A/N: So, yeah. It's been 8 months, I know. This story has kinda fallen to the bottom of my priority list, but this is the chapter that I wrote today. I'm sorry, but don't have too much expectations. I have two other stories that I'm really working on now, and once they're done, this one will come back and I'll finish. Sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters-they belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 2-Cue the Sun

The center of the town was occupied by a large well. It was very deep right in the center, but thinned out in a large circle around the edge. If I were to stand in the water next to one of the walls, it would reach around my knees.

On the average warm day, kids would be playing in the pool, splashing and laughing, joking around with their friends. Mothers could be seen washing clothing or cleaning dishes. Men would congregate around the well to discuss whatever it was they discussed.

As we approached the center of congregation, I could clearly see the kids off to the side, playing in the water and running around on the dirt pathways. The loud chatter reverberated off of the surrounding houses, and the echoes of laughter had an almost ghostly sound.

Alec tugged hard on my wrist, pulling me suddenly left and right, contorting our paths to fit through the spaces among the groups of people.

I was able to catch little snippets of conversation such as

"…witch living out by the forest..",

"…said that the feather of a…",

and "…better be careful, always watch your…"

"Jane, stop standing and come on. The contest is starting!" Alec was standing in front of me, clutching a small wooden boat to his chest. That boat was his pride and glory; he had named it Arrow.

But today there was a small competition among the kids. Everyone had to make a boat that would sail on the town well; Alec had been anticipating this contest for a many days, and on every single one of those days he would bother me and continually talk about the contest. But he was my brother, and this was his passion; what could I do?

Alec grabbed my arm once again, literally dragging me forward into the pack of screaming children. Kids were yelling at each other, praising those they thought would win, and waving boats up above their heads in huge arks. I could feel Alec's grip loosen as his palms sweated in anticipation and nerves.

"Hi Alba," I said, waving to a small girl of my own age. She was the daughter of my father's cousin. The other kids in the town had never been very fond of Alec and me, but we were always as polite as possible. I saw her excited grin turn down in a disgusted frown while she glanced at me with disdain. I could feel the shock written across my face, but couldn't erase it.

Alec was now far ahead of me, in the midst of the throng. I could see the faces of excited children turn to those of disgusted onlookers watching a repelling show. Alec obviously couldn't tell, but I could clearly see the large bubble of space grow around him as he walked towards the fountain, his eyes clouded with anticipation.

A large boy, by the name of Dante stalked through the crowd, walking towards Alec with a devilish leer on his face. Dante had an impish personality, and he used his size to get what he wanted.

I tried pushing through the crowd, hoping to get to Alec and pull him away before Dante could reach him. But the people around me seemed to create one solid wall of flesh that couldn't be penetrated.

So all I could do was stand and watch as Dante's huge shadow engulfed Alec's body and pinned him to the wall of the well. My whole body was in complete disagreement to this idea; my arms wanted to swing and punch, while my legs wanted to kick, and I felt like opening my mouth as wide as it could go and screaming out to the heavens.

I watched like a coward as Dante crushed Alec's boat in his fist and then punched him with the shreds of the boat still between his fingers.

My legs were quivering as my muscles tightened and locked, ready to spring at the attacker.

I looked around with hate as all of the children watched the beating play out before them.

I barely heard the dull thud of flesh against flesh, for all I could hear was the screaming rage inside my head.

I barely saw the crude signs Dante made towards Alec, for all I could see was Alec curled up in a ball with the shreds of boat strewn about him and a puddle of blood slowly forming around his feet.

I begged Alec to get up and walk back to me, where I could protect him in the circle of my arms.

If only he would stand up. If only Dante would walk away. If only I could reach them, it would all be okay.

If only…