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Nikko glanced around the tree he had his back to. He didn’t see anyone, but he wasn’t going to risk leaving his hiding place. If Doug found him, he’d have to explain another black eye or bloody nose to his parents. Doug and the other kids in town liked to follow Nikko around town when he ran errands for his parents. If Nikko ventured too far then they would chase him into the woods.

              He turned forward and leaned his back on the tree. He made sure to keep his breathing low. He looked around but still didn’t see anyone.

              Something snapped to his right. Nikko turned slowly towards the sound. He had learned long ago that quick movements gave him away. Still, he only saw trees. He licked his lips. Had he really gotten away from them?

              A hand dropped on his shoulder and Nikko reeled away. He tripped on a root and fell. Doug laughed. Nikko got to his feet and ran. Doug was bigger than him and quick on his feet. Nikko was nimble. He could dart in and out of trees faster than Doug or his friends. Still, his tormentors always managed to keep up. Nikko tried to head back towards town, but Doug’s friends spread out, blocking his way home. Their parents had taught them to hunt when they weren’t needed on their farms. Nikko’s parents had taught him how to cook and garden in order to provide for a tavern. Doug said they liked to use Nikko as practice. He has the mind of a predator. Nikko thought as he darted past another tree.

              Nikko needed to find a tree with low hanging branches. He could climb higher than the other kids and could jump from tree to tree without falling.

Most of the time.

Nikko didn’t see any he could climb and even then, the others were too close. They would catch him if he tried.

They were starting to narrow the distance between themselves and Nikko. Can’t let them catch me. He had gotten good at escaping in the woods. Doug hadn’t caught him for months but it seemed that would end today. Getting into a fight in town was different than being caught in the woods. In town, Doug couldn’t get too far without Nikko’s parents stopping him but out of town.

Outside of town Doug was cruel. He wouldn’t stop until Nikko begged, and would laugh if he cried.

              Panic started to well in his chest. Can’t let them catch me. The words sounded hysterical in his mind. His breath became more ragged. Don’t look back. Looking back would make his panic worse. It also distracted him. A sob escaped his mouth when he heard something snap close behind him.

              He needed to get away. To be faster or something. Why had he wandered so far from the tavern?

              Nikko dodged to the left, into a stand of thick trees and tried to run around one of them. If he could turn back around, he might be able to get ahead as they tried to stop and turn around. He heard Doug run past the tree Nikko had run around and fall as he tried to follow.

              It worked for the moment, but Nikko’s legs hurt and he could feel himself slowing down.

              If only he could get to the stand of trees ahead to his right.it was too far and they would see him dart there. He wouldn’t have time to climb. Nikko begged his body to move faster. Begged the gods to let him get away.

              His vision began to spin. He blinked to try and clear his vision. In that moment his feet were no longer on the ground and the sounds of his pursuers vanished. Everything was dark, empty, and safe. He opened his eyes and everything had changed.

              He had to stop himself from stepping off a branch. He looked down and had to cover his mouth to stop himself from screaming. Doug and his friends searched for him below, wondering where he had gone.

              What just happened? Nikko couldn’t concentrate as he tried to stay quiet and not fall out of the tree. Once the bullies were gone, Nikko climbed down, gripping tight to every branch. The entire way down he thought about how he had gotten into the tree. Dread had filled him when he realized what it meant.

              Had the others seen what he had done? Should he risk going back to town to find out? Where else could he go if they had? He wasn’t welcome anywhere because of his black hair, it indicated his half breed blood. But this, this was worse. Besides, he didn’t know how to survive on his own.

               A part of him didn’t want this but a stronger part pointed out that it had helped him get away. He also wondered how it worked and if he could do it again. If he could go from one spot to another in the blink of an eye, then he would never be caught by the likes of Doug again.

              Nikko’s eyes darted around as he walked back, making sure no one had come back to look for him. Soon Mirta came into view, and he stopped.

              No one waited for him. That should be a good sign right? Nikko wiped his hands on his pants and licked his lips. He could only hear his blood rushing through his ears.

              He took a step forward.