Author's Note: Shoot me now, I know I Haven't updated in eons. But, here is some more story, and I'll try not to abandon you again.
Is it odd to say that in an underground prison, surrounded by blood thirsty murderers and all sorts of tortures, I had the best sleep of my life.
I woke to a bird tweeting, and turned to see Jane, holding a small willow cage with a yellow Canary bird in it. In her other hand she had a forest green sundress, meant for me I am assuming. She was wearing a red skirt and black shirt combo, and smiled when she saw I was awake.
"Good Morning! Nichole, Aro invites you to breakfast." She said, setting the dress on my bed and the bird on the 'window sill'. it whistled a little, and turned, confused at my fake Italian view. I rolled out of bed, and stretched.
"Nichole, our bathroom is in the left corner of the closet. You can take a shower and do anything you need to to get ready. Oh, Aro also sends you a present. His name is Credence." She said, motioning to the bird.
"Thanks Jane, I'll be there in a bit. Got to get a little cleaned up for training." Her face dropped.
"Oh, I forgot about that. Why Don't we find you an outfit a little more…activity appropriate?" Well, that is a bad sign. I may not be the clumsy-est person in the world, but compared to Jane and her, well, coven, I would look like a drunk hobo. She saunters into the closet, and pulls me out a green smock with black jeans, and I go to get ready for my breakfast and training.
Breakfast was cold pizza and eggs, my favorite. Felix looked a put out at having to take care of me, but he was too afraid of Jane to disagree. I followed the two out a set of oak doors, that led out to a shaded, beautiful courtyard. In the middle stood Aro and Alec, who I assumed was in Aro's good graces again.
"My dear Nichole…" Aro says, opening his arms towards me. Jane pushes me forward, and I walk to where he is. He hugs me awkwardly, and I feel my face begin to redden. He was cold and rigged, yes, but I felt secure, and almost, hidden from the world in his embrace. Protected, even. I looked up and smiled, and he smiles back.
"Good morning Aro. What is on the agenda for today?" I said, hoping to dispense of the silence. He smiled, and looks over to Caius. He walked over to us, and pointed to a bright red ribbon, tied at the top of an oak tree. He looked at me and said.
"Get it down."
What? The tree has to be, of 50 feet tall at the least. I looked at Jane and she smiled and knodded. Hello!
"How do I…" I stuttered, trying to grasp what he had asked me to do. Aro looked at me and smiled.
"nichole, all that we ask is you try." He said. Well, Aro, here it goes. I approached the tree, and tried to think of ways to attack it. I had climbed plenty of trees before, but I hadn't in a while. I looked back at my little entourage, and I felt courageous with Aro watching me, and I grasped the first branch…
About half way up, I felt amazing. I could see the ribbon clearly, and felt stronger every minute. Then, I grabbed a thinner branch with my left hand. And it broke.
I didn't even hit the ground.
I felt stone cold arms around me, and I opened my eyes to an angels face. No, this is not the one I thought it would be.
Alec set me down, looked at me, back to my small group, and stormed off. Jane and Aro were at my sides in seconds.
"Nichole, are you ok? I'm so sorry we had to do that, it was really for your own good…"
"Mi amor, please, speak. Do we need to get you a medic?"
"Stupid boy. He knows what was supposed to happen…"
All these words were beating around in my head, pounding harder than the blood in my ears. I notice since I had been set down by Alec that I had been holding my breathe and squeezing my eyes closed. I gingerly opened them again, and Aro sighed.
"We have to address this Caius. This can't interfere with our plans." Plans, what plans?
"So," I said, "did I pass?" I was met with chuckles.
"My dear, you confronted what we asked you to do with out question. We tested for courage."
"Then how did Alec interfere with the plans?" Aro and Caius looked at one then at me. Jane stepped forward.
"we were thinking, maybe, if you fell…"
"That you would choose to be turned immediately"