AUTHOR NOTE: The main character of this story is names Ellen Hendrickson. She is the younger sister of Dwight. She grew up in Haven, but when she was 19 years old she ran away and no one knows why. For a visual, she is 5'6" with dark blonde, almost brown hair. Her eyes are normally gray/blue, but they flash almost teal when her trouble ignites. Her trouble only affects her hands. When she touches people she absorbs their life force, causing seizures, headaches, and sometimes death. It went away when she was 3 years old and came back when she was 19, which was a contributing factor in her running away.

Chapter 1

"Not again!" I whispered as I ran through the busy streets of New York City. It had happened again. I didn't mean for it to happen. I hadn't known that my gloves were falling off, but then...I shuddered at the thought and quickly pulled my gloves up over my elbows as I moved through the crowds to ensure that I didn't touch anyone. I had to get away from New York. I had to call the one person I never wanted to have to call again…

1 Hour Later

The phone rang loudly in my ear and I could barely hear it over the pounding of my own heart. My doors were boarded up and the windows sealed shut. I was sitting with my back to the back of my bedroom door and when I heard the line pick up I almost sobbed in relief. "Sheriff Hendrickson," the voice on the other end said gruffly. I took a deep breath and let it out before responding. "Dwight? It's me…It-it's Ellen. I-I'm in serious trouble and I-I need my big brother!" I finally got out as the tears begin to fall down my cheeks. "Ellen?" Dwight asked in shock. I could hear a gasp and then muffled voices in the background before Dwight spoke again. "Where are you? What happened?" I took a steadying breath and then responded. "I'm in New York City. I was doing so good…and then…he…they…he pulled one of my gloves off…and then…he's convulsing on the floor and there's nothing I can do. I panicked and I ran…" I whisper the last part and there is total silence on the other end of the line for a minute. "Okay. Here's what we are going to do for the moment. I'm going to come up and get you. Give me your address. I will be there by the end of the night. I'm going to bring an old friend with me for safety okay? I want you to pack a bag with your necessities and a few changes of clothes. I will get you more once you're home. Keep the doors barricaded. I will call you when I am outside the door. Do not open it for anyone else. If this plan changes I will call you and tell you. But for the moment, when I get to the door I will ask you who you what our childhood address was and you will answer it for me okay? Now just breath and relax. I will be there in a few hours okay?" I took another calming breath and responded affirmatively. We hung up and I quickly gathered my things into a go bag.

5 Hours Later

My phone rang and I quickly answered. "Dwight?!" I asked softly. "Yeah I'm outside your door. I've got Duke with me." I froze at the mention of Duke. "When he heard me talking to you he wouldn't take no for an answer. We will take care of you babe." I hung up and ran for the door. The question was asked and answered and I threw open the door quickly. There standing before me was my big brother. Before jumping into his open arms I double-checked my gloves, assured that they were on and in place I was in his arms quicker than a bolt of lightning. "Dwight," I whispered as tears filled my eyes. His big arms encircled me and held me close. "It's okay darling. It's okay," he whispered softly to me. I slowly turned to Duke and smiled slightly. He returned the smile tightly and opened his arms slightly. I couldn't have stopped myself even if I had wanted to. I launched myself into his arms and held on for dear life. 7 years was far too long of a time to have not spoken to, touched or seen this man. He wrapped his arms around me and held me as close as he possibly could.

Dwight had moved off to begin the clean up in my apartment and Duke just held me. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I kept murmuring into his chest. He just shook his head and I could feel wetness on my shoulder, which told me he was crying. "Why? Why did you leave me?" he asked softly. "I was-I was trying to protect you Duke. I was trying to make sure that I didn't hurt you…I couldn't…I just couldn't…" I broke into tears again as I tried to explain why I had run away and left him. "Shhhh…it's okay. We will deal with this later. Let's get you home. Once your home we will finish this discussion," he murmured into my hair, pressing a kiss to my temple. I nodded and began to pull out of the hug, but Duke pulled me back and placed a gentle, but quick kiss on my lips before maneuvering me through the door and out to the car. Dwight was following with my bag. I took one last glance at the apartment that had been my safe haven for the past 7 years and it looked barely lived in. All my personal effects were gone and it looked like I had never lived there. We got back in the car and drove away. As we made the turn at the next light I saw a police car pulling up to my building. I quickly turned away and leaned into Duke for support. He wrapped his arm around me and held me close as we drove into the night and back towards the town I had spent so much time running away from.