- We shall make one thing clear: I only own what I created: Karina, Josiah, and all other characters not created by the brilliant mind that belongs to Stephanie Meyer.

- Just so you all know, there certain Indian tribes that I have decided to use as part of my story. So, don't assume that anything in this story is true, okay? I'm just modifying things for the purpose of my story.

Prologue

Karina's POV

"All rise," the bailiff commanded.

Immediately, I rose to my feet, anxious. For months, I had used money, resources, anything to win custody of my little brother. Ever since our mother died, he's been moved from home to home in Brooklyn, where we're from. It wasn't fair in the first place. I remember when they first took him away. I had been taking care of him for weeks before then, and he loved me. I remember playing with him for countless hours, full of laughter and smiles. But then, they came—

My reminiscing was interrupted by the judge, staring at me. I smiled, hoping that she would quit it. I didn't like it when people stared at me anyway.

The judge took in a deep breath, which made my nerves jump a little. "After careful consideration, and hearing both sides…I have decided that the best place for Josiah is with his sister."

Just then, the foster mother that had been taking care of my little brother for the past few months couldn't hold back her anger any longer; at least, I could see it in her face. "Are you crazy?! She's only 19! She can't handle—"

I took a couple of steps toward the woman, whom I could only remember as Mrs. Bramens. She annoyed me greatly, because she never allowed me to see Josiah, though I knew her oldest daughter. We had gone to school together as children, and had been good friends until all this started. Hannah had said that, though she still loved me as a friend, she was forced to take her mother's side. But, she gave me updates on him all the time. The one she always said: "Josiah asks for you all the time."

I remembered then to carry myself as better than she was. I even felt that I was better than her for Josiah. When her eyes snapped toward me, and her lips pursed, I rose a hand out of goodwill. "Mrs. Bramens—"

The face of the woman before me looked like she wanted to kill me. But, she didn't. "I just want you to know that you've robbed my younger children of a sibling."

I shook my head, a bit appalled at what I was hearing. "I've robbed them? Really? I would think that you've robbed me, since I'm the only caregiver that little boy knows."

Mrs. Bramens shook her head. "This won't be the end, dear."

I scoffed a little bit. Really? This won't be the end? That is the most pathetic answer I've ever heard!" I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry, but you can't access the records for him. And besides, we're getting out of this forsaken city. Neither of us need to be around this, or around people like you."

Just then, I heard the laugh of a little boy, a laugh I knew all too well. Winking toward Mrs. Bramens, I turned around to see Josiah's glowing face, a smile taking it over. It made me smile, and I picked the little guy up. "Hey little guy! Do you know how much I missed you?"

Josiah's face lit up even more. He clapped his hand in happiness, and it made me smile even more. "Whittle Sistwer!"

I hugged him close, not wanting to let him go. It was just me and him now.

I took him back to my small apartment, and he instantly wanted to go to his room, the small one that I had made up for him after our mother died. I had left it exactly as it had been the morning he was taken from me, and it made my heart sing to see him in the room once again.

But, I knew that would be shortlived, in a way. I was planning to move away from New York. I didn't want Josiah to be sucked into the same things that our parents had, and I knew that it would be better if Josiah grew up somewhere that was more…well, wholesome.

Weeks before, I had called the leader of the tribe my parents grew up in, the tribe that I was a part of, by blood: the Abnaki Tribe. They were based in Maine, at least, that's what I knew. When I had called the tribe's elder, however, things did not go well. He explained that, because my parents had left in rebellion of the tribe's ways, that they could not accept me on the reservation, because many elders would object. But, he did suggest one place to go, something that I was taking into consideration. He suggested that I go to the state of Washington, to a little Indian reservation known as La Push. There, our sister tribe lived. I thought about that greatly after hanging up the phone. Soon, it became a decision of mine to go there.

So, afterwards, I called the Abnaki elder back, and he gladly gave me the number of the elder of the Quileute tribe, a man named Quil Ateara Sr. I didn't have time that night, as it was getting late and I had to work as a waitress in the morning. But, the next day, after picking Josiah up from my neighbor who had once again agreed to babysit for me, I called Mr. Ateara (who later insisted that I didn't call him that). He said that he would speak with the other elders at a meeting that they were going to have later that night. I hung up afterwards, and I became anxious. But, I continued with my evening, playing with Josiah and making dinner for both of us. Finally, late at night, the phone rang again.

Chapter One

Karina's POV

I had just finished helping Josiah eat when the phone rang. I then set Josiah on the floor, near his alphabet blocks that he loved so dearly, even at the age of two. Just before the call could go to my answering machine, I grabbed it. "Hello?"

"Karina?" I could recognize Old Quil's voice, and it made me smile a bit.

"Yes, this is Karina."

I heard a small chuckle of satisfaction from more than one person. It made me right eyebrow raise a small bit, though they couldn't see it.

"Well Karina, as you may or may not have guessed, I am not the only one who can hear you."

I never would have guessed… But, I kept that comment to myself. "Oh, okay."

"So, we've been talking about your situation for a couple of hours now, and we have some questions for you…"

His question made several of my own questions pop into my mind. What, was he going to reject me? Was he going to say that Josiah couldn't—"

"Um, Karina…are you still there?"

My mind had blanked out for a second, and it made me laugh at myself silently. "Yes, I'm still here."

"Wonderful. The questions are not from me."

"Um, okay…"

Then, I heard the sound of a woman clearing her throat. "Hello Karina, my name is Sue Clearwater."

Clearwater? Cool last name… "Um, hi Sue."

"Alright then: how are you managing to provide for both yourself as well as your two-year-old brother?"

Really? I hate questions like that. But, I need to get out of New York. "Well, I waitress for an upscale restaurant during the day. It pays pretty well."

"That's wonderful darling."

Then, I heard the whispers of an older man, as well as one that I guessed to be in his early twenties. I wished to know what they were saying, but there was no use in worrying about it.

"Karina, we have come to a consensus," Old Quil informed me. Honestly, enough with the idea of secrecy here…

"And…?" I asked, not trying to seem too rude or impatient, though I was a bit impatient to get away from New York as fast as possible.

"Luckily, we have a small house on the reservation here. It should be just perfect for you and Josiah."

My heart started to race in excitement, and I wanted to squeal in delight, but I realized that it was not the right time for such things. "Really?"

"Yes, darling," I heard Sue reply.

I could feel tears begin to form in my eyes. I tried to hold them back, but my efforts were slightly futile, at best. "Th-thank you so much."

Then, I heard a chuckle. "Well, we personally feel that La Push would be a much better place for little Josiah."

My thoughts exactly. "So, when can we move to the reservation?" I asked, a little eager to know.

"Well Karina, you can move here as soon as you wish to. The house we're giving you is currently unoccupied."

Even better. "Alright then. How does two weeks sound?"

"Sounds fine to us, darling," Sue said, confirming my happiness.

"Okay then, I guess I'll see you then."

"Have a wonderful evening, and safe travels."

"Thank you." I then said goodbye and hung up.