Author's Note: Well, I hummed and I hawed over this story, and finally decided to give it a shot after running to idea past my ever awesome friend Jackie and having her help to work out the kinks and quirks into something of a plot (Thanks again, Jackie! I really cannot thank you enough!)

Please do review this if you're reading – I'm really curious to know what people think about all my stories, and am always open to suggestions on how to improve or make things more interesting. I may not go ahead with some suggestions (particularly those about style or plot), but I will take everything into consideration :D

And one last reminder – this is pretty pre-Twilight. There may or may not be some overlap much later in the story (depends on how the plot plays out), but don't expect much ;)

Hunted by Darkness
Chapter 1

Serena looked out the window of the carriage gloomily, watching the scenery pass by. There wasn't a whole lot to look at, but anything was better than nothing, and nothing was certainly better than looking at her companion within the carriage, for that would merely lead to awkward conversations and further anger.

"Serena, I…" Serena's companion chose to break their silence instead, almost as though he'd read her mind.

Serena turned her head as little as possible, instead shooting her companion a sidelong glance, though said nothing.

Her companion sighed. "Never mind." The frown that had occupied his face since they'd departed on their journey deepened, and he was silent for a moment before speaking again, trying a different route of conversation. "You know I do this for you, don't you?" He cocked his head to the side ever so slightly as he spoke, as though he was trying to get a better look at her face. "I only want to make things good for you. Unfortunately since your mother's passing…"

This was too much for Serena. "Please, don't." She turned her head and looked out the window again, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to fall. "You've said it many times before, Father, but saying it again won't make it any easier."

"An offer like this doesn't come around every day." Serena's father tried again.

"I know." Serena said flatly. "Just give me time to adjust."

Serena's father opened his mouth to speak again, but immediately closed it again as Serena sat up a little straighter, turning for a better look at something out the window, seemingly entranced by it.

"What is that?" She pointed ahead, towards some out of the ordinary looking buildings at the top of the hill in front of them. She pulled her eyes away from it and looked at her father again, the first time she'd looked directly at him since they'd departed on their journey.

Serena's farther scooted to sit on the other side of the carriage so he could look at what it was Serena was pointing at. "That, I do believe," he smiled and looked at his daughter. "Is our new home. I'd say we should be there in an hour or so."

Serena looked at her father a moment longer, somewhat confused by the proudness in his voice – surely he couldn't be so happy about a place he'd never seen before. She pulled her eyes away from him again, however, and looked back at the buildings. She wasn't sure why, but the mere sight of them sent a slight shiver down her spine, as though some invisible force were trying to warn her against going any further.

XXX

The trip up the hill and into the city had taken longer than Serena's father had anticipated, though that really surprised nobody – he always had been bad at judging that kind of thing. Regardless, as soon as the carriage had stopped, Serena had jumped anxiously from it, not out of excitement, but instead overly grateful for a chance to stretch her legs out in the sunshine. It felt like forever since she'd last stood on her feet, and her face seemed to perk up significantly as she walked around, probably looking a little silly as she moved in circles, not knowing what else to do.

Serena's father finished speaking with those who had accompanied them on their journey, then exited the carriage as well, looking a bit befuddled. He couldn't help but smile, however, as he saw the look on his daughter's face.

"I knew you'd like it."

Serena stopped dead in her tracks, looking at her father, though her face didn't fall again. "I'm just glad to be out of that stuffy carriage!" Even her voice sounded happier. "Surely there must have been some better mode of transportation available to us." Certainly some of the newer modes of transportation were more costly, though they were also generally more comfortable, not to mention faster.

"Only if you wished to walk up that hill." Serena's father smirked slightly as he said it. "Believe me, I looked into it."

Serena merely shook her head. She didn't fully believe him, but wasn't really at liberty to argue, having not looked into the matter herself. Besides, now that she'd stopped walking in circles, she was feeling trapped again, and was anxious for them to be on their way.

"So what's the plan now?"

"The driver has informed me their orders were to drop us off here, and then to stay with our things. Apparently someone will be back for them. It seems odd to me, but," Serena's father shrugged. "I won't protest. I know I'd rather not carry it, especially seeing as how I'm not fully sure where we're going." He pulled a map from the inside pocket of his jacket and opened it, examining it as he did so. "Ready for a bit of a walk?"

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Considering how quickly I got out of that carriage and started walking in circles, do you really think that's a question that needs to be asked?"

Her father chuckled, partly in amusement at what his daughter had just said, but also in contentment that her spirits seemed to have been lifted. "Fair enough. Very well, off we go." He glanced down at the map once more, then pointed down the street. "Should be that way, mostly." He started walking, not waiting to see if Serena would follow or not, knowing she would eventually. She wasn't the sort who would willingly get herself lost in a brand new place.

XXX

Serena shivered and moved closer to her father as they stood in front of a dark alleyway. "Are you certain that's where we're to go?"

Her father opened the map and pointed so she could see. "I am." He looked at his daughter with concern. "Oh come now, Serena, it's not that bad. It can't all be pretty sunshine and flowers." Well, technically they hadn't seen many flowers, save those in planter boxes, but he knew that would get the point across.

"I know, it's just…" Serena bit her lip.

"Just..?"

Serena sighed. "Nothing. Never mind. If you're sure that's where we're to go, then we'll go." She wouldn't openly admit it, but staring down the alleyway was making the chill travel down her spine again, though this time it was intensified tenfold.

Her father smiled warmly, holding out his hand to her. "It'll be fine, I promise."

Serena hesitated a moment longer, then took his hand and allowed him to guide her down the alleyway. She shivered slightly as she stepped out of the sunlight, feeling as though all warmth was leaving her, being replaced with the coldness that seemed to occupy all dark spaces. She glanced back, watching the sunlight move farther and farther behind her without ever actually moving on its own, and found herself wondering what might happen if she were to tear herself away from her father at this very moment, running back to it, savoring it, and keeping it with her forever.

But that was impossible. Not only would she seem very childish as she ran away from the darkness, but there would be nowhere for her to go after she'd done so, save back into the darkness; the darkness that seemed to be engulfing her with every step she took.

As the last of the sunlight seemed to vanish from behind them, a reassuring squeeze from her father's hand made her turn her head forward again, as she silently said goodbye to the sunlight, vowing to return to it at the very first moment she could.

Serena's father stopped, suddenly, as they came to a fork in the alleyway. Serena could just barely see him squinting in the darkness, trying to make out his map.

"Signor Spintori?" A voice in the darkness made Serena jump. She nearly shrieked aloud as well, though managed to contain herself.

"Si." Serena's father looked up from his map, trying to see the owner of the voice.

"And this must be your daughter?" The man stepped forward, stepping out of a more shadowed area of the alley way and into what little light there still was.

"Serena." Serena replied simply and quietly. She could feel his eyes on her, though she could not see them, and it felt as though they were boring holes into her head. She shifted uncomfortably.

The man nodded once, then turned his attention back to Serena's father. "I'm glad you made it, we were beginning to worry. This area is not so kind after nightfall." His tone was difficult to read, though was not out rightly harsh. "I will show the two of you the rest of the way, and to your quarters. Your things have already been delivered."

Serena discreetly quirked an eyebrow at her father, though he seemed not to notice as his attention was still on the man in front of them.

"Thank you kindly, Signor."

"Please, follow me, and try not to fall behind. As I said, this area is not so welcoming after nightfall." The man turned quickly and headed down the right side of the fork at a brisk pace, leaving Serena and her father to run to catch up, still hand in hand.

"And on behalf of all of us, welcome to Volterra."