I had to have been walking for about two hours when my stomach began to grumble and my legs began to ache. I knew I should've eaten something before I left, I scolded myself. And since when did Aunt Esme's house get so far away?

I sighed heavily and sat down on the sidewalk. My clothes were dirty, I was hungry, I was tired, and I was definitely lost. I should have stayed home. I could be eating something or falling asleep right now.

But I suddenly felt a surge of energy. I shouldn't be thinking like this.

I stood up and brushed myself off. You are not weak. So stop whining and walk, because if you don't, Andrew will have won, and this all will have been for nothing.

I picked up my stuff and stalked off in no particular direction. Maybe if I just walk around aimlessly, I'll get there. Like they say, all roads lead to Rome. Or maybe it was home… but if it was Rome, that wouldn't make sense, because I don't want to get to Rome, or home, I'm just trying to get to my step-aunt's house.

Since I was talking to myself and not watching where I was going, I bumped into a tree. I fell on my butt and looked around to see if anyone had seen. But, of course, nobody did. Because everybody was in their beds and asleep, not walking around with no direction to an aunt who doesn't even know they're coming and will probably not even take them in. But whatever.

When I actually took in my surroundings, I realized I was in front of a grand house. Looking closer, I realized that it was Aunt Esme's. I almost cried out in relief. I don't know how I missed it, the place was huge. I guess all roads lead to Aunt Esme.

I walked towards the house, but when I saw smoke rising, I stopped in alarm. Great. Just my luck that once I get to the house it sets on fire.

But then I saw where the smoke was coming from. I was just a chimney. I laughed at myself for getting so worked up over nothing.

I ran toward the house, not wasting any time. I saw that the lights were on, so at least someone was home. I banged the huge knocked on the door as hard as I could.

After knocking for about 5 minutes, I gave up, deciding that no one was there after all. I turned around and slid down the door in defeat.

I sat there for a few minutes, thinking about what to do next, when the door suddenly opened and I found myself falling towards the hard tiled floor. Closing my eyes, I braced myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt two small hands catching my head.

I opened my eyes to Aunt Esme's worried expression.

"Rysalyn! What are you doing here?" Her tone was worried, but her voice was groggy. She must have just gotten out of bed, because her hair was slightly askew, and even though her eyes were alert with worry, I could also see that she was fighting to keep them open.

"Just dropping by," I said nonchalantly while getting up and walking further into the house, leaving Esme dumbstruck at the door.

She stood there for a moment, and then followed me in. I stood in the hallway admiring one of the paintings. It was an original, by who I didn't know or care. It was an abstract, with lots of swirls and unknown shapes going all over the place, but somehow, everything fit together, and it almost had a harmonious feel to it.

Esme looked me over, taking in my appearance. Her face was disapproving, but then again, everyone's is when they are thinking about me.

"Rysalyn. What happened to you?" Her voice was distressed. I guess she had good reason to be, because I was completely drenched from head to toe, and was leaving a large puddle on the hardwood floor where I was standing. That will probably damage the flooring. My clothes were also ripped in a few places, from the times the branches caught me.

"Um… I wanted to come visit you?" It came out as a question, because I wasn't sure if she was going to believe me.

"And?" She asked. She looked like she didn't believe the story, but like she didn't care either.

"And nothing. Can't I come visit my dear step-aunt once in a while?" I put on my most innocent face.

She smiled wearily. "Of course you can, dear, but what about Andrew? Does he know that you're here?"

"Well…" I really didn't want to answer that. I just wanted to go to sleep. "Andrew hasn't been home for some time."

She looked at me apologetically, as if she was sorry for asking. She knew about Andrew's… sexual habits and didn't approve at all. "Oh well, you can stay here with me until he comes back."

"Thank you, Auntie Esme," I said gratefully, my smile sincere. She put her arm around my shoulders and led me upstairs. "Why don't you take a shower, and I'll lay out some clothes for you in the guest room. Okay?"

I nodded. When she finished showing me where everything was in the guestroom, she left to give me some privacy.

It felt so peaceful to hear the splashing as the water hit my skin, and to see the dirt wash off me, leaving me feeling clean and refreshed.

Once I was done, I wrapped myself in the towel Esme had left out for me and went to the guestroom to put on the nightwear that Esme had left for me.

After I got dressed, I went downstairs to find Esme in the kitchen making some tea for me.

"Esme, you don't have to make anything for me. You should go back to bed. I've bothered you enough." I was touched be her kindness, but I didn't want her to take care of me. I just needed a place to stay. No need to include room service and a maid.

She waved me off. "Oh, it's nothing. No trouble at all."

I went into the living room and sat down, but I felt uncomfortable with all the attention she was giving me. I wasn't used to getting attention. At least, not this kind. Boy's ogled me and girl's hated me, but I had rarely ever been loved or cared about.

Esme brought my tea and sat in front of me. "Is there anything else you need me to get for you?" She asked with a smile, as if she got a thrill from taking care of me.

"No, I'm fine, thank you." I felt bad for disappointing her, and even worse when her smile dropped.

"Well, if you need anything, just wake me up. I won't mind."

I smiled. "Okay. Goodnight, Esme."

She kissed me on the forehead. "Goodnight."

I had just finished my tea, when Esme poked her head back in the room. "Are you sure you don't need anything? Blankets, pillows, anything at all?"

I sighed and got up. "Actually, I'm done. I was just about to wash my cup." I walked to the kitchen, but Esme got in front of me. She tried to take the cup, but I wouldn't let her.

"It's okay, honey. You just go to bed and I'll wash this for you." She was still trying to take the cup from me.

Her hospitality was amusing. "Esme," I laughed, "go to bed. Now. It's midnight, and I've bothered you enough." I pointed to the stairs, "Go."

She sighed and dropped her hands. "Alright, if you're sure you're okay then I'll just go to bed. Goodnight, Rysalyn." She turned around and trudged up the stairs.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. I didn't understand why she got so much pleasure from helping people. She was around small children all day, and it didn't seem to faze her. It would've annoyed the hell out of me, all those ignorant kids bothering me with their useless disputes. Though, Esme seemed to enjoy it, so it must not be that bad.

Finally, I went upstairs after washing the cup, and got ready for bed.