Disclaimer: I do not own rights to the Gemma Doyle Trilogy

P.S. It has been a long time since I've written fanfiction, but I have an idea for this and I hope to finish it, no matter the time it takes. And I hope it entertains you…

Chapter 1: Living

I woke slowly, pushing the dull pain in my heart aside as the sun shone through my new dormitory window. My roommate was lightly snoring across the room as I silently dressed, tears still tracking down her face even though she felt numb. It had been months, but still it felt as if permanent tracks were to be left from the tears I had cried as my heart had been torn to little dead pieces. However, I had continued day by day and gathered an education at this college, although this place held views similar to the Spence Academy about a woman's place. Yet, I know exactly where I am going and thought about this plan as I placed my Windsor University sweater on and glanced in the mirror.

My green eyes had dulled slightly from depression I suppose and my mane of hair sat still as if afraid to move. I was able to brush the flaming waves easily, before trying a smile and rose from the vanity table. Accidentally, I of course hit my hip on the table and cried out in surprise.

"Gemma," moaned my roommate slightly as she raised herself on her elbows against the pillow in her bed. "Are you up already? We have thirty minutes still."

Celia was my new roommate and I enjoyed her company some times. Her black hair fell only to her chin and she stared tiredly with her hazel eyes at me. Unlike Ann, Celia stood up for herself quite often and was outspoken, even more so than Felicity. This was due to gossip that had been conspired about Celia's sexual preference. Personally, I believe this was due to her boyish appearance and never questioned her.

"I know. I just feel like walking around a bit. Get some fresh air," I lied, trying to appear casual as I tried to push away fresh memories my dream had brought of…him.

"What is it, Gemma? Are you okay?" questioned my roommate cautiously, afraid to tread on waters that I didn't want to talk about.

"I'm fine, Celia. Go back to sleep," I reassured her with a light giggle that I hoped didn't sound as hollow as I felt.

"Alright. See you in Professor Cambridge's Biology class," said Celia, placing her heavy head upon the pillow again.

"Yeah," I replied, shoving some books into my bag and venturing into the quiet halls after closing our door. No one else was in this hallway and I wasn't surprised, for whenever I woke this early, blinking away eye dust like the bright sun, it usually meant I needed time to think and get my mind off of him. Just saying his name brought tears to my eyes, even now. Softly, I pushed against the dormitory exit and walked towards one of the buildings holding specific classes. Between our dorm and the science building was a wondrous park with various trees. I picked the one that seemed to beckon me, the desolate Weeping Willow. Underneath the tree I leaned against the trunk and thought about last night.

I had dreamt of him again. He was waiting at a far distance with the growth surrounding him seeming to bloom cheerfully. A light wind rustled the dark curls I loved as his eyes met mine across the distant path. For a brief moment his face seemed different from normal, almost tense as he looked upon me before quickly relaxing. Apprehension built into my bones for he looked different, as if sick or weak. I didn't understand…isn't this a dream…why is he…changing? Just as I began to see him completely clearly the dream ended.

Once more I opened my eyes, but I did not see the campus. I saw the tree again. The Tree of All Souls. I detested that abominable tree and yet loved it for it contained Kartik. Tears began lightly even as my head ached at trying to contain them. No, I wanted to stop it…it hurt so much. Yet, even as I stared at the tree it seemed to sway softly in a gentle breeze before completely freezing. Silence surrounded me as I made my way towards it, unsure. Suddenly, it began to uproot itself, as if pulling its entire body from the ground to reveal a large intricate webbing of thick roots pulsating with life. There was something in those roots…unmoving, as if frozen…

"Gemma, what are you doing?" asked a classmate of mine. Bright blue eyes gazed at me through a veil of blonde hair, curious. What was her name again?

"Oh, I must have fallen asleep when I was observing the sun rise…trying to capture the colors for our painting class," I lied, again. It was starting to become a habit now for me.

"Well, come, or you'll be late for Beckman's lecture," she said, leaving with a group of girls to enter the science building. So, I began to gather my books and walked towards the building. Ugh, I would prefer to kiss Mr. Fowlson than listen to another of Beckman's lectures about physics.

So, I sat there for two hours listening to the short, balding man drone on about energy and how energy is never destroyed, but changed. Basically, the same thing we spoke about last time. Then, my mind began to wander as I looked outside where I took in the environment some more. The trees were becoming bare and shedding their colorful cloaks as winter approached. Today would probably be the last warm day for this year.

"Gemma Doyle!" screeched Mr. Beckman loudly through the room. I jumped and turned back to him, trying to regain composure for whatever was awaiting me.

"Tell me, does energy go from a heat source to a cold source gradually or does a cold source absorb the energy from a heat source?" He questioned, slowly bounding up the stairs. It was a surprising sight for someone who looked frail.

"Um…um…cold absorbs the energy of heat," I answered with embarrassment. Everyone was staring as he stood next to my desk.

"Correct. Although, I doubt that the energy produced from my speaking is being interpreted in your brain. Must I place you closer to the front of the class or shall you pay attention to the knowledge I wish to teach you, Miss Doyle?" this small, twittering man asked me. I was upset and had to repeat my answer twice for him to hear my voice.

"Yes, Mr. Beckman, I shall pay attention."

"Good, now…." began the professor, walking back down to the front of his class. I couldn't wait to leave now and checked the clock quickly when his back was turned…only thirty minutes now.

My wondrous day continued on in that fashion with various professors drilling complex information into our heads. Perhaps my favorite had been our art teacher, Mrs. Quigley, who introduced us to our first model. The model was to be Mrs. Quigley, herself, garbed in ridiculous clown clothing. At first we all laughed before concentrating on actually painting her.

Finally, after Biology class I met Celia in our dorm room where she sat reading a book. Peering over with glazed eyes I came to her bedside quickly.

"Are you okay, Celia?" I asked, as she turned away trying to hide what I assumed were tears.

"Gemma…I…I…just…" stuttered Celia sadly, turning her face from me, not wanting to reply.

"When you're ready…you can talk to me Celia," I said, gently brushing her hair. She nodded before rolling over to face the wall, allowing her own silent wars to trace her cheek bones.

"I'm going to go for a while, but I'll be back so we can go to supper," I assured her. Without even nodding I knew she would wait for me and proceeded to my Weeping Willow tree. No one else was really about and I took care to hide deep under the branches so nobody could see me. Calmly, I closed my eyes and thought of a door lined in bright light…and pushed through…

"Mistress, how have you been?" greeted Gorgon, leaning against an enormous tree I did not remember in the garden.

"Well, how are you?" I asked. Each snake on her head hissed its own answer before she nodded with a slight smile. "I have come to check how things are."

"Everything is going well, I am happy to say. I know you wish to see the tree. For once, you have nothing else to worry about currently. I am unsure of how long that will last, so take your time," Gorgon spoke. I felt ashamed that she knew I only longed to visit that place, even though I wanted to check any problems first.

"Thank you, would you accompany me to the gate?" I asked, hoping she would come. Even with being there so many times I feared the Winterlands still.

"Yes. I having nothing else to do," she said, standing tall and stretching her long, large limbs.

"Have you seen Ann or Felicity, lately?" I asked Gorgon as we traveled to the gate.

"Felicity stopped by the past week, but otherwise they have only come here rarely. Perhaps when you all see each other next you may visit as a group," she suggested. I nodded in agreement.

"I had a vision, Gorgon…" I began softly, but she interrupted me.

"You do not have to tell me. I am a Gorgon and the only one, perhaps you should not trust me with such information," she argued.

"Stop, Gorgon. We both know full well I trust you. That is enough. So, now…" I continued and waited to see if she would resist. Thankfully, she did not.

"…I had a vision of the Tree of All Souls. It had been raised out of the ground with no limbs damaged, almost perfectly removed from the earth. Even the roots were fine, but they held something within them, something large."

"That would be its life source…your lover," spoke Gorgon softly, almost afraid of my reaction. She was right.

"What do you mean!? I don't understand, I thought it had bloody taken him…," I questioned, tears flowing as my angry words flew from my mouth.

"It took him and would have eventually killed him. However, his body accepted the Winterlands power, which protects him somewhat from a sudden death. Most likely his body is in a state of hibernation, preserving his body. The tree is probably feeding off his blood. Winterlands power is like a trained dog and knows the best for survival, unlike the Temple magic you had contained before," said Gorgon, her voice no longer fearful.

"I thought he had died?" I cried out, trying to wipe snot from my nose and trying to hold out on the hope building in my heart.

"Soon he will. Magic runs out eventually…and he is probably injured by the tree's intrusion on his body. I think he still has time, but not much," spoke Gorgon quickly, turning from me. I wanted to cry for him more and I hated how everyone turned from me anymore. The last time she had looked away was when I had been transfixed during the battle. Her face had almost petrified me into a trance just as those she had killed had been in.

"I shall need to speak with Ann and Felicity soon. I may need their help, perhaps with everyone together again we can figure out what needs to be done," I said trying to calm my jumbling emotions and nerves as we entered the Winterlands.

It did not take me long to reach the black tree that was empty of its leaves that had grown earlier this year. Gently, I pressed my cheek to the gloomy bark and softly kissed the tree. Then, I remembered the vision earlier…I forgot it had been writhing before stopping suddenly and completely. Shock overtook me as I swept around and gazed into Gorgon's green eyes. Surprise clouded hers as she stared at me confused.

I knew it was far-fetched. However, I had the will to try something, something that might not work and leave me with fresh wounds. Yet, the possibility outweighed my pain. I wanted to take this chance…

Next Chapter: A Way