Plot:

Character A is on the run. Betrayed, framed, or simply knowing too much, they have no choice but to disappear. Exhausted, wounded, and desperate, Character A flees into the depths of the city's forgotten places - abandoned warehouses, underground tunnels, and the outskirts where the lost and unwanted gather. That's where they find Character B, or rather, where Character B finds them. Character B is part of a hidden network of fugitives, people who have slipped through the cracks of society for their own reasons. Some are criminals, others are victims, but all of them know that the only way to survive is to stay hidden and stick together.

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Raihn Riorson

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Age: 19

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Gender: Male

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Appearance: Rain is a strikingly beautiful male, with an almost ethereal quality to his features. His face is smooth and fair, his complexion carrying the soft glow of porcelain, untouched by imperfections. His high cheekbones and sharp jawline give him an elegant yet youthful charm, while his full lips are naturally pink, always seeming to hold the hint of a secret smile. His hair is a shade of golden blonde, like sunlight spun into silk, falling just past his ears in soft, feathered layers. It catches the light effortlessly, creating an almost halo-like effect around him. His emerald green eyes are captivating - vivid and deep, like gemstones set against a pale canvas, framed by long, dark lashes that contrast beautifully with his fair features. They carry an intensity, sharp yet inviting, always seeming to see more than what is on the surface.

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A small silver hoop adorns his right ear, a subtle glint of rebellion against his otherwise angelic appearance. On his left arm, an intricate tribal tattoo winds up his tone forearm, curling around his bicep like living ink. Across his right shoulder blade, a flock of birds in flight is inked onto his skin, the smallest ones lifting towards his neck as they are ready to take off, adding an air of freedom and untamed spirit to his presence.

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He is lean and lithe, built like a dancer or a runner, with defined yet subtle muscle beneath his fair skin. At 5'10", he stands with effortless grace, his movements fluid and confident, carrying himself with a quiet intensity that draws attention without needing to demand it.

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Backstory/Why he's on the run:

Raihn was in the wrong place at the worst possible time. He wasn't supposed to be anywhere near that part of the city but a culmination of things had resulted in him being there at all. He'd missed his bus home after stopping to talk with a few acquaintances after his evening college class. Left with nothing to do but take a shortcut home through a construction site surrounded by several warehouses both abandoned and in use. That's when he heard it. The sound of someone begging, frantic and fearful, and then, the sharp crack of a gunshot. He froze, instincts screaming at him to run - but then he saw the killer step out from between one of the walls being built and into the light. A police officer.

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With his heart pounding he had ducked behind the nearest dumpster, holding his breath. His phone was in his pocket - he could have recorded, could have taken a picture - but he knew that movement could have given him away. The sound of a phone ringing had directed Raihns full attention back to the officer and he had watched as well as listened to the calm conversation that took place. The conversation had informed him that some other people had been on the way and not wanting to stick around, Raihn was quick to slip away, sticking to the shadows as he left. He had done his best to keep his footsteps silent until he was far enough before breaking into a sprint.

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At first, Raihn thought he was safe, but by the next day, things began to unravel. The officer - Detective Vaughn - , Raihn discovered after looking him up, had resources, connections, and experiences covering up murders. Vaughn isn't just a lone dirty cop - he's part of something bigger. At the crime scene, a nearby security camera catches a shadowy figure running. Vaughn pulled the footage, and after some digital enhancement, Raihns face appeared. At first, Vaughn didn't know who Raihn is - just that he existed. But it didn't take long before he tracked him down.

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Raihn gets the first signs that he's being hunted when he notices a cop car tailing him to and from school, when he returns home to find his house had been broken into, a warning letter left in his mailbox, a text, or rather texts from an unknown number threatening. With the cat-and-mouse game underway Raihn is left to make desperate choices. He has to think fast, and knowing that he wouldn't be able to fight back, and not wanting to risk putting someone else in trouble, there's only one option left to him. Ditch his phone, change locations, and disappear.

Aleria Evergarden

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Age: 18

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Gender: Female

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Appearance:

Aleria has vibrant red curls that frame her fair face in a wild yet elegant cascade. Her deep blue eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, seem to hold an endless depth, shifting between warm and quiet intensity. Her skin is smooth and fair, dusted with freckles across her nose and cheeks, adding a touch of natural charm. A small scar graces her right cheek, subtle yet noticeable. Standing at 5'5", she has a lithe, graceful build, moving with an effortless poise that makes her presence both commanding and elusive. She carries herself with quiet confidence, a blend of fire and mystery, like a flickering ember - soft yet untamed, captivating yet impossible to hold.

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Backstory:

When her father abandoned her and her mother at six years of age, Aleria was left to all but raise herself. Though her mother was occasionally home she was never present and not someone that could be relied on. The moment Aleria was old enough she set out on her own, but she had drastically underestimated the cruelty of life on the streets. After getting involved with some shady people she ended up borrowing money, a heavy sum that she couldn't so easily pay back. Owing a dangerous debt, and unable to pay it back she's been on the run, living in the shadows and doing her best to be nothing but invisible to the world.

It had been a series of events that had brought Raihn to this pinnacle point of his life. A series of choices he had made that had led him to the dangerous situation he now found himself in. What could he have he have changed? A question he'd asked himself for the dozenth time as he hid behind the dumpster he had ducked behind. Maybe if he hadn't lingered in class, hadn't asked the professor a few questions on the assignment the class had been given. Maybe if he hadn't stopped to chat with a few acquaintances, or if he'd run for the bus stop instead of walking then he would have made his bus and as a result, wouldn't have had to walk home. Or lastly, and the most crucial decision he'd made, was to take this fucking shortcut. If he had gone the usual route, stuck close to lit streets and away from this damn construction site then he wouldn't have seen what he just did.

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His mouth was dry, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, and his heart racing wildly within his heart. In fact, it was beating so loudly that he feared it could be heard by the man who had fired the gun, the man who was wearing a police officer's uniform, and the man who was not talking on the phone with some clear acquaintances. "I expect this to be taken care of within the hour." The officer demanded, his voice authoritative and calm, as if he hadn't just murdered someone who had been begging for his life. As if he hadn't just killed one of the people he'd sworn to protect. What had that poor fool done to get himself killed by a cop? Chewing at his bottom lip, Raihn let his eyes scan the area, he didn't like the sound of that, of more people showing up. He'd managed to disappear, to hide before being spotted by one guy, there was no guarantee he'd remain hidden if anyone else showed up. No, he needed to get our there and fast. Swallowing thickly he slowly crept back from the dumpster he'd ducked behind and towards one of the large walls of the building currently being built. It was encased in shadow, perfect for aiding him in escape. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, and praying that nothing would suddenly give him away, he shifted his backpack on his shoulder and began to move along the wall, in the shadows, and away from the crime he had just witnessed.

It was a normal day for Finn, he was hanging out with his close friend, Sean, or so he thought he was a close friend. "Hey Finn, look at this cool knife I just bought." Sean said out of nowhere, pulling a fancy pocket knife out and handing it to Finn. Finn didn't question it at all since Sean had a weird obsession with pocket knives. Finn assumed he just liked how they looked. He grabbed the pocket knife from Sean's hands and opened it. He examined the pocket knife for a bit before handing it back to Sean. "It looks cool, but you could have gotten a different colour." Finn suggested. The knife was army green and Finn didn't like the color. Apart from the colour, the knife felt expensive, it was heavy and looked sharper than a regular pocket knife. "Was it expensive cuz it sure as hell felt expensive?" Finn asked, chuckling a little as he watched Sean put it away carefully. "I'm not gonna lie, it was expensive, especially for a knife." Sean replied, chuckling as well.

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It wasn't long before another person joined them. Finn didn't know this person, and so he was a bit confused when he showed up, though he didn't ask any questions. Finn watched as Sean greeted the man and once he came over to Finn he shook his hand. From then on, Finn noticed a weird vibe rising in the air. Something was off and Finn grew nervous. Out of nowhere, both males in front of Finn got aggressive. They started arguing about money and drugs, Finn didnt hear pay too much attention to it but he was pretty sure one of them needed to get paid back. It only got more aggressive from there, and then, it all happened so fast. Finn couldn't process that a man had been stabbed right in front of him. Sean didn't stop after one, and Finn could only stare at him in shock. He was using the knife that Finn had just touched, meaning his fingerprints would be all over it if they found it. "Oh Finn, the police won't question me." Sean said, looking at Finn with such a cold expression as he held up his hands. Finn's heart dropped to his stomach. Since when did he put gloves on his hands? Everything happened so fast that Finn didn't even notice. "Sean, why would you do that?!" Finn shouted, stepping closer to Sean. "I wouldn't do that, you're better off running." Sean said. Finn was freaking out and didn't want to try and challenge Sean to get the knife, he would have probably ended up dead. He grabbed his stuff and ran outside, he then hung over the porch rail and threw up. He couldn't believe what he had just seen, but he had no time to stay and find out what would happen now.

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Finn went home straight away and packed everything he would assume he needed to run away. He fit everything into a singular backpack, thankfully he had a huge backpack made for travelling so he used that one. He had no clue where he was going to go, but he knew he couldn't stay. Once he got back outside he ran, making sure he was mostly hidden from people. He had one place in mind, an abandoned warehouse. It was a bit of a walk but the further the better. He spent the rest of his night walking and once he got there he was surprised that there was someone else. He became very wary knowing it could be someone messed up on drugs. His eyes widened when he saw a girl who looked around his age. He contemplated leaving her be, but before he could turn around she noticed him. There was an awkward moment of silence before Finn opened his mouth, "I was just leaving." "Wait." The girl called out just as Finn was turning around.

His heart was hammering as loudly as the gunshot that had sounded in the construction site he was fleeing from. Faster, he needed to run faster, get him, get somewhere safe. He listened to the sound of the sole of his shoes slapping against the concrete as he ran, the sound mixing and blending with the thunder of his heartbeat and each breath he sucked in. Suddenly he found himself wishing that he hadn't allowed himself to get so out of shape, wished that he had continued his early morning runs, the ones he'd put off for class and studying. If he'd done that much he was damn sure he wouldn't be as winded as he currently was.

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It felt like hours had passed before he finally reached the front door of his apartment. His lungs burned, his chest ached, and his legs trembled. Hell, he could hear the sound of his blood pulsing frantically in his head, the exertion of running nearly seven miles without stopping no doubt the cause of that. "Breathe, Raihn." He panted to himself, and in an effort to calm his rapid breathing, he drew in a breath, held i,t and slowly let it out. This he continued to do while fishing for his keys from his pocket. He was shaking, and so once he'd retrieved the keys it took him a hell of a lot longer than he cared to admit to get the damn things into the door and the door unlocked. His mind was still on what he had seen, what he had heard. He needed to tell someone, to call someone... but who? Normally someone would call the police to report a crime, especially one of this magnitude but the bastard who had committed it had been a cop. There was no telling what kind of trouble he'd get into if he called, who might be there, and how many other corrupt government officials might be present.

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Pushing the door open he stepped inside and slipped the bag from his shoulder. He had managed to get away unnoticed, calling in would likely only turn eyes to him, eyes that he would much rather avoid. Swallowing thickly he turned and hastily closed and locked the door behind himself, feeling for a moment, as if the walls of his home and this one singular door would protect him from the dangers he had unknowingly brought upon himself that night. "Okay..." He breathed to himself, though he wasn't sure what that one word was supposed to mean or convey. Was he trying to convince himself of something, trying to tell himself that he was home now so he was okay? Shaking his head Raihn let his backpack drop to the floor and, slipping off his shoes, he moved into his home and towards the kitchen to get himself a cold glass of water.

Finn turned around, growing a bit nervous. This girl could be cracked out of her mind or need help. Whatever she needed, Finn stayed alert, not trusting her just yet. "Do you have any food by chance or water?" She asked, and Finn could hear how shakey her voice was. The girl didn't attempt to move any closer to Finn, which he appreciated. Finn thought momentarily, did he want to be generous and give her something or lie saying he didn't have anything? He couldn't get himself to lie, he would have regretted not giving her anything if he left. "Yeah, what are you doing out here alone though?" He asked hesitantly, stepping forward slowly as well. She was silent for a while but then she answered, "I could ask you the same question". Finn chuckled a bit and stepped closer again. "Are you okay?" Finn asked as he squatted down a couple of meters away from her. He took his backpack off and set it down in front of him. He searched through everything he brought and ultimately pulled out an unopened bottle of water. "I don't know, I can't survive out here alone." The girl said quietly, and that's when it hit Finn. She could be running away too. She had some sort of tent set up with blankets, and it looked like she was trying to start a fire. "Well, maybe you don't have to. You like ravioli?" Finn asked before pulling out a can of ravioli. He looked up at the scared girl and offered her a reassuring, warm smile. All she did was nod before a quiet stream of tears began to roll down her cheeks. Finn pretended not to notice in hopes she would get a little more comfortable.

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When Finn stood back up, his eyes widened a bit and his body tensed as the girl hugged him. He was hesitant to wrap his arms back around her but did once he could hear her crying. "I don't know what I was thinking." She cried, but it was muffled since she was crying into Finn's chest. "I don't know what I'm thinking either, but let's eat. I can start a fire and cook up some food." Finn said, trying to reassure this girl the best she could. He slowly let go, then waited for her to let go before moving around her. He walked over to where she was trying to start the fire. Finn got a fire going pretty quickly, and then he looked around. Here I brought this tiny pot." The girl said, sniffling. "Perfect." Finn said, grabbing the pot and putting it down in front of him. He then rummaged through his bag for the can opener he packed. Once he found it he opened the can and poured it into the pot.

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The rest of the night went smoothly, and Finn found out the girl's name, Jinx. She had also opened up a bit, which was great because it meant she was getting comfortable. Finn could tell she wasn't a threat to him, if anything she was probably more scared of him than he was of her. There were some giggles and laughs throughout the night and they ended the night off being full, hydrated, and warm. Finn set up his sleeping stuff on the opposite side of Jinx's stuff and they called it a night.

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(Timeskip 2 months only for Finn & Jinx)

"I think we should hit the road soon, we've stayed here for too long and honestly it's getting a bit boring. Don't you think it would be fun to find a new place to camp out?" Finn asked, turning over on his side to face Jinx. They have been at that warehouse for about 2 months, and the two of them grew closer and closer every single day. They have decided to stick together, no matter what. "I guess, but we have to be careful, we cant let anyone see us for the most part. Once we get far away from here we will be able to show our faces again. I guess that's more of a problem for you though." Jinx said, chuckling. "Oh, you shut your mouth." Finn said playfully. They spent the rest of the day packing up their stuff before getting on the road.

The apartment was quiet, all rooms but the foyer and the kitchen were dark. Normally it wasn't a problem, a fear that had long since been forgotten along with the freedom and innocence of childhood. But right then, to Raihn, everything seemed too dark, as if something was lurking in the shadows waiting for a chance to leap out at him. Everything was too quiet as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the dangers that Raihn now found himself in. "Keep doing that and you're going to drive yourself crazy." He muttered under his breath, though even at the sound of his own voice piercing through the quietude of the apartment his heart lept into a panicked rhythm and his breath seemed to catch. He was on edge, that's all it was. There was no one, there was nothing in his home except for him. Or at least, that's what he kept telling himself.

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Swallowing thickly he grabbed a glass from the cupboard where they were stored and moved over to the faucet. Feeling like a complete fool, Raihn fought the urge to whip around and check the expanse of space behind him as he turned on the water and began to fill the glass. He felt parched, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, grating and irritating like sandpaper. Again, something he chalked up to the fact that he was on the verge of panicking, had been since he'd heard the pleading, the gunshot... seen the cop step out of the- Stop! He demanded, halting the thought, the memories from progressing any further. Don't think about it... try not to think about it. School, what were the focal points of the lecture in his biology class? Silently he asked this of his brain, trying to turn all unsettling thoughts from what he'd witnessed and to what he had instead spent seventy-five minutes learning. "Cellulose, an organic compound and a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred linked glucose units." He said aloud, drawing on what he'd learned in the lecture. Already it seemed to be calming his nerves, slowing the hurried beating of his heart, and easing the tightness of his chest.

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With the glass of water now full, Raihn turned off the faucet and brought the edge of the cup to his lips before taking a much-needed sip of the cool and refreshing water. The moment he felt the revitalizing fluid enter his mouth, what had started as a sip turned into a greedy, starved gulping. Within a matter of seconds, the glass was empty and he found himself turning around to refill it quickly, and repeating the process until he was halfway finished with his third cup. Now, with his thirst satiated, Raihn moved to step away from the counter and head towards the small table to take a seat. The fear and panic he'd felt before lingered but was no longer so consuming that he feared some monstrous beast would come charging at him from the shadows. Each time his mind strayed to the events he'd witnessed earlier he began reciting his lectures, answering biology questions, doing anything to keep his mind off of it.

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If anyone could see him, perhaps they would say he was being cruel and insensitive to the injustice that had been committed against the person who had been killed, but what could he do? It wasn't like it was some average person who had done the crime, a citizen who blended in with the populace. No, it was fucking police officer, a government official who knew the law inside and out, who likely had friends in high places. Even if he were to brave the risks that came with those two things alone, if he were to call in and report a crime, there was no doubt he'd be interrogated and questioned. And, the anonymity that he currently had would be gone, for the moment he called in, the moment he reported the crime, regardless of whether or not he brought up the officer, the killer would know he'd seen him and as a result, Raihn would become a target.

Aleria pulled the hood of her sweatshirt down further on her head, praying that the act would hide her bright red hair. She didn't care that the act might seem suspicious to some people and didn't worry about what people might think of her. They had no idea, couldn't even begin to fathom what her life was like, the real reason behind her actions. Drawing in a breath she let her blue eyes dance around to the faces of the people passing her by on the sidewalk. For two weeks she'd been out here, on the run and trying to survive. What little food she'd fled with had long since disappeared and as far as money went, well that shit had gotten her into this trouble in the first place. It was shocking how, despite the world, despite society claiming it wanted to help those in need, so many who needed help were ignored, and overlooked. Very few people were willing to actually see people like her, and even fewer were willing to offer assistance without expecting some kind of favor in return.

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The smell of hotdogs on the grill from one of the street vendors parked along the sidewalk drew her attention from her thoughts. The scent drew forth the hunger that she had been so desperately trying to ignore. Her stomach ached as it growled, pleading with her to provide it with some kind of nourishment. Swallowing she slowed to a stop and let her gaze drift towards the vendor with a line of people. She could see the small trays of hotdogs being handed out to those fortunate enough to have money. "Lucky bastards." She grumbled, and bringing a hand she rested it on her stomach as if pleading with some great beast to settle.

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The last of her rationed food had run out three days ago, and now she worried that starvation would take her before those sons of bitches that were looking for her did. Aleria was beginning to think that theft would be the only way she'd survive. Grocery stores might not be too difficult to nab a loaf of bread, or box of cereal from. What was the worst that could happen? Getting caught and thrown in jail? At least then she'd have access to a meal, a roof over her head, and a warm place to sleep. But more than that, perhaps she'd be safe from the people who were hunting her. Certainly not even those fools would try fucking with the cops, not unless they wanted to get their asses landed in a jail cell along with her.

Raihn wasn't sure how long he sat there, doing his best to keep his mind on anything but likely the most pressing thing for him at that moment. If he pretended like it didn't happen, then odds were he would be able to get on with his life, after all, no one had known that he had been there at all, and as long as he kept his mouth shut then hopefully it would remain that way. Drawing in a lungful of air, he moved to stand up and, finishing the remnants of his glass of water moved to set it down in the sink. A quick glance at the time told him it was nearly 10:30 at night, and although he had a mountain of homework, he felt far too tired to even try working on it. No, that would have to wait until tomorrow, hopefully, he'd feel better and more with it once he had a good night's sleep.

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Moving from the kitchen he flicked the switch to turn off the light and made his way down the dark hallway towards his bedroom. The door was cracked open and he wasted no time in pushing it open and turning on the light to his room. With the switch flicked on it revealed a neat and orderly space. A bed pressed and situated perfectly in the middle of the far wall with a bedspread that was a handsome mix of black and grey. There were two bedside tables, one on either side of the bed and just as snugly tucked up against the wall. While both had a lap situated on top of it, the right bedside table had an alarm clock sitting atop it and angled ever so slightly so that its digital screen could be seen by someone lying on the bed. The wall that the bed was up against was a dark grey almost black color, matching the bedsheets while the other three walls were a pristine white. The floor a dark oak wood, was covered only by a black carpet that had been situated under the bed. There was a dresser pressed up against the wall opposite the bed and situated between the door to the room and the door to the bathroom. On the wall left of the door was a large sliding window, currently locked. On the wall opposite it, was the desk Raihn used for studying and the two tall and thin bookshelves that housed the few books he currently owned.

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Letting his gaze sweep across the room he sighed softly before turning and making his way over to the bathroom. Pulling the door open he stepped inside and turned the light on before making his way over to the shower to get a flow of warm water started. As he waited for the water to heat he began to strip, slipping out of his clothes and tossing them haphazardly into the laundry basket that sat near the sink.

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It had been hours since, Aleria had wandered away from that food vendor and she found herself regretting the fact that she hadn't stopped to attempt to steal a hotdog from him, as foolish as that might have been. Now, she found herself wandering aimlessly along the long strip of rail tracks that stretched as far as the eye could see. Though she was drawing near to a large abandoned building, she hadn't yet noticed it. Her gaze instead was drifting along the treeline of the forest as she moved. A part of her wondered if she wouldn't find some nourishing meal there, some fresh berries perhaps, or something else to eat. The idea of wandering into the woods however seemed eerie and ominous, and she wasn't so hungry yet that traipsing through the woods for food was something she'd be willing to risk.

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It was only a few minutes later, as Aleria turned her eyes forward that she spotted the building and for a brief moment she felt a jolt of interest, of excitement, and then of relief. It was beginning to grow late, and with nothing but the clothes she had on and the almost completely empty bag hanging from her shoulder, sleeping under the stars hadn't exactly been something she wanted to do. True, it was late summer and the nights were mostly warm, but a majority of them were still far too cold for her liking. She was aware that that was likely due to windchill, to the annoying and yet seemingly everpresent breeze that blew through this area, but still. A building, as run-down and abandoned as that one looked, was still a building. It had four walls,and a roof, and would offer her far more protection from both people and nature than she could possibly hope for given the circumstances.