Sorry it took so long to get this up. I had some problems along the way…first winter break, and I forgot the next story at school…then I got back and my computer was out of commission for about four weeks…then I got sick. Yeah, so here's the next chapter. Hope everything's in order, especially since the website's giving me such grief. Hope you like it!!! I'll post again soon, I promise.

Chance Encounters

My heart stopped in my throat. He stood there just the same as I remembered him from six years before: hair as dark as blood, light brown eyes that burned into my head, aristocratic features that mocked his aura of cruelty with gentleness.

I couldn't move, I was caught under his gaze. I tried to move…tried…but all I could do was stare helplessly into his eyes, letting them consume me in a fire that I knew came from within me…I was going to die…

And then I felt the soft fur of the cat on my leg. With that brief contact, I could move. I looked down at the cat, who looked up at me with golden eyes tinged with green in a loving gaze. Suddenly, I was cooler, more sure of myself. I looked up at Kellan and met his stare.

He seemed taken aback, but recovered quickly. "Ah, Kathryn, so good to see you again. How's the family?" Kellan asked. The smile that crossed his face wiped away all pretense of gentleness from his face and I was left looking into a visage of such pure maliciousness that it shook me to my core, regardless of the fact that I'd known his real self from the beginning.

"How's the cheek?" I asked back, the smile still on my face. My gaze darted quickly to the long scar that cut his right cheek diagonally from ear almost to chin. His hand went to his face, then he looked at his hand as if it were a traitor to his body and turned his cold stare back on me, his gaze full of promise.

"We'll finish this later, my Kathryn," she said, turning smoothly to leave the well-lit alley.

"It's Astrea now, and I look forward to it."

He never turned around, just continued to glide out of the alley, calling back only once. "Come along," he ordered in a commanding voice. Confused, I merely stared at his receding back. Did he really think I was going to follow him? Then I saw that the little blond cat was following him out of the alley. The cat looked back at me once, a look of longing in his eyes.

Then I was alone in the alley. The sunlight seemed stronger, warmer somehow, and I realized how cold I was. I closed my eyes and turned my face to the light. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room at the Center. Back in my bed, back in my life and what had become of me.

Most days I don't know if I wish my dreams came true or not, and this day was no different. I got out of bed, turned off my alarm, and got to work.