The Plain
Emma looked around her father at the girl lying in the hospital bed.  Despite her fall, the doctor said she had no broken bones.  Only some strange cuts on her arms that seemed strangely fresh even hours later.  The doctor had rewrapped them for the girl.  Her clothes were drapped on a chair nearby, and Emma had noticed the large holes in her jeans and the disheveled nature of the clothing in general.  They had been unable to remove the watch from the girl's wrist so it remained there, clashing with the hospital gown.  The girl's hair was strange, but Emma wasn't about to point that out.  She was still hoping her father had seen what he said he had.  If this girl did use magic then perhaps...
"We have to talk," her father said, smiling in an attempt to keep the girl at ease.  Her father had wonderful skill at doing just that.
"Very well," said the girl, sounding like she just wanted to get it over with.  Yet her emotionless grey eyes remained on Emma, making the captain's daughter very nervous.
"My name is Captain J. Donald Lynn, and this is my daugher Emma.  As you can tell, she is a gifted girl.  Like yourself," he said, pushing Emma forward.  She wished she could make her cat-like ears vanish, or at least the tail.  The girl looked sick at the word gifted.  Emma felt empathy for her.  It wasn't a gift...it was a curse.  But her father always insited on calling it that.
"So?"
"So...you seem to be able to control your gifts very well, and..."
"And you want me to train your daughter to use her powers?  Well, I can't."  Emma grimaced slightly and stared at the floor.  She wouldn't cry.  She should have known.
"No.  I want you to take her with you?"
"What?" Emma was actually the one to ask what they were both thinking.  "Dad?  What are you saying?"
"Look, you need to be around other gifted people.  And this girl seems fully capable of taking care of herself.  Maybe you'll be able to figure out how to work your powers," he said.
"NO," the girl said, sitting up.  "It's dangerous out there.  What kind of father are you?"
"Your father lets..."
"My father is dead.  I'm an orphan.  I didn't choose this life.  It was forced on me," the girl said.  Emma stepped forward.
"Please, can I go with you?" she asked, her hands shaking slightly.  The girl noticed, but said nothing.
"That depends," she said.
"On wat?"
"Someone has to buy me some dinner.  I'm starving," the girl said.  Emma squealed with joy and hugged the girl lying in the bed.
"Thank you!  Thank you!" Emma didn't even ponder the fact that she was hugging a girl in a hospital bed.
"Looks like we have a new companion," a voice said.
"Wha...what was that?"
"My watch.  But it doesn't tell time.  So it's kind of useless," the girl said.
"Oh.  Why does your watch have an English accent?" Emma asked.
"I dunno," the girl said shrugging.  "I thought to ask."
"Oh.  Umm.  One more question?"
"Yes?" the girl asked, getting out of the bed.
"What's your name?"
"Sarai."
"Sarai?  I like it.  Well, nice to meet you Sarai," Emma said, smiling.

Sarai came out of the room a half hour later, fed and dressed once more in her grubby jeans.  It was at this point that Emma noticed the girl was a bit short.
"How old are you Sarai?" Captain Lynn asked, noticing the same thing.
"Fifteen."
"Oh me too!" Emma said, happy she would be with someone her own age.  Sarai didn't seem to care as she headed out the door.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"We're leaving.  Hurry up," she said.
"But don't I get to pack?"
"No.  Someone would only steal your stuff," Sarai said, pushing open the door.  Emma was forced to run, only giving her father a quick hug before dashing out.  She caught up to Sarai and there was an awkward silence.
"Where are we going?" Emma finally asked.  Sarai pointed straight ahead and didn't say anything.  Emma took this to mean she didn't want to talk to her, but she could only stand the silence for so long.
"Umm..."
"Yes?"  Sarai didn't seem agitated so Emma went on.
"What was that monster you fought?"
"That my dear was a nightmare," came the British voice.
"Oh, you watch is talking again.  Hello there, are you going to guide us on our adventure and give us advice when we need it?" Emma asked, hopefully.
"No, he's useless," Sarai said, shaking her head.  "I told him that a while ago."
"I'm hardly useless!  I can...umm..."
"Tell time?  Hardly.  You can't even do that..."  Sarai stared ahead.  "Not again."
Emma screamed and the three story spider turned away from it's prey to see what was making such a racket.
"Way to go," Sarai muttered, grabbing Emma and running.  Perhaps the giant spider would be clumsy.  Unfortunately she was wrong.  It was fast.  And it was catching up.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Emma repeated.
"Shut up and run!!!" Sarai called, dragging Emma along.   Emma at least listened.
"Stop right NOW!" a voice called.  Sarai and Emma were so shocked to hear someone they actually stopped and turned.  A tall dark figure was between them and the spider.  She was a thin, beautiful girl with huge mechanical wings held her long-handled axe in a protective manner.
"You're going to be killed," Sarai said quietly, walking up beside her.
"Only if you stay in my way!" The girl said.
"Fine, I have no problem leaving.  Die if I care," Sarai said, turning to go.  Emma stood facing her.  The battle had already begun behind them.
"What?"
"You can't just leave!  She needs help!"
"Watch me," Sarai said, walking away.  Emma stared for a moment then turned to face the monster.  Bitting her lip, she charged to her possible destruction...