Dark Chronicles

Chapter Ten

Fleeting Tranquillity

"She's not waking up!"

"That's because she's asleep duh. If we shake her a little like this…"

"It's still not working!"

Anastasia slowly returned to consciousness guided by the loud childish voices ringing in her ears. There was a brief sensation of choking which prompted her to cough as she blinked allowing large peachy faces to come into vision. It was overpoweringly warm and the sheets seemed cling to her skin sticky with sweat. Above the racket of the arguing girls she could hear the distant and unfamiliar sounds of traffic. Allowing herself a moment of stillness continuing to let Amanda and Selene presume she was still asleep her mind dimly reached for the events of yesterday. They returned to her swiftly and the surge of adrenaline that followed gave her the strength to sit up abruptly causing Amanda to jump backwards in alarm.

"What time is it?" She asked sleepily rubbing her eyes trying to let them grow accustom to the bright rays of sunlight seeping in through the blinds swallowing the dank grubby room in bright yellow puddles. One arm struggled to reach for her mobile to answer the question. Half past eight, there was no point going back to sleep now. She switched off the alarm and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Selene woke me up! She keeps whining to go to the bathroom," Huffed Amanda shooting the three year old a scowl. Anastasia yawned stretching her arms. If you have ever slept in the same clothes you've been wearing all day then you'll understand the greasy unhygienic sensation you wake up with when it feels like your clothes have suddenly turned into anchors. A shower, she craved hot water and soap along with a fresh pair of clothes.

"I really need to wee! I gotta go, I gotta go," Selene insisted urgently as she did a sort of dance on one leg. Anastasia grumbled slightly heaving to her feet. Maybe there was some sort of shower facility in this place…but then what was the point in getting clean only to return to the same sweaty clothes? Not for the first time was she rapidly aware that she was on the run in a foreign country. A sort of thrilling shiver sneaked down her spine and her heart did a flip as she pushed open the door leading into the long corridor.

The bathroom, as it turned out was as dismal as the rest of the bed and breakfast. The tiled floor was wet and greasy while the mirrors hanging on the walls had cracks and fragments missing. The dull grey walls were drab and the toilet cubicles were decaying, some doors not shutting due to rust. The actual lavatories themselves were dirty…smelly…didn't people know how to flush a chain? After locating a suitable one for Selene she stood outside it encase any assistance was needed. She looked into one of the chipped mirrors at her ghostly reflection.

Her skin gleamed with perspiration, a shiny chalky white colour. The under-lids of her eyes were decorated in shades of purple and blue while a thin pink scar was slashed into her cheek. Hair the colour of dry blood sprung out at odd ends while sticking to her face and down her back. People said normally her skin made her look unhealthy due to its extreme paleness…now she looked like the dead. Her eyes watched fascinated and horrified as she traced the thin scar with her fingers.

"Anna?"

"Yes..?" Anastasia said distantly. Amanda was leaning against the wall, she merely looked travel worn and tired as opposed to a zombie.

"What are we going to do until the ferry comes?"

A good question, they had an entire day to waste now. Good sense told Anastasia to leave the bed in breakfast as soon as possible to avoid detection. The idea of wandering Paris looking as she did was not appealing though. First and foremost they needed breakfast and they needed new clothes. She still had a few Euros spare in her purse. Shops wouldn't be hard to come by.

"Get clothes…and maybe a shower somewhere…after that I'm not sure," Anastasia said honestly glancing towards the cubicle door as Selene flushed the chain. Even though she was moving in the direction of the sink Anastasia found herself automatically saying, "Remember to wash your hands and do up your buttons." She closed her eyes titling her head upwards towards the air conditioning allowing the sound of trickling running tap water to wash over her.

Order was needed; somehow she had to look after two children. Would the De La Cruz's and Dubrinsky's be in France yet? Probably, but Paris was a huge city. If they kept with the crowds they might be safe. Anastasia sighed wistfully before standing up straighter, "Right. Plan of action here, we're going to go downstairs and get some breakfast and then we're going shopping. If we can't find any showers so help me I'm washing my hair over a sink somewhere."

"Disney!" Shrieked Selene excitedly, "You promised we'd go see Donald Duck!"

Oh Crap.

"Uh…so I did didn't I?" Anastasia laughed nervously, "Um…well the thing is kiddo…uh…" Her spirits sunk faster than the Titanic when she Selene's bottom lip began to tremble as she crossed her arms angrily. Storm clouds were gathering rapidly around the little girl as the adorable angel morphed into the destructive demon.

"You promised," Those two words could inspire fear into the heart of Dracula. Peachy skin was swiftly turning a blotchy pink and she sniffed. Anastasia panicked, full scale hell was about to be unleashed unless she could somehow find a way to appease the furious child.

"I tell you what…we'll go tomorrow!" Anastasia found herself saying desperately. She didn't know how to handle a screaming bawling infant. Whenever she saw them on television she cringed wishing somebody would just stuff a sock down their throat. Thankfully Selene titled her eyes expectantly to the side. The storm cloud seemed to be waning until she smiled in acceptance before grabbing Anastasia's hand enthusiastically.

"I want to see Donald Duck! And Goofy…and the Princess with the white gown, and I want to see the mouse in the skirt! Oh, and the Genie! Can we get ice-cream? Mummy never lets me have it much cause she says too much makes me sick and hyper. I don't understand, what does hyper mean?" Selene babbled earnestly as her blue eyes lit up in feverish delight. Anastasia groaned mentally leading Selene from the bathroom exchanging a painful look with Amanda who trailed behind them.

"Don't say a word." Threatened Anastasia mentally as Selene continued to list her favourite flavours of ice-cream followed by some long winded story about how mean her big brother was because he once fed her ice cream to the dog. Amanda giggled as Anastasia glared poisonously.

"You're so dead."

"I want the pink one!"

"Selene, sweetie, darling the pink one is sixty Euros. We can't afford-

"But I want it! It's got the bunny on it!" Selene whined as though not wearing anything with fluffy bunnies on it was a sacrilegious crime. Anastasia rubbed the temples of her head to soothe the rapidly growing headache and smoother the desire to simply scream at the girl. Summoning up all the patience she possessed she wavered a much cheaper pink cotton dress in front of the instant three year old.

"How about this one, it's pink too," Anastasia chimed; in her most negotiable voice trying to persuade Selene into perhaps choosing another dress. Selene shook her head stomping her feet on the floor causing several bypassing citizens of France to shake their heads and stare. Anastasia growled feeling her temper melt faster than butter. The shop they were in was relatively quiet with only a few stray customers which explained why the bawling three year old was causing such a scene. An old lady even shook her head and in a very posh English accent whispered to her consort about teenage pregnancies.

"I want the bunny!"

"Look, we can't buy that one because I can't afford it! Amanda needs clothes too and so do I so we're getting the pink dress! If you don't stop crying then I won't buy you any ice-cream and we won't go to Disney. Understood?" Threatened Anastasia snappishly as her restraint went up in flames. Selene looked as though she may protest but she withered under Anastasia's pointed glare and moodily snatched the pink cotton dress from her hands. Growling the journalist raked her fingers through her hair before looking over the rails of clothes to locate Amanda who was dithering in another section of the store near the preteen range.

"Anna can I get this one?"

"How much is it?" Anastasia grabbed Selene's hand and trailed her through the shop over towards the adult clothing. They had about 300 Euros to last them the day including food. Why were things so expensive? She eyed the price tags warily, they all needed clean underwear and Anastasia needed a new bra because the one she was wearing was leaving deep pink marks on her skin due to its tightness. Inspecting a navy blue dress that was tight around the chest with wide bell sleeves she picked it off the rails. Bargain price of twenty-five Euros even if it was once again two sizes too big.

"Forty Euros…"

Anastasia did a quick calculation – Ninety seven Euros in total. Biting her lip wryly she tugged Selene towards the preteen range and found Amanda holding up an emerald green summer dress with spaghetti straps and small jade leaves imprinted on the hem. Sighing she plucked the dress from the younger girls hand and added it to the pile. Underwear next, easy to sort out and even better she managed to buy Selene a pair of frilly knickers with Bugs Bunny on them which sent the infant into a peal of delight. For herself she grabbed the nearest blue bra that was in her size. Feeling quite confident she headed towards the check out trying to ignore the superior look on the shop attendants face as she priced their items. She viewed Anastasia like one might view a wet mutt with fleas.

They left the shop one hundred and thirty pounds poorer with only one hundred and seventy pounds left. Outside the sun was glowing brightly in a clear azure sky with only a thin veil of clouds. The street was sleepy, cobbled with a few authentic shops and cafes although the distant buzz of traffic was still present in the air that tingled with the murky warmth and faint traces of herbs. Slender trails of golden mist mingled through the street carried on the light breeze.

The scenery was idyllic and tranquil. A sluggish, slumberous sort of quiet seemed to penetrate the streets that Sunday. Anastasia found it difficult to concentrate and panic clearly through the waves of warmth from the sun and sleepiness that hung in the air. Despite having possessed some hours of sleep she still felt exhausted, for the moment she could worry little of being pursued simply because her energy on the subject was spent for present although she was sure the sleeping ember was ready to be renewed should the opportunity arise.

Rubbing the back of her neck she cringed feeling how sticky her skin felt and knowing how bad she must smell. Holding carefully on to the hands of both children she moved across the road musing to herself of her plans. Breakfast had been a thoroughly business like affair with Anastasia checking prices and tickets online. The bus from Paris to Calais left at quarter past four. Until then they had time on their hands which raised a restless head of excitement in her mind. Paris. A city she had once been completely in love with as a teenager. The idea of Disney land and Notre Dame were appealing even now despite her present situation.

"We need showers," Anastasia said aloud as they paced further down the street, "I feel like a hobo and I smell like a…like a diseased pig. Where though? Where the hell can we get showers? It's not like we can just pop up on somebody's doorstep and ask. I mean literally, my knowledge of French probably couldn't get us a peanut from a monkey."

"What's a hobo?" Selene piped eagerly.

"Nothing," Anastasia said quickly, "Um…we could use the sinks in…unless…?" An idea slowly formed. Hotels had showers…and there were lots of Hotels in Paris. In fact there was even an Inn up the street right now. She glanced down at Selene whose avid blue eyes were drinking in the sight of the dolly display on the window of the opposite street. Anastasia had mixed feelings were Selene was concerned, on one hand she thought the kid was adorable and wanted to hug her and play dress up with her…on the other hand she couldn't help but feel that she half expected to see Mikhail staring at her through those blue eyes at any moment. Guilt…it wasn't her fault her parents were torturing psychopaths. What would happen to her?

"Amanda, we're going to need Selene. I have an idea to get us clean but we need more mind-control stuff. Is that okay? Are you alright?" Anastasia communed mentally giving Amanda's hand a quick squeeze as they crossed the road towards the Inn.

"I'm okay…it's just weird…is it always so bright out here?" Amanda enquired raising a hand to shield her eyes from the bright streams of sunlight. Anastasia stared puzzled for a moment; yes the day was sunny but it was overwhelmingly bright. Then she bit her lip, so long spent in the darkness that the light began to hurt. When was the last time Amanda had truly walked in bright sunlight?

"Sometimes…does it bother you?" Anastasia asked curiously as they paused outside the Inn, a warm building painted in rich yellow and deep bronze with a bottle green door and neat sign on the outside proclaiming the name of the establishment. A nice homely building that for a moment had her thinking back to the Hobbit Holes in the Lord of the Rings.

"A little, it's just freaky being out here…hey Anna can I get some stickers?" Requested Amanda hopefully as they pushed open the door leading into a bar area. Velvet red seats and jade green walls greeted them. Behind the bar a woman was arranging shiny crystal glasses and humming idly. Her strawberry-blond hair was in a bob framing her face. Upon recognising she was not alone she looked up in faint alarm as her brown eyes roamed the figured before them curiously and bewilderedly.

"Hi, I was wondering about vacancies?" Anastasia said moving forwards speaking politely in English. The lady blinked, she was about thirty and was obviously taken aback by their appearances. Amanda had taken a seat on a nearby chair and was holding on to Selene's hand giving the girl careful orders on Anastasia's instruction. Trying to convey urgency to a three year old was difficult but somehow Selene's silent guidance succeeded as a blank look appeared on the innkeepers face.

"Why yes of course…follow me," The woman said in a heavily accented voice. Anastasia blinked, it never ceased to astound her how Selene could manipulate people so easily. She had been assured by Amanda at the airport that it was weak. Fragile and barely there. Just a faint impulse merely amplified by Amanda's empathy. It could be overcome…yet it still made her shiver. The mere thought of somebody controlling her that way made her want to jump and run.

"Stickers? Mind me asking why?" Quizzed Anastasia as the French woman lead them up a flight of creaky wooden stairs leading into a panelled corridor with cream carpets and many oak doors with brass numbers. Selene twitched restlessly and soon she had stuck up an excitable conversation about Disney land to the innkeeper who smiled and spoke in a kind voice at regular intervals when the girls' idle chatter had ceased momentarily.

"I liked those star stickers that woman gave me…they used to make me feel good. I just thought I'd like some more," Amanda shrugged as the innkeeper opened up a door leading into a lime tiled room with gauzy aquamarine curtains and a large green marble bathtub and the additional shower in the corner. Wordlessly she bade them farewell and retreated back to the bar to resume setting up. Anastasia glanced at Amanda feeling a slow wrench of pity. Stars, the only good thing she could remember being associated with.

"Yeah…of course," Anastasia agreed. Stars, it made her wonder how much time Amanda had spent in school and how much she could remember. Kneeling over the bathtub she began to run the hot water setting down the bags of clothes near the towel rail. How was this going to work? Anastasia did not much like the prospect of going butt naked in front of children.

"I'm going to get a shower okay? Amanda can you look after Sel and please, I'm begging. Do. Not. Peek. Promise?" Anastasia ordered sternly as she pulled the shower cord causing a low humming noise to fill the air. Amanda groaned and scowled at the youngest of the trio. Selene, who had been engrossed in tracing patterns on the bath curtain's looked up at the mention of her name.

"Please?" Begged Anastasia hopping on one foot. A shower, she really needed a shower. She smelled, she felt greasy, oily and filthy. Warm hot water, lots of soap and plenty of shampoo. Reluctantly Amanda nodded turning around and dragging Selene with her. Anastasia smiled and swiftly stripped off the black blouse, constricting bra and sticky leggings. Darting into the shower cubicle she moaned in delight as a fountain of hot steamy water enveloped her body.

Picking up a pink cloth and a bar of vanilla soap she began to scrub away at her body noticing properly for the first time the sheer amount of bruises, scratches and scars covering her legs arms and shoulders. Her legs looked like they had been attacked by rabid cats while her arms were purple and blue all over. Her muscles ached but she washed away the grime and dirt banishing sweat and filth.

"She told you not to peek! Stop it!" Snapped Amanda irritably. Anastasia shrieked slightly as Selene's mischievous giggle echoed off the tile walls. Thankfully Amanda had the decency to control the younger girl and provoke her interest in rose coloured bubble bath which they together applied to their bath. Anastasia picked up some strawberry and peach shampoo and began to wash her hair untangling knots.

Stepping out of the shower she felt like a completely different person. Cold air refreshed her scorching pink skin as she wrapped a green towel around her body to protect her modesty and dried her burgundy hair with a smaller blue one. Smiling feeling for the first time in a while like a true human being she quickly changed into her new clothes packing the old ones in her black bag.

"Right, Selene if you get undressed and into the bathtub…is that water too hot for you? No? Good, Amanda you can use the shower," Anastasia said kneeling next to the bathtub as she helped the infant to get undressed undoing the fiddly buttons on the back of her pale blue dress. Hope seemed to be reborn, a new brighter determination rekindled. It was amazing the powers of a decent shower. Selene eagerly hopped into the bath spraying pink soap suds in her wake.

"Anna?"

"Yeah Panda?" Anastasia asked looking over her shoulder.

"Um…how do you wash your hair?" Amanda enquired sheepishly as her cheeks flushed pink. Anastasia blinked but then came around feeling a horrible clamping sensation. Keeping a careful eye on Selene who was busy amusing herself with the rubber duck Anastasia switched on the shower so water began to spurt out. Nudging Amanda into the cubicle she gestured to the soap.

"You…um…scrub under your arms and around you body with that…and then wash it off," Anastasia mumbled awkwardly. Over the roar of the water Amanda picked up the bar and obeyed although amidst the water Anastasia could see tears of humiliation. Had there not been a plastic screen separating them Anna would have flung her arms around the girl. There was something so vulnerable and loving about Amanda that made her want to hug her and keep her close. It was almost maternal which was slightly alarming. Was this how her older sisters felt about her?

Returning towards Selene Anastasia picked up a cloth and began to bath the younger girl. Unlike them Selene's peachy skin seemed flawless with neither cut nor bruise. She laughed ecstatically as Anastasia rubbed shampoo into her dark locks of hair which shimmered blue briefly in the light. Selene was different, Anastasia considered, the youngest girl with her easy laughter and bubbly smile. Although her feelings were not as strong for her as for Amanda she felt disgustingly motherly around her. She wanted to dress her up and take her for ice cream and do silly things like feed the ducks.

"Now what?"

"Pick up the bottle labelled shampoo and squirt a little on the palm of your hand. Rub into the scalp and down the ends of your hair and then wash. Avoid opening your eyes" Advised Anastasia inspecting Selene's hair. The locks showed no signs of grease or any other unhygienic anomalies. Washing it was probably unnecessary; Anastasia contented herself by splashing the water playfully.

"Hey, who's a little monster who's turning me into a pile of goo? Hey? You are, you little demon," Cooed Anastasia tickling Selene gently causing her to erupt into more musical giggles. A part of her was revolted by her actions, turning into mush. Anastasia had always been awkward around children, why should this one be any different? She didn't want to be a mother for another ten years or so yet but suddenly she was having the deluded fantasies of a desperate single forty year old.

Allowing the three year old to step out of the bath Anastasia picked up a vacant yellow towel and dried Selene's wet skin with it. Then, almost like she was six years old and dressing up her dolly, she picked up the pink cotton dress and slipped it over her head doing up the tie at the back and slipping on the socks and knickers. In a strange way it was rather like dressing up a life-size doll. Selene twirled examining her reflection in the mirror curiously.

"There we go. All clean now," Anastasia said with a satisfied smile. While Selene was adorable the prospect of children still was enduring to her. She could take pleasure in looking after one temporarily but raising a baby was terrifying. No; definitely not for ten more years yet.

Shortly after Amanda vacated the shower and got changed into the green summer dress. All that remained was to dry their hair and maybe in Anastasia's case apply hot irons to smooth out the many kinks. Piling the wet towels up and bundling them in the corner they left the bathroom. Full of new energy and vigour they trotted hand in hand down the stairs until they once more met up with the female innkeeper who very generously (thanks to Anastasia mental request to Amanda) offered up the use of her hair dryer and straightening irons.

When they did leave a further half an hour later Anastasia was happy that nobody was looking at her as if she was a stray dog. Although in the recesses of her mind she was still slowly panicking she temporarily allowed herself to reveal in the sunny weather enjoying the simple luxury of freedom however fleeting. Impulsively she grinned looking down at her two companions.

"So what'll it be? The Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame?"

"I could lie here forever…" Murmured Anastasia wistfully, arching her back as she basked in the sunlight. The faintest scent of pollen and freshly mown grass was carried on the breeze and lazily a few weak puffs of clouds floated across the sapphire sky. After a luncheon of carry-out sandwiches and cakes her limbs felt heavy and sluggish and a fog began to creep over her mind which felt oddly serene despite her predicament.

"My skin itches," Amanda complained tossing over on to her stomach.

Anastasia closed her eyes enjoying the heat, "Put some more sun-cream on…and maybe put some more on Sel too," Anastasia said nudging the black bag in Amanda's direction. Her eyes opened and flickered down to her mobile phone. One o'clock. It was a good job they had stopped in at the chemists to get protection cream after red splotches had appeared on Amanda's skin. Feeling confident they had plenty of time until the bus was due she smiled and rolled over on to her side.

Flat plains of lush green grass was framed by mossy coloured hedges while large buildings towered further in the background. Around them tourists of all varieties were similarly spread out leisurely on the grass soaking up the heat and gazing in awe up at the huge structure of the Eiffel Tower. Anastasia still couldn't quite believe it, every time she looked up and saw the monument she felt a thrill. She was here, in Paris and it was almost perfect despite the constant threat of being tracked. Still Anastasia was fairly confident; there were many tourists out today. The hum of chatter was marred only by the buzzing of the bees. Even if they did catch up they could hardly make a scene here.

Tangling her hands in the blades of grass she glanced over slightly towards Selene. For once she was silent, having worn herself out and being well fed. She lay napping in the shade of a hedge after having sun-cream piled on – something which she hated. In sleep she looked peaceful, angelic. Anastasia felt another pang of discontent. Amanda was another matter but what could they do with Selene? They could hardly send her back in the post.

The Police would have to sort it out…Anastasia was in two minds about Dover. On one hand she couldn't wait to return to the sanctuary of her own country but on the other hand she was terrified encase they dubbed her a liar. Kidnapping was a serious crime.

"Anna, you know about school?" Amanda said thoughtfully as she mulled through the packet of glittery star stickers Anastasia had bought her.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering…about school and stuff. You know, where I'm going? I don't think I want to go to school…I'll be really dumb," Amanda admitted shyly. Anastasia shook her head and chewed on her bottom lip tentatively. She knew this was it, she'd thought about it long and hard all day. The good and the bad and she had came to the conclusion that she was not ready yet…but at the same time she couldn't let her go. How strange, Anastasia by nature was not an emotional person but somehow Amanda had hit some unknown soft spot inside her.

"Amanda…I think I might need to talk to you later," Anastasia said pushing herself up on her elbows. Amanda was sitting crossed legged arranging the shining stars into little patterns on the grass, she looked up at Anastasia inquisitively her hazel eyes widening. "Its nothing bad," The journalist added hastily feeling nervous. Out here in the sun it just didn't feel like quite the right moment. On the ferry perhaps, or the coach journey.

"Can't you tell me now?" Amanda indigently requested.

"Later Panda," Anastasia smiled rolling over on to her back.

"Anna! Why won't you tell me? And stop calling me Panda!" Amanda demanded huffily. Anastasia laughed slightly closing her eyes and hummed teasingly enjoying listening to the younger girl's frustrated huff of annoyance. Suddenly a weight crashed on to her chest and Anastasia opened her eyes to find a pair of irritated hazel ones raised not far above her head.

"This is the Panda rescue foundation. How may we help you?" Anastasia joked smugly putting on a cool voice.

"I am not a Panda!"

"Sure," Anastasia rolled her eyes, "Of course you're not a Panda. And I'm a flying monkey that devours the blood of the dead." Amanda looked for a moment like she may throttle Anastasia but instead she lowered her arms and began to tickle the sensitive spot of her ribs. The effect was instantaneous; Anastasia shrieked giggling helplessly as she tried to dislodge the ten year old.

"You little brat!" Anastasia swore rolling Amanda off her. Before long a small scuffle had ensured causing grass to shower everywhere as the two tumbled and rolled playfully on the lawns before the Eiffel Tower. Eventually they collapsed into a heap panting for air but smiling broadly as Amanda lay her head on Anastasia's chest and Anastasia drew the girl in closer closing her eyes listening to the rhythm of her heart and feeling an odd sense of calamity descend.

"Anna, what's your mother like?" Amanda asked picking up a stray daisy curiously. Anastasia closed her eyes feeling an ache of homesickness. After the first initial year of separation she barely felt such feelings anymore. Sometimes when she lay alone in the dark she would wish to be home…but not like this. She envisioned her mother sitting by the phone waiting anxiously for news. It was strange what near-death experiences could make a person feel.

"My mum? I guess she's good…in fact she's probably the best one I could have asked for," Confessed Anastasia, "My Mum and I are very close. We both loved to read, I remember we would sit for hours discussing novels and literature. She always encouraged me. I never argued with her much…not like April. I mean sometimes I would get annoyed with her…we did have a few small issues…but under the circumstances she did amazingly raising four children." Anastasia thought back to her childhood. April and her mother seemed to fight like cat and dog and to her shame Anastasia knew most of the time it was over her.

"Why'd you ask?" Anastasia quizzed softly, "Don't tell me this is going to be mushy time."

"Mushy time?" Amanda wrinkled her nose, "I was just curious. Anna, when we get back to Dover what do you think the Police are going to do?" Anastasia brushed some stray hair aside. That question was also bothering her; she needed to be very careful how she told the story. Mr Collins would back her up; maybe Adam and Claire could give statements too. There was enough evidence…but still somehow she couldn't picture Zacarias as the type to be easily persecuted. She flinched pushing the image away. She didn't want to think about him right now and was determined she wouldn't.

"Not a clue but they'll be able to keep us safe hun. I feel a ton better when tonight is over and I'm on my way home," Anastasia said firmly stretching out her sluggish limbs before tilting her head once more towards the sky watching as a few birds flew freely across the path of the sun. At least by tonight she'd be back on home soils. At least she'd be able to phone her mum. Who knows? Maybe by tomorrow she could go home again.

She smiled and curled up.

Naturally she wouldn't relax completely until they were on that boat.

But for now things were definitely looking up.

"Keep still Sel! I know you hate it but unless you would rather burn…" The sentence was left hanging as Anastasia tried and failed once more to apply sun-cream to the three year olds face. Selene wriggled and pouted trying to dodge the white liquid defiantly much to the amusement of those spectating in the shadows. Savannah rolled her eyes pointedly towards her father.

"This was hardly the graphic scenes of torture you had me imagining. She's being spoiled rotten," The elder sister said with a smirk. The Prince sighed but Zacarias spared his fellow Carpathians no attention. The ferry to Dover was as expected, crowded and full of humans. At least five hundred all packed in, most of them were in the function room celebrating some girls twenty-first. He could smell the stench of alcohol and hear the raucous laughter from here. On the main deck a few metres away from the arcade his lifemate was crouched over the youngest child of his Prince trying to persuade her into standing still.

"Come on! Give me a break here or do I have to pin you, you little monster! If I get sun-cream over this top then you're going to pay somehow," Threatened his lifemate. Selene merely giggled once more avoiding the glop of white cream. There was an exasperated growl before she finally succeeded and managed to spill a dollop on to the infant's nose.

It was a simple scene, almost unnoticed among the sheer amount of strangers bypassing them. Anastasia was kneeling on the floor; Selene was whining and Amanda was overlooking it with entertainment. Such a simple scene yet he found himself unable to tear his eyes away drinking up the sight of it. The way her eyes seemed to light up almost mischievously, the little quirk of her lips as she smiled secretively. The panic he had been feeling all day and night seemed to melt away. The thing inside him that had been holding its breath now sighed in relief.

"At least she's okay…I feel almost bad for jumping to conclusions now," Raven said uncertainly.

"You were right to. She's unstable, she doesn't realise it but she is and she can't be trusted with Selene," Gregori stated impassively. Savannah punched him on the shoulder and glared.

"Little ray of sunshine aren't you? And you wonder why people might not like you Gregori?" Savannah said grumpily. Gregori smiled, it was slightly alarming and not at all comforting as there was a gleam of sharp incisors and a strange dangerous glint in his eyes. Mikhail chuckled slightly moving an arm around Raven. Zacarias had half a mind to remove Gregori's head from his shoulders in that instant. Even if he may be correct he would not talk about her that way. His gaze retreated back to her again. She was upright now and her eyes searching the crowds for an opening completely missing them in the shadows.

Zacarias growled frustrated. Disobedient little female, he would have to get rid of that rebellious streak immediately. Nobody disobeyed him, not for centuries. He was head of the family of De La Cruz. The eldest, one of the ancients and he refused to be defied by a tiny slip of a woman whose pride and paranoia seemed to know no bounds. He was not soft like his brothers. Sometimes it disgusted him almost how much they pampered for their lifemates whims when they should think more for their safety. That whole incident with Colby and the Chevez family was a prime example…

"I am not to be liked sivamet," Gregori retorted.

"Let's all be thankful for that," Muttered Mikhail but obviously not quietly enough as a pair of steel eyes turned his way enquiringly.

"Something the matter Dad?" Gregori asked putting a particular emphasise on the fatherly syllable spitting it out like it was a contagious infection. Mikhail's lips curved into a smile while Savannah and Raven each exchanged hopeless looks and rolled their eyes respectively at each partners little verbal war.

"Nothing at all son," Mikhail said charmingly, "Selene was starting to learn about the Easter Bunny a few weeks ago. I was thinking of throwing a small party next year for the children and I thought I might take the liberty of commissioning your expertise to take on the leading role…I'm sure the twins would love it." Even Zacarias momentarily looked up as five pairs of eyes landed on the Prince. Sniggers and suppressed laughter erupted from Manolito, Mary-Ann, Raven, Savannah, Colby and Rafael. Zacarias, for once felt a small shudder of humour. His lips twitched, the thought of the Dark One in an Easter Bunny costume seemed ridiculous.

Gregori looked anything but amused. If looks could kill it would be obvious Mikhail would be nothing more than a stain on the carpet. His frame tensed and he moved forward threateningly with murder in his eyes, "Don't force me to orphan your daughters and son Mikhail."

"You two cut it out; I could find more civil behaviour among gorillas," Raven sighed.

Zacarias turned his head away to peer through the crowds. Where was she? The momentary glitch in his attention and she had disappeared. Her scent was easy to catch though, grass and pollen. She must have been outdoors for most of the day. He moved silently and unnoticed through the mull of people as the boarding announcements and safety precautions were shouted from the intercom. He was a shadow creeping in closer towards his sought prey.

"What'll it be? Drinks or do you want to see the boat leave harbour?" Anastasia enthused to the two children. Selene promptly began to beg for ice cream while Amanda shrugged. "I think we'll go see the ferry leave…just to be sure," Anastasia replied rhetorically as she scooped Selene into her arms cradling the infant on one hip while her other hand interlocked with Amanda's fingers guiding them towards the deck of the ferry were a few people were gathered.

The air carried the smells and flavours of the sea. The ferry began to move slowly drawing away from the harbour rippling the surface of the blue ocean causing spray to float in the air. Zacarias remained watching and waiting paying attention to the way her head tilted up wards, her sigh of relief, the small smile, and the closed eyes as she enjoyed the feeling and smell. Blood like hair caught in the breeze and her eyes opened to reveal a hue of blue and green while her figure was silhouetted by the setting sun.

"We're free…finally…we're safe…" His lifemate sighed as her smile widened. The flutter of her heart and the soft exhale did not slip his attention. Nor the way Amanda nodded leaning her head on Anastasia's shoulders or the way Selene sucked on her thumb completely idle to the frantic emotions of each girl.

From the darkness prowling unnoticed by the door Zacarias smiled in a feral way.

They were surrounded by sea and there was nowhere left to hide.

Let the games begin.

Hope this chapter wasn't too mushy or boring. I will admit that soppy stuff does make me want to vomit sometimes...but i wanted Anastasia and Amanda to have a close relationship because when you get flung into surreal situations you tend to gravitate to the person closest. Looking after Amanda distracts her from the bigger things and gives her something positive to focus on as opposed to breaking down into a tearful mess. Next chapter - Another dream sequence followed by Anastasia vs Zacarias round 2. It sort of emotional as she really see's the lengths she's going to have to go through in order to protect herself and her Panda.

It's not long before her hopes and life in general is going to come crashing around about her ankles anyway. Discovering Vampires exist can do that to you...

Please R&R. I'm wanting to hit 40 pretty badly so I might consider holding the next chapter hostage...?

Daydreamer!x