Prompt: A picture of a sunset. It's beautiful really. I don't have a link, but I'm going to work on posting it somewhere. I'll let you know. Oh, I know—JULES! Grand Giver of the Prompts, where can I post this pic?

Timeframe: Pre-Twilight

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. The Twilight Saga and all characters, recognizable settings, etc. involved within are the property of Stephenie Meyer.

Rating: T

A/N: Thank you for all the reads, reviews, and alerts. I'll be perfectly honest, I'm not so sure about this one. I don't know if I like it or not; however, the point of this challenge is to write something everyday…and as my lady-love reminded me, it doesn't have to be good, it just has to be something. So, here is my something. Ta-da!

The Stars at Night

They ran. As fast and as hard as they could push their immortal bodies, they ran. They ran from the past, they ran from the demon that sired them. They ran from the pain and agony that was their existence. But more importantly, they ran to escape the brutal torment she would inflict should they be caught.

Jasper couldn't remember much from his human life and what he could remember from this damned existence, which was every aching and brutal detail, he'd much rather forget. But though his human memories were faint, smudged, and scattered, he was fairly certain he hadn't ever been outside of the southwest. As they fled farther and farther away, he was overcome by the newness of it all.

Everything he saw was so different. Every breathe, every taste and smell in the air was so new and curious and awe-inspiring. And terrifying. But no matter how badly he wanted to stop, to explore, to taste and feel everything new and beautiful thing around him, he kept running.

They journeyed through the drought-inflicted plains and across raging rivers and ominous, craggy mountaintops. And snow! For the first time in any of their lives, they saw snow. Charlotte was mesmerized and desperately wanted to stop and touch it, taste it even. But they had to push forward, they had to keep moving until they knew they were safe. They'd see snow again, Peter promised her, and he meant it too. Once they were safe from that malevolent, revolting demon that was their maker, they would all see snow again. Even if he had to kill the bitch himself. They would live free for now on and if it came down to it, well, he'd rather die trying than be subjugated to that heinousness again.

They kept moving. Bypassing civilization and villages, stopping for nothing even though they were all sorely tempted. Even their thirsts were fed at a manic speed, quenched without a moment to spare and quickly moving on. The fear of capture and bondage—for their existence thus far could be described as nothing short of satanic enslavement…an existence they promised themselves they would never be subjected to again—dominated any other need or desire they might have felt.

Finally, one night they slowed down. And then many nights later, they stopped. They had no clue where they were or how far they had travelled. But they knew they were safe. They could feel it down to their bones and could smell it in the clean, night air. They were gone, she was gone, and they were free.

Peter treated Charlotte to the snow he had promised her and Jasper leaned against a tree and settled himself into the ground. For the first time in what seemed like eons, or at least very many lifetimes, he allowed his mind and body, and was hoping for even his soul, to rest. Jasper slowly breathed in the crisp, cold air and peered up at the night sky. It was different from what he knew. Texas was starry, broad, and clear. This sky, this sky was different. It was purple and pink swirls against black and navy backdrops. The brightest and biggest stars he had ever seen. And the trees, they were everywhere—blocking and enhancing the night. It was bold and formidable. It was the most beautiful thing Jasper had ever seen.

And for the very first time, Jasper felt at peace. The coil of angst, terror, and savage responsibility that was his constant companion and burden, loosened. He didn't know if it would ever absolve, and as his past was marked upon his soul and his mind, and even tattooed and imprinted upon his very flesh, he didn't think he'd ever be completely free of it.

But this night, this beautiful night underneath these free stars, he didn't care. He buried himself underneath the heaping piles of snow surrounding him and let it go. He cleared his mind and couldn't help the glee that flowed through his body or the laughter that escaped him. As he shook himself out of the snow, he heard the giggles and chuckles of his friends, his saviors really and knew that no matter what was to come, this was all worth it. Even if the peace and joy was only for that very night, that one moment in time, it was all so very worth it.

Overjoyed by it all, he did something he'd never done before.

Jasper loved…and Jasper played.