I sit on a wooden bench on the very edge of the garden, glaring at the towering stone wall that blocks me off from the outside world. I may only be two, but I look six, and I have the mind of a ten year old. Why do I have to be home-schooled? Why do I have to order all my clothes online? Why can't I be part of the citizens of Volterra's lives?

A fit of defiancy bursts through my body. After glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching, I scurry up the wall and hop over on the other side. As quietly as possible, I tip-toe through the overgrown grass until I fnally reach the cobblestone streets of Volterra.

Excitement builds within me as I watch beautiful Italians hustle along the sidewalks, and kids my age play games right in the middle of the street. With my pale skin, light eyes, and unnatural beauty, I stick out like a sore thumb. I could care less, though. I am half human, which means I am technically still part of their world.

I take a hesitant step into the street. And then another. I am on the other side of the road before I know it, feeling proud of myself.

I slowly walk towards a group of children my age jumping rope in the street. A handsome young boy with golden-brown skin, light brown hair, and dark brown eyes approaches me.

"Hey, my name is Vincent. Whats your name?" He asks.

"Hi, I'm Ryan." I say in fluent Italian, smiling happily. I've never actually had a conversation with a human.

"Would you like to join?" He smiles back, pointing to his friends.

"I don't know how." I admit bashfully.

"That's okay, we'll teach you." He promises with a warm smile. I bite my lip and nod. He takes my hand as if we are old friends, flinching slightly at how hot I am. "Are you okay? Your skin is so warm yet hard." His eyebrows scrunch together as he stares down at my hand.

"I'm fine," I shrug, unsure of what else to say.

"No you aren't." A female voice says from behind me and I freeze. Ever so slowly, I turn around to see Gianna standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a glare on her face.

"I'll see you later, Ryan." Vincent inches away, scared of Gianna though she is only a human. As soon as he walks away, Gianna grabs my arm and begins dragging me towards the castle. I yank free of her grip easily.

"What are you doing here?" I growl at her with my scariest glare. Since she has been living with actual vampires for the past 3 years, she is totally unfazed by some half-breed that she knows would never dare to hurt her.

"The sun is coming out soon. You need to get back inside now." She reaches for my arm again. I jerk back a little faster than I should have in public.

"I don't sparkle like vampires." I remind her.

"You glow. Its too risky. Get back to the castle." She insists. After scowling at her for a moment, I hiss and stomp away. I cross the street again and then run as fast as I can through the tall grass, leaving Gianna far behind me. I toss myself over the wall in a single bound.

I feel a set of eyes on me, and look up. In one of the high windows of the castle, Mom is glaring down at me. Fear rattles my bones. I've never seen Mom this angry. I take off running in a useless attempt to find somewhere to hide from her.

"Ryan! Ryan get in here right now!" I can faintly hear Mom's voice from inside the castle. Gulping, I try to force myself to run faster through the wild tangle of flowers and bushes in the garden. Why can't I go as fast as Mommy and Daddy can?

I suddenly crash into the rock-solid arms of Uncle Felix. My eyes widening, I gawk up at how amazingly huge he is.

"Woah there squirt, where's the fire?" He chuckles, picking me up and balancing me on his upper-arm.

"Right over there." I groan, pointing to where Mom is storming across the garden.

"Ryan Volturi, you come over here this instant." Mom growls.

"Hide me!" I squeak, burying my face in Uncle Felix's muscles.

"Chill out, Heidi. What could a kid this cute possibly do wrong?" Uncle Felix ruffles my dark, curly hair.

"She went into the city by herself without telling anyone." Mom's voice is dripping with venom. Just then the sun breaks through the mass of clouds overhead. Uncle Felix and Mom burst into a beautiful splash of diamonds. My skin gives off an iridescent glow.. Well, my skin is always glowing a little, but with the sun it has somewhat of a rainbow-affect.

"Awh, Ryan. Why'd ya do something that stupid? Now I can't take your side." Uncle Felix sets me down.

"I know you are all blood-sucking nightmares, but I'm still part human! I was just visiting my other world outside of this dusty, lonely old castle." My temper explodes. I can't believe I just called them blood-sucking nightmares..

"Ryan, its not like I'm separating you from the world because it makes me happy. I would love for you to be able to play with children your age. I'm just trying to protect you, can't you see that? When you're old enough to understand the dangers of going out alone in the human world, you can go wherever you want. Until then, the only way I can keep you safe is to keep you here." She begins combing her fingers through my hair.

"I hate being a hybrid. I've never even met another person like me. And everyone looks at me like I'm a child. I'm older than all of you think. I hate being stuck in this stupid body!" I growl. My Mom opens her mouth to tell me how special I am, but I don't want to hear it. I'm tired of everyone sugar-coating the true, harsh fact : I'm a freak of nature.

I run off, up into my room, slamming the door shut behind me.