Chapter Text
"Anna!" Echo called, running after her sister. She loved the twelve year old, truly, but she hated that she always had to take care of her. Yes there parents were always working, but she could do without the weekly lectures on how she wasn't Anna's mother, and she should stop acting like it. She didn't blame her parents for working so much, she just wished she could get credit for watching over her sister all her life.
Anna had autism. It wasn't bad, or life threatening, or even a hassle. Echo was actually certain that her younger sister was smarter than her. Anna just developed a little slower socially, and needed special treatment. She hated that she was jealous of how Anna always got out of everything just because she 'didn't know any better.'
After arguing with Anna to get her to come downstairs, and failing, Echo shut her in her room. Anna wanted a nap, so she'd get a nap. Oh the wonders of childhood innocence.
Echo may have her head in the clouds 98% of the time, but she was no fool. She understood that the world was full of issues, and simply rejected them. It made her a loner, and perhaps a bit of a shut in, but she didn't care.
She stared out the window of her room. It was getting rather dark out early, as it was late winter. Echo pouted at the lack of snow on the hard ground below, nature never seemed to make sense in her small town in Maryland. Listening a moment to make sure her parents weren't coming back from work just yet, Echo pushed the window open and pulled at the small plastic nails that held the screen in. She set the window screen down behind her and leaned out the now open window. She loved the feel of the wind on her face, and hated that her window had the screen at all.
Echo jolted out of her state when she saw a flash of something above her. Ever curious, she leaned out and looked up see. Wind blew from behind her, knocking her right out the window. Echo screamed, but found her feet brushing along the grass, something holding onto her wrist. She looked up to see a shadow with glowing eyes. Her own eyes widened.
*******
"Waaaa! Oof!" Echo landed roughly in the sand when the shadow dropped her. "Well! That certain wasn't called for!" she stood and brushed herself off. She was grateful she had put off changing into her pajamas, her jeans, tank top and favorite shirt seemed more fit for the weather of...where was she anyway?
'Oh, I get it, I'm dreaming.' Echo thought to herself. It had been a long day, several tests, essays, and one annoying little sister. Sighing, she trudged towards the woods further into the island. If she was dreaming, she might as well have some fun.
It was only a few minutes into the forest that she felt someone watching her. She stopped. "You know, its rude to follow people without permission."
Several boys came from hiding places in the trees, all in their teens, and all baring weapons. "Well well." A tall boy with shaggy blonde hair. "Looks like the shadow brought in another girl."
"Hello to you too."
The boy only rolled his eyes. "Grab her, we'll take her to Pan."
One of the boys went to grab at her, but she smacked him away. "Oi! Watch where you put those hands mister!"
"Rebellious little one, aren't you?" the blonde boy said, sounding amused.
"Shut up, beanpole."
Echo would later thank her lucky stars that the boy had orders, or she would have died then and there.