Lungs were a f l a m e with each breath she took -- legs pumping at an incredible speed to keep what distance sheâd acquired from her pursuers. Unfortunately, those very pursuers happened to be law enforcement and they were not happy with her and gaining on her quickly. Breathlessly, Crystal cried out, âIâm sorry! Please, stop chasing me! I havenât done anything wrong!!â
  Leave it to her to be caught in an underground trading port with illegal substances and some less than honest people just when someone had decided to tip off the police. Although, Crystal had connections everywhere so it was only a matter of time to see who sheâd be caught with. Some of her best metals, weapons, and magical items came from those sources. They werenât all bad people, she thought. Just a little misunderstood. They were all actually rather kind once you got to know them.
   âI... swear!! I havenât done anything yet! Youâve got the wrong girl!â Ice formed beneath the girlâs feet as panic coursed through her veins, sending her skidding into a passerby who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just her luck! Wide-eyed, Crystal grabbed his arm to steady him before taking off into a sprint again -- this time with someone else in tow. âS-sorry! I didnât mean that -- but come with me for a second, alright?â
  Weaving around corners to throw them off her trail, she then pulled him into an alleyway between boxes, dumpsters, and brick walls. Whoever had put these out for trash day, she was entirely grateful. âPlease, be quiet for me, okay?â she whispered urgently, a finger held over faint pink lips as she listened to the oncoming footsteps and hoped theyâd simply pass them by.