Progenitor

After we walk for a while, I hear the city.

"Well, then. I think you'll be safe out here. Do be careful." Frankenstein says.

"All right." I say.

"By the way, I'd like to ask you..."

"Damn! Where did she go?!" an officer says.

"She's got to be hiding around here somewhere. Search carefully!" another officer says.

I stiffen in reaction to the angry shouting coming towards us.

Could they be more of the men who had tried to kidnap me?

"No. They're already this close. They're faster than I anticipated." Frankenstein says.

"What?" I ask.

"Where is she? Frankenstein! I know you'r there somewhere!" the officer says.

Frankenstein narrows her eyes behind her glasses. "You're being followed."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"This way!" Frankenstein suddenly takes my hand and begins running.

"Wait, Miss Frankenstein. What do you mean, I'm being followed?" I ask. "Aren't you the one being chased?"

"Just call me Victoria. Of course, I'm being pursued, but someone seems to be after you as well."

"Pursued by police?"

"No, the Yard is only after me. You're being followed by a different much scarier group."

"Who?"

"Progenitor." Frankenstein doesn't respond of any more of my questions, and we continue running. After we have run through the maze-like warren of alleyways, she finally comes to a stop. She gasps. "I wonder if we've lost them."

"Victoria, are you all right?"

"I'm fine but... Impressive. You're not out of breath at all..." Victoria abruptly stops talking. She looks behind her, eyes round in surprise.

"What's the matter?"

"Watch out!" Victoria suddenly pushes me down.

At the same time, I hear a strange noise. I turn behind me to look, and see a man wearing a bizarre bird-like mask, pointing a blade straight at me.

"I take it you're Caleb." he says.

"What?" I ask.

"Duck!" As the man raises his sword again, Victoria throws a glass tube stuff of liquid.

I feel a blast of heat and hear a muffled sound.

It's probably the same thing she used to save me earlier.

However, the masked man jumps away quickly to avoid the explosion.

"Run!" Victoria chases. She throws some more tubes at the man.

Explosions go off, one after another.

Through the rising black smoke, I see the mysterious man on the ground.

"We'd better run while we can. There will be others here soon. We've got to get away from here!" Victoria begins running, and I follow.