The Survivor

"Hewie! Come here, boy! Time for your dinner!"

Hearing this, the large American White Shepherd came bounding out of the living room. He ran to the bowl his master had laid out and devoured the food hungrily. Fiona watched him with tired eyes. It had been only three days since the incident, and many legal issues still needed sorting. This was just her temporary home, located on the outskirts of London, set up for her by the government until she could get back on her feet and back to college. She would not be staying here much longer. All that had happened, her parents' death, murder plots by her own family, the revealing of all of the dark secrets of her past... it had scarred her, both mentally and physically. All that remained of that fateful night now was her dog, Hewie.

And now, with the police reports falsifying her claims... she just didn't understand it. Thy had to have found something... had they been lying? She would not rest until this was exposed. It had ruined her life, and she wanted to make sure the horrible things in that castle never reached the light of day. If they did... how many more lives could be ruined? She leaned back, putting her hand on her forehead. She had been having splitting headaches and horrifying nightmares ever since it happened. She was afraid to sleep at night, afraid to talk to anybody, afraid to even walk outside the house... She knew she could never be the same. Not after that... what she'd seen...

Hewie, finished eating and seeming to understand that Fiona was feeling bad, nuzzled her palm with his wet nose, whimpering. She softly stroked his head, whispering that she was fine. He was all she had now, the only one left to care about her. She knew she should be getting prepared for school, getting her life in order. She slowly got up, walked over near the phone, and opened the phonebook on the counter. She still had to call the apartment complex near the school and get a living arrangement set up. She flipped to the right page and started dialing the number, but about halfway through, there was a knock at the door.

She looked over, setting the phone back down. Her heart started beating faster. Were they here to kick her out already? Surely there was no other reason for someone to be here... but she couldn't leave yet, she wasn't ready. Again, knocking, this time more rapid and frantic. She strode toward the door, Hewie getting up to join her. She finally reached the door and, taking a deep breath, pulled it open.

She hadn't realized how hard it had been raining outside. It had turned into a downpour, and the person standing at her door had no umbrella, not even a jacket... but as soon as she looked at the person's face, her heart skipped a beat. The girl standing there had dark eyes, violet hair... this wasn't possible. Hewie began to bark loudly. Fiona stumbled backward and fell as she attempted to close the door, but Daniella stopped it with her hand. Fiona crawled backwards, away from her. Hewie stood protectively in front of her.

"This isn't happening... You're dead!" Fiona shouted in disbelief, staring at the woman. It was like the nightmare was happening all over again. But Daniella made no move to come at her. She just looked into Fiona's eyes, dripping wet. There was sorrow and pain in her eyes, there was emotion. Fiona knew then that it was not Daniella standing there. Daniella was an empty shell, a woman devoid of all feeling. But the girl who stood before her now was shivering and desperate, and she wore a mask of despair. There was no bloodlust there. And... she was a girl, now that Fiona looked at her, younger than the other Daniella, about her own age.

A growl rumbled deep in Hewie's throat. The girl looked down at him, then back to Fiona.

"Please... I need help. I don't know who you think I am, but I don't mean you any harm. All I want is some answers... Please believe me."

Her voice was higher than Daniella's, full of life... not devoid of it. Fiona stood slowly, petting Hewie to calm him.

"It's okay, boy... It's all right..."

She had no idea who this person was, or why she had come. All she knew was that something had happened.

"Come inside," she said to the girl. Something told her they needed to have a long talk.