Grace Bisaro

The Fire Escape

“Stop, Police!” The girl heard behind her as she hurled herself down the alley. She didn't stop, she didn't even look back. “Great" she thought “This was not in the plan.” She leaped like a cat over the low stone wall at the end of the alley and smiled. “No matter” she could lose them in no time. She knew this city better then anyone. And besides, she was fast. Before the war, when she was only ten, she had been the fastest runner in her school. She wouldn't get caught, she couldn't get caught. A girl, alone, out after dark, without a permit. She shook her head “No.. she wouldn't get caught.” “Do they know I stole the locket?” She wondered. “Probably not, It's just a patrol" Her hand went to her breast pocket, and she felt the hard, heart shape of the locket beneath the fabric. She could get a good price for it at the underground market tomorrow, of that she was certain.