Ruuun

I dodge in and out of people as I run like my ass is on fire but I refuse to stop. Screw that! As soon as I see what's in front of me, I shift. People cry out in shock but I ignore them all as I keep running but when I see a small plant shop, I quickly slide to a stop and go inside. 

Mango holds on tight while shaking and says "Willow are..." I quickly cut him off as I say "Shut it!" I walk in and try to calm my breathing as try to find something to help us. When I see a small tree of some kind, I quickly walk over and touch it. 

I calm my breathing and close my eyes as I focus on the small tree. As soon as it answers, I use its lifeforce to hide mine. When I open my eyes again, they're green like the leaves of the tree. I nearly jump in fright when I see a young girl looking at me with a frown. 

"Do you want this tree Miss? It will grow into a beautiful tree with lots of flowers. It may be small now but it will grow large and strong." She says with a small smile but when she sees my eyes, her smile falters. I awkwardly look away and say "Actually... I just may. I want to see if it's a good tree or not... by feeling its branches... and... stuff." 

I cringe at my own words but I still feel a cold chill running down my spine. Don't ask me how I know, I just know that scary-ass dude is looking for me. I can't let this tree go or he may be able to find me. The girl's frown grows as she says "Feeling its branches? I.. Uh, sure. Let me know if you need anything..." 

I politely nod to the girl before lowering myself and sitting down. I lift the small tree and place it between my legs before hugging it and whispering "Thank you little one... As soon as I have money, I will come back and buy you. I will plant you and grow you into a big, beautiful tree that will make all the other trees jealous. 

Mango suddenly pulls on my ear so when I look up, I see the man in black and the store woman looking at me with a frown. Shit! I look at the man in black with disbelief as I mumble "Impossible..." His eyes suddenly narrow as he takes in my now green eyes. 

As if slightly amused, he says "I followed you the whole time so even if you do this, I can still see you." My mouth practically falls open as I realize this man had watched my every frantic move and was now probably laughing at me as I hold and sweet talk the damn tree. 

Without breaking eye contact with him I say "I'm going to kill you Mango... this is all your fault." Mango suddenly pokes his head out of my hair as he yells "Kill me!? Don't you think you're being a little dramatic?? This isn't the first time coming to a new world! We will find a way to go back!" 

The man in black looks to Mango first with surprise before quickly morphing into a displeased look. I grit my teeth and say "This wouldn't have happened if you had just listened! Please! SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" The man suddenly reaches out and grabs my arm but I refuse to release the tree. 

Like the poor tree could somehow save me from this man but the shop lady quickly calls out "Wait! You haven't paid for the tree!" The man in black continues to drag me as his men with the swords suddenly show up and pay the woman. 

Everything around me changes and I feel like I'm falling before my feet are on solid ground again. I strain to keep my head from spinning as the man releases my arm and says "Watch her" in a strong deep voice. He walks off and disappears midstep as I look around in confusion.

The men from before were back, yet again but it looked like I was in a courtyard of some kind. I hold the small tree close as I look around in confusion. My mind races with ideas on how to escape but I needed to calm down. 

I reach up with my free hand and grab Mango. I shake him in anger as I say "Give me one good reason not to kill you and cook you for dinner!" Mango's big blue eyes widen in fear before he starts crying "I'm sorrrry!! I'm so sorry, Willow!! I didn't mean to! I just wanted to have a fun adventure with you." 

I grit my teeth and loosen my hold as I ask "Is this fun enough for you!?" Mango starts crying again, effectively turning me soft. I sigh and put him back on my shoulder before plopping down on the ground with a sigh. What am I going to do now?