It was cold; colder than I remembered it being the last time we visited Uncle Noah and Aunt Tina's cabin in the snowy mountains of Tahoe. Maybe snowy wasn't the right word, it was June, but the air was just as chilly as if it had actually planned to snow. Damn global warming. The freezing air nipped at my reddening cheeks, my round nose, my long skinny fingers, and could even feel it seeping through my many layers of clothing: undies, a wife beater, boxers, thermals, two pairs of socks, baggy dark grey sweat pants, a thick but fitting black long sleeved shirt, a black winter coat, and black loosely laced combat boots…

So maybe I messed up with the combat boots, give me a break I have an unapproachable image to maintain.

"Danni, could you be at least a little bit more helpful and bring the luggage inside? I'd hate to break your train of thought," my dad asked sarcastically, although I clearly heard the warning in his voice. 'You know better than to just stand there' is what he was really saying. He could be a fun, joking guy, but when it came to one's manners he was a military man, his children were not an exception to this. I did my best to hold back my annoyed sigh; my mother would defiantly have a comment about that. I grudgingly trekked over to the back of the shiny black Escalade (a rental) and threw my generic Tokidoki bag over my shoulder, as well as a heavy box of food to contribute to our supply for the month's "vacation".

"Thinking about Nick?" Laiya, my older sister asked quietly, coming up to my side. I rolled my eyes, for being four years older than me she was still like a gossiping teenager. I didn't know how much more I could take of her after hours of being stuck in the back seat of a car with her.

"No, but I am thinking of a sufficient way to kill you painfully in your sleep without mom and dad knowing," I replied.

"And when you finally figure that out, I'll be old grey and probably in the ground already. Sorry to disappoint, hon," she replied cleverly before setting off first to the large cabin. The duration of vacation was going to be hell.

I followed Laiya into the kitchen and helped everyone put things in order before going up to mine and my sister's room. Yes, we had to share a bedroom, something we hadn't done since we were most likely 11 and 15. It didn't work out too well as you could imagine. I began to put my things in their place to put my pessimistic thoughts at ease. Consuming myself with the process of dressing my bed and readjusting the contents of my luggage bag that my dad had brought up earlier. After sitting the luggage safely at the end of my bed I pulled the love of my life from the pocket of my thick coat, my sleek black iPod touch. I smiled, leaving the room as my sister entered, but not before glancing in the mirror, a habit. My caramel skin was normal due to the warm temperature inside, my almond shaped eyes large as always, the irises a dark brown almost black, full lips a pale pink, black bangs covering my short eyebrows and two stubby pig tales protruding from beneath the black and grey snowflake designed snow cap, the type with the weird puff ball on top and ear flaps with strings.

"Where are you going?"

"Out," I replied before heading down the flight of cream carpeted stairs. As I reached the bottom, all four adults stared at me with questioning gazes. "I'm going for a walk I said." My mom nodded in approval. She always thought I should get out more, one reason for this trip. I wasn't a "healthy" teenager in her eyes.

"Just be careful. Take your cell and be back before dark."

"Okay," I headed toward the door.

"Don't get attacked by Grizzlies!" Uncle Noah shouted as I exited. Sometimes I wondered if he actually disliked me. He wasn't even really my Uncle; he was my God-father. My dad's best friend. I was truly a pessimist at heart. I plugged my ears with the buds of my earphones and turned on my music player, filling my ears with the relaxing sound of guitars, bass, drums, and a calming male voice which turned to screaming in a matter of seconds.

I walked slowly on the path, into the wilderness of trees and shrubbery. Although, the repetitive scenery was beginning to bore me to know end and against my better judgment I strayed from the path. I hummed one of my favorite songs as I walked, lightly skimming my fingers over tall grass, leaves, and tree trunks. I loved nature, but as much as I stayed away from it you could never guess. Man- No, Humans had tainted so many things it hurt just to look at it. It made my heartache and reminded me of my Great Grandmother. She was Creole, always talking to herself in the language that she never taught her children. She always took care of the small landscape areas around her apartment. Always feeding, always nurturing things, the way she did with any people that came along her way. No one and nothing was excluded in her love. She taught me to respect nature, that it gave everything life and could take it away just as easily. Oh, she taught me a great many things…

Then a great mass of russet rushed by the corner of my eye in such suddenness I was asphyxiated. I tried to remember how to breathe knowing that I was prone to both panic and asthma attacks and turned to see what it was.

I saw nothing. Just masses of various greenery. I wandered forward looking to see what the thing was. Maybe it was a Deer- no it was way too big. A bear maybe- no it looked bigger still.

Sniff. Sniff. Huff.

Something was at my back. Its exhalation from its nose strong enough to ruffle both my clothes and hair. My spit caught it my throat, but I managed to swallow it down so that I wouldn't cough and anger the animal. Slowly, very slowly I turned around to face the creature. Black eyes stared at me hungrily, a deep growl erupted from its throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart pounding wildly against my chest. Maybe I would die of a heart attack before it even sank its teeth in.

No!

Suddenly my eyes snapped open at the sound of a human voice, deep, distinct, scared! I looked around but no one was there, only me and the beast, it's head cocked to one side, staring are me oddly. It whimpered softly and backed away some staring at me in what seemed like fear. Fear? What did a creature that big have to fear?

What's this strange feeling?

"Its probably me," I said to it. It's black eyes widened.

What kind of magic is this?

"My family's kind?" I asked a little unsure, my Great Grandmother had pasted down all her secrets so me before she passed away. Everything she knew was now mine. The only thing we had left of our African and Sioux Indian ancestors was our "magic".

I was a freak.

I was a warrior.

I was a medicine-woman.

I was a witch.