A whimper passed her lips as she stared from her perch in a tree, staring off at the house quite far away. The moon shone brightly against the bitter white fluff of snow that was scattered across the ground. Tonight the life of the world was gone; autumn finally died away, taking hostages with it, and now winter was arriving. The cold months, the dead months, her season. Dead; just like her.

Emily felt a tear fall down her cheek as she gazed at the large house. She knew he was in there; her love since Lord Barkis. The man who had stolen her heart, and thought he set her free. She only pulled that trick so he would feel better about giving her a certain peace to her heart. But no, he had caused a whole new kind of pain and suffering. Victor had been hesitant to marry Victoria, yet he had done so anyway, and Emily could do nothing. She was dead, for God's sake. But her heart was numb since the day they were united under marriage.

She was so close to his home, the house he shared with Victoria. It made her heart skip with joy, but her stomach twist with nausea at the same time. Oh how forgotten she must have been. Emily had visited their home two months ago; the vivid memory still tore her heart in two. The two of them, just embracing each other, Victor kissing and caressing her cheek was one thing. But realizing that Victoria was carrying his child, oh the pain was unbearable. Emily had wanted a family, which she thought she would have with Lord Barkis. She wanted children, three boys and two girls, a very pretty home with flowers and a dog. But no, Emily couldn't have that, but she had found love with someone else; a mortal. And now he was starting a family of his own, the thought of Emily completely out of his mind.

In a sense, she was so happy for him. Victor deserved this; love that wasn't forbidden, or that would harm him. Love from another of his kind, as different from him as she was, he would do well. But, oh how badly she wanted to be Victoria. To be alive, to feel life flowing through her veins; to be none other than his.

The few tears had turned into quiet, yet heart-wrenching sobs as she curled up in the crook of the tree. Alone, cold, dead, with a heart dreaming of an unrequited love. That's what would always be; there was no escaping it.

Finally Emily knew it was time for her to retreat to underworld, she had been given a time limit to stay here on Earth. It pained her every time she had to step back into the world where all of her kind were. Yes, they had been human, but now they were so accepting of death. Whereas she just wanted to be alive, and to be among the living, or at least Victor.

Tears fell freely once again as she sluggishly climbed down the sturdy willow. She didn't want to leave this realm; this was the closest she could feel to being alive. But Emily was strong, and would be back again, to put herself through this silent torture all over again. A woeful sigh escaped her lips and Emily wiped her eyes.

As she turned away from the direction of Victor's home, there was a loud snapping noise that broke the silence. Fear clutched her heart; who could it be? And what would they think of her being here? A part of Emily wanted to turn around, but she just couldn't do it.

"Hopscotch," She whispered.

"Emily?"

A new form of tears fell down her face as she heard her true love's voice; Victor. And she had run away.