Avanah Fraer rushed through the thick crowd, her heart pounding. Tears streamed down her face, and she tried to hide sobs that threatened to be released. She wished more than anything that she was back home, with her mother, father, and baby sister, Alexa. She wished that she had never chosen to become a criminal.
    
It had only been a little bit of money from the Karga, the massive bank located in the centre of town. No more than a few dollars. But money her was scarce, and stealing from the “rich people’s” bank was unforgivable, even if the criminals were thirteen-year-old girls trying to keep their families’ heads above water.

Avanah had stolen some money, been caught by some Loarwans (the town police), and was being chased through the place that she had lived in for over a decade. Avanah knew the route she was taking well. She’d traveled through this part of town many times. The only difference was that this time, she was alone.

She burst into the house with her dress stained and muddy, her face smeared with dirt and tears, and her hair windblown and tangled. But the first thing the old man noticed was the great fear in his granddaughter’s eyes.
    
“Grandfather! The Segomah!” Avanah cried, coming to an abrupt stop in her Grandfather’s living room.
    
Grandfather left the room and came back a moment later holding a small box with blue swirls on it. Avanah smiled gratefully and took it into her trembling hands. She undid the gold clasp and reached deep into the box, far deeper than the box looked on the outside. She pulled a platinum necklace out, and her grandfather helped fasten it round her neck.
    
“Good luck,” he whispered. Somehow, he knew what was going on. Avanah smiled, despite how worried she was.
    
The Loarwans had arrived. They surrounded her and began to advance. Avanah cried one more tear and clasped the necklace. It began to glow. . . .
    
Avanah opened her eyes. The Loarwans lay in a heap on the sidewalk. Avanah smiled. She had beaten them.