Rosaline Ashwood stood at the edge of the Greatest Kingdom. This, of course, was not the kingdom’s actual name, but that was what it was called where she came from. Rosaline never stayed in one place long, making sure that He never caught up to her. Rosaline swung her gaze around, surveying the area, not missing a single detail. Rosaline gritted her teeth. She’s survived this long, He wasn’t going to get her now. “Dear, dear Rosaline, after all this time I’m still able to deceive you,” A figure stepped from behind her. Rosaline turned ridged. “Just come with me, girl. It will make this so much easier,” He growled. Rosaline met his gaze. “No,”. She turned away from him and sprinted across the border into the Greatest Kingdom. He did not follow. If he was caught in the Greatest Kingdom, he would be killed on sight. “I will find you Rosaline!” He hollered after her. Rosaline pretended not to hear him, her own father. Not father. A real father wouldn’t do what he’s done to me. Roseline thought bitterly.
***
Rosaline made her way through the cities of the Greatest Kingdom, always watching her back. With a shudder, she admitted to herself that her father would find a way to get to her even here. “You look lost,” Rosaline jumped at a new voice, she glanced up.
“Oh, um. I’m fine,” She assured the old woman who was studying her through startling green eyes. The old woman crossed her arms. “Really? Because a boy just came through here, looking for someone. He described her to me. And the girl he described is suspiciously startling to you,” The old woman told her carefully. Rosaline backed away from the old woman. “I- uh that probably wasn’t me,” Rosaline mumbled, every sense on alert.
“I don’t plan on telling the boy anything. I was actually going to offer to help you,” The old woman tilted her head. “ And you look in need of help,”.
Rosaline hesitated. She really shouldn’t trust the woman. Really shouldn’t-. The old woman grabbed her arm. “That’s him,” She whispered. Rosaline followed the woman’s gaze to a boy- a boy that looked casual, but his eyes swept through the crowd, searching for something. Searching for her. The woman motioned for Rosaline to follow her, and Rosaline complied, wanting to get as far away from the boy after her as possible. The woman led her to an alley full of small houses, on the turnoff out of the alleyway was a house even smaller than the others- a house you could easily miss if you weren’t looking for it. “My name is Marguerite,” The woman told Rosaline, after they were safely in the house. Rosaline narrowed her eyes. “Why are you helping me?” Rosaline demanded, a sense of suspicion about Marguerite creeping up on her. Marguerite glanced out of the window. “For the greater good. For the organization I’m working for. Because if that boy out there gets you our plan can’t work. Take your pick,” Marguerite said flatly. Rosaline blinked.
“Organization? Plan?” Rosaline asked. Marguerite nodded.
“Yes. I can’t tell you anything, but my assignment was to find you. We need you. And when that boy asked me about a girl who sounded suspiciously like the one I was trying to find, well I panicked. We have to get you somewhere safe, Rosaline,” Marguerite told her, looking out of the window again. Rosaline took a step back. “H- how do you know my name?” Rosaline edged towards the door, ready to bolt. Marguerite turned to face Rosaline. “I know many things about you, Rosaline Ashwood. It has to do with my assignment, I can explain everything if you will come with me to meet the leaders of the organization I work for. I need you to trust me,” Marguerite was pleading now. I’m not stupid, lady! I’m not going to trust you. Rosaline thought, just before making a mad dash for the door. Just as she reached for the door handle, the world began to spin. Marguerite appeared next to her. “I’m very sorry, Rosaline. I will explain when you wake up,”. Then the world went black.