EXT. Backstreets - AFTERNOON

MIA lands at a dead-end alley. She redoes her cloak, checks her bag, then starts walking briskly down the alley. She looks around as she winds through the continuous street she landed on. As she turns into a corner, she walks head-first into LIAM, a boy Mia's age with ratty clothes. They both fall.

MIA
What the-!

LIAM
Run!

LIAM stands up. He goes to MIA and pulls her up.

MIA
What?

LIAM
Run! I'll explain later.

LIAM starts running the way Mia came from. MIA follows. A few dozen yards later LIAM pulls MIA into a doorway.

LIAM
(breathing heavily)
I pissed off some gang a couple
of days ago. They found me fifteen
minutes ago and I don't want to
know what happens when they catch
up with me.

MIA
I've known you a minute and I
know you're an idiot. What'd you do?

LIAM
How am I supposed to know?! Gangs
go off like bombs! What do we do
now?

MIA
Run like hell. Try and shake them
off. Run some more.

MIA pauses for a moment.

MIA
Wait. We? When did I get involved?

LIAM
When you decided to run with me.
You go back out there and they
find you and you can kiss any hopes
of ever looking the same again
goodbye.

MIA

I'd slap you but that'd only
waste more time. C'mon!

MIA drags LIAM out from the doorway and down the street. Behind them a half-dozen GANG MEMBERS are taking their time.

GANG MEMBER #1

Don't think you can get away.
We know this town inside and out.

GANG MEMBER #2

Oh, you got a girlfriend now, eh
blondie? Hope she isn't too
attached to her face, 'cause it's
'bout to get rearranged along
with yours.

Some of the GANG MEMBERS make CATCALLS. MIA and LIAM continue to run, but stop when they reach the dead-end MIA landed in.

MIA
Oh...crap.

They turn around to face the GANG MEMBERS.

MIA
Idiot? Do you trust me?

LIAM
If you've got an escape plan, then yes.

MIA
Give me a hug.

LIAM
What? Is this really the time to-

MIA
(interrupting)
Hug me. Now.

MIA unfastens her cloak and tucks it in her bag. Her wings are still hidden behind her back. LIAM awkwardly hugs her. He makes a funny face when his hands touch her wings.

GANG MEMBER #2
Oh, now they're trying to spend their last moments of of being in one piece together. I think I'm gonna puke.

MIA
(so that only LIAM can hear)
Hold on tight.

MIA throws her arms around LIAM as she spreads her wings. There are SHOUTS of shock and awe from the GANG MEMBERS as she flaps her wings and takes off. She struggles but still gets away.

EXT. SKY

MIA flies unevenly towards the edge of town. LIAM has a look of pure terror on his face.

LIAM
Did I die already? Are you an angel?

MIA
Well you're taking better than I thought you would, so that's a plus.

LIAM
So I'm not dead?

MIA
Do you want me to drop you so you can really be dead?

LIAM
I'm good here, thanks.

MIA
I thought so.