Taking To The Trails [Open]

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Driven by the urge for a change of scenery, Anastasia found herself on the road to what she defined as freedom. The vast expanse of blacktop stretching to the horizon, over and around land that appeared untouched by the bustle of the city life. Right foot had been gentle on the accelerator until now, the city growing faintly out of view in her rear view mirror. Left foot, right hand, both worked at once, the clutch pushed to the floorboards for the time it took to slam the over sized tank of a car in to top gear. Even when at speed, the rear tires squawked before hooking up, finding traction on the hot, sticky pavement below, leaving a slick smear of tire tread in her wake. Windows down, her silken blonde hair whipped in resistance to the breeze that cooled the interior, washing over the bare flesh of her arms and over her body in a calming effect that was responded to with a sigh.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

Since she had moved in to the city, she had found very little time to herself. One minute she was thigh high in crime scenes and investigations, the next she was chasing a black angel down who was on a rampage. After a while, she found her place, a new apartment in the ZaneCorp plaza, and she found the desire to know her neighbors. She had a party- a shindig if you will, where strangers from the street and pubs came to meet and greet in her 'home'. She had been drugged without her knowledge, and she ended up wandering out on to the street to avoid falling in to the wrong arms of the horny men at the party. Ends up the street was better than she had thought it would be- no harm had come her way, and it had been a refreshing finish to a busy night.

Today was just a few days since the party. It would seem she had gained little from the drunkards in her apartment that night- the next morning, everyone was gone, and surely they had not remember where it was, or who they met. Some of them probably liked it that way, while Ana, on the other hand had ended up failing at her attempt to find a few friends. However, being a sociopath would never make that task an easy one. When you wear your own body weight in weapons, who wanted to be around when the blood started to pour? Ana had very little trust in anyone, so she never faulted those she met when they were suspicious of her. One thing they could depend on however, was to be safe in her presence. She never let harm come to those around her, especially if she knew them, but her protection extended to the public when she was around as well.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

Hot rubber left the pavement and turned casually down on to a gravel trail that lead to the forest after she had shifted down and pressed the automatic windows to rise. No dust would penetrate the car as it swirled around the black exterior, laying a soft overlay of a haze on the paint. Turning the ignition off, the car in neutral, she opened the driver side door and locked the doors with the press of a button on her key fob. Dressed casually, for comfort rather than looks, in a pair of black shorts and a form fitting white halter top that was sheer enough you could tell the black bra underneath was lace. Wearing white running shoes, and she took to the trails without a word. Not that there was anyone around to speak to.

It was early evening when she had arrived, still an hour or so of sunlight before the great star would meet with the horizon in a display of citrus glow, casting devious shadows in its wake. And yet, once far in to the trails of the forestry, no sun penetrated the thick canopy overhead. Ana was beginning to wonder if she had lost some time as she tread up the incline of the trail that followed beside a spring fed creek, and yet was not disturbed in the least. Ankle sheaths were in plain sight, harboring the 6" blades that were encased, and the same went with the wrist sheaths. She was not walking down the street where she expected to run in to people, and thus she felt no urge to hide the hard wear. A Glock 9mm at her hip, with a Firestar in the small of her back tucked in to the waist of her shorts. More comfortable than a shoulder holster and inner pants holster, that was for sure, and it make for easier movement as she maneuvered between trees and over stumps at a jogging pace. The only weapon she had left at home was the foot long blade, or sword as she liked to refer to it as, that was often in a sheath down her spine. It didn't allow for an comfort, and thus she let it slide when she forgot it at home on her bed. It was very relaxing to exercise beyond the limits of the city, away from peering eyes. Blonde tresses swayed with her movement, caressing her shoulder blades from the high-set ponytail she had trapped them in as she had began to jog. The sound of nature around her, the rustle of the brush, drew her to pause.

Eyes took in the scene around her, the far off echo of a raven, and the movement of the leaves as they swayed overhead in response to the gentle breeze. No, the breeze was not strong enough to feel, not strong enough to wash away the heat of the summer from her skin, but it was there. Her muscles stiffened, and Ana shook her head, releasing the grip on the Glock at her hip as she laughed softly at herself. She was alone out here, and thus, there was no need to take on the defensive stance.. or was there?

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[thecrimsonraven]

Even if the smog chocked city still slept miles away, beneath it's sin filled blanket of dark early morn; evil still found itself drawn to such beacons of hope like a moths. But this Ana was more of a raging veld fire. From the city streets a presence had been watching, observing, waiting for this chance. Vel was more then curious about this one, hearing of her actions through slaves and informants. She was more then the average moral he;d grown so accustom to string about. Her movements were odd today, and in this moment of escape was the change to break more the just ice. Following her with his wyrms was easy, she hardly covered her tracks, buzzing down that high way from hell. She must had been none the wiser to the minions he had following her so loosely through out the pasted few days. He'd made sure to discard them after, and now that he'd found her destination, his arrival was all but immediate. He'd been watching from the sanctums beneath the city, a lowly cab driver Vel's eyes and ears; following from far behind the hunters car. It was all too easy.

Breaking his slave free of his direct control for now; Vel made his way to the outside streets and his own means of locomotion; a car swiftly pulling up beside him as he plucked one of his sleeping minions from the early road side traffic. words were meaningless, as if on autopilot; the man driving knew where to go, wheels sliding as he sped off with little regard for others. Carving a path direct to his prey was easy once out of the city. Highways and trails still desolate of commuters and travelers for hours yet. Cover the distance in half the time, Vel transport veered into the very woods the hunter would by now be taking her jog through; a thick trunked tree finally adding an end to the journey. while the crash was hardly minion, it's effect on the forest was minimal. Only lower sections stirred to the sound of buckling metal and breaking glass. A slow hiss of an over heated radiator ending off the concerto. After quite settled again with the passes of raven calls, awoken by the impact on their tree, a shift smashing kick from within removed the back door from it's concave form. Slipping out the broken car, Vel made shift progress through the dull wood.

That warm breeze that swept the dust and heat of the city through the grayed forest suddenly took on a thoroughly fridged touch. Like some foreign hand that sent waves of unforgiving and unwelcome feelings through the body, a chill embraced the forest and the young hunter that now stood so steadfast among it's fallen leaves and rotting trunks. He'd found her. Darting between trees and shadow she was stalked like a deer before the dawn light. He did not reveal his presences, not just yet. Crouching low in the thickets, he watched as she moved further and further from any means of escape.

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Anastasia shifted her weight, the soft crunch of twigs and forest debris underfoot as they snapped helping to ease her mind. Could it have been her imagination? Was she the cause of the sounds? Kicking out a foot, digging in to the disturbed top soils with the toe of her running shoe and pushing it off the trail in to the bushes. It did sound about the same. And yet, as she stood there, her entire body tensed, the muscles through her stomach aching from the defensive stance she took on, Ana couldn't shake it. Right hand moved over the butt of her gun, retrieving it from the shoulder rig. Fingertips massaged the grip, tight grasp on the weapon as she raised it to peer down the barrel in dead aim. Near or far, it would take no more then a split second to turn and fire. Thumb teased over the safety, silently flicking it off to ensure the quickest possible reaction if something came at her.

Birds burst from the swaying canopy of leaves overhead in a rushed explosion of noise that shattered the thick silence. It was relieving, and yet she wondered what was the cause of the commotion. She had barely moved, and yet they hurried in to the heavens, taking for the horizon as if their lives depending on it- the high pitched call of warning sent out across the forest to the other inhabitants of the underbrush. It could just be a bear- or a wolf. That wouldn't bother her- she had enough ammo to turn a Grizzly in to Swiss cheese and leave no evidence behind of what it was beyond dental identification.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

Her breath was drawn and exhaled in silence, her breathing perfected. if she needed to run, it was no good to let her nerves take control now. It wouldn't leave much for later. The muscles rippled in her arms, and down her back- a deep ache setting in as she held the pistol out, scanning the surrounding area with the barrel of the weapon. If you hold this stance long enough without firing the weapon, your muscles got tired quickly. It wasn't a position meant to be held for very long. Feet were apart, ready to bolt in any direction she needed to and yet- a calm washed over her. The crisp caress of a breeze licked at her figure as she stood there, and it comforted her. She was being jumpy. The only thing that was going to get her hurt out here was herself if she kept this up. And yet.. her finger still caressed the trigger, wanting to squeeze off a few rounds just to make herself happy. But no, she didn't need to. Not only was it a waste of ammo, but it was an attention grabber as well. Odd that she hadn't heard the car accident that happened a while back, but she must not have come to a stop yet.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

Casting scrutiny over the trees, the grass, and the wildflowers alongside the slender path that she was following- there was absolutly nothing to be seen that she had to worry about. The forest took on its dead silence that it always did right before dark, but Ana still felt the urge to keep going. She had never completed this trail before, and really wouldn't mind accomplishing something today before she had to go back to work tomorrow night. Fingers squeezed the grip of the pistol before her thumb washed over the safety, flicking it on, and plunging the pistol int o her shoulder holster. There was nothing to worry about, it was just nerves. She was too used to getting herself in to trouble that it was hard to recognize solitude when she saw it.

Her attention turned back to the trail, gazing don the way she came, then back up the incline that continued to climb through the expanse of trees. Up we go. She lunged forward and began to move again. Her running shoes dug in to the Earths crust and propelled her forth, trying to push the thoughts of unease from her mind as she moved, trying to concentrate more on her breathing than on being worried. It wasn't easy, but she was managing it.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead