Author's Note: Hello my beautiful readers! i just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited and reviewed! You all are so sweet and you truly make my day! I really hope you are enjoying the story and like this chapter! I've been having exams so it's taken me a little longer to write it and I'm really sorry for any typos or errors! I'll leave replies to reviews at the end and another small authors note! I can't wait to see what you all think and I hope you all enjoy it! Happy Reading!

Seeing the dark blue van skid towards us at speed, I could feel my veins freeze over with that thick paralysing frost. My eyes were wide with innocent fear…yet my heart was alive and alert as it bet thunderously inside me. My little cousin's gasp shattered that frozen ice within me as my heart burst through my ribcage and I threw myself in front of her yet…just when my body safely concealed hers, an inhuman force shoved me forwards, right into the nose of the van.

I had no time to scream. My breath….my heart and once stuttering pulse fled me as the van, monstrous and wild collided into me. I rolled up and over the bonnet like a rag-doll, my body twisting and turning as my eyes squeezed shut in pain and fear and terror and shock before I crashed down onto a concrete surface who's claws ripped out of the ground and tore violently at my flesh.

I couldn't move I…my bones…my heart…I closed my eyes as salty droplets slipped over their rims. I was fractured, completely and utterly broken and I…I wanted to scream, to unleash this suffocating agony that seemed to sew my lips shut and fester away inside me, rotting my insides as my broken bones and bleeding heart lay crumbled on the floor. There was a ringing, a sweet yet agitating sound that blurred over all flurries of chaos into a deep and fused muffle. I felt hands against me, smothering me as I drifted further and further into that mysterious abyss. Yet…just as I thought my soul would be chewed and swallowed by death itself…the oddest thing happened.

I could feel my blood fizz, bubble and split into small specks of scurrying butterflies who raced along and in-between my bones – mending them. I could feel shattered pieces of cartilage and bone click back into place as if I were some puzzle. The pain eased, yet did not vanish as a growing strength knocked against my skin from within, as if to say 'wake up my darling, for it is not yet time to sleep.'

I took in a deep breath – the taste of iron rich in my mouth as blood dribbled down my chin. 'Open your eyes' that voice sang in some ethereal voice. And so, with all my courage and strength…I did. Flicking my eyes open, the ringing in my ears faded as a whirlwind of worry, panic and alarm shouted through the air. The concrete patch next to me was reddened with blood that crusted against it. My hands – my fingers…they quivered and shook and trembled in shock and agony. I still couldn't move. Yet it wasn't because I was broken because somehow, in some unfathomable and magical way…I wasn't. I was in one piece internally but, on the outside…I curled closer into myself, as I looked at my trembling fingers and hands. They were scraped and cut dangerously – stinging as flesh that was not supposed to be exposed to the air was.

I tried to move, tried to stand but I…how was I alive, how was I… I tried to capture my mind from its slippery self until a sudden truth slammed into me hard and abruptly.

Bella.

Gasping, I conjured up all of my strength and will to stand. My feet were wobbly – as if I were some new born child learning to walk for the first time. I stumbled through the crowds of people whose voices and eyes and hands smothered me whole. I couldn't see her, I…I could feel tears spill uncontrollably from my eyes, leaking my fear and desperation and panic and I couldn't breathe. I couldn't…this crowd of hysteria drowned me, smashed into me as I struggled to weave in-between their bodies. Seeing a small gap, I nimbly slithered in-between students as I held my hands closely to my chest. I had to get out of their grasp, to breathe that sweet air, to know I was alive and not trapped in this claustrophobic mass. Slipping from them, I leant against the van with my shoulder, my eyes misting over as my breaths hiccupped and hands trembled.

Bella.

I opened my eyes – my vision blurring and misting before achieving clarity, before I looked into those two eyes across the parking lot, those eyes that held me once before and soothed my heart. I could feel the oxygen in my lungs thicken, sweeten and slow as his eyes held mine, held my heart and crumbling body upright. His eyes were wide with worry, drowning in panic and pain as some mesmeric fragility molded his features. It was as if he could break at the mere sight of me. What memories I must have coaxed for him – being this injured and death-cheating girl who could barely walk yet…as time passed…I could feel my energy grow. My feet balanced against the ice and I took a dainty step away from the van I leaned upon.

Bella.

With a flicker of alarm, I tore my eyes away from his. I dropped to my knees and pulled myself underneath the van to reach my cousin. The ground was cold against my bleeding hands, soothing in some strange manner as I pulled myself along until I grasped the sight I wished and hoped to see.

She was alright.

Pressed up against her rustic van, a bewildered look glazed across her face as Edward held her in some tight and protective embrace. Yet as his eyes shifted to mine, as I pulled myself fully from underneath the van and began to tend to my cousin, a disarming panic consumed his eyes and he shifted away from Bella. He looked me over, deeply and with haste before his eyes widened with a mixture of both shock and relief. He was the one who I had collided with, who had accidently pushed me forward into the incoming van. I could see his guilt, his hands and face trembling as if he was holding back an unknown emotion or action.

As my eyes darted between him and my cousin, I ran my bleeding fingers through Bella's hair in a feeble attempt to sooth her.

"Bella, oh my sweet Bells are you alright?" Panic was rich in my voice as I positioned myself closer to her – my hands now cupping her icy cheeks as I searched for wounds. She nodded in response, bewilderment still pulsing in her eyes. I looked to Edward with a look of desperation and vulnerability. I needed more, needed to know more about my Bella, about my -

"I think she hit her head pretty hard. She might have concussion." I swallowed deeply as I tried to restrain my panic and fear. Every time my eyes closed, every time I blinked…all I could see was that van, faster and faster until…

I placed my quivering fingers on her forehead, my face pulled in absolute fragility when she suddenly pulled away as her cheeks reddened with embarrassment and then alarm.

"Willa," the sound of her voice pulled me out of my own flustered thoughts. Bella took my hands in hers and squeezed them lightly. "You're hurt." Her eyes remained fixed on my flesh-torn hands. "You were hit, Willa we need to get you to a hospital."

"I'm alright," I tried to sooth her and myself at the same time. I should be dead or unable to move, I should be lying on that slab of concert as my soul faded from me and flittering in the air as un untethered and free thing. Yet I wasn't. I was alive and breathing and the pain continued to leave my body, as if someone had poked holes in me for the pain to drain out. "I'm alright, it barely grazed me." I lied to her. "I didn't have enough time to move so I managed to gently roll onto the bonnet. Like a dance." I wouldn't have believed the lie I told her, yet she, after a moment or two of puzzlement and thought, did for now.

"Willa?" I turned my head to the right where I saw both Josie and Otto lying underneath the truck in distress. "Josie's called 911 so it shouldn't be long. Mr. Varner and Coach Clapp are on their way to help move the van. It won't be long so just hang on okay?" I swallowed the forming lump in my throat and nodded at their worried expressions before looking back towards my little cousin.

"Everything will be alright Bells," I told her gently before placing a single kiss on her nose. Resting my forehead against hers, I closed my eyes and squeezed them tightly as the memory of the van, of that impossibly fast and wild machine, of my blood, of the impossibility that was me, of Jasper… guilt and longing nipped at my heart when I saw his expression. Some desperate urge to comfort and sooth him washed over me. The expression he held, the way his hands dug into the metal of the car...

I opened my eyes as my mind pushed back my thoughts. "Everything will be alright Bella," I looked into her eyes as the tips of our noses kissed. "I promise you."

The next moments passed in an ungraceful blur. It took six EMT's and both Mr. Varner and Coach Clapp to shift the van far enough for stretchers to be brought in. I cradled Bella in my arms the entire time as we watched the chaotic effort to reach us unfold. Edward had remained silent the entire time, yet his eyes did not leave Bella nor me. In the end, both Edward and I managed to successfully refuse our stretches, yet Bella, my poor darling Bella, she had to have a neck-brace and stretcher. I held her hand the whole time, whispering soothing things in her ear to ease the embarrassment. Yet when they picked up the stretcher to carry her away, my hand slid from hers as an ice cold one encased my entire shoulder. Peering over my shoulder, Edward's grip tensed and relaxed on me – as if he was not sure of how fragile I was. He dropped his hand to his side when I turned to face him – my arms wrapped around me as a single bead of salty water ran down my cheek.

"Willa, I…I don't know how you could ever forgive me," he shook his head as guilt directed his eyes downwards to his feet. "No apology could ever be enough," I took a step forward and placed a single finger underneath his chin. Applying the lightest of pressures, I guided his head upwards so our eyes could meet. His hand then took ahold of mine – cradling it as he looked at the damage. His lips parted as his ability to speak was stolen from him.

"You saved my little cousin," I told him gently as a forced smile twitched my lips upwards. "I forgive you."

Edward shook his head, balancing one of my hands in his as he reached out to cradle the other.

"You shouldn't." He replied, his eyes flicking up to mine.

I took my hands back, watching as his skin stuttered at the absence of my mine. "I know." I whispered, "but I do."

I turned away from him, walking towards the ambulance where I was to ride in the back with my little cousin. My fingertips brushed against the door to the ambulance when I looked over my shoulder to capture Jasper's eyes once more. His back had straightened, sharpened as had his eyes. He looked like a predator, like a dangerous weapon as anger flared within him. Yet the longer we held each other's eyes, the more his eyes softened – weakened as his lips parted in a helpless gesture. He took a single step forward before an EMT grasped my hand and pulled me into the ambulance.

The ride to the hospital was quick and misty as the EMT's tended to Bella and I. I couldn't listen to what the EMT said to me, for my mind was elsewhere…drifting far into the past as I replayed those moments over and over in my head. My hands were wrapped in a temporary cloth bandage. As our journey drew to a close, the cloth turned a light pink and then red as my wounds bled.

When we arrived at the hospital, I trailed closely behind Bella's stretcher - my hands nestled against my chest. I hadn't been in a hospital since my mother's passing. It felt strange, frightening as if I was waiting for her to emerge from one of the rooms and take me in her arms, saying it was all a dream and she was alright. But at the same time, despite the fear there was a strange sense of belonging. My heart beat thunderously inside me as I walked, as I looked into the rooms filled with patients. I felt their souls pull at mine, pull at my hands and eyes and mouth and very being. I wanted to help them, to read, to sing, to play music, to talk to them, to dance for them and bring them a medicine that does not come in pills or liquid form. My heart and feet stopped when I saw the sign for the children's ward. Tears dribbled down my cheeks as the tip of my nose burned.

"Willa," a hand pressed against my back – cold and firm. Edward. He had ridden in the front of the ambulance.

I met his eyes, feeling his guilt flood into me. A delicate smile pulled at the corners of my lips before I gave him a small nod and continued to follow my cousin.

After being given the all clear, Edward gave Bella and I one last look of concern before leaving. I leaned against the wall as I watched Bella being tended too. She did not meet my eyes, her skin stained pink with embarrassment and dread. It wasn't long before Tyler's stretcher was brought in as well. He had a tightly wrapped bandage around his head, blood staining it's white surface. I watched Bella and Tyler's exchange of words silently as my hands were stitched and then bandaged. We were both then required to undergo x-rays and I couldn't help my curiosity and anticipation as I waited for my results. When the van hit me – when it shattered my bones and heart, I had broken countless bones, fractured myself whole. Yet when the results came…not a single bone in Bella nor I had been harmed.

Despite Bella's protests, she was instructed to return to the ER room to see the doctor, and despite wanting to accompany her…that magnetic pull towards the children's ward tugged me away from my cousin and down the hallway to where it was located.

Before my mother's passing I used to volunteer in local hospitals alongside her. We would sing and dance and play music until both the children and their parent's cheeks hurt from smiling. We would make decorations to hang on the walls and bring gifts during the festive seasons. But after my mama had died…I wrapped my arms around me as I walked through the children's ward. No child should ever have to be in a place like this, no human.

Reaching the end of the room, my hands twitched at the absence of my violin. There was a small door at the end, a glass one that led out onto a balcony facing the forest. Pressing my palm against the cool surface, I pushed open the door and walked towards the railing of the balcony. The air was frosty yet refreshing. I leaned into its embrace, pressing myself against the railing as the wind tangled my hair. I shouldn't be alive, shouldn't be allowed to be and yet…. now, somehow, the air seemed sweeter than before, more real and vital and beautiful. My heart. I pressed my hands to it, desperate to feel it's pulse, to reassure myself that this wasn't a dream. I let out a gasp of relief as I felt my pulse, strong and determined. I was here, I was…

"Willa." The voice behind me was soft and beautiful. Gentle and careful with a melodic Texan melody. I turned around in a startled manner. Jasper. Every grain of predator and anger had left him, leaving nothing but fragility and softness as his eyes caressed me. His breath caught in his throat, "are, are you alight?" It was like his worlds melted in the air – the apple in his throat bobbing in hesitance.

My eyes looked up into his, wide and innocent and hypnotized by his. "I think so." I replied, realizing I had hidden my hands behind my back.

"May I?" Jasper held out a hand, it trembled slightly as if was afraid to see the hands that I hid.

I hesitated, afraid to be vulnerable in front of him. Yet as my breath and heart hiccupped within me, I held out my bandaged hands for him. His expression shifted at the sight of them and I suddenly wanted to hide them behind me. But before I could, he took them with delicate caution in his own. My hands were tiny in his, fragile feathers as he held them softly. His eyes held such concern, such worry and distress and sadness. He placed one of my hands-on top of the other and began to trace my fingers and the fluff of the bandage.

"I'm so sorry I…"

I grew nervous, worried. "Are you not well around blood and gore?"

He shook his head, smiling slightly as if he knew a secret I did not. "No, it's not that."

"What is it then, if I may ask?" I wondered aloud with politeness.

He took a step towards me, my pulse quickening at the intensity in his eyes. He towered over me as he spoke with such strengthen and heartache at the same time. "In all of my experiences, I've never seen such delicate skin harmed. This should never have happened." Anger flared in his eyes and the way his body shifted, he looked dangerous. And I…I felt afraid of him in that moment.

Biting my lip, I drew up my courage and spoke my reply. He would not hurt me. "I'm afraid that phrase can be used for quite a few events in life."

Seeing and hearing the fear in my voice, he instantly relaxed and softened his features. "That's very true Willa, if not it could be used to describe moments in every day that passes."

His last statement caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but take a step towards him. "I should hope not. That sounds like a very sad life."

"Are you sad?" He asked without hesitance.

"What an odd question. "I said with a curious and breathes smile.

"But are you?" He pressed delicately.

My smile faded as my vulnerability pressed my veins outwards, wanting to escape and lay bare for him to see. "Yes. Although I try to hide it….no one has ever asked me that before. Not truly and genuinely." I licked my lips before asking, "and you, are you sad?"

"What an odd question." My lips playfully twitched upwards at his teasing. Yet the lightness of the moment did not last long "Yes, although I try to hide it."

"It's a shame, isn't it?" I said, turning to face the forest. "That we live in this beautiful world yet," I turned back towards him, trying to stay strong…but every time I blinked…everything time I…. "there is so much pain. Both of my parents are dead. I never knew my father so I suppose dealing with his absence is easier but there's always that mystery." His lips parted as understanding glimmered in him. "Do you remember much about your parents?"

He looked off to the side in thought, as if he was replaying their memory in his mind. He looked so distant in that moment, so vulnerable and broken – as if he was longing for something, desperately and completely. He flicked his eyes back to mine. "Yes, and no…they are both dead now as well." Restrained tight pain pinched his words.

I was unsure whether to ask him anymore. This memory seemed to hurt him so and in that I understood. But if he was anything like me, then maybe, just maybe, he wanted someone to ask him more – so he could know that someone cared, that someone understood. "Do you visit them often?" I inquired softly.

Confusion tugged his features downwards. "I'm sorry, Willa I do not understand."

My cheeks blushed an embarrassed pink. "I'm sorry, I meant do you visit their graves."

This question seemed to upset him. Yet it wasn't in the way that I would have thought it would. Guilt, he looked guilty…like he had betrayed not only himself but someone else. "No, I…I haven't."

The regret in his eyes drowned me and I instantly wanted to make him feel better, to reassure him. "That's alright, they are watching over you every day and every second. With pride and love, I just know it. And who knows, maybe our parents are friends in heaven." I smiled positively, my hands twitching at my sides as I considered taking his hands in mine, to squeeze them encouragingly but, I thought against it.

"Possibly." He replied with a small smile. "How did you learn to dance, Willa?" His question was blunt and quick, as if he had been wanting to ask it for some time.

"My mama," I said sweetly in memory of her. Turning back towards the forest, Jasper took beside me as we leaned against the railing. His white jacket sleeve brushing my arm lightly. The fabric was soft against me, soothing in some strange way. "She used to be a professional ballet dancer. She was beautiful, free and wild and absolutely magnificent. We would dance together every day. She taught me to live life with courage and fire and passion and love." I smiled as memories of her came tumbling out of my mouth. I told him about how I grew up, about volunteering in orphanages and hospitals, about Fitz, about how I learnt to dance and play the violin and every tale I could remember. He listened attentively and patiently. Smiling at the joys I shared and frowning at the painful memories. As I talked, his thumb caressed my pinkie in small soothing motions, as if to tell me I wasn't alone. Rain fell lightly but neither of us cared – for it was a light as a fairy's kiss.

"How did you learn to dance?" I asked him once I finished my tale.

His back, which had become slightly slouched and relaxed straightened up like a pin. His eyes remained fixed on the forest as he silently chose what to say before he spoke. "My mother." He breathed in deeply, as if it was painful to talk about her. "She taught me. She had this beautiful and untamable spirit, she liked to challenge authority and she did on quite a few occasions." The smile he gave was beautiful and lost and solely meant for her. "She loved to dance. Night, day…when I was little, I remember she would sneak into my room at night and take me out to dance under the stars. My father never approved." His features became tight and aggressive, solid like steel.

"Why was that?" I asked gently, my pinkie covering his thumb and linking it with his.

"He was a very serious man. He worked in the army and had little tolerance for disorder." His words were clipped and sharp.

"He viewed dancing as disorder?" I asked with delicate bewilderment.

He gave a tight nod. "Unfortunately, yes but since my mother passed I," His finger nails dug into wood of the railing, my eyes widening with surprise as the wood splintered underneath his strength. "I continued to dance as a way of keeping her close in my heart."

His story had touched me deeply. We were so similar and I…

"Take my hand." I told him gently, holding out my right hand towards him, my body shifted away from the forest to face him front on.

His voice was but a whisper as he said, "I don't want to hurt you."

I shook my head, taking his hand in mine and squeezing it lightly. "You could never hurt me."

He took my other hand, looking down at my bandages with that predator's gaze. I felt that familiar fear rise in me. He looked so dangerous, like he could break me in half if he wanted, like he could break anyone in half no matter their size. I squeezed his hand, a small plea of desperation for the familiar Jasper to come back to me. But he didn't. My breathing hiccupped aloud and his eyes flashed to mine. Fear turned my blood cold and my lip began to quiver.

No. He wouldn't hurt me.

"Hold me." I suddenly said, and his eyes crinkled in surprise and bewilderment and vulnerability. "Let me hold you." My voice was weak. That anger, that pain – I wanted to take it all away from him. "Please."

And selfishly, I wanted him to hold me too.

He didn't reply verbally. Instead, with eyes that were soft yet still lethal – he released my hands and took a few shy steps towards me. Pausing in front of me, he suddenly looked as if he didn't know what to do. I gave him a small smile, before wrapping my arms around his torso and resting my head against his chest. He was stiff in my embrace, cold and stone-like as if he had never been hugged before. I tightened my hold around him, closing my eyes as I willed my warmth into him. My fingers lightly caressed his back, and eventually – his arms wove around me and held me tightly. His grip was stone and fierce, desperate as if he was afraid he'd never be touched again.

But we had this moment.

And as we both held each other tightly, the rain hardened in its fall – our clothes melting together as the rain soaked us to the core. Pulling away slightly, his hand gently rested on my cheek –his touch feather-like as our eyes bleed into one another.

"Would it be alright if I took you home?" He asked, a southern gentleman.

I blinked away the droplets that clung to my eyelashes and licked the water from my lips. "I would like that. Just give me one moment." And just like that, I fled from his grasp and raced through the hospital.

Panic raced through me as I knew Bella and Charlie would be in a panic as to where I was. I had been away for too long, the sky a darkened blanket that oozed mystery and magic. My feet slid against the smooth floor until I suddenly crashed into Bella who had to grab my forearms to stop me from falling.

"Willa, I need to talk to you." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern. Charlie was still talking on the phone to who I assumed was Bella's mom.

"What's wrong my lovely?" I asked her, trying to steady my breathing.

"It's Edward." Her words were serious and laced with determination. "He stopped the van."

"I know Bella he –"

She shook her head in frustration. "He was nowhere near us Willa." Her grip on my forearms tightened.

"Bella what are you talking about? Of course, he was, otherwise that wouldn't have been possible."

"Exactly, it shouldn't be possible but it was! And when I confronted him about it he said I hit my head but I know what I saw. I know what I saw Willa." I winced at her tight grip, unable to comprehend what she as saying. Edward couldn't have been far away…to reach as at the speed he did…that didn't seem possible. But the longer I thought about it, neither did what happened to me.

"Bella, I…" I struggled for words, my own mind slipping away from itself. "I, I don't know what to say. This doesn't make any sense to me."

"I know it doesn't make sense. But –"

"But what Bells?" I asked, raising a hand to caress her cheek and check her head.

"He said that no one would believe me."

"Maybe, Bella, just maybe he was closer than you think?" It was a hope, a sentence that I wasn't sure I believed myself, not after everything. What if the world we lived in was a lie, what if -

"Then explain how he stopped the van? No one can be that strong."

"I just, I don't know." And the truth was I didn't. As the older one I always felt very protective over Bella. I always tried to give her the answers she needed but in this…I just didn't know and didn't understand.

"Please Willa, I need your help on this." Her eyes were wide with need, with wanting reassurance that she wasn't crazy. She wasn't crazy, and the world suddenly seemed like a very unfamiliar place.

"I'll always help you." I said, placing a kiss on her forehead and lingering there for a moment as my eyes misted over and I tried to hide my fear and confusion. The world beneath my feet felt different, and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or an ominous promise.

I pulled away, watching as she zipped up her jacket. "Thanks Willa, and hey, where did you run of to? We were getting really worried."

"Children's ward. I'm going to ask to volunteer here, it's something that my mama and I used to do and I can't suppress that any longer. I was wondering if you could tell Charlie that I'm just going to register and then I'll make my way home?"

"Are you sure you don't want us to wait?" She asked, concern lacing her words.

"I'm sure, I promise." I told her softly.

"Alright, I'll let him know."

I quickly took Bella in my arms, giving her kisses on her cheek as I held her tightly. I asked if she was alright, if she promised me. When she did, I reluctantly released her from my embrace and promised that when I came home we would have some hot chocolate, cuddle underneath some blankets and watch the movie of her choice. I talked to Charlie after I left Bella, reassuring him that I was alright. He was concerned about me volunteering at the hospital, for he didn't know if it would help heal me or damage me further. I ensured him that it was for the best, and after some convincing I left him to register as a volunteer and make my way to Jasper.

Despite the rain, he was still outside – looking out over the forest as if he were its commander and creator. He turned as I opened my door, his eyes lost in some thought he was carrying.

"Are you ready?" He asked softly, his posture more relaxed than before. I gave him a small nod and followed him timidly through the hospital. He walked with such grace and elegance, such poise. Each single stride he took was three of mine as I scampered along next to him to keep up. When we exited the hospital and he showed me our mode of transport, I couldn't contain my glee.

"Jasper!" I exclaimed in awe. "You sly fox! I never imagined you to ride a motorcycle, especially a vintage one at that!" My hands game up to cover my mouth and I couldn't help but twirl in excitement. When I turned towards him he looked sweetly embarrassed – his hand ruffling his hair as if he suddenly needed something to keep him busy.

"It's from the 1950's." He told me, putting both his hands in his pockets. His expression remained stern as he looked at the vehicle.

"It's beautiful." I told him honestly, my smile widening as I saw his lips twitch upwards.

"You seemed surprised." He stated, walking towards the motorcycle and handing me a vintage helmet and goggles. The leather was silky in my hands as my fingers drew invisible patterns against them.

"Why goodness I am!" I replied absolute glee . "I always imagined you to be more of a car person."

He shook his head stiffly and without emotion he said, "cars are too restricting."

"What a," I paused, shaking my head in disbelief, "what a beautiful enigma you are." He seemed taken aback by what I said, uncomfortable with it as if he had never been addressed in such a way. "Shall we?" I asked quickly to ease the forming tension.

He bowed his head, and smiled one of those rare smiles that render its receiver breathless. "As you wish Ma'am."

And so, we rode together through the night. I sat excitedly with a wide and thoughtful smile behind him, my head resting against his back as I allowed the wind to tangle and play with my hair. His body was stiff and focused as we went and it wasn't long before my eyes misted over and the memory of that van came crashing back into me. My grip on Jasper tightened – my fingers bunching his white jacket as the van came faster and faster until…Silent tears slid down my cheeks. I should be dead, how was I alive, how was I still here. My curiosity dug into me like a violent twisting dagger. What was I?

My eyes lazily opened, taking in our blurred surroundings as we drove. The roads were quiet except for the odd car. I nestled my nose against Jaspers back before straightening up and sang in his ear. His head tilted to the side as I sang a sweet melody that my mother used to sing me. I wasn't sure if it was for me or him, but as I sang I felt both of us relax against one another and our journey became more fluid and free. I continued to sing the entire trip – beautiful high notes of hope, imagination and love. My mama had written the song, and as we rode underneath the stars it was as if she was singing with me.

I asked Jasper to drop me off a few houses away from mine. Getting off his bike, I gently took the helmet off as he watched from where he remained sitting on his bike. I out stretched the helmet and googles towards him but he shook his head in refusal.

"Keep it." His voice was barely a whisper.

"Are you sure?" I wondered in surprise, my hand hesitating as it became confused in knowing what to do.

He simply nodded before saying calmly, "you never know when you may need it again."

I took a single step backwards and up onto the pavement. "Sweet dreams my beautiful enigma."

"Sweet dreams my –" the rest of his sentence was cut off as the bikes engine roared. I wanted to ask him how that sentence ended, but before I could – he drove off into the night, into the stars and forest, into his own solace.


Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter and are curious about Willa and where the story will go! She's going to go through a huge character development so I hope you all are excited to see what her journey is! I would love to know if ya'll liked Jasper and Willa's interaction and progress! Thank you again to all who have reviewed, followed and favorited! Please review as I'd love to hear your thoughts/suggestions! Thank you all! Until next time...

GawkyTC: Hi! Thank you so much for your review! I truly loved it and goodness I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter! Thats so sweet of you! Haha I understand what you mean though, I'm always the same with reading before bed! I really hope you liked this chapter and her interaction with Jasper and what happened to her after the crash, I can't wait to see what you think and I hope you are happy and well! Until Next time! :)

Littlecosma001: Hi you! Thank you so much for your review! It was so sweet of you! I really hope you liked this chapter and I can't wait to see what you think of it!

Dunesque: Hello you! Ah, you're review was honestly so sweet! I kept re-reading because it made me just glow with happiness! I hope you liked this chapter and seeing more of Jasper and Willa's interactions and bonding! I have so much planned for them and I hope you enjoyed it so! I can't wait to see what you think! I hope you are happy and well :)

Snow Black: Hi you! That is so incredibly sweet of you to say! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And I can't wait to see what you think of it!

AmberinAshes: Hiya! I hope this helped your curiosity! There's a lot in store for Willa and Jasper and goodness you are truly just a star for what you said! Thank you so much and I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter!

. .Name: Hi! Thank you so much for your review! I completely understand agree. I often get a little carried away with the writing and don't spend as much time on editing so thank you so much for pointing that out. I just have one more exam so the next chapter will definitely be more polished. I hope you liked this chapter and I truly can't wait to see what you think of the story!