• "Syeira...Syeira..." a voice called in the distance.
    Syeira stood in the swirling snow in her night gown trying to find the voice calling her name. Her eyes raced all through out the dark trees around her, but the only thing in sight was snow. She then began to run through the snow trying to find her way home.
    "Syeria." the voice whispered practically in her ear.

    Her eyes bulged with fear and she ran even faster, but without warning her feet slipped from under her. Before her body could hit the ground, a shadowy figure had caught her. She looked at his face trying to see who he was. But she could make out nothing of his physical features.

    "Why did you run?" he asked.
    "I-I was scared." she whimpered.
    "Why are scared of me? You were never afraid before."
    "What...are you talking about?"
    "My poor girl. What has this world done to you?"
    "Let me go!"

    Syeira escaped from his gripped and backed away. But he took another step towards her, and her feet were unable to move. She had become mesmerized by his presence and no longer felt fear but comfort.

    "Who...are you?" she asked.
    "The question here is: do you know who you are?"

    But before Syeira could even think, he pulled her into his arms and held her. Her arms did not return the embrace, but she didn't struggle either. His lips then grazed her neck, and she did nothing. His hand went through her long brown hair, and she just stood there. Finally, she felt fangs pierce her flesh, and she screamed.

    Syeira then jolted up within her bed in a cold sweat. She looked around her dimly lit room and saw the familiar faces of stuffed animals and dolls. The mirror across from her bed showed the reflection of a terrified girl. A rustle then came from the window; she slowly slid out of bed to look outside. There was nothing but snow that seemed to be glowing through the dark night.

    "It was just a dream." she whispered to herself. "Just a dream."

    The next day, Aiden was in class watching the clock. He was counting the minutes until he was able to leave.

    "Aiden, maybe we can hang out after school." the blonde girl next to him asked.
    "Ah, sorry. I'm busy." he coldly responded.
    "Oh...you're always busy."

    But before he could respond, the bell rang and Aiden was out the door. He was walking down the same path that was newly powdered snow. Syeira's house was hidden behind trees and looked more like an ancient mansion then a home. Her father was an artist who had inherited a large sum of money and the house. He was normally out and was always leaving Syeira by herself. Today was no different, for Syeira was sitting on her lone swing on a small tree in her front yard. She was looking at the ground and her legs barely moved.

    "Syeira!" Aiden called out. She quickly became alive and ran towards him.
    "Aiden! How was school?" she cheerfully asked.
    "It was fine. But did you do your work today?"
    "But what else have I to do?"
    "Don't get smart with me."
    "I will do my best."
    "You have circles under your eyes? Did you not sleep?"
    "Oh. Do I?" she ran her tiny fingers under her eyes.
    "Yeah...are you okay?"
    "Just tired."
    "Let's go to the market place."

    The only time Syeira ever escaped her prison was when she was with her only companion, Aiden. People scurried all around, and Syeira scurried along with them as a child. She went from kiosk to kiosk looking at various foods to small toys. Aiden smiled as he watched her; if this was something he could do to make her happy, he'd do it every day.

    "Don't wonder off, okay? I need tog et some groceries for my parents." Aiden said sternly.
    "Kay, I'm just going to look over there." Syeira squeaked and then skipped off.

    While looking around, she saw a group of kids around her age. They were wearing white uniforms that were not of the school that Aiden went to. One of the boys met his icy blues eyes with hers, and seemed to be calling her over. Her feet began to walk on there on over to the group. A girl with jet black hair and red eyes quickly glared at her and crossed her arms. Some other girls looked at each other then back to the main boy, and the other boys just watched Syeira. The main boy ran his hand through his black hair and swooped his bangs out of his eyes and looked directly into Syeira. All those in the group were beautiful and had their eyes glancing back and forth from Syeira to the boy.

    "Hi there." he finally spoke.
    "Uh, hi?" she said in a confused daze.
    "Are you lost?" the girl with red eyes snapped.
    "Amber, this does not concern you." the boy cooly said.
    "I...just thought you were someone I knew."
    "Oh, well what's your name?"
    "Syeira..."
    "That's unique. My name's Jarrod."

    He held out his hand for hers, and she began to place it in his until another hand snatched hers back.

    "I told you not to wonder off." Aiden hissed.
    "I-I..." Syeira was so confused.
    "Relax, she thought she knew me." Jarrod said.
    "Well, I know she doesn't."
    "Are you her keeper?"
    "Syeria! We're leaving!"

    Aiden grabbed her hand and dragged her through the crowd of people. But she gave another glance back to find Jarrod smiling at her that felt all too familiar.

    "Aiden. Aiden. Aiden! You're hurting me." Syeira cried.

    Aiden turned to see that his grip had gotten tighter and her wrist was now a bright red.

    "Sorry." he mumbled and ran his hand through his auburn hair. "You okay, Sye?"
    "Yeah..." she said while looking at him with new eyes that held fear. "I should be getting home...just in case Dad is home."

    Syeira didn't even turn to look at him and just headed down the same snowy path that lead to her house. Aiden didn't run after her or stop her; just hung his head and walked back towards his own house.

    "Dad?" Syeira called when she walked into her house, but all she got was an echo in response. There lied a note on the table that explained that her father had left for another art show. She sighed; he may have not been her real father, but he was she had.

    Out of no where, a knock was heard from the door. Syeira picked her cat up and answered the door while stroking her cat.

    "I just wanted to check on you since you seemed upset at the marketplace."

    The car escaped her arms and her mouth slightly dropped.

    "Thanks...Jarrod. Do you want to come in?" she said.
    "Why thank you for the offer." Jarrod responded as he gracefully moved through the doorway. The door quietly clicked as she shut it.
    "Jarrod...I do know you don't I?"
    "I don't know. Do you?" he said as he turned to meet her eyes.
    "I don't know anything anymore. My parents were killed when I was two and I was adopted by Jonathan Weldsting, but he's hardly ever home nowadays."
    "What about Aiden?"
    "His mother is my adopted aunt. She felt like it would be better for me to have a playmate. He's been my only companion. I don't go to the academy like everyone else; I'm homeschooled. The only time I leave is with Aiden."
    "And why is that?"
    "Father says it's best for me."
    "Hm..."
    "You were watching me. I...I think you've watched me before."
    "Ignorance is bliss, my dear. Can't you be content with what you have?"
    "All I have is nothing..."

    Jarrod walked over to look at the pictures that lined the walls and fire place. He ran his hand over the ivory that covered the fire place and picked up a picture that gleamed in a silver
    frame.

    "Do you trust me?" he whispered.
    "For some reason, yes." she whispered back.

    He turned and pulled her close to his chest. He smelled of sweet fruit mixed with some musk. His gentle hands ran through her hair.

    "You're like a beautiful, exotic animal trapped in a cage. When really, you should be a princess ruling over a kingdom." he said.

    Suddenly the door opened, and Aiden appeared. He stood there without saying a word but just staring at Jarrod holding Syeira.

    "Aiden..." she suddenly said.
    "Syeira..." he said.

    She broke away from Jarrod and ran to Aiden. She hugged him and a smile appeared on her face.

    "You..You came back!" she exclaimed.
    "Yeah..." he responded.

    Jarrod barred his fangs and tried to hide the stab of pain he felt and the hate he had for that boy.

    "Well, I must be going..." Jarrod said. "Bye, Syeira." He walked out the door and the second he was out of sight, he jumped into the trees. And sat there, staring into the sky.