It had been several weeks since the small figure, now huddled in a dark corner, fled from a place she had called home for the past nine years.
Just two weeks ago, with a small backpack, she snuck on board a cargo ship bound for America. Hoping for a new start, and believing that it would be harder for the Agents of the 'Institute' to track her, she left all that she knew behind.
As the days passed on the ship, the yound woman thought back to the events that led to her escape and fleeing of her home country of Russia.
Just three weeks ago, a young woman was walking the halls of the Institute, where she lived and had classes. As she came to a corner of the hall, she overheard a conversation taking place. Normally she would continue on, but as she approached, she heard that the conversation was about her. So crouching down in a nearby doorway, she listened in.
'So, how is Karina's training coming along,' the Director said.
'So far she is coming along greatly, her powers have progressed more than we have hoped for,' the Agent said.
'Excellent, I think it is time we progressed onto phase 2 of this project,' the Director said.
'Sir, I don't think that she is ready for that part of the project,' the Agent said with some concern.
'I don't care, you will make her ready, or else,' the Director said with some finality to it. 'The Council wants to see results within the next month. Because her first target will be to kill the Prime Minister of England.'
At hearing this last statement, Karina quickly left the hallway down the way she came, tears streaming from her eyes.
That night she left all that she had known behind, and fled the Stroika Institute. It took her the greater part of a week, but she made it back to her home town of St. Petersburg. Her first thought was to see her parents again, and hope that Agents from the institute hadn't made it there before her.
But she was quick-witted enough to be stealthy when she got closer to her home. As she approached thru a back ally, she spotted a strange car parked outside her parents house across the street. As she looked at the darkened car, she spotted two figures sitting inside watching her home.
Upon seeing this, Karina quickly went back down the way she came. She left the area, and went to find someplace to think on what to do. Finding a abandoned building, Karina went inside to hide and figure out where she should go now, since Agents from the Institute were following her.
While she was sitting there, she heard the sound of the fog horn coming from the docks area. She then came up with an idea on finding away to get away, so that the Agents would take a while to track her down.
As she got down to the docks, she snuck into the dockmaster's office to find out what ships were leaving and where they were bound. Finding what she was looking for, she left the office to find the ship she was needing to get away.
Finding what she was looking for, she stayed hidden and watched for an opportuity to sneak on board. At the right moment, Karina made her way onboard ship, and found a dark corner to hide herself for the trip to America. A place she hoped would bring better opportunities then what the Institute would have her doing.
A couple of weeks passed, and now the ship was coming into dock in New Jersey. Karina was anxious to get on shore, but bided her time so she wouldn't be spotted leaving.
Finding herself in an unknown territory, Karina made her way from the docks to look for information and food. Food being the priority, as she heard her stomach growl from the lack of food she ate while on board the ship.
Making her way toward a more comercial area of town, Karina began walking. After a hour or two, Karina found herself near some fast food resterants, finding herself without money and an empty stomach. Karina forced herself to make her way to the garbage bins, and searched for something to eat.
Finding some partially eaten food, Karina went looking for a place to rest and regroup. After another hour, Karina found an abandoned building. Upon searching this building, Karina saw several other homeless in different parts of the place. Finding a secluded spot, Karina moved some of the rubbish so she would have a somewhat clean spot to sit and rest.
Taking the time to eat, Karina spotted a newspaper with the headline, "Black Mask Stops Heist". Karina read the article, finding the exploit interesting. And as she looked around somemore, she saw several other newspapers with more headlines talking about this 'Black Mask'.
So intrigued with what she had read, Karina decided on where to head to once morning arrived.
Once moring arrived Karina hit the road to make her way toward a mysterious new place, called Hero City.
This page is copyright 2008 Ryan McCullough.