head. “I don’t understand. You have horns and can make things float. This isn’t normal. This isn’t normal at all.” He said.

Red frowned and watched as the syrup set itself down. She walked over to him and crouched down. She placed her hand on his head and began stroking the top of it.

Chase looked up at her and sighed. He noticed she was worried. “It’s okay Red. I guess you’re special.” He said.

Red tilted her head, not understanding what he meant.

“You’re special because you’ve got horns and can make things float.” He said, “That makes you very special. Special is a good thing.”

Red began smiling again. She continued to stroke the top of his head. “Good.” She cooed.

Chase nodded and slowly stood up. He looked to their breakfast. “Let’s finish up. After we eat I’ll take you with me to get some groceries. I would have gotten some last night but I met you.” He said.

Red slowly stood up. She then followed him back to the counter and finished off her waffles. She made sure to add lots of syrup to the waffles.

Chase just chuckled at her. In the back of his mind he couldn’t help but feel a tad nervous because of what she was. He didn’t even know what she was! It worried him knowing that some strange girl had unusual features and skills he didn’t. Could her skills harm him? He wasn’t sure.

After breakfast the two walked out of the house and towards the city. Chase was holding onto Red’s hand gently as he led her to the small grocery store he usually visited. To avoid people gawking at her Chase made Red wear a hat.

Red looked around the street closely. She noticed that those neon signs weren’t lit up because of the natural light from the sun. She frowned for a moment and looked to Chase. He seemed happy which made her smile again. If he was happy then she would be happy too.

Finally the two spotted the small grocery store and walked in. “Now stick close by me Red. I don’t need you getting lost.” Chase said.

Red nodded her head slowly and looked around the inside of the grocery store. The rows were lined with all sorts of food she had never even seen before. It was amazing!
After picking up a couple things Chase led Red to the cashier. Chase noticed that one of his friends was actually behind the counter. “Hey Dylan.” Chase said as he began placing things onto the counter.

The boy grinned and looked to Red. “Hey Chase, who is your friend over here?” He asked as he continued to study her over.

Red gulped and grabbed Chase’s arm. She began whimpering softly.

Chase sighed. “This is Vered, but I just call her Red.” He explained.

Dylan nodded his head. “Why is she wearing a bandage over her eye? Did she get hurt?” He asked.

Chase didn’t even realize the bandage! He must have been so caught up in her horns and skills that he must have forgot to ask about the bandage. He looked back to Dylan. “Yeah she got hurt I guess.” He said.

Dylan shrugged and placed Chase’s purchases into a bag. “Well your total is $30.25.” Dylan said as he held out his hand.

Chase pulled out his wallet and handed over some money to Dylan. “Just give me a ten.” Chase said as he put his wallet away.

Dylan handed Chase a ten. “Well I guess I’ll catch you later, see you later Red.” Dylan said.

Red remained attached to Chase. She had been spooked by Dylan.

Chase just chuckled softly. “She’s shy I guess.” He said, “Thanks Dylan and have a good morning.” He led Red out of the grocery store. “That was fun wasn’t it Red?” He asked her.

Red debated about her answer for a while before slowly nodding her head. She flashed him a smile.

Chase chuckled once again. “That’s good Red.” He said, “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

Red began looking around the street. This was the same street Chase had found her. She spotted the entrance to the park. She then remembered something. Were those men near by? This thought made Red move closer to Chase. She began looking around cautiously.

Chase blinked and looked down at her. “Hey Red…what’s wrong?” He asked, “Did something scare you?”

Red began whimpering. She continued to look around, her faded magenta eye darting left and right.

Chase frowned and patted her head. “Red it’s okay. No need to be scared.” He reassured her, “Nothing is going to happen to you while I’m around.”

Red continued to whimper. She tugged on his arm, pleading to go back to his place.

Chase nodded his head. “Alright, let’s go back home.” He said. He led her back to his place.

What the two didn’t realize was that they were being followed. Two men were slowly following them home.

“So, what should we do? She’s got a hostage with her now.”
“Not sure but we can’t let a civilian stop us from getting her.”

“True enough. Do you think he knows about her horns and vectors?”

“Probably, she’s probably been with him for the whole entire night. That’s probably why she wasn’t at the park when we went back to look.”

“Right…I think I know how to get her by herself again.”

“Oh really now? How are we going to get her by herself?”

“Well that guy is acting kind towards her because he doesn’t know what she truly can do. If we put a broadcast out about how she’s a murderer wanted by the police he’ll have no choice but to kick her out.”

“Oh, I like that idea! Let’s hurry up about it though. The boss is already furious about how we didn’t bring her back last night.”

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It was around 6pm now. Both Red and Chase had just finished dinner. Chase was sitting on the couch watching the news while Red laid down beside him, sleeping soundly.

Chase stroked her hair gently as her head rested on his lap. He focused on the channel he was watching. He always watched the six ‘o’ clock news.

“This just in. A murderer has been spotted around the canal area. The murderer has been described as a teenage girl with red hair and faded magenta eyes. One of her eyes is covered by a bandage hiding an iris wound. Also, the girl has strange characteristic. This characteristic being two small horns on her head.

She is wanted across the province not only because of being a murderer but because of the way she kills. Witnesses have said that this girl kills without using her hands! She uses some sort of telekinetic power to cut or crush her enemies. Now to your local weather.”

Chase’s eyes widened in fear. He looked down to the sleeping Red. He was baffled. Was Red the murderer that had just been described to him?! His sweet innocent Red…a murderer?! He wasn’t sure if he could believe this or even wanted to believe in this. He was confused.

He nudged Red several times, roughly too. “Red wake up.” He said, “Red wake up right now!”

Slowly Red’s eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Chase and blinked. She sensed his uneasiness.

“I want you to leave.” He said, “I want you to leave right now and don’t come back!” He seemed angry.

Red gulped and quickly moved to the edge of the couch. “Chase?” She asked.

Chase glared. “Change back into your hoodie and get out of here! I can’t afford to get into trouble or accused of being your lackie!” Chase said.

Red whimpered. “Chase?” She asked again.

Chase grabbed her by the wrist and made her stand up. He then tossed her towards the hallway that lead to his room. “You heard me now get moving.” He said, “You’re not going to fool me with your act!”

Red was so confused but followed instructions anyway. After a couple minutes she was back in her hoodie. “Chase?” She asked again.

Chase grabbed her wrist again and dragged her to the front door. He opened it and threw her out. “Go away!” He said, “Don’t come back here.”

Red stared at him, horror visible in her eyes. “Chase…” She whimpered.

Chase continued to glare. “Red go away! I don’t want you here!” He yelled.

Red whimpered loudly. She quickly ran away and down the street and towards the park. She was confused. Why would Chase suddenly throw her out? What did she do that was so wrong?

When she made it to the park she sat down on a bench and panted. She slowly caught her breath.  She continued to whimper between her pants. “Chase…” She whimpered, “Chase…”

“I don’t know who this Chase is but I suggest you forget about him. He can’t help you now.”

Red gasped and quickly turned. A man in a strange uniform was behind her. He was holding some sort of weapon. Probably a gun no less. It was a common weapon used now-a-days.

“What aren’t you going to attack? Your life is at risk.” The man barked, “Or is the murderer too afraid to kill now?”

Red’s eyes narrowed. She was getting angry now.

Suddenly the man felt a hand grab his wrist. He looked but nothing was there. Suddenly he felt something pulling on his arm roughly. In that instant his arm had been torn right from him! He was then tossed into a tree. He let out a scream of pure agony.

Red quickly dashed out of the park to avoid being seen by other men like him.

The man let out another scream before moving towards his belt. He grabbed his walkie-talkie from his belt and pushed on the button. “The girl is heading back onto the streets, get her!” He yelled into the walkie-talkie, “She already tore my arm off! She’s in a violent state now…”

Red continued to make her way down the street before she noticed the police cars blocking her path. About a dozen police officers were crouching or standing in front of her, well equipped too. Red let out a whimper and took a step back.

“Alright men get ready to fire.” One of the men said.

Red gasped and took another step back. She could hear more police cars coming. Their sirens wailing in the night.

“FIRE!” Sounds of bullets joined the wailing sirens. However, there was no signal that the girl had been pierced.

The police officers gasped at the sight before their eyes. The bullets were floating in front of her. Red was glaring at them. The bullets then dropped to the ground, making little clicks when the hit. Red growled; she was even angrier now.

“Men she can’t defend herself forever. Get ready to fire for a second time.” The leading officer announced, “We won’t lose because of her vectors.”

Red just growled; her hands rolled into fists.

The police officers were about to fire another round before a boy began shouting at them.

“STOP! STOP! DON’T HURT HER!” A familiar voice rang in Red’s ears.

Red turned her head, beginning to smile as she saw that familiar face. It was Chase! He quickly leapt in front of her.

“DON’T HURT HER!” He yelled, “SHE HASN’T DONE ANYTHING WRONG! SHE’S TOO SWEET AND INNOCENT TO MURDER ANYONE!”

Red looked to the officers and then Chase. She was surprised that he was defending her. Chase looked to her and smiled.

“Red…I know you couldn’t hurt anyone.” He said. He moved his hand to the top of her head and stroked the top of her head. “Everything’s going to be okay, I’m here for you now.” He said softly.

Red’s eyes began to well up with tears. “Chase…” She cooed, “Chase…”

The head officer growled at the scene. “Damn it civilian…MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.” He yelled, “If you do not move we will have no choice but to fire at you as well.”

Chase gulped. “I’m prepared for it then!” He snapped.

The officer growled. “You don’t realize what you’re protecting!” He snapped, “That girl is a Diclonius. With her vectors she can move objects and make them appear as if they are floating. They are so powerful that they can tear limbs right from the body! Do you want that to happen to you?”

Chase gulped and slowly wrapped his arms around her. “She won’t hurt me. She wouldn’t hurt anyone!” He snapped, “She’s too kind to hurt anyone.”

The officer rolled his eyes. “You leave us no choice kid.” He nodded to his fellow officers to prepare fire.

Red gasped at the officers. She looked to Chase. She wasn’t going to risk his life. She grabbed Chase with her vectors and tossed him. “NO!” She said, “NO CHASE!” She watched as he landed on the grass.

Without warning another barrage of bullets were fired at her.  Red let out a gasp and quickly turned. Her vectors could only catch so many of the bullets. Suddenly she let out a high pitched scream and fell to her knees. She instantly put her hands on her head. Her hair was being drenched in blood.

Chase gasped. “NO RED!” He yelled.

Red winced and slowly removed her hands from her head. Both of her horns had been shot off! She slowly looked up at the officers. The bullets her vectors managed to catch fell to the ground. She shook violently, pain coursing through her. She glared at the officers. “No! No!” She growled.

Slowly the girl got up onto her hands and knees and then onto her feet. She stumbled a bit because of the pain but quickly shook it off. She continued to glare at the officers. “I’m…I’m…I’m not going to let you hurt Chase.” She said.

Chase blinked. She was talking in complete sentences now. He frowned, watching as the blood ran down her face. “Red…you’re bleeding…” He said.

Red shook her head. “Chase…Chase was nice to me! I wasn’t…I wasn’t lonely anymore…Chase…Chase was there for me.” She said, “I won’t let you hurt him!”

The head officer just rolled his eyes. “Girl, if we don’t kill you, you will kill him. Your kind is meant to kill humans. In about five years your kind could enslave us if we don’t deal with you Diclonius now.” He said, “We already have taken down many and your fate will remain the same as theirs. Now do you want us to kill you or him?”

Red gulped and looked to Chase. She began smiling at Chase. “Chase…Chase was so kind to me. So kind to me.” She said, “I’d never want to hurt him…and you won’t hurt him either.” She looked down. “Kind people…shouldn’t be killed…never should they be killed.”

All the officers aimed their guns at her as she spoke. They were preparing once more to fire.

The head officer smirked at Red. “With your horns gone…you won’t be able to summon your vectors.” He said, “So we won’t have to let you choose.”

Another barrage of bullets pierced the night air. This time…the bullets were not stopped by Red’s vectors.

Red fell to her hands and knees, silent. She felt numb and extremely cold. She winced and coughed, blood droplets hitting the ground with the bullets she had stopped earlier. She remained on her hands and knees.

The lead officer looked back to two men. “You can tell your boss she was taken care of. We won’t have to worry about her anymore.” He said.

The officers made their leave along with two strange men who had hid themselves within the group of officers.

Red watched as they left, police cars driving off into the night. She listened softly to all the noises around her. A small buzzing noise was above her head. She slowly looked up. Her vision was blurred due to blood loss but the image she saw shone brightly.

A neon light was flickering off and on. When it was on it shone brightly.

Red smiled and looked down at her hands. They were soaked with blood. She slowly turned to look at Chase.

Chase was stunned. His mouth was hanging open while his eyes were wide with horror. What he just witnessed would scar him for life. Watching as an innocent girl was murdered before his very eyes. What shocked him the most was the fact that it was a police officer who murdered her.

Red slowly closed her eyes. She mouthed something to him but he couldn’t make it out. Slowly the girl took one last look at the flickering neon sign. It flickered once more before going out. Red’s eyes widened. It finally hit her…she was dead.