I was running through the city streets, dodging everyone. I needed to get back to my apartment and fast. I quickly ran into an ally and put my long golden hair in a bun and stuffed it in my hat, took off my long trench coat and threw it on the ground. Making sure i didn't look anything like i had a few moments ago. I walked out of the ally way casually, with my hands in my pockets. The big men ran right by me. "Damn it!" I heard them scream,"wheres Samantha!" Yup that's my name alright, Samantha Cunning, I thought my name suited me well.

I was standing at the end of a small alley, hidden among the shadows. I had been waiting there for someone for quite a while now, when I suddenly saw someone dive into the alley, hurried and somewhat... nervous? Scared? Panicked? I wasn't certain. What I knew though, was that this girl - for she was so young that I could hardly call her a woman - was sought after by someone. She quickly changed the way she looked and walked back out of the alley, just when two large men ran into it, clearly searching for the girl that had just left. One of them loudly shouted to the other, wondering where the girl - apparently her name was Samantha - had gone.
These two men certainly weren't the brightest - instead of realizing they had been fooled and turning around to follow the girl, they ran through the whole alley and left it at the other side, near to where I was standing, providing this "Samantha" the perfect occasion to escape.

I quickly looked around me one more time, but the person I was waiting for still had not arrived. I doubted he would come anymore, so instead I left the alley and went in the same direction I had seen the girl leave in. I wondered what the girl had done. With firm steps I walked, faster and faster, until I too was running. In the distance I could see Samantha, and I decided to follow her.
"Tis not like I've got anything better to do," I mumbled softly, while I brushed my shortish, brown hair from my face.

After I knew the men had stopped following I slowed my steps and hoped none saw anything. I can't afford to talk anyone. My stomach started to growl, there's no time to eat i have to get back to my apartment! My stomach grew louder and this time people beside me walking heard. I laughed at them nervously and started walking faster. Searching for a restaurant, I turned the corner, falling to ground, I hit something hard. Quickly looking up, I had ran into one of the men that were chasing me. "Here she is!" The large man said, ripping off my hat and grabbing me by the throat and pinning me to the wall.
"where's the boss?" The large man screamed in my face!

I came closer and closer to Samantha, as she had slowed down her steps while I was still running. Her silhouette became bigger and bigger. Then all of a sudden the girl fell down, tackled from her left side by a man similar to those I had encountered in the alley - huge, fat and as stupid as a pig's end, but extremely strong as well.

"Here she is!"

I ran faster, and saw how the man grabbed her by her throat and pinned her roughly to a wall. The distance between us got smaller, and I could hear the man yell and scream at her.

"Where's the boss?!"

I had no idea about who the man was speaking, even though I had no doubt the girl did know. It was clear he was hurting Samantha, and no matter what the girl had or hadn't done, she did not deserve to be treated like this. Now I came closer to them, and I could see the faces of both the man and Samantha better. This man was clearly not one of the two I had encountered in the alley - across his face, from his left cheek and over his nose, I saw a huge, purple, badly healed scar. On his right shoulder I saw a tattoo, a skull with two crossed daggers behind it.
This was not the kind of man you wanted to anger, that much was clear. I saw that from behind him another man neared, having heard his loud yell. The man was heavy and slow, and it took him a long time to reach Samantha and the other man.

I knew both had not yet seen me. It would be better for me not to interfere, because this could get me in serious problems. But I saw the girl, the look of pain and fear upon her face as the man roughly shoved her against the wall and grabbed her throat.
I drew a knife from a sheath at my belt and walked two steps closer to them. I was now close to them both, yet not within reach - not yet.

I took a deep breath, then yelled loudly to the man.

"What the HELL do you think you are doing to that girl?!"

As the big ugly man chocked me another man in the distance started to come closer. All of a sudden I heard a voice comming right at me.

"What the HELL are you doing to that girl!"

A knife flashed before my eyes cutting the man that was choking me. He quickly let go of my neck and I quickly got away from him. I barley got a flash of the person that just saved my ass. But i had to get away from there,
"Thank you! But you have to get OUT of here!" I screamed and started across the street, running hoping that the men would follow me instead of hurting that stranger. I barley looked back to see, but all i could see was feet, for there were henchmen standing in front of the stranger. I headed across the sidewalk and started down the street.

Run, girl, run, I thought, while the men came closer to me. The girl ran indeed away, and I was glad I had saved her. While I might be able to flee from these man - or fight them, if really needed, she had had no chance. It was clear she was starved, and the man had had a firm grip on her throat.
He'd have more trouble with me - if he'd try to attack me, I'd plunge the knife I was holding in his stomach or between two of his ribs - or, if I really had no other choice, I could cut his throat.

I now had at least their full attention, and one of them yelled a string of curses that would have even made a sailor blush. I had quickly set a few steps backward, so that I had the advantage of the distance - I had a weapon, while they only had their brute force.
If they had you down, or pinned against a wall, you were helpless - but as long as I had this weapon in my hand, they'd not get near easily.

One of the two men tried to sneak around me to tackle me from behind. I took a quick look at where the girl had been - she was now invisible and had hopefully escaped - then waited until the second man had sneaked around me a bit, and just when they both wanted to tackle me, I dodged them both and ran into an alley, where I'd be in advantage. There they could not stand next to each other, or sneak behind me. I'd only have one at a time against me. And seeing as how I was quick and they both were slower, and how they were unarmed while I was armed, it shouldn't be a problem. Or so I wished.

Other than the knife I wore in my right hand, I also had one throwing dagger hidden in the sleeve of my shirt, for cases like this. The city was violent, especially late at night and in the early morning - the times I usually was outside.

They had indeed both followed me into the alley. I quickly shook my throwing dagger out of my sleeve, so that I was ready for them. God, give me strength, I thought by myself, make me strong and help me today.

As they faded in the distance I noticed that the henchmen where not following and me. I quickly turned back and started running faster and faster-good thing i ran track and cross country for four years-I stopped abruptly and grabbed a cane on the bench and stated running again(hey a girls gotta have a weapon I did NOT want to be in a "Choke hold" again). As I got closer I noticed that they were going into a ally. I ran faster catching up with them, being as quiet as possible, I came right up behind him and hit him with the cane as hard as i could! He fell down right on top of the other man. I dropped the cane on them and ran right over them stomping on them. I tried to catch up with the stranger, all i could see was a shadow going along in the wall in the distance.

When I caught up to him I tackled him by accident. I quickly got up and took a few steps back." I'm so sorry for everything! You really didn't have to save me back there but thank you! You don't have to worry about the men i knocked one of them out and he landed on top of the other guy! So your fine for a few minutes." I was out of breath and it was hard to choose my words. He stood up and started brushing off the dirt, when he turned around I thought i was going to faint! He was a gorgeous man, he was wearing a leather jacket and fashionable jeans. I Astounded by his appearance, waiting for his response.

I must admit I was surprised when one of the two men suddenly fell and tumbled upon the other, certainly knocking him out. I am not surprised often, and if I am, it is rarely a good surprise, so I stayed alert. I saw a small figure dodging the heap of human flesh and bones and running to me. I saw the curves that made her a female. Quickly I retreated to the shadows, uncertain what she wanted. She came closer, and I could see her better.
It was Samantha. Surprised by this revelation, I could not avoid a crash when she ran towards me - or perhaps into me would be more appropriate - and I hit the ground like those men had before.
Oh well. At least she didn't fall on me. It was a good thing, because I would not have liked that, no matter how little she'd probably weigh.

Out of breath from running and then crashing into me, she started rambling. "I'm so sorry for everything!" Why, girl? I it was I who chose to rescue you, tis not like you forced me. I knew the risk, and I knew - better than you - what I was doing, I thought.

She kept rambling on and on, until her lack of breath finally caught up with her.
"...don't have to worry about the men, I knocked them out..."
So it had been her that caused those two to fall down? I wonder how she had managed.
"...on top of the other guy! So you're fine for a few minutes."
Yes, I had seen how they had crashed into eachother. So I was fine for a few minutes? Perhaps it would be a good thing to finish this now, then? Oh yes, it would be. This made it easier.

I stood up, brushed the dirt off my leather jacket and jeans and turned around to Samantha. I could see a blush creeping up on her face as she was astounded by my appearence.
And why would she not be? For those of my class and wealth were not known to save street rats like this Samantha.
I looked at the girl. Unwashed, her hair unbrushed, bruises were forming on her face, neck and arms, scratches were all over her and she certainly looked starved. Nonetheless, I could see she was beautiful.

"Calm, girl." I spoke softly, my voice low but smooth. "Apology accepted, although I'd suggest you watch out better next time. Nearly walked into my knife, you did."

I waited a moment. "So you knocked them out, girl? How?" I suddenly saw the cane lying on top of the men.
"Ah, that explains itself, I guess. Not very smart to drop it so close to them, though. Want to give them an extra weapon when they wake up, girl?" I knew I sounded harsh, but it was true, and a lesson she'd have to learn soon, if she wanted to survive. Never give enemies or possible enemies something even remotely useful if you could avoid it.

"These men have beaten you quite a bit with but their fists - do you really want to give them a stick to beat you next time?" I shook my head. "Didn't think so."
With a few steps I was near the unconscious heap of shaking fat and bones. It was a nauseating sight.
Quickly I grabbed the stick and hit both men another time, hard, straight on the head, then walked back to the girl, cane in my hand.

"So, now they won't wake for a while. Now tell me, Samantha, why were they following you? Why are you so important, and who is this... boss they were asking you about?" I raised an eyebrow, had the knife firmly in my hand.
"They," I gestured to the two men, "seem like scum to me. Tell me, Samantha, are they? If they know you, does that make you scum as well?" Again I sounded harsh, but I had to know. "Tell me why I had to save you, girl, so that I can judge if they deserve life..." I played a bit with my knife. "or death."

As this gorgeous man talked to me, i couldn't help but stair. His brown hair and blue eyes were so beautiful. I felt the blood flow to my face, I tried too stay focused on his voice. so low and smooth. I pulled my finger through my hair trying to make it look better, also trying not to let him notice what i was doing. After he pounded the cane into the large mens heads I wanted to run. This man didn't need to get into any business with me. he started asking question. I got nervous, i started backing slowing away from him as he got closer.

"so, now they won't wake up for awhile. Now, tell me Samantha, why where those men following you? Why are you so important? who is this Boss they were asking you about?" He said this very sternly. All I could think is either to run or tell this man the truth or a lie. Wait how did he know my name and the fact that they were asking about the Boss. Has he been following me? Great I have a hot stalker! He kept asking me questions,"Tell me why had i saved you,girl, so I can judge if they deserve life..." I saw him holding his knife in his hand, and he was talking firmily, he started to get really intimidating.

"Okay he's the deal, stop playing with your knife! It's freaking me out! And Have you been following me? Because i don't remember saying my name in any of this! And you didn't have to save me that was your own choice! These men are scum! They have been trying to get to the Boss which is my dad." I started pacing, I shouldn't be telling him any of this its confidential. Plus I don't want to have to worry about getting him into trouble.

"My dad is a archaeologist. those men where part of his crew when my dad was making the best discovery in the world!" I quickly stopped myself, putting my hand over my mouth, I couldn't believe what I was saying! I couldn't tell him anymore. I slowly started backing away and turned around and started walking fast.

I noticed how the girl stared at me when I spoke to her, nervous and scared. I could understand - my appearance was dark, to say the least. She replied to my questions, hastily, when she suddenly realized she had not given me her name and yet I knew it, and ran away from me.
I ran after her, quickly and easily closing the distance between us. I grabbed her wrist and forced her to stop.

"Samantha, stop." My voice was firm. "Had I wanted to do anything to you, do you truly think I would have been talking to you in an alleyway? Girl, had I wanted to do anything, had I wanted answers with any nefarious purpose in mind, I would have knocked you out and brought you somewhere else."
I had my hand tight on her wrist, making it close to impossible for her to escape.
"Walk back with me to the alley, Samantha, and we can talk there further - unless you want to talk about this in one of the most visited streets here?"
I forced her to walk back with me to the alley. "So, then I can watch that scum too. No need to have them escape." I loosened my grip on her wrist.
"So, according to you, they are trying to get your dad through you? Then tell me, Samantha, why are you not with your father? Do you truly think that, should they have captured you, you'd have managed to stay silent? These men," I gestured to them "seem to be the kind of people who would do everything - everything - to get that which they want, which they need. We have both seen they do not shy away from violence. This time it was to try and capture you, but can you imagine what they would have done with you if they wanted answers you did not want to give?"
I spat the next words. "Do you think you can imagine, let alone withstand the horrors of torture, girl?" I knew she could not.
"You would have been saver if you stayed with your father. Your DAD would have been saver, had you done so."
I looked at her. "These two were not the first that followed you - I saw you escape through an alley, in which I was waiting for a... acquaintance. There you dropped your jacket and changed your hair. I know your name, because just when you had left the alley, the men yelled, asking where Samantha was. You, clearly."

I looked at him, he was concerned, for me. I couldn't understand this, no body showed this emotion for me before.I'm a lot tougher than you think. "I looked away holding my arms to my chest. I felt a lump in my throat, I swallowed it down." I wasn't with my father because, the trip was to dangerous for me to go on so I had to stay home by myself. I'm the only on that knows where he went." I turned back to him, I wondered how he knew so much about this. I started to think that he was working with the men and was jut trying to earn my trust.

As I was getting paranoid, my stomach started to growl, i started to blush." My dads been away for months and that's including the money that he took with him. Those men where suppose to to be with my dad and if they are here now looking for him. Then I haven't the faintest idea where he is." I held my arms tighter to my chest. " My dads trip was only suppose to be a two week trip." My stomach growled louder this time. I started walking to the street."We can talk this over dinner, say your treat?" I gave him a smile and a giggle, Hoping that my looks earn me a little bite to eat."By the way i'm not as young as you think." Giving him a seductive look.

"Ah. Too dangerous for you? I truly wonder what trip would have been more dangerous for you than this, but then again, I don't know where he went. You might think you're tougher than I think, but I know that kind of guys, even if I didn't know these fellows. I can tell you, you should be glad you are not in their hands."

I heard her stomach growl. She suggested dinner. "Seems okay. As it is clear you don't have as much as a penny to spend, I'll pay. Where?" She tried to seduce me now, which surprised me. Not that I objected to it, she looked nice. I played with my knife, then made a decision.
"Wait a moment, I've got something to do. I'd suggest looking away, Samantha. And cover your ears."
With my knife in my hand, I walked to the men, which were still unconscious. With a deep breath, I cut their throats. They bled heavily, and I knew that in but a few seconds they'd be dead. Blood splattered on the ground, one of them moaned in his last seconds. A shiver went over my back. No matter how many people I had killed, no matter how much they deserved it, it was not something I liked doing.

I couldn't believe my eye's, he didn't have to kill them. Even though, it was a good idea that way they couldn't report back in. It's hard for me each time I see death. You'd think that I would be used to death, but i'm not. I was going to come back later and finish them off myself, so he didn't have to do the dirty work. as he was walking towards me there was blood stains on his shirt.

"Great, now we can't go out to eat. Come back to my place and I can clean off the blood."I quickly caught my tongue. I wasn't suppose to say that, I just hope he doesn't find out the truth behind all of this. I started walking away, so he didn't have a chance to reject my offer. He caught up with me in a couple of steps. This guy was fast, and come to think of it he never even told me his name. I turned to him and stated to talk but he kept going, Oh well i can introduce myself later.

WE started up the street to the huge apartment building, only a couple of blocks away. The door man already had it open for me. He greeted me with a smile and I replied with one. I started walking to the elevator and hit the button to go up. The doors opened I hit the third floor button and leaned back against the railing.

The doors opened and walked to the right of the hallway got out my keys and was ready to open the door. I reached my room and the door had been shot open with bullets. I quickly went to the side of the door, making sure that no one saw me. "Hello is anyone there?"No one answered.

I saw her reaction when I killed the men, and knew that she too had seen death before. I wondered how, when and why, but knew that would come later.
She was right. With the blood splattered on my clothes, I could hardly go out to eat. Not without attracting much attention.
She took me to her home, so that she could clean off the blood. I followed her, after all, I had nothing better to do at the moment.
When we reached her room, her door had been shot open. She asked if anyone was there. How stupid, I thought, then looked at her. "Tell me, Samantha, do you really think that if someone breaks into your room, and still is there, he or she will tell you that they're there?"
I shook my head. "No, ofcourse they will not. If they want to capture you, or shoot you, do you think, they'll let you know they're there so that you can run away and escape again?"

After he said this, I felt stupid but i had my reasons."I have a roommate, or had. And sometimes you can rustling from the people you just ransacked my apartment, trying to get out." I ran in to my apartment, seeing everything was thrown everywhere and torn to shreds. I heard someone moving in my bedroom. I grabbed a knife and started heading there. Making sure I didn't make any noise. I reached the doorway of my room and saw blood, everywhere. I quickly started digging around."Benny! Benny! BENNY! Where are you?" I looked every where and found only blood. I eard something in the closet. My new bloodstained friend walked over to the closet with his knife out and ready. He opened it quickly, and there was Benny."There you are!" I ran to my eight year old brother and picked him up."It's okay i'm here now." He looked scared out of his mind, trembling with fear. He had cuts and bruises but he looked okay.

I brought Benny out to the kitchen and got a washcloth to clean the wounds."What happened Benny?"

"There was t-two really b-big men that came in, and tried to find you."I though that it was weird that they where only looking for me now. My brother also had a big part of this, but his age might also look like he knows nothing, when he knows more to this than I do. Benny started to relax and stared at my new blood stained friend."who is this?" He asked with no hesitation in his voice.

I looked at the boy., While he had trembled only moments before, now he asked me with no hesitation who I was. Not that I was planning to give them my name.
"My name is... of no importance," I said to him.
"I am here because I saved Samantha." I nodded to her. "She's your sister?" I asked the small boy.
"Anyway, Samantha was followed by some guys similar to those that broke into this room. They nearly captured her. They were... not very friendly to her, as to say. I don't like it when people treat girl like that, so I gave her the chance to escape." I laughed at that moment. "Stupid girl escaped and came back when I had lured them into an alley. Knocked them out with a cane. Could have dealt with them myself, but apparently she thought I needed saving." I raised my eyebrow to Samantha.
"Anyway, I talked with her a bit, scared her at first. Asked why that scum was following her. Decided that they didn't deserve to live." I played with my knife. It was probably clear to everyone, even an eight year old boy, what I meant.

I looked at him with no surprise, he was cocky."What do you mean your name is of no importance?" I asked him this as I was pulling off my blond wig and tossing it on the floor, revealing my dark brown, curly hair. I hated my hair, so I wore a wig to hide it and my identity. The goons from earlier must have figured out it was me somehow under my wig. I also startd taking out my contact lenses they where used to change my eye color. I had bright green eyes, liked my eyes. People always used to say my eyes where unique because there where freckles on them."Yes, Benny is my little brother, but he's adopted." i giggled at this and so didn't Benny, we had a inside joke about him being adopted. It's part of the whole reason we are in this mess.

I started cleaning up the mess the "big ugly goons" made. Benny was sitting on the couch with the stranger.


"Uhmmm, sir? why do you have that knife?" This man has been playing with that knife ever sense My sister found me. He's freaking scary! But I have to stay calm and figure out where father is now, and make sure this strange doesn't find out about us.

"I mean exactly what I said... Samantha." I looked at her. "To you, my name is of no importance. In fact, it might just bring you into more trouble if you'd know it." I thought for a moment. "You probably want a name to call me, though. You can call me Jay, if you want." Not my real name, ofcourse, she didn't need to know my actual name. As I said, it would only bring her more problems.

I watched her 'transformation'. She had been in disguise, clearly. She looked different now that she had brown hair and green eyes. It certainly fit her better, and she looked even more beautiful then before. I whistled. "Pity you have to hide such beauty, girl." I kept playing with my knife.

The boy started speaking with me, asked me about the knife. While he surely was brave to ask such a thing, I'd think it was clear, even to an eight year old.
I held the knife still for a moment. It had some traces of blood still on it. I knew I should clean it.
"To get rid of... certain trash, ofcourse."
Trash, oh yes. The men I had slaughtered like pigs were nothing but trash. Big, dumb goons without a single braincell in their heads. Trash littering the streets, Trash that someone had to get rid of.

I couldn't believe it, did he really just whistle at me? I wanted to smack him but something held my hand back."Okay, Jay, I like it. It kinda fits in a way. Anyway give me your shirt, so i can get the stains out."

Sure it was clear to me why he had the knife it was protection of course. "I meant if it had any value to it. Like if you day or mom gave it to you?" I stared at him, he had scares on his hands and face. I looked at my boyish hands, I was nowhere near to being a man, I glanced at Sammi, I couldn't protect her. I hope Jay will."Jay? Will you stay and help us find our father?" I looked at him with puppy dog eyes, hoping that he wouldn't say no.

"Benny! We can't ask him that! He has his own business." I turned to Jay, hoping that he would ignore what I said and try to help us. I couldn't do this on my own.

I gave her my shirt so that she could get the stains out. Could have done it myself just as well, but hey. She offered. Why do something yourself if someone else offers to do it for free?
I looked at the smaller boy, Benny, who had just asked me to help them search for their father.
"Value? Yes, but not the kind that you meant." It had been that knife with which I had killed someone for the first time. It had been that knife I used to kill someone who had wanted to capture me and interrogate me about... certain issues.
It had been this knife that saved my life more often than I could count. It had been this knife that helped me on my... quest, my mission. It had been this knife that had ended the life of multiple men. It had been this knife that I had killed the men with that sought after Samantha.
Now the boy was asking me if I'd help them find their father. I looked at them both.
"Well, I think I'd need to know a bit more about the case, before I can answer that question, don't you think?"

I glared at Benny, he shouldn't have asked. But it's to late now," I hope your ready for this." I looked right into his eyes, he had no fear."Okay, it started back right I was born, and my mother was still alive. My father is a scientist, and my mother was his assistant. They worked for a secret government, that specializes in mutations and armory weapons. So they decided to put the two and two together, making me a weapon, and my bother a mutation. My parents made me the old fashioned way to say. They made Benny by their DNA." I stopped and looked at Benny. He was always so happy when he told people, he just wanted to see their reaction to things." Benny holds in him Data, that my father and mother used when making him. Of course after making Benny, they vowed never to do it again. But the secret government wanted more and those where his goons looking for us. That pretty much sums everything up." I looked at him, hoping he would freak out and run the other way saying that we were freaks of nature, never to be seen again.

"I... see."
It surprised me a little, certainly, but it also captured my interest.
"And tell me, do you have any idea where that father of yours is? This country, or could he be just about everywhere in this world?"
I looked at them both. "While it might seem convenient to have someone else help you searching for your father - yes, Samantha, I noticed that while you told me not to do it, you were hoping I would - it would be a good thing to realize that if I am going to help you, it is not just the case that your problems endanger me..."
I licked my lips, wondering how to explain this.
"You are not the only people in the world that have people searching for them, after all. I too am sought after by certain individuals, and I can tell you that they have much more braincells than those dumb and dumber goons that followed you today, Sammie."

I sighed, I knew he wasn't going to help us. I passed him his shirt."here, its done. Thank you for all your help. I don't know how i am ever going to repay you?"

"The secret government made sure that no one could help us in anyway means. They turn everyone against my father, and those goons, where not even from any organization that m father was entrusted with, but they where from a gang that Sammie beat up, for helping a young girl."

"how about I take you out to dinner? Your treat?" I gave him a smile, it was still amazing that he was so beautiful. I started playing with my hair."I have to go change, I'll be right back." I ran into my room and put on some skinny-jeans and a V-neck t-shirt that made me look chesty.

"Thanks for the shirt, Sammie." I winked, then thought for a moment. "You're welcome. How you're going to repay me? You could try and explain this case some more... because it would be a good thing to know what I'm getting involved with."
I looked at the little boy. "Not everyone, Benny, but those that the government wouldn't even try to influence are... not the sort of people you'd want to help you, I think." I sighed. It was the truth. Samantha and Benny had been lucky I ran across them, because others would not have helped them.

I snorted, then waited when she came back. "If I treat, wouldn't it be me taking you out for dinner, Sam? And how about your brother - does he have no need for food because of his... circumstances?"
I looked at Samantha. She looked good, even in the other clothes she wore, but especially in these. I winked. "You look good, Samantha."

I started to blush,I giggled."Of course he needs to eat!" I started laughing louder."We can talk more about it over dinner, and yes you would be taking us out, but it just sounded better the way I said it." I stated laughing again.

"My circumstances are just, that I was made in a lab and have a higher IQ then Albert Einstein, and I'm only eight. Doesn't exactly mean that I'm different." I started laughing."I'm starved lets go eat!"

"I agree lets go."I took Jay by the hand and started dragging him out the door. We walked down the street and I started looking at the food places. I looked at Jay, we were still holding hands, I took my hand away quickly."So, what do you want to eat?"