Hello everyone…this fic is kind of switching what Suze's and Jesse's lives would be (what time period they're from), but not their personalities. So don't expect that what happens to Suze will happen in exactly the same way to Jesse. Enjoy! :)

A Neverending Story

Chapter One-Departures and Strange Encounters

I smoothed down the skirt to my lilac colored dress, not too happy about the prospect of leaving for a journey so early in the morning. Adjusting my already-too-tight corset, I let out a sigh of discomfort. Why must women wear these unbearably painful things, only so their waists would be a size smaller? Personally, I don't understand it, but since it is expected of me, I have no choice but to obey to conformity of society.

I heard my mother calling from the bottom of the stairs, threatening that the carriage would leave without me if I didn't get down there fast. I thought this was quite comical, given that the fact that the whole reason I was going on the journey to the Diego's was for my advantage—or rather, my family's—and it would be rather hard for it to leave if I wasn't even there. I had no desire to marry Felix Diego, but I was going along on this trip to "at least meet him," as my mother put it so delicately. I had promised my mother that I would give him a chance, see what he was like, but already my mind was made up. I would not marry for money, as I had expressed to my mother, only for love. But, not wanting to miss out on a chance to get away from my home for a few days, I kept my tongue to myself. I took one last glance in the mirror, which reflected my naturally wavy hair framing my emerald eyes in ringlets, and stepped down the stairs one at a time.

"Susie, it's about time you made your way down here. Now eat some breakfast and you can depart soon enough," my mother told me. 'Depart soon enough?' I wondered, 'What happened to the 'the carriage is leaving if you don't get down here right now?' I let the thought pass and settled down at my seat at the table, only to see my three stepbrothers eating as fast as they could. Honestly, do they have no manners? They always eat as though it's going to be their last meal.

Watching them eat made me slowly lose my appetite. I admitted to myself that my sudden appetite loss had just as much to do with meeting Felix Diego as it did with my stepbrothers eating habits. Not that I actually care what he thinks, I thought bitterly. I wasn't sure why I was so anxious, but I was nervous nonetheless.

Finally, giving up on my desperate attempt to down some of the porridge which was my breakfast, I fastened my bonnet and leisurely strolled out to the wooden carriage drawn by horses. The air was cool and crisp and the sky clear and blue, a perfect day for travel. I slowly turned around to glance at my tall, prominent house and turned back towards the carriage. My step father, Andy, gave me an elbow up and I settled down into one of the cushiony seats, only to find my self facing an unexpected visitor.

Andy, seeing my obvious state of disarray, asked politely, "Everything all right, Suze?" I swallowed the lump in my throat and, replacing the grim expression of disgust on my face, smiled.

"Fine, Andy, thank you. Good-bye, then!" I hastily dismissed him and he seemed confused, but shut the carriage door nevertheless. Turning back to the unanticipated guest now staring at me inquisitively, I scowled.

I lowered my voice to a mere whisper before demanding, "What do you want?"

The woman, who was obviously much older than I, didn't bother lowering her voice. She didn't need to, since I was the only who could hear her. The woman remained unnoticed by Andy simply because, unlike Andy, who was alive, this woman was...well...dead.

I know it's not that long, but I don't know how much people are going to like it, so I'll wait and see. Nothing really too important happend in this chapter, but they'll be longer chapters with more action later!

Please review, I'm begging all of you!.Its ok if its critism, but i just want some feedback! Thanks.