Is this...the promised land?!  I wonder as I stare out at the bright, sunny world before me.

Callie giggles at the stunned look on my face. "Welcome to Inkopolis, Rosa!"

"Don't worry. It's a lot less intimidating than it looks." Marie says. It's as if she can read my mind, and knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"Where should we go first?" Callie muses.

They both look to me, seemingly waiting for my response. I duck my head, feeling my cheeks heating.

"Don't worry! There's plenty for you here!" Callie says, then pulls me out into the Plaza.

She wastes no time. In an hour, we manage to visit a restaurant, clothes store, hat store, and shoe store. Callie asks me if I want anything at each stop, but I blush and look away every time. She and Marie seem to be enjoying the trip, and I am too.

Suddenly, as we're walking to the Studio, someone starts shouting.

"Look! It's the Squid Sisters!"

"Callie! Marie! Over here!"

Before I can blink, we're surrounded by Inklings. They're pressing in on all sides, making it impossible to breathe. Panic rises in my chest. I'm going to be crushed!

I grab frantically for Marie, but miss. Someone slams into me from behind. The air is knocked from my lungs, and I fall.

Please, please, don't hurt me! I scream internally, feeling the bodies pressing in. It's just like when I was taken by the army. Rough blows landing on all sides, panic swirling in my head...

Instinct takes over. I see a small gap in the bodies and fling myself through it. Without any idea of where I'm going, I start running as fast as I can. I stumble and fall several times, but drag myself back to my feet.

Finally, I spot an empty bench and dive underneath it. I pull my knees to my chest, just now realizing I'm shaking. Blue ink runs down my legs...when did I cut myself? I don't remember.

I sit in the relative darkness, crying silently. I can't stop shaking, no matter how hard I try. As the adrenaline fades, I realize exactly what I've done.

Callie and Marie won't come for me...I'm all alone...no one will protect me now...

With nothing else to do, I curl up and cry.

- - -

Callie's POV - 15 minutes later

Marie and I frantically search the Plaza, a thousand terrible things running through my head.

What if she got hurt? Or lost? Or is hiding somewhere, terrified?

"Marie...we have to find her, before..."

My cousin nods. "I know. Let's slow down, and think logically. Where would a frightened little girl go, if she wanted to escape a large crowd?"

I take a deep breath, fighting back tears. I have to stay calm...

"I think she'd pick a direction and run, then hide somewhere. Somewhere she believes is safe, where others won't necessarily come after her." Marie says. "Let's head to the main Plaza. It's quieter there. Everyone's in Turf War right now, anyway."

I follow her, trying to keep myself from sobbing. Everything will be fine. We'll find her. We have to.

"Rosa?" Marie calls. "It's okay. You can come out now."

I hear a small intake of breath from somewhere nearby.

"We're going to keep you safe..." I add, my voice trembling a little. "Don't be scared..."

Marie beelines for a bench. She pauses, then nods firmly.

"She's under here."

I immediately rush forward, throwing myself to my knees. "Rosa!"

There she is, huddled under the bench and shaking. Ink runs down her legs - she's hurt!

"Rosa! You had us so worried!" I cry, pulling her out and into my arms. I squeeze her tightly, letting all my tension flow out. "Thank cod you're okay!"

Rosa's little body is still shaking. I release her from the hug and look her over.

"What happened to you? Oh, poor thing, you're bleeding! We'll bring you to the Studio, and get you cleaned up there, okay?"

Marie kneels next to me, taking Rosa's hand in hers. "You're going to be okay, Rosa. Take a deep breath."

She does, her body jerking as her breath hitches. It breaks my heart to see her so distressed.

"You're safe, Rosa! No one's gonna hurt you now." I say, hugging her again.

A few tears slip down her cheeks. She doesn't make a single sound, just puts her arms around me and cries silently.

Still reassuring her, I pick her up and start walking to the Studio. Rosa's shaking begins to subside, and I don't feel the wetness of her tears on my shoulder anymore. Shifting her in my arms, I realize she's asleep.

"See? I told you we'd find her." Marie says, smiling at me.

I give her a bright smile in return, then turn my gaze to Rosa's sleeping face. Something stirs in me, a feeling that's familiar...almost. I recognize it as the feeling I have when I look at Marie, but it's different somehow.

Could I possibly...?

No, that's crazy!