My first memories of Vytal were filled with grey depressing skies and tiny snowflakes as I faded in and out of consciousness in that little worn out wagon. From the sounds of my older brother's heavy breathing I knew he wasn't doing so well either in the stinging cold. The only things keeping him going was his will and the fact that he was just plain stubborn. We had reached the city two days ago, at least that's what Jack had told me once during one of the times I was conscious.

The creatures of Grimm were no longer nipping at our feet. And yet it seemed our newest problem was that our fellow human beings seemed either reluctant or just completely unwilling us into their homes. I could hear Jack grumbling angrily about it as he huffed and puffed wheeling our wagon along across the frozen snow covered sidewalks and roads.

"Are they even human? Why won't they let us in? They are treating us like trash…stupid cruel monsters…worse than Grimm…" He would say, echoing my own disgust as it took almost every ounce of strength within me to remotely clench my fists. Ever since I had brought the sudden blizzard-like storm that had saved our lives from that giant pack of beowolves I had lost nearly all energy to move. I could barely even speak as I listened to Jack soldier on while for me it seemed as if death was warming over.

Please…someone help us…I don't want to die…I don't want Jack to die…he's all I have left… I thought as I could feel my tears flowing freely from my eyes causing the already unbearable cold to sting my cheeks. I continued silently uttering that prayer as I slowly drifted off to sleep hoping some deity or at least someone was listening…

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jack continued shuffling through the snow pulling the wagon along as the snowfall began to worsen once again. He looked over in the wagon at his little sister Grace; who was still buried under a small mountain of blankets and torn fabric he had hoped would keep her warm. Now all of those blankets were soaked through and all he could do was rely on her to stay alive for a little bit longer while he looked for help. Only they had been denied that help ever since they arrived in town. As another night drew close he felt his foot catch on something as he tripped and collapsed into the snow. He turned his head as he lay there in the snow, ignoring the pain he was feeling in his leg and he stared at some of the brightly lit homes across the closest street. He silently cursed all of the human families inside for turning their backs on them. As he tried getting up the thought of them dying in the cold came to mind.

He could only wonder if anyone was going to let them in and maybe adopt them, so maybe some fraction of their lives would go back to normal. He sat up against the wall and stared up at the sky as memories of their old life in the Snowy Forest came to mind. Mom's deliciously warm bread, Dad's goofy grinning face when he'd come home with good news, and Grace's warm and beautiful smile.

"Sorry sis…" he whispered as he reached into the wagon and caressed his sister's hair. He had never felt so scared, as it grew darker all of the lights at the nearest homes began to click off. Jack watched as one by one, all the lights disappeared.

"This sucks…this is worse than being chased by Beowolves…" He whispered as he leaned against the wagon, his eyes growing heavy from the cold.

"Well sis…at least we get to see Mom and Dad again…" He whispered as he smiled softly. Just before he closed his eyes he saw a pair of figures rushing towards them as they spoke to each other in a panicked tone.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When I woke up again I was greeted by a warm light, was I dead? Was this what heaven was like? Where was Mom and Dad? When I opened my eyes I heard the soft humming of a heater, as I sat up that was when it hit me, I was alive! Jack had done it! Someone had finally taken us in! I looked around and saw the wagon in the corner, all of the snow that had nearly covered it now melted off leaving the wagon completely soaked in water with the old blankets still inside. Now the questioned remained; "Where…am I?" I wondered aloud as I suddenly heard footsteps.

"Ah thank goodness you're awake." A man's voice said as I turned and saw a young man walk into the room smiling warmly at me dressed in a thick shirt, black pants and boots that were still shaking off the cruel snow. My jaw nearly dropped in surprise as I immediately noticed his thick furry pointed ears and a tail of the thickest crimson swaying behind him. He gazed at me with amber golden eyes wondering what I was so shocked about and then chuckled.

"Oh this must be you're first time seeing a Faunus huh? Don't worry you and you're brother are safe, my wife and I found you two while we were on our way home. And from the looks of things we found you just in time." He said as I looked down at myself as I immediately nearly dove into the blanket letting out a raspy squeal realizing that I was still naked.

"Don't worry, my wife Luna is getting some clothes you two can wear, for the time being though I'd stay huddled up in our blankets." I immediately did as he said as I shyly sank into the blankets. I watched as the man came around the couch and crouched down in front of me. I found myself transfixed by his amber eyes. It scared me seeing the warmth in his eyes as they almost reminded me of Dad.

"My name is Daniel, Daniel Fox; what's yours?" He asked as he seemed hesitant to touch me seeing how nervous I was.

I gave a slight cough as I mustered up my strength into my voice as I responded. "I'm Grace…G-Grace Spades…" I stammered as I suddenly became worried about Jack beginning to look around the room frantically.

"Where is my brother…?" I asked as I heard my own voice and realized that slipping in and out of consciousness in the back of a little kid's wagon didn't exactly leave me time to stay hydrated.

Daniel seemed to sigh with worry himself and gave me a soft smile. "Luna and I put your brother in our bedroom, he's recovering from hypothermia and a bad fever unfortunately." My eyes went wide as I stared at him.

"Is…Is he going to be alright?" I whispered as I felt my eyes blurring with sadness. I didn't want to lose my brother, it was my fault he's like this anyway. Daniel looked off towards the hall and touched my head softly caressing my hair.

"Don't worry, your brother is a fighter that's for sure so he's been recovering well." I sighed with relief at those words, at the very least Jack was going to be okay. I licked my lips as I coughed again feeling the dry irritation in my throat.

"The cold must have drained more out of you than I thought, don't worry Grace I'll go get you some water." Daniel said as he stood up and walked away into their kitchen. As I waited I heard more footsteps coming from the hallway. As I turned I saw a young woman stepping out of a room with clothes in her hands as she had similar ears and tail to Daniel. Only instead of Daniel's thick crimson color hers were more of a beautiful captivating silver which even accompanied her eyes. As she saw that I was awake she smiled with delight and walked over to me.

"Hello there, I'm Luna Fox, I'm so glad you are alive!" She said as her swaying tail was now wagging reflecting her joy. I couldn't help but smile as she walked over with a fresh set of warm clothes in her hands.

"These will have to work for now," she said as she chuckled nervously. "We can go shopping for new ones tomorrow." She said as she put the clothes in my lap and walked over to the window proceeding to pull away the curtains as I saw Faunus walking along the sidewalks and shoveling away snow. I was amazed as I saw the still brightly lit homes of families having fun with each other before they proceeded to bed themselves. As Daniel returned and gave me the glass of water I immediately took a large gulp as I couldn't tear my eyes away from the new world outside.

As Daniel looked outside he laid a hand on my shoulder. "Ms. Spades, welcome to Vytal."