The preamble to the game.... ugh.

The forest surrounding the school is dark, a good place for me. I strip off the skirt I'm wearing, it will only hinder my movement. The leggings underneath are nice, warm. I strip off my shirt, it's is long and flowing, it too will be nothing but hindrance. I'm wearing a simple black tank top under this. It will work for flying through the trees, and for hiding in the many bushes throughout the woods. I toss the clothes over one of the benches.

The game 'Fight or Flight' is played by as many people as can be found:

1. Select one person to be the hunter.

2. Pick one place, where the 'safe copse' is. This is the spot where anyone, other than the hunter, can be safe.

3. Everyone spread out, equal distance from the hunter. The hunter counts to a predetermined number.

4. Everyone runs as far away from the hunter in the time allotted.

5. The hunter races after the group. If caught by the hunter you go back to the copse.

6. You can fight back, if you see the hunter first. If they can't attack back in time to keep off the ground they lose and you become the hunter. (it is an honor to be hunter)

7. Whoever is hunter at the end of the game (everyone else is in he copse) wins.

This is the game I pride myself in. I have never been anything less than hunter by the end. I have never lost. I can only hope this will get me in with the guys. I never get along with the girls. So I have to prove that I am not a total pussy. Sebastian looked fast, and angry with me for saying I'd play. He is the leader, most certainly the one to target. He'll probably be the hunter for as long as he can.

My plan of action is to stay down until all but me and him remain. Then I go out looking for him. Then he goes down. I'll have to find a tree.

I'm probably good at this because at home there are annual games of Fight or Flight. These ones are deadly. You fight to kill. You hide to live. There is no copse. You lose the game-you lose your life. As I said, I've never lost. As a kid, before I could join the real games, we played until first blood. You fought until your opponent got hurt. No one on Karcin knew how to play. They were so peaceful. It was hard on me. Now I'm here, on this planet I don't know the name of. They know how to play, but don't play my way. I don't mind. At least I get to practice here. I'll have to be careful not to lose control. I have to keep them alive.

I get to the clearing that Sebastian and Jace pointed out when we entered the forest. There is a group of maybe fifteen to twenty guys circled around Sebastian. I was right about him being the leader. Among the boys is Aaron, my surly desk mate. His eyebrows go up as I enter the clearing.

"Ah, here's our last player. The new kid." I note that he refrains from saying 'new girl' and refuses to say my name.

"Sorry I'm late. I wasn't given a time. I wanted to get used to the woods." all brows are up as the guys, one by one, turn to stare at me. It's clear that they weren't told that a girl would be playing. "Hey guys."

"Hey," the only guy that speaks up is short. "Your name is Lilli, right?"

"Yes. I'm sorry if I didn't get yours?"

"August. And I am Noah. You must feel at the disadvantage." the boy that replies for August is normal hight.

"How is that?" I dislike him immediately.

"Well, you're a girl. How can we expect you to be able to play the game well?"

"Excuse me, but I think I can manage." yep, I hate him.

"Are you sure?"

"Dude, Noah! Lay off the girl. She may be better than you. You don't know 'til you play." thanks again Sebastian. Noah shuts up. "Okay. Let's start. I'll be hunter."

"No way man! I'm up this time. I want to be the one to take down chickadee." I notice his name for me and almost slap him.

"Noah should be hunter. We'll see if he can get me."

"Listen to the girl. She wants the challenge. Let's see if she's up to it." I smile to myself, knowing that it will not be me who is challenged in the end.

"Okay. Lilli, you sure you're ready for this?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Okay. Noah is hunter. Count to 45. That is the chosen time period. Okay, go!"

Everyone scatters.

Yes, let the games begin Noah...

Well, might as well start at the beginning....

"My name is Lillimir, but everyone calls me Lilli. I'm fourteen years old." I look out at the group of people surrounding me. I begin once again "I am from Karcin." interest begins to creep into some of the faces. "They like color, running, laughing, crying, talking, painting, drawing. I am the one exception." I look down at my simple black outfit. The people in the room are all wearing colors as bright as anywhere else. "I like running, climbing, swimming," this draws out a scandalized gasp. I continue, ignoring the over reactor "dancing, hunting, and singing."

"Very nice Lillimir." says the overseer.

"Lilli." I correct her quickly.

"Lilli. I apologize."

"It is nothing." I speak in older civility.

She smiles. "Lilli, you may take your seat."

"You have not assigned me one, ma'am."

"Of course, how silly of me. You may have the seat by Aaron." she gestures towards the back.

One boy raises his hand, reluctantly.

"Thank you ma'am." I go stand beside the table. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all." his voice is saying he does mind. He really doesn't want me here.

"I can ask for another seat if you want me to."

"No. I'm okay. Thank you."

I sit quietly beside him. He's lying. I know it. But I will ignore it. I don't want to start with a boy I don't know hating me. The overseer begins talking about something to do with science. I pull out a notebook and start idly doodling on the corners of the pages. Spiderwebs and hearts cover the corners within minutes. I stare into space quietly humming some spacey, sad tune.

"Uh... Lilli, you want to hang out a bit? I can show you around?" the boy standing beside the table poses this as a question. Aaron has disappeared.

"Ummm.... sure. What's your name?" I look around, realizing that class is over.

"My name is Jace. Well, Jason. But they call me Jace." well, he's a little awkward, isn't he?

"Okay. I'm Lilli. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm originally from the mist planets. Where are you from?"

"Ummmm....."

"Hey, Jace!" the voice from behind me is sweet and soft but definitely masculine. I turn to see a tall, brown-eyed, black-haired boy.

"Hey Sebastian. Meet Lilli."

"Charmed, I'm sure. Jace, we were gonna play a game of flight. You in?" he barely glances at me.

"Umm... I was gonna hang with Lilli, show her around. Besides, you know I'm not that good at it. I'll just watch."

I cut in quickly "I don't mind. I'll play with you guys. Flight is my favorite game that doesn't require hand to hand combat."

Both boys look a little weirded out. They obviously expect me to be like every other girl. Scared to run around and get dirty. Well, I'll show them.

"Okay... we're out in the woods. " Sebastian looks like he's trying to wrap his head around the idea of girls actually doing something.

"I still plan to just watch." Jace looks put out by the idea of girl playing.

"I'll be there."