[00] Now Entering Kill Town...

[Sullivan]

The sky was amber with morning sunlight that splashed across the horizon like paint on a midnight blue canvas, still emerging from the clutches of night. There was a chill hanging in the air that dripped silence across the Earth beneath it. On a stretch of well traveled dirt road, a single female figure walked with a lope to her step that displayed both intelligence and poise.

She was a sight to see, wearing robes of a royal purple, cut in the arms to reveal extravagant ruby colored fabric. The midsection was wrapped with an elegantly woven sash that held to her feminine figure just enough to make it distinguishable, yet reveal nothing. A carrying bag full of books hung at her hip. Combined with her complex knotted hair, she looked a scholarly part, yet, she walked the roads of travelers without cease, drifting to a purpose.

It was a dawn that would be unlike others, however. Tranquility was interrupted quietly at first by a low humming that drew Mirabelle's attention. She stopped walking the road and turned her head skywards, where the sunlight was glinting off of something shiny and moving. It dropped into view quickly, apparently flying, and at an alarming speed. Mira's deep blue eyes followed the light as it revealed itself. When the sunlight's disruptive angle left the object, its form became clear. It was a person just like Mira, and headed straight for her too. She took a startled step back as dust kicked up and the being hit the ground boots first.

The earth flew into the air, then descended in a dusty haze. When it cleared, a tall man with thick dark hair stood in view. He had an angular jaw, almost unnatural in structure. His skin was waxy and surreal looking, but he looked strong and healthy otherwise, standing with a proud posture that towered over Mirabelle's own. He looked down on her and smirked.

"You are a person of interest," the man stated suavely. "To this end, I must extend to you my master's hospitality."

"Hospitality?" Mirabelle asked, taken aback. "You must have mistaken me for someone else. I do not recognize you," she said politely, then turned to leave.

The man smiled a white grin and continued talking. "My master is a man hosting a study of sorts, and your name has come up as a person of interest. Might I show you more, Mirabelle Calliope?"

Mirabelle stopped mid-step. She could feel unfamiliar eyes resting on the back of her head uncomfortably. There were questions to be answered.

"Might I ask exactly how it is you have come to know my name?" Mira asked quietly.

"Because you're about to be involved in a study...whether you like it or not."

A sharp pain alerted Mirabelle to a sharp object sinking into her back. The feeling of fluid flowing into the wound left the tactician with a sinking sensation in her body and mind. The world in front of her slid out of focus momentarily, then back in, at the same instance as Mira's legs started to lose feeling.

"You...you have..."

"Tranquilized you, yes," answered the man. "I'm an Android, sent to collect you. You're about to, like I said, be involved in a study. All will become clear as -"

He was cut off as Mira fell to the ground face-down suddenly - she was unconcious. With a sigh, the kidnapper stooped over and picked up the body. "Weak bitch," he murmured.

---

Mirabelle's cool blue eyes fluttered open faintly, groggily syncing to her surroundings. She felt wind beating viciously against her face, as if she was thousands of feet in the air. In confusion, her eyes opened fully.

"Oh. Oh, no. No, no, no..."

Perched atop the largest hump of a roller coaster, a red cart held Mira snugly behind its guardrail. The wind howled like a hungry dog in her ears as the drugged blonde came to her senses and the situation grew obvious.

"I hate heights..."

Click.

Mirabelle looked around frantically. "What was that!?"

The cart lurched, consequently urging Mira to grip the guardrail with white knuckles. Then, it dropped suddenly down the enormous hill of the coaster. A piercing scream followed in its wake, following behind the petrified tactician in her ride of terror.

Mirabelle had arrived, and was a captive of the program.