Natalie looked up with a start. The sun had gone down completely, but she hadn't noticed. The lamp above her kept her book nicely lit. There were suddenly a lot fewer people around, and most of the shops were closed and dark. She rubbed at her eyes, trying to get them used to looking at other distances again besides just her book.

Night had fallen. She was hungry again, but she didn't really want to go back to the mall again. Not when that security guard might still be there. She wandered through the streets, looking around for any food she recognized. As much fun as she'd had exploring every store she came across, she didn't really feel like trying a new food at the same time. She needed something reliable to ground her.

Still, the city didn't have many restaurants she knew. There was plenty of food, but nothing that looked like her type of food. She kept wandering, hoping something would come up. Luckily she wasn't too hungry, and she still had a couple granola bars in her purse somewhere. She'd be okay.

Something about the area she was walking into felt off though. There were less friendly, helpful signs and brightly colored shops. It was becoming more plain and gray, more bland and boring. This was more like the sort of city she'd always expected to find from TV or her books. Everything looked a bit more worn down and dirty. Natalie wondered if she should be heading this way, but she still hadn't found anywhere to eat yet.

Besides, it's not like I'm really in danger. I have magic, right? I'll be okay. They said if it's an emergency to go ahead and use it. But keeping the secret's super important too.

She was getting nervous though, and that wasn't good. Natalie stopped halfway down a street, leaning against the wall. She took a deep breath. Calm down. Everything's okay. I'm Natajenny Somethingshiredricks. I can take care of myself. It's just a stupid city.

"Excuse me!"

She looked up sharply. There was a guy standing in front of her, looking at her strangely. She felt defensive immediately, tucking her hand into her pocket where she kept one of her gemstones at the ready. The new emerald pendant on her necklace was ready to go too, just in case, but she doubted she'd need either of them just to take on one guy. He looked a little funny, like his face was melting off. One of his eyes pointed in the wrong direction, and he had a messy beard.

"Hi," she said cautiously.

"Sorry. I was just wondering if you knew what time it was?"

That's it? Natalie shrugged. It was a weird question to make such a big deal out of, but whatever. She pulled out her phone and unlocked it in one quick motion.

"It's about ten—" she started.

His hand moved. Way too fast. She scrambled forward, but he'd already snatched it out of her hands. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no!

The guy took off. At the exact same moment, just as she'd started to move, the strap on her purse slid off her shoulder. She twisted around, and the strap fell off entirely.

Another guy grabbed it, sprinting away in the opposite direction.

Oh my god. They—

What do I do? He has my phone. That phone has so many things on it that no one's supposed to know. But the other guy has my bag, and it's magic. What if he opens it?

What am I supposed to do?

An image of the purse's contents flashed in her mind. Gwen's fur. Her dad's drumsticks. Her mother's old locket. The photo of Jenny. Her gemstones. All the things she'd bought that day.

Natalie took off after the guy with her bag, throwing caution to the wind. Every step she ran, she flung herself forward in midair with magic to go faster. She stumbled a bit on the first few leaps, but soon enough she was starting to catch up with him.

He looked over his shoulder at the loud impacts of her shoes on the pavement, and his mouth fell open. Natalie didn't care about being noticed anymore. She was getting her bag back.

The guy bolted down an alley, and Natalie ripped around the corner after him. She was really angry now. After all of the stuff she'd run away from, when she'd finally found somewhere to spend a day without being bothered by anyone, this happened?

He's gonna regret this.

She flung out her mind, trying feel out for the bag, but she couldn't find it. The guy had turned another corner already. She kept running to catch up, but he was so much taller and her legs were just too short. Even with magic to help her, she could barely keep up… and she was getting tired.

They darted through a twisting alleyway covered in rainwater and grime. Everything about the place made Natalie feel dirty and gross. She wanted to be out of there as fast as possible.

In desperation, she created a couple fireballs in midair and threw them around the next corner in a wide arc, hoping to scare the guy. As she rounded the corner, she saw… nothing. The alley finally let out onto an empty street, without a moving car in sight for several blocks. She didn't see the guy anywhere.

Natalie fell down onto the pavement, her arms and legs shaking. They'd taken all of her things. All she had left were her new jacket and dress she had on, the couple of gemstones and her new earbuds, which she'd never actually taken out. They weren't playing music anymore, with nothing to connect to, but she still had them.

Everything else was gone. In the midst of a massive city that seemed more dangerous and foreboding with every passing minute, Natalie was stranded and totally, utterly alone.

Natalie: are you there????

Natalie: pelase answer

Natalie: i need help

Cinza: I'm sorry, it took me a moment to get to my computer.

Cinza: What can I help you with?

Natalie: i was trying to get hailey but

Natalie: she didnt answer

Natalie: do you know where she is

Cinza: Something happened. Hailey needed help.

Cinza: Most everyone went out to help her. It's just me and Nicole at home right now.

Cinza: Is everything all right?

Natalie: no

Natalie: oh god

Natalie: cinza im so sorry

Cinza: What's the matter?

Natalie: i did something bad

Natalie: someone took my phone

Natalie: and my bag

Natalie: stole it i mena

Natalie: mean

Cinza: It's locked, right?

Natalie: no

Natalie: i unlocked it when i pulled it out

Natalie: and he took it

Natalie: im so stupid

Natalie: i didnt need to unlock it

Natalie: why did i do that

Cinza: Where are you right now?

Natalie: im in seattle

Natalie: in a store

Cinza: How are you on the website?

Natalie: they have laptops out to try

Natalie: i know im not supposed to but

Cinza: It's okay.

Natalie: i logged in because i didn't kno

Natalie: it is?

Cinza: This time, yes. There's more important things to worry about.

Cinza: Where are you at exactly?

Natalie: i dont know the address

Cinza: Okay. I'm going to have Nicole try to scry you.

Natalie: what

Cinza: Find you using magic.

Natalie: o

Natalie: ok

Natalie: should i stay here?

Natalie: i cant stay here. theyre saying theyre closing

Natalie: where do i go

Cinza: What part of the city are you in? North/south/east/west?

Natalie: i dont know?

Cinza: Do you know which direction the sunset was in?

Natalie: ya

Cinza: That's west. To the right will be north, and the left is south.

Natalie: o

Natalie: im north?

Natalie: i think?

Cinza: What's the name of the store?

Natalie: it's a buymore

Cinza: I believe I know where you are.

Cinza: There's a park near you, two or three blocks further north.

Cinza: Go there, and on the west side you'll find a place where some people gather together to sleep every night. They aren't friendly people, but it's better than a dark alley.

Cinza: Go there. Find a place where you can sit and no one can sneak up on you.

Cinza: Wait for me there.

Natalie: ok

Natalie: youre coming here?

Cinza: Yes.

Cinza: I know Seattle.

Cinza: I'll be there as soon as I can.

Cinza: Don't talk to anyone, and don't let anyone near you. They are not friendly people.

Cinza: Do you understand?

Cinza: Natalie?

Quit: +Natalie (Ping timeout).