As often as I could, I snuck out to see the runaway hidden in the barn.

"Are you... a slave?" I had to ask a few days later, and he froze, meeting my eyes with sky colored ones that were his own. He sighed, then just said, almost sadly. "You know that I am. Why do you need ask?"

"I... wondered. There is no harm in wondering, is there?"

Godric didn't seem to know what to say to that, so he bit into his hunk of bread instead of talking.

"I cannot stay here for long." He told me afterwards, and I frowned. "Why?"

"My Master shall be looking for me."

"Not to offend you... but how come you are so special?"

Godric chuckled, then just told me. "I have no idea. But... he is cruel."

His face had fallen once more, and I had an overwhelming urge to hug him. I would have done, but I truly didn't know how he would react.

"How old are you?" He asked me now, and I replied. "Fifteen winters. Yourself?"

"The same."

I smiled, and he glanced to the barn door, going. "You are very kind."

"Well... there needs to be some kindness in the world." I told him back and Godric sighed. "True. Very true."

"Melody!"

I glanced back at that, and groaned. "That is Mother. I must go."

Godric nodded. "Thank you." I smiled, then before I wimped out, leaned forwards and hugged him tightly for a moment, then left.

A mistake...

As soon as I stepped outside, I found myself facing soldiers in their uniform. I let out a gasp of surprise, then Mother yanked me forwards as they stormed into the barn, and I struggled, going. "What are you doing! There is nothing in there-!"

Mother growled, then spun me around, grabbing the tops of my shoulders as she snapped. "Do not lie to me daughter. You have lied enough! All this stealing food, hiding in the barn all the time..."

"I-"

"Let go of me-!"

It was those four words that shut me up, making tears spring to my eyes as Mother forced me to watch the boy get dragged from the barn by two soldiers, chains around his wrists, binding them together.

I felt one of those tears start to track down my cheek as one of them hit him on the side of the head, knocking him out straight away. He was put on the back of the midnight colored horse, and I tried to dash forwards, but Mother yanked me back, snarling. "You stay here now-!"

"No!"

I couldn't escape her grip, and my eyes were cascading tears as they finished up their business, then rode off. Mother let me go, and I let out a sob, running back into the place and to my room.

Life really was too cruel...

-BRINGMETOLIFE-

3 Years Later...

Things had changed all these years later. I had grown into a perfect young lady my mother told me...

But I never thought so.

We had moved into Rome now, taking a massive summer house my mother called it.

"Melody?"

I looked around at that to my mother, and I nodded. "Yes?"

"You are eighteen. Marriage-"

"No! I shall not marry-!"

Mother had become much... harsher you could say, and that was all she needed to do to make me rebellious.

"You are my daughter, Melody. You will obey me."

I left at that, walking out into the night of Rome. That same air was warm with a nice cooling breeze, pleasant to my bare face and arms.

A light sigh escaped me as I brushed my pale blonde hair back of my shoulders, glancing down at the path- horses hooves were evident in it.

But I heard a light scuffle up ahead, then glanced up to see someone walking around the corner.

I recognized that tattoo on the top part of his arm...

But it couldn't be-?

I sped up a little, following the boy who looked suspiciously like a slave I had befriended so many years ago. I'd thought about him a few times, wondering if he was still alive. That innocent little Godric.

The boy seemed to have vanished now, and I stopped dead, looking around... but it was like I had thought. He was gone.

But a light prickle on the back of my neck made my eyes widen, then spin around to gasp quietly in shock.

"What are you doing here?" He just asked of me, his eyes almost narrowed it seemed.

I stuttered for a second, then stared- almost three-four years had passed... and he only looked a tiny fraction older than he did when I met him. He should have been my age, eighteen... or a little older.

"I live here." Was my only answer, and he stared at me. But now he sighed, glancing to the house behind him. "Melody..."

Wow. He'd remembered my name.

"Just forget you have seen me." He muttered, and I frowned. "Why? Just... tell me what happened when they took you away?"

"I cannot talk to you Melody. Go home."

"But Godric-?" I reached forwards and grabbed his arm, but let go when I felt how... cold he was. He met my eyes with almost sad ones, and then just said quietly. "I am sorry, Melody." He took one of my hands in his own now, raising it to his lips where he kissed it softly. But then he was gone.

I just stood there in silence, thinking-

How could he have changed so very much-?

-BRINGMETOLIFE-

It was a week before I saw him once more, and that was when my mother told me-

"That slave is here."

I set my dinner down and nodded, going. "I know."

She raised her eyebrow, then looked to Lucien who was now nine years old, hissing. "Sit down and eat, Lucien!"

He did as he was told, pouting in the process.

"Have you spoken to him?" She asked me curtly, and I didn't answer.

"Melody-!"

"Yes! Why? Am I not allowed?"

Mother just glared, then shook her head. "This boy is a slave of Markus Terebus. A very powerful man, daughter. Even we would be wise not to offend him. Do not talk to his slave again."

"But-"

"No! You say that word once more, Melody-!"

I threw down my dinner, getting to my feet and stormed out past the slaves besides the doors.

Truly I did not know why tears burned in my eyes, but I suppose it was because I had failed in my promise to Godric all those years ago. I promised him I would keep him safe... and it was essentially my fault that he had gotten captured. I cared about him immensely... and I still did.

But it was strange- I did look through the day for this Markus and his slave, but found nothing. From what I'd heard, they never ventured out until dark. Both him and Godric.

Strange. Very strange.

There was something sinister roming the streets of Rome...

And Godric was part of it.

Just a little update to see if people are still interested in reading more:) Thanks for the immense reviews on the first chapter! I was surprised:') anyway, if people are still interested, I'll put up muuucchh longer chapters and continue^_^ reviews much loved thank you! x Nic