Chapter one

Death.

It wasn’t something I thought about often, but when I came home one day to see the bodies of my murdered parents, everything changed. It wasn’t long before the headlines appeared.

“Daughter of murdered parents still on the run“, “Clarissa bane still missing after mysterious death of parents, Harry and Lisa bane”, “Clarissa, 16, hiding on the streets of Britain”.

Photo after photo would litter missing ads and soon after, wanted ones too. I don’t know who killed my parents, all I know is I got scared and ran. “One year since the tragic murders”.

I guess I don’t mind if you believe it all, everyone else does. For a year I’ve been hiding, my appearance has changed, and my once easy-going personality diminished. The girl once known as Clarissa Bane with long wavy blonde hair and bright eyes is now named Rissa woods and she has short spiky brown hair and green eyes that long lost their brightness.

I could start at the beginning of my life, but that would be a waste of both yours and my time. So I’ll start where everything changed. when clues about my parent's true assassin began to appear.

In a side street in a shifty part of East London was were it really started. I had been kicked out of my flat for missing yet another months rent and had no choice but to sleep outside. It wasn’t new to me, but I guess even I managed to get use to the comfort that a lumpy and tattered mattress can offer.

I had also forgot to check to see if anyone else was using this particular side street.

In the early hours of the morning I heard movement nearby and heard a male voice swearing quietly. I shot awake and quickly grabbed my stuff. I didn’t need to ask to know he was going through my stuff. Questions would only mean he’d get ‘em. I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder and began to leave. He didn’t try to stop me which I was thankful for. I didn’t have much chance against a guy who was twice my size.

“You got any dope in there?” his rough voice stopping me.

“No I don’t, and even if I did, why would you want it?” it was a stupid question I know, but despite a year on and off the streets I’d managed never to start dirty habits.

“Well, ya usually smoke it” he brandished with a mocking laugh. I looked at him more closely and realised he couldn’t have been much older than myself. His dirty young face was an unshaven mess with blue eyes. I think his hair was black, but with all the dirt it was impossible to really tell. I didn’t make a habit of picking up people but something was different about him. Even through he acted like your regular druggie something didn’t ring true. Ever since I was little my intuition had kept me out of the worst of things. So as you can imagine I was stunned when it was shouting at me not to leave this guy be.

“What’s your name?” I asked turning to face him fully again.

“Me?” he questioned a little taken aback, clearly he never learnt about introductions.

“Yes, you, unless there’s someone hiding behind the dead end” I ridiculed rolling my eyes.

“My mates call me Kris, what ‘bout you?” I speak my fake name without a second thought.

“Well Rissa, what d’you want with me, if you don’t mind me askin’?” he asked,  I shook my head.

“Nothing” I replied quickly.

I made my way to the pub I worked at and was immediately shouted at and fired for being late again. Its not my fault I didn’t have an alarm clock. I checked my purse, a pitiful fourteen pounds and seven pence. Through to a person on the streets it’s a pile of gold, if used right. I quickly ran though my head all the stands and the prices and set off on a mile walk to the cheapest stand I knew off. Also ran by a guy who liked to let a street person pay a little less.

I spent the rest of the day just walking place to place. It wasn’t until I noticed the fading light that I sensed a group behind me. I turned my head slightly and saw three guys all of whom I knew were trailing me. I could smell the alcohol from here and I had no intent on being near them. I began to quicken my pace. I relaxed when it sounded like they’d gone. But when I turned to see how far back they were. One of them as right behind me. Before I could let out a scream he covered my mouth with his right hand. And his left started exploring. How hadn’t I heard him creep up on me?! I struggled letting out muffles of distress.

“Now, now, if you just do as me and my buddies say no one’ll get hurt, awright?” He murmured menacingly. Not "awright" I thought.

I lifted up my left leg and kicked back at his groin area, I was released instantly. But before I could run away another of the guys stood in front of me, blocking my path, the third and the recovering guy cornered me into the wall. The third grabbed my arms and threw me to the ground and held me there.

“Well, last I checked that ain’t how you meanta treat a girl” Kris Shouted boisterously. All three of them turned and I scrabbled to my knees and turned my head too. The guy from earlier was standing there not at all phased by the fact that he was about to get the crap beaten out of him by all three of these guys. But before they could get to him the sound of sirens filled the air. The three guys all made a run for it. It wasn’t until after I woke up I remembered I should’ve run as well. 

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Author guidance for This story

Finished the first draft! This is a prequel to my big story "Blood City" :)

Rissa life used to be normal, it consisted of school, friends and most importantly, her parents. that was a year ago. Now her life is on the dirty streets of London. Then she meets a strange boy and the mystery of her parents death becomes that little bit more mysterious to her.


Characters

Clarissa Bane (Rissa)
Age: 16
Description: short, spiky brown hair (grows slightly longer over the course of the story. Naturally Blonde), hourglass figure, 5'6
Personality: Rissa is very strong-willed and quick to assume the worst and judge others. Of course she can overlook any judgement if it means explaining her parents deaths.

Kris
Age: 18
Description: 6 foot tall, messy dirty dark hair and dark blue eyes
Personality: Kris is a very blunt person and acts very distant. But once he trusts and cares for you, he'll go to the ends of the earth for you.

Grace
Age: 16
Description: Fiery red hair, covered in freckles 5'2, blue eyes
Personality: Grace is very loud and cheerful generally, but when something bad happens she tends to think the worse. She tends to mother the others a bit.

Justin
Age: 17
Description: Blond hair and grey eyes, well-built, 5'8
Personality: Justin takes on the role of joker with glee but when things get serious he will too.

Jessica
Age: 17
Description: Long dark brown curly hair, brown eyes, sharp Asian facial features, extremely skinny with long legs. 5'9
Personality: Jessica has a sharp tongue and a curious nature alongside a need to know she's on the right side.

Alec
Age: 19
Description: Brown eyes, black hair, rounded body and dark-skinned. 5'6
Personality: Alec is an extremely paranoid person, not to mention a genius with computers and hacking.

Donna
Age: 24
Description: short red bob and dark brown eyes, 5'6
Personality: Donna is very confident and always interested in the next big story.

Anya
Age: ???
Description: Long blonde hair with pale blue eyes and an hourglass figure, 5'7, rounded lips
Personality: Anya seems to take pleasure in knowing more than the others. she acts strangely around Rissa

Isabella
Age:???
Description: Black curly hair and white eyes, 5'4
Personality: Isabella doesn't talk much but Anya refers to her as "Sister".

updated Feb 4 by Cat_Monty