Yes, I'm actually alive. I know I haven't updated in.... forever! I'm so sorry! Life has been pretty hectic lately and I haven't had much time for anything. This chapter is basically a filler. Yup. I'd like to announce that I'll try my absolute best to update on a more daily basis from now on. Spring Break starts next week, so hopefully I'll get a few chatpers in next week. Thanks for everyone's reviews, especially for my new readers out there!

bored-2-death: Please don't cry!!! If you'll cry then I'll cry :D

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns it all! Well, except for the humans, they're MINE!

Chapter 11

Ow ow ow...

I slowly opened my eyes, taking in my surroundings. The sun was high in the sky, shining its toasty warm rays down on me. My clothes were drenched in sweat and my hair...ya, it was bad. I cautiously sat up and winced in pain. My body ached everywhere. My legs were sore from the hours of endless running and I felt light-headed from dehydration and hunger. I scratched my head, trying to remember why and how I got myself in this situation in the first place. Something about a dying need for freedom....

I chuckled dryly at my stupidity. Good going Rose.

I stood up slowly and brushed the loose dirt off my clothes. Then I dug into my pocket and pulled my phone, I scrolled down my contact list. Mom, no. Lena, no. Dimitri... maybe not so smart. Hunter. I quickly tossed the idea around in my head and clicked send before I could change my mind.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Rose," I said into the phone, "Could you-"

"Rose! Where the hell have you been!!!" Hunter yelled, cutting me off. "We've all been worried sick! Your Mom is furious!"

I winced. "Ya, about that... I sort of need you to come get me."

He sighed loudly. "Okay, where are you?"

"Umm...." I looked around me for the first time and realized with a start that I had no idea where I was. On either side of me was empty highway, nothing but road. I saw a small town a few miles away on my left, but other than that, there was nothing except me and the open desert. I swear I've seen this all in a movie.

"You don't know where you are, do you?" Hunter asked in an amused tone.

"No, I don't." I muttered. In the distance I saw a small collection of buildings and guessed that it was a town. "Look, there's a small town not too far from here. I'm gonna run over there and see if someone can help me."

We said our goodbyes and soon I was off at a steady jog towards the town.

I arrived about 15 minutes later and was covered in a fresh layer of sweat. By the position of the sun I knew that it was around noon, the hottest time of the day. I'm in Texas, it's late Spring, its hot, and I'm in sweats. Never, ever, again. I thought. I looked around me for someone who looked friendly enough to ask for help. I spotted and old lady sitting by herself on a bench, a couple of grocery bags by her feet. She looked friendly enough. I walked over to her.

"Um, excuse me?" I asked politely.

The lady looked up startled. As if I had scared her or something, even though I had made sure to walk up to her in her line of vision.

"What'd ya want? Ya tootsie!" She spat at me.

I jumped back, surprised. Who was this lady anyway? I had just woken up on the side of the freakin' highway, in the middle of nowhere, starving, and covered in my own grit! Was help so hard to find these days!?! Geez, humans are so annoying. I gritted my teeth together.

"I was just wondering if you could tell me where I am?" I asked, trying to be polite.

She looked done her nose at me. Sniffing at my sweaty T-shirt and dirty sweats.

"You're not from around here." The lady said, ignoring my question. "Did your boyfriend dump you on the side of the highway, by any chance?"

My jaw dropped and I gawked at her. Seriously? Are you kidding me?!? Who does she think she is? The Queen of England? I don't need this right now. I stormed off, not looking behind me. At this rate I'll be stuck here forever. There was no one else on the street, which was a little odd since it was the middle of the day.

After wandering around aimlessly for while longer I finally came across an open diner. Might as well get something to eat, I thought. I walked in and was surprised to find that the whole place was full, and when I say full, I mean, like, six families or something. Heck, this was probably the whole town. I headed straight for the bathroom, where I attempted to look somewhat presentable. After cleaning up as best as I could I walk over to the counter and take a seat on an empty stool.

As I skimmed through a menu that was in front of me the diner got considerably quieter. I lifted my head slightly and looked around the room behind me through a shiny napkin dispenser that was placed in front of me, not turning around. Everyone had stopped talking and was looking at...me. My face heated up and I ducked behind my menu.

After a few minutes people seemed to realize that I wasn't going to do anything and they went back to minding their own business. I relaxed slightly and took a closer look at the people around me. No one here really stood out. They were all dressed plainly, more for comfort than style.

"Hey there, what would you like?"

I looked up to find a waitress smiling at me. she looked to be a few years older than me, had short blond hair, and had a slender build. Her smile seemed genuine enough and I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"Just a cheeseburger and water is fine."

"Coming right up." She walked to the kitchen to give the chef my order and came back with my water. "Here ya go." She placed the water in front of me and I quickly snatched it up and gulped down the entire contents in one shot. A glass of cold water had never tasted so good in my life.

"Whoa, slow down there slugger!" She laughed, "More?"

"Yes please!" I laughed along with her.

She refilled my glass, chuckling. "I'm Brooke Nielson, by the way."

"Rose. Rose Hathaway." I smiled.

Brooke whistled. "Rose Hathaway, huh? There's a fancy name you don't hear everyday."

I laughed, embarrassed. "My full name is actually Rosemarie Hathaway. Which is even worst!"

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking." Brooke asked.

"I'm originally from Montana, but my Mom got a job here so we moved down to Austin." I answered.

She looked shocked. "Well, that's not exactly next door. How did you find yourself here?"

"Well, I uh...... I don't know exactly." I answered. What was I supposed to say? That I ran here? No, she was just a human, she wouldn't understand.

"By the way...." My face heated up. "Where am I exactly?" I felt pretty ridiculous asking her this.

Brooke looked at me funny and then bursted out laughing. I didn't see what was so funny, but I cracked a smile anyway. Her laugh really was infectious. She kept laughing until she noticed that I was serious.

"You're in little old Bailey Town girly." She said as the chef called out my order. She walked off to get my burger, seconds later coming back with the nicest, juiciest cheeseburger I have ever seen. Well, not really, but when you're starving, just about anything will look delicious.

I devoured it and then patted my stomach contently. Brooke laughed some more. "You hang tight Rose, I'll be right back." She walked over to a booth in the corner where a couple had just sat down and started chatting with them.

I decided to call Hunter so that he can come get me. I whipped out my phone and punched in his number.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Ya?" Hunter answered, sounding slightly rushed.

"It's me. I'm in a place called Bailey Town. Can you come get me?" I asked.

"Bailey Town? Geez Rosie..." He panted.

In the background I heard the distant pounding of feet and yelling. It sounded like it was coming closer. Hunter swore under his breath.

"Rose, I can't talk right now I-"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The call was cut, and there was silence.

I know, it sucked. I introduced a new character though! I don't know how long I'll keep Brooke around, we'll see. Oh, by the way, I'm thinking of finding pictures for all the characters. I have a pretty good idea of how I imagined the humans to look, but I need some help with the original characters of VA. Send me your ideas!!! REVIEW! :)