Williams' Court 2025

I have had everything bad happen to me that could possible happen. I know about everything there is to know. There is not one person who knows more then I. My allies and abilities are more so then anyone else. My power is not to be questioned, and so it isn't.

Everyone loves me, and with good reason. If someone doesn't love me then they will be put to death. That is not my choice, though. I would never harm another creature without a good reason. I have killed so many in my line of work, but they were all with very good reason. So there you go.

I was certainly not brought up to be in a life such as this. If someone would have told me that one day I would have this kind of power, I would have laughed. My mind buzzed with power, the kind of power only I possessed. Other creatures resent me for it, but they didn't understand how much I went through for this. (Before they were put to death). They had no idea what I had lost, and all those I killed along the way. I could have them all killed with one gesture of my hand, and so they were.

I sat on my thrown, one leg crossed over the other. People in elegant dresses danced around me. My dress outshined all of theirs, but I did not care. My mind was elsewhere...on all the things that had led me here. There were so many disasters and death that led to my absolute power. I thought through all the events, without them none of this would have been possible.

"Your majesty is there something wrong?" One of my house maids asked.

I glanced at her, but then turned away. I didn't feel like answering her today. She asked me the same question everyday. Instead, I instructed her to sit before me. She sat down on the tile floor, trying not to look worried.

"Have you ever heard the story of how I came to be?" I asked quietly.

"No your majesty," she said quickly, "no one knows that story."

"Well you're in luck. I am exceptionally bored today. Be quiet and I will tell you everything."

She leaned towards me, eager.

"I stared out as a human, with nothing ahead of me. I was alone, and was sure to remain that way. I had a family who didn't care for me, and only one friend. That was until the day I saw the strange boy," I smiled at the memory. "That's what started it all...and how I became Queen of the Dead...

Prelude

She was gone. My mind couldn't wrap itself around that concept. She could be dead now, and I never even noticed her absence. I was the worst friend in the world.

We had so many enemies, so many people who could have taken her. There wasn't even one clue. I suspected the person I had stolen from, but my family had different theories. No one seemed to believe me. I was too young to be taken seriously. I could not search their home, as I wanted. Those who entered have never been seen again.

The wind blew through my hair, and the trees. I sat down on a stump, which was next to a lake. They were all searching, but came up empty handed. The kidnapper left no clues behind. There wasn't even a scent.

I had lost her forever...

Chapter 1.

The Williams

Year 2015

Gray waves bounced off the rocks ahead of me. I tilted my head up to the sky with my eyes closed. The wind blew through my hair wildly. A storm was closing in. When I opened my eyes, dark clouds formed above my head. I knew it was time to go.

I slid my feet into the sand and then flexed my toes. I didn't want to leave. This was my safe place, my refuge. I never felt the weight of the world here and I had a lot of weight lately.

Thunder echoed across the waves, after lightning lit the sky. I sighed. This was the only place where I could relax. I didn't want to leave now. I could not relax at home. My family was not your average family, but there was nothing I could do about that. My mother and father favored my sister. She could do no wrong in their eyes.

As a result, I got in trouble for all of her mistakes. Well...they were not really mistakes when you mean to do it. I am grounded right now for throwing all of her things out the window, which I obviously had no part in. However, there was still nothing I could do about it.

A raindrop landed on the lower part of my leg. I watched as it ran down to my ankle. Another crack of lightning shimmered across the clouds. Very slowly, I rose to my feet and stretched. Then I toed on my flip flops. My black car stood only a few yards away, still it wasn't close enough. I sighed and then began the seemingly long journey.

I stumbled over nothing a few times. I was almost to my car when a small sound came from behind me. It sounded like the faint sound of a twig snapping. I turned towards the sound nervously. I thought I was the only one here.

No one was there.

When I looked back at my car, I jumped. A man was standing before me. He looked like he was ready to attack me. However, he made no effort to come after me. I looked behind me again and then back to him.

He was gone.

"That was weird," I mumbled while pulling out my keys.

The car took forever to get there and not because I didn't want to leave. I was looking for the strange man, although; I could have just imagined him. I dangled my keys by the door and then put them in the lock. I turned the key and then opened the door. Something hard rammed into my left side.

I flew sideways with the wind knocked out of me. I wasn't sure, but I swear I coughed up blood. I also made a strange gargle sound when I started to fall. I closed my eyes and waited for the concrete, yet the ground never came.

A door slammed loudly. I awoke with the musty scent of blood in the air. It was a strong scent, which was never a good sign. I blinked, seeing nothing. It was dark, either that or I was blind. There was cloth on my face, so I doubted that I'd lost my sight.

Muffled voices came from behind me. I strained to say something, but it too came out muffled. That was when I realized I was gagged. Did the strange man kidnap me?

I heard a door creak open. Instinctively, I flinched to the approaching footsteps and curled into a ball. I felt a hot hand brush against mine and I shuddered, waiting for the pain to start. I was pulled up to my feet instead, which caused me to stagger backwards. I was pushed forward as a door slammed against a wall. Whoever had me must have kicked it open.

The scent of blood was much stronger now. I think it was coming from me.

Of course, I thought to myself.

I could feel fear starting to bubble up into my stomach. I was very sure that I would soon be sick. Any second now I would be embarrassing myself. I could only hope that one of them would slip in it.

"In here," a far away voice called.

My hands started to shake behind my back. My feet wobbled beneath me like they were made of rubber. My skin grew hot as if I was being boiled alive. I hoped my death would be over quick. I stumbled into an unexpected chair; it felt like a chair, anyway.

I was going to have bruises from it.

I wanted to reach down and rub the sore spots on my knees, but I forgot my hands were bound. No one made any effort to help me. I waited for someone to say something. After a few minutes someone roughly cleared their throat. Then the same person did it again and a third time.

"Sit down." A different voice behind me commanded. This one sounded raspier, but it was calm.

I somehow managed to sit down and get situated on the seat properly. I heard papers shuffle in front of me and then my body started to shake. Someone touched my shoulders and I jumped. Then a cloth slid past my face and the bright light blinded me. My eyes took awhile to adjust, but I was finally able to look around.

There was a small desk in front of me. It almost looked like it belonged to a child. It was much too small for the large man who sat at it. He looked to be middle aged or maybe even older. He had a beard, but was completely bald. I didn't like the way he looked.

I was in a small grey room. It reminded me of the small interrogation rooms at the police station. Maybe that's where I was, but the police didn't kidnap people. At least I didn't think they did. The papers were smacked onto the table in front of me. I jumped and looked at them before I looked back to the bald man.

There was another man in the corner. The bald man motioned for him to go to me. This man wore a dark suit and sunglasses. He looked to be about thirty and had cropped brown hair. When the suited man stepped toward me I saw his small knife. My heart felt like it was going to explode inside of me. He turned towards my back and cut my hands free.

I sighed in relief.

He reached across my face and pulled the tape off in one quick movement. I gasped and clutched my mouth in pain. The man then took his place in the corner again. The big man shuffled through the papers he laid out, very slowly. His eyes were on me the whole time.

"What are...?" I started to say.

The big bearded man held up one finger to silence me. Then he cleared his throat one more time.

There were no windows to jump out of. There was no escape for me. Why was I here? What did I do?

The man looked away from me to look down at his papers. Then he looked back up at me. "Miss Harper, Is that correct?" He was the one with the raspy voice.

I managed a tiny nod.

"I am Agent Simpson. That is Agent Dublin," he gestured to the man in the corner. "We are investigating supernatural phenomenon."

I just nodded again, until I realized what he said. "What?"

"I will ask the questions around here!" He snapped. "Now, do you know why you are here?"

I shook my head. None of this made any sense to me. There is no such thing as supernatural things. Why the hell do they want me? I was hoping he would tell me, but he paused for a moment. I put my head on my hands. It looked like I wouldn't be finding out after all.

"We know what you are. Don't bother denying it. Tell us where the others are," Simpson demanded.

I froze in shock. "What?" I whispered.

He glared at me and then looked at Agent Dublin. Dublin didn't look happy either. His eyebrows furrowed. They were in dire need of a good plucking. I shook my head and tried to focus on the situation.

"You are Victoria Harper right?" He asked slowly.

I was still in shock. It took me awhile to process what he said. Simpson continued to look at his papers while I thought. My self-preservation finally kicked in, and I answered.

"No," I sighed in relief. "She's my sister," I continued, "I am Katharine Harper."

Simpson blinked and exchanged glances with Dublin again. He got up from the table, the chair made a terrible screeching sound. I watched as they both left the room. I felt bad for using my sister's name, but what else was I supposed to do?

Katharine wasn't even in the country. She was in Sweden with mother. They know what I am? What the hell is that supposed to mean? My mind scrambled with all these questions and no answers. But only one of them was the most important.

Was my life still in danger?

My heart started going frantic again. I leaned against my legs to try to slow my breathing down. I rubbed my wrists where the rope made them raw. That was when I saw a drop of red liquid on my arm. I put my hand to my head and when I pulled away; my fingers were covered in blood.

"Well that explains the smell," I sighed. I could already feel the lightheadedness. I didn't have much time before I passed out.

The shadows behind the door had disappeared. The agents had left me in here, but who knows for how long. Maybe I could make a run for it. Slowly I got up from my chair, careful not to make any noise. Then I tip toed to the door. Something or someone told me to be very cautious, but there was no one there.

That was weird.

I looked at the ceiling behind me, and then each of the walls. There were no cameras in here. ...Or there didn't appear to be any. I turned the knob slowly, but the door swung open by itself. I jumped back, startled.

The hallway was empty.

No one else was in the room with me either. I guess the door is just really lose. That's what I kept telling myself. In the back of my head I didn't believe it, though.

I closed the door behind me as I made my way down the hall. I stopped short on a corner, and barely missed a woman pushing a cart full of monitors. She didn't appear to have noticed me. How did I not run into her? I wasn't planning on stopping at all. I didn't slow down to think more about it. I ran down the next hallway, while looking up at the walls.

"You'd really think a place like this would have at least a few cameras," I said aloud.

Someone laughed behind me, and I spun around. Yet again, there was no one there. I continued down the hall, but I was much more paranoid then before. I stopped to peak around the corner. They were there, of course. I groaned. They were in the middle of the next hall talking to someone in a lab coat.

"The closet!" someone said, or maybe I was just crazy.

I ran inside it, and shut the door just as they came down the hall. I watched through one of the slits as they slowly passed by. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but I heard my sister's name. I waited till they turned the next corner and then I dashed out of the closet. My flips flops made loud smacks on the linoleum. I hoped no one would hear the sound as I approached the end of the hall. There was a large door with a bright red sign printed, exit.

It can't be this easy, I thought.

That didn't stop me from running to it. I pushed open the door and ran into the fresh air. It was raining quite a bit and I was soaking instantly. I continued running into the parking lot, but I stopped to take a quick glance behind me.

No one was onto me yet.

All the cars in the parking lot were black and the same model. I decided to jump into the closest one, but I wasn't exactly sure that it was my decision. The keys were already in the ignition and I didn't stop to think of the implications of that.

I started at once and I sped out of the lot, almost hydroplaning at every turn. My heart was racing and I was almost in tears. I've never been so scared in my life. I kept looking back to see if I was being followed, but the rain was too thick to see anything.

Hopefully that meant they couldn't see me either. I relaxed a little when I got to the Crystal Falls city limits. I couldn't believe that I was so far away. I must have been knocked out for hours.

It's too dangerous to go back home. I thought. Where to go...I pondered. Maybe I should go to Raya's place? She was my oldest friend...well she was my only friend.

It was only a fifteen minute drive to Raya's, but I would only be driving halfway. The car might lead them to me, so I had to get rid of it somehow. I guess I could leave it in a dark alley somewhere.

How did I know to do this?

Eight minutes later, I found the perfect one. It was dark so the black car would be practically invisible there. I parked and hoofed it from there. I had no idea how far I had been walking. Maybe an hour or so, but I was starting to get dizzy again.

I sat down and put my head on my knees. Then I breathed slowly in and out. When my heart slowed, I ripped off part of my shirt and tied it around my head. Hopefully that would stop the bleeding process.

Raya's house was now a block away. I could see it across the street. What? That couldn't be right. I was at least another hour from Raya's.

I didn't remember walking the last few miles. Maybe it was my head wound. Yeah, that had to be it. I jogged slowly down the street. The lights were on and that made me smile. Someone was home thank God. I ran up the stairs and tapped on the door five times, impatiently I did it again.

"Okay I'm coming, God!" she yelled. The door swung open and her brown eyes glared down at me. "What the hell happened to you?"

"It's a long story," I whispered, "Can I stay with you?" I tried to use my puppy dog eyes on her, although; that has never worked before.

She nodded, her short, spiky hair bounced. Then she glared behind me for a couple seconds. I'm not sure why no one was there. I walked into the warm house and breathed a sigh of relief. Raya waited a little while after I was in to shut the door, which was also strange.

I was lying down on the couch with my head on Raya's lap. She had a bowl of warm water, and washed the wound of my head gently. I told her everything that happened to me. I just left out some of the more ridiculous things. She shook her head in disbelief.

Raya's brown eyes hazed over like there was something wrong with her. They didn't look the same against her dark skin. I sat up to look at her more clearly. When she noticed my odd stare, she distracted me.

"What are you going to do?" she whispered. Her voice sounded more rough then usual.

I watched her wring the blood soaked washcloth out into the now dirty water. I shrugged. I honestly had no idea. Did they believe me when I told them I was the wrong person? I doubted it. If they were to find my father and ask him he would say Katharine was in Sweden.

My head felt much better after Raya bandaged it. I didn't even need stitches. She told me it was the fastest heal she's ever seen. I was grateful for that.

Raya only had left over pizza to eat, but I didn't care. I felt like I hadn't eaten in weeks. I was starving. And who knows how long I was with those agents. It very well could have been weeks.

"Yes you can stay here awhile," she sighed. Raya tossed jeans and a t-shirt on the couch next to me. "And yes you can borrow my clothes," she smiled a little, but I could tell she was worried. She kept looking next to me like someone was there.

It was very strange.

I was worried too. After we ate the rest of the pizza, Raya kept looking out the window. Her face became grave and she walked outside. I started to follow her, but she told me she'd be right back.

There I sat, on the couch all alone. However, I did not feel alone. It was a strange feeling, but I did not reject it. Hours passed and I found my self yawning. I hadn't watched TV in so long that it felt foreign to me. Before I knew it my eyes were shut and I drifted off. I woke up to Raya picking me up off the couch.

Raya towed me to her bed. It felt a little strange because I haven't slept over at her house in years. I was tucked in like a child, but then she crawled into the bed next to me. I just said a simple thank you and goodnight. I had no idea what time it was, but it had to be late. I was out the second my head hit the pillow, and I didn't wake till the sunlight streaming in the next day found my face. I groaned and rolled over, pulling the pillow over my head.

"Raya," I muttered with my voice thick from sleep. It took her awhile to answer me, but I waited very patiently.

"What?" she said roughly.

"I think I need to leave." Something in my head or maybe something else told me so. It was not safe here. The sleep was much needed, but I knew I couldn't stay long in one place. Someone might be after me.

"If you think that's best," she moaned, rolled over, and then put the pillow over her head.

I lifted the pillow off her face. She was already back asleep. I sighed. I was on my own again. Getting out of bed was a challenge. But somehow I was out of the room and stumbling down the stairs.

"Breakfast can wait," I told myself.

Packing was more important right now. What if they found the car already? What if they suddenly broke through the window, and grabbed me? I had an overnight bag filled to bursting when I was done. Raya had woken up, and gave me clothes.

I also packed food, water, and a medical bag. I had Raya change my bandages one more time before I left. We said our goodbyes on the front porch. It was harder then I thought it would be. I knew I might not ever see her again.

After a very long hug, I ran down the street. I needed a new car. Mine was probably still at the beach, unless it was towed. I really shouldn't risk going there, but what else was I supposed to do?

Hours of walking led me to the boardwalk of the beach. It felt almost healing as I stepped onto the sand. My home overlooked the beach. It looked so small from down here. I gazed up at it, longing for it.

That's the first time that's ever happened. I hated being there. But after all that's happened all I wanted was to be in my bed. There was nothing I could do about it now.

My car was still there, amazingly. No one had towed it. It was very lucky, which usually was not the case with me. I needed to get out of here. I took one last look at my house and then opened the car door.

The keys were still in my purse, which was on the seat next to me. My phone was next to me as well. It had a few missed calls on it, however; I had to leave. The car started right up.

Where do I go? I chanted this in my head as I backed out of the lot. The road was wide open with no other drivers. I could just keep driving until I figured out my destination. And that's what I did.

I was, to be honest a bit out of it. Like that hasn't happened before. My head wound may have been more serious then I thought. I was driving on a cloud, so I thought. Many rainbows and shimmering lights were all around me. There was also someone next to me, although; I didn't give him much thought. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

I wondered how long I've been driving. It felt like a year. Maybe I would finally reach somewhere in a few months. The man next to me said something, but I was too focused on the stars to listen. They flew towards me like I was in space.

I wanted to touch them. I rolled the window down and put my hand out. However, the stars kept going through it. I laughed and tried to grab them.

"Slippery little things," I murmured. I laughed a slight hysterical sound. What? That couldn't have come from me.

The guy next to me laughed a short frustrated sound. I paid him no attention. I was going to get a star no matter how long it took. A cold hand touched my shoulder and I jumped. The hand then slid down my arm, his skin felt like velvet.

His hand gripped my arm softly and pulled me closer to him. I was pulled away right when I almost had a star. He turned my head towards his. All around him were streaks of purple and silver. They fell down in ribbons, cradling his face. I stared into his bright green eyes. They glowed with intensity and then everything went dark.

It felt like I had been asleep for a thousand years. I was aware of the street lights shimmering past, as well as the quiet hum of the engine. However, I was only there physically. Someone was driving, but it was not me. Someone was there, though.

I think there was...maybe not.

"Hello," I called out groggily.

"Shhh," a smooth voice answered. "We're almost there, relax."

"Where am I?" I called out hoarsely. I adjusted my eyesight a little more, but everything just looked like a blur. "Who are you?" I looked at the guy next to me in shock and fear.

His green eyes flickered to me for a second and then back to the road.

"Well..." I repeated. I was getting more nervous as the seconds ticked by.

"We're almost to Rosewood," he sighed. He didn't look like he was going to say anything more. His eyes were narrowed and his hands were tight against the steering wheel.

Was he nervous?

"Who are you?" I asked him again, but this time with more authority. Rosewood, I realized. That was quite a way from Crystal Falls. I was out for about three hours then. Wow, all I could remember were clouds.

"My name is Xavier." He answered after a few minuets passed. His eyes never left the road. Nor did his body relax from its stiff position.

I blinked. I was now more aware of my situation. How did he get here? I was alone driving...and I couldn't remember anything after that.

"Where did you come from?" I asked in confusion.

"You don't remember?" his eyes widened.

"Remember what?" I leaned towards him. I scanned my mind, trying to picture if I had seen him at all. Then I had it. A tiny flicker of a memory and it was not a good one. "You were the man standing by my car," I accused him. "Then you disappeared and I was hit by something."

"Yes, that did happen," he said slowly. "I was trying to protect you."

"Yeah right." I reached for the handle of my door and broke it off in my attempt to get out.

"I saved your life," he shook his head. "You don't remember that?"

"No."

His mouth opened to say something more, but then he closed it again.

I guess he thought better of it. I had never been so confused in my life. All my words came out at once. "What do you mean you saved me? How come I don't remember you at all?"

"I don't know," he said simply.

I put my head in my hands. This was too overwhelming. I heard Xavier sigh next to me and I sighed too. I know it's weird, but it's contagious.

"How was I in danger?" I whispered into my hands.

"I helped you escape the Bureau of Supernatural Circumstances," Xavier replied.

"The BSC," I almost laughed aloud. "This is beyond ridiculous. You need to think of better lies."

"I am not lying," he almost growled.

My mind drew a blank. No one was there with me. I escaped on my own, I thought.

"No you didn't," Xavier looked at me, guessing my thoughts.

"You were not in the building with me," I argued. I glared at him with a million questions in my eyes and he ignored me.

"Yes I was," Xavier smiled. "Your friend didn't seem to like me too much," he added.

"No, no, no. You were not there, I remember!" My mouth fell open. I was close to losing it. How could he be so absurd? I sat there with my arms folded across my chest. I would no longer argue with someone this delusional.

"I let you out of the interrogation room," he murmured. Xavier paused, saw my pouting face and laughed. "You had taken a wrong turn and almost ran into the agents, so I found a closet and we waited for them to pass." He scowled when I started to shake my head.

I sighed and waited for his nonsense to end. I don't see how he expected me to believe any of this. He was crazy. Xavier waited till he was sure I was paying attention, and then he continued.

"My car was in the parking lot where they left it. We were lucky I remembered where it was parked. All the cars were exactly the same," he chuckled briefly.

How did he know all the details? I must have looked like an idiot to him, sitting there with my mouth open. I started to argue again, but he held up one finger.

"Please, let me continue," he smiled angelically.

"Sorry," I mouthed. I shut my mouth and folded my hands in my lap.

"The rain made it impossible for anyone to follow us, so we had the advantage. You told me you knew someone in town we could stay with, at least for the night. Then I thought it would be best to ditch the car in case they were tracking it." He cleared his throat. "You had a lot of blood coming out of your head, so I had to carry you there," Xavier continued with his explanation.

That would explain why I didn't remember walking. No, don't let yourself fall for his lies. I tried to keep telling myself that. Xavier had a wary look on his face. He knew I wasn't buying it.

"Your friend was very nervous, but she let us stay. It was very gracious of her. She fixed your head wound." His cold fingers brushed against my bandage. "I didn't think your head was that bad, but apparently I was wrong," he muttered, frowning.

I thought about my car trip in the clouds and then there was something about stars. Oh well, I couldn't remember. Was I really going to believe this person, who I knew for ten minutes?

Yes.

"So now you are kidnapping me?" I asked casually.

"No." He looked at me in shock. "I am taking you somewhere safe."

"Where are you planning on taking me?" I wondered aloud, but I was very curious. Not to mention nervous and afraid.

"To the others," he smirked.

"What others?" I said slowly.

"The others like us. They have a safe house. They've been there for two-hundred years and never have been discovered," he replied.

I raised my eyebrows. I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but I couldn't find the right words. "Okay." I couldn't think of anything else to say.

He looked at me strange, but said nothing. When he wasn't paying attention I stole a quick glance at him. His hair was dark, almost black and it was a mess. It went out in all directions. That's all I got to see before his eyes focused on me and I had to look out the window.

"We've reached Rosewood," he announced.

"Do they live here?" I asked. I saw the city sign blur past my window. How did he even read it?

"Yes. It will only be a few minutes more." Xavier looked at his phone. He still looked nervous and uncomfortable.

I was grateful we were almost there. I couldn't stand being in the car much longer. I was a lot more nervous, though. I hated meeting new people.

"It's a huge place on Maple Avenue, and they are very nice," Xavier smiled at me. He obviously sensed my discomfort, however; his kind words didn't help.

My car sped down the empty streets. I never noticed how fast he drove before. He was going over one hundred! I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. It would be embarrassing if I started to hyperventilate. Before I knew it, the car slowed and I opened my eyes to a huge metal gate. In gold letters that were written on an expensive sign read, The Williams.

"We wanted to look inconspicuous," he whispered as he glanced at me.

I rolled my eyes and he laughed. It was a pleasant sound. I think it was real this time. The gate opened and I jumped.

"They just open it for anyone?" I asked in shock, while trying to compose myself.

"They knew it was me," he shook his head.

I waited for him to tell me how, but of course he didn't. I hate how he never explains anything. He drove forward towards and old fashioned brick mansion that was covered in vines. I couldn't take my eyes off it. The driveway was long, black, and shined in the moonlight. Xavier parked next to a bunch of other cars, but it was too dark to tell what they were.

He opened the door for me and helped me out. I narrowed me eyes at him. That happened a lot faster then it normally would. Xavier was out of the car and to my door in seconds. Or perhaps I was going insane?

"How is your head?" he asked after I took his hand.

"It's okay," I lied.

How did I know I wasn't seeing things now? Xavier led me to the front door and then knocked a couple times before entering. In front of me was a long hallway with a white carpet leading all the way down. To my right was a staircase made of cherry wood that had the same carpet going down it. A crystal chandelier hung from the center of the room, which casted beautiful lights all over.

A figure appeared at the top of the stairs. She wore an elegant red dress, which was almost the same color as the staircase. Her dark hair was in curls down to her waist. They bounced when she ran downstairs.

"Xavier." She called with a smile on her perfect face. She ran into his arms and hugged him. "I thought we'd never see you again."

Xavier looked unsettled, like this was not the woman's usual behavior.

I felt awkward standing next to them in their embrace. One of his hands was still clutching mine, which made it worse. I tried to move, but his grip tightened.

"I told you not to worry about me," he told her.

"Who is this?" she let Xavier go and noticed me for the first time. Her eyes were the same shade of green. They glowed into mine and I had to look away.

"This is Victoria Harper," he pulled me forward.

Xavier looked a lot happier then he should have looked. It worried me some. I tried my best to smile and be polite. However, I think it came out sour.

"We escaped together," Xavier continued. "Victoria, this is my sister Amelia Calvert."

Amelia nodded at me. I didn't know what to do so I nodded back. I was more then a little surprised that she was his sister. To answer your question, yes they did look alike. They just didn't seem like they were related. It would have made more sense if they were together.

"I shall go tell the others that you are home and safe," Amelia smiled, but she stopped smiling when she turned to me.

Xavier nodded and she ran up the stairs. I watched with my mouth open wide. She wore seven inch heels. I would have never been able to walk, let alone run up stairs.

"Care to see the rest of the house?" Xavier turned to me.

I smiled and nodded. I couldn't picture the rest of it being more beautiful than this. I went forward and noticed a stone fireplace to my left. Around it was brown leather furniture placed perfectly. I shook my head. It was too perfect. I could tell that it was a façade.

"Why didn't you tell me that you lived here?" I whispered.

He pulled me forward again. We were in another room when he answered. "You already had a lot to take in. I didn't want to make it worse," he shrugged.

The hallway led to a living room, which was enormous. On the back wall was the biggest TV I had ever seen. It was cradled by shelf after shelf of movies. In front of the TV was a couch of about the same size. The colors were the same as everything else. The walls were a creamy tan that went well with the white boarders.

"We spend most of our time in here," he said with a gesture of his hand.

"It's lovely," I said.

Lovely didn't even begin to cover it. He pulled me behind him again. The next room was a dining room. The table took up almost the entire room, and it was set up with red candles to match the dark red drapes. After the kitchen, I couldn't stand to see anymore. It was a chef's dream kitchen and I had enough for one day.

"Alright no more then," he laughed at me, and then told me to follow him.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously, as we entered the first room I had seen.

"Why to meet everyone, of course." He started up the stairs.

I sighed nervously and followed. As soon as we got up stairs, they were there. Amelia was there, along with three others. One was a man, also with the same dark hair, but he had slivers of silver in it. He was well built and looked to be about thirty-five. I had a feeling he was the head of the household. I had to look away from his green eyes.

The woman, who I assumed to be his wife since they were holding each other, looked exactly the same. She had dark hair and glowing green eyes. She was only slightly older then Amelia, but her face was thinner and her hair was shorter. It also looked like it was paper thin, it was strange.

The last was a much shorter girl. She was actually the same height as me. Her hair was light brown, unlike all the other people. It was pulled back into the most perfect ponytail I had ever seen. She did have the same green eyes, but hers looked kinder then the others. They all looked extremely perfect, but this girl was dressed better than they were.

Why did they all look like they were going to a ball? The man wore a tux and the women were all in elegant dresses. I looked down at my shabby shirt and jeans. I felt like a hobo.

"Victoria, these are my parents Victor and Anna." He pushed me towards them a little.

"It's nice to meet you," I smiled. I felt like I should have curtsied with how they were dressed up.

They smiled back politely, but something seemed off about it. The short fashionable girl made an irritated face and coughed a couple times. His parents laughed a small laugh, not a big one. Amelia just looked uncomfortable and bored.

"Oh," Xavier smiled. "I'm sorry. Victoria, this is my little sister Emilie."

"I know we'll be fast friends." Emilie jumped forward to hug me. She smiled at me, clearly not upset anymore. She seemed to like me more then the others.

"My brother in law isn't home yet," Xavier whispered to me.

"Derrick won't be back for a few days," Anna said quietly. She looked tired.

I was expecting her to pass out at any second.

"I'm going to show her where she'll be staying," Xavier muttered. He broke the awkward silence.

Emilie hadn't stopped grinning at me since I came up here.

They nodded and left us. Amelia was ahead of them before Xavier said anything. That couldn't have gone any worse. Xavier seemed to have the same thoughts I did. His happy mood and confident glow was now gone. He looked depressed.

"See you later," Emilie waved at me. Then she ran down the hallway.

At least one of them liked me. I didn't expect them to be his family. I wish he would have said something. He never says anything.

"Hah," Amelia walked in front of us, stopping to look back at me. "Shouldn't be too long now," she commented.

Where did she come from?

I saw Xavier grimace, but I stared at her in confusion, as she walked into one of the many bedrooms. I was about to ask Xavier of her actions, but he took off, dragging me with him. I stumbled forward, almost falling on my face. He reached out and grabbed me before I fell.

"This is your room," he pointed to one of the doors."I'll see you in the morning, goodnight." He walked swiftly down the hall and was gone in seconds.

He was obviously upset with whatever Amelia had said to me. I sighed and opened the door. The room was just as beautiful as the rest of the home. A white fireplace sat on one side of the room and a big canopy bed sat on the other. I collapsed on the bed. It seemed strange that I was so tired since I slept most of the day. I stared at the red lace on the bed and then drifted off.

A loud crash pulled me from my dreams. I rolled over and pulled the pillow over my head. Then the sound of glass shattering startled me awake. Muffled yells came from all directions. It was hard, but I finally worked up enough courage to peek out the door.

Shoes, clothes, and a few things I couldn't name were all over the floor. I continued down the hall and stopped at the stairs. The crystal chandelier no longer dazzled the entryway. It was in a million pieces down below.

What had happened?

I climbed down the stairs, careful not to trip over any clothing. Amelia appeared instantly. She gracefully walked across the glass, staring up at me. Then she smiled a little.

"You should really go to bed," she said coldly. Her smile faded when I didn't go back up right away.

Another crash came from the living room, followed by more yells. Amelia raised her perfect eyebrows and waited for me to say something. I just nodded and backed up the stairs slowly. She stared at me all the way up, until a howl rang through the house. Then I ran up, while dodging the shoes best I could. I slammed the door behind me and leaned against it while breathing hard.

My heart was beating so fast it shook my entire body. I locked the door while my hands were shaking. I couldn't stay here any longer. I needed to be in a place that made sense. There was a closet to my right so I opened it. I felt bad for taking their clothes, but I didn't know where the ones Raya gave me went. The closet was full of elegant stylish clothes, which still had the price tags on them.

"Wow," I said aloud.

I just grabbed a simple sweater in the back. Luckily, there was a plain pair of jeans in one of the drawers. Then there was an entire shelf filled with shoes. I heard a creak in the hall. I held my breath.

The door burst open and the lock flew off it. I whirled, clutching my hand to my heart. Xavier stood there, glaring at me. I was too out of breath to speak.

"It's time," he said coldly.

I stared at him with fear evident in my eyes. He walked towards me, but I backed away till I fell against the dresser. He grabbed for me. I jumped away and leapt towards the window. His cold arm slid around my waist and pulled me against him. I screamed and clawed at Xavier.

"Calm down!" He yelled. "It's not going to hurt much, I promise."

I had to get away.

"I trusted you!" I cussed at him.

What was he going to do to me? I pulled at his arm, but it did no good as he towed me through the door. I grabbed the corners of the walls, and then watched as my fingernails slid across them. Xavier threw me over his shoulder, and continued down the stairs. I screamed and kicked him repeatedly. Amelia was at the bottom of the stairs with a smile on her face.

"What are you doing with me?" I screamed at him.

He ignored me.

"Xavier! Xavier!" I screamed over and over.

He set me down in front of Amelia. His hands held me there so I couldn't run. Tears leaked down my face uncontrollably. I couldn't stop shaking, so I closed my eyes and waited for the end.

"Open your eyes," Amelia commanded. She was still smiling. Killing someone was nothing to her.

"No," I shook my head.

"Open them," she repeated. Her hands felt cold as ice as she slid them on either side of my face.

I closed my eyes tighter. I was too afraid to move.

"Open them Victoria," Xavier urged.

For some unknown reason I did. Amelia's perfect face was just inches from mine. Her glowing green eyes were locked into mine. They seemed to get brighter and brighter.

They were so pretty that I wanted to get closer. As if reading my mind, she moved closer to me. I felt at peace, which was strange. Wasn't I terrified just a few...? No. That couldn't have been me, I thought.

That's crazy. I smiled at how foolish I was. Amelia smiled back at me then she raised her hand and placed it against my neck. I started to feel tingly all over and then a shudder of cold went though me. I shut down and everything went black.