Author's Note: Hello my lovelies! Thank you all so much to all of you beautiful people who have reviewed, favorited and followed. It truly means the world to me! I was rather nervous about positing this chapter as it reveals a lot about Willa and who she is and what she will grow into. I hope you all like it and if you have questions by the end of it thats oki because all will be revealed and explained as she learns more about herself! I hope you are enjoying the progress between her and Jasper too! It is a slow burn but one that will exploded into passionate fireworks and be well worth it I hope! I hope ya'll enjoy the chapter and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks!

The water was cold, piercing as I lay in the bath fully submerged. My eyes were misted over as I held my breath, as the water moved around my body like shifting velvet. I let myself relax – allowed my body to stretch out in the water. My fingers strummed invisible violin strings and my toes clenched and unclenched. I enjoyed the feeling of the water rippling around me, echoing my movements in its own sweet way. My chest rose and fell with each intake of breath, calmly – as memories of my mama and I flittered across my eyelids.

"Why are running away mama?" I remembered asking, hiding underneath the windowsill as my mama packed our things in great haste – beads of sweat running down her cheek from her unwashed and tangled hair. I had rested my chin against my soft toy giraffe, my fingers playing with his little bow tie.

"We're not running away my lovely." She had said, had said every time we moved away. She came towards me, crawling on her knees and hands so not to be seen by those outside. All the lights in the house were off, the house enveloped in a darkness that was only broken by moonlight. She cupped my tiny child cheeks, caressing her thumbs over my soft skin. "We're playing a game." She whispered softly, placing a kiss on my forehead as a false bravery and excitement decorated her eyes.

"I don't know if I like this game." I remember whispering, my tiny fingers pulling my soft toy closer to my chest. I was only eight years old when this happened for the third time.

"You will my darling, once we win and find our new home, you will." She placed a kiss on my soft toy before cupping my hands in hers.

"What is this game called, mama?" I remember asking her, looking up to the window above – fearful of whoever we were hiding and running from.

"Hide and seek, Willa. That's all it is. And as long as we remain hidden, we remain safe." She spoke calmly, yet her eyes betrayed her as she looked at the clock on the wall, just as she had done every few minutes.

"Who are we hiding from Mama?" I remember asking her, my knees pulling up to my chest – pressing my soft toy against my chest.

My mama looked at me as if she, in that moment, could kill. "The Monsters."

My eyes burst open as I broke through the glassy water and tasted air once more. My lungs stung at the sudden impact and an ungraceful gasp escaped my lips as I huddled against the edge of the tub – my expression fearful and vulnerable. I had ripped off the bandages on my hands when I got home and to my amazement the broken and torn flesh, the dissolvable stitches…they had all faded into jagged and twirling white lines. I held my hands up in front of my eyes, water droplets scurrying down them as if they feared being apart from the main body of water in the bath. The white marks were delicate against my pale skin, delicate and unwanted. I pressed them to my chest, balancing my chin on the balled fist that I had made them into.

I was afraid of my own body. I felt like I was wearing a stranger's cloak of skin, that the blood swimming inside me was infected with an unknown serum or poison. No, it couldn't be poison, not when whatever was in me, whatever made me the person I was…saved me.

Hiding – Hidden.

I closed my eyes, and submerged myself once more.

"Mama, I'm cold." I remember saying, squatting in the damp darkness underneath the floorboards of our home. My mama had placed a hand over my mouth, whispering in my ear to keep quiet. I could hear people shuffling about, their footsteps light and meticulous as they searched for whatever it was they had been looking for. I could hear them smelling, muttering to one another in an unfamiliar tongue.

Even when those strangers had left, my mama still kept her hand over my mouth throughout the whole night until I fell asleep in her arms. When I woke, she was packing once more.

"Where are we going mama?" I had asked.

"India, Willa." She replied, coming towards me and cupping my face with urgency in her eyes. "You have to promise me something my angel."

"Of course, mama," I replied, taking her hands in mine and squeezing them tightly as tears dribbled down her cheeks.

"If anything should ever happen to me, you run, you run and don't look back my child." I shook my head, not understanding her determined and desperate words. "Don't let a single drop of your blood spill, don't let anyone know of our game, you just run you hear me? You run and don't ever get hurt. Don't break a bone, don't bleed don't…you are so precious to me Willa, my darling. My beautiful human girl, stay that way Willa, stay that way and don't get hurt." Her voice chocked, ached as she said her next words. "But if anything should ever happen to you, read…read and your father will guide you."

Gasping, I quickly shattered the water's smooth surface and ran my trembling fingers through my long wet and tangled hair. Adrenaline pulsed through me as I got out of the bath and stood in front of the mirror, desperately looking for some scrap, something, just something that showed I had been seconds away from death.

My skin was clear, except for my hands. I shook my head, crouching over as I buried my face in my hands and let out a high sound of hysteria. My fingernails dug into my scalp as I collapsed to the floor. The tip of my nose burned as a raw sob slipped from my throat. I felt so lost, so afraid, so alone…

I looked up, looked into those two eyes that stared back at me. Who was I?

The sudden knock at the door made my heart leap in panic.

"Just a minute!" I called and wrapped my pink dressing gown tightly around myself – my long hair loose and wet. Opening the door, a crack, my expression softened at the sight of Charlie. He looked tired and drained, worried and stressed.

"Hey kiddo, just checking that you are alright. You've been in there a while." He ran a hand through his hair as he tried to ease his awkward and stiff nature.

I gave him a soft smile, threading together my courage as I hid away my pain. Leaning against the door frame I said gently, "I'm alright Charlie, I was just having a soak in the bath."

I saw his eyes look over my head to where he saw the bandages lying abandoned on the floor.

"Um." He pointed behind me, a questioning and disapproving look on his face. "Look Willa – "

"I'm alright, Charlie!" I quickly said – halting any questions he may have and showed him my hands. "See, almost good as new."

The veins in his neck twitched as he took in a gruff breath. "Bells said you were hit by car. You could have been killed." My heart melted, collapsed at the worry in his eyes – at his guilt that he couldn't stop it. "You should have been – "

"Charlie," I took his hands in mine, "I wasn't hurt too badly. I suppose I'm just lucky." Lucky…lucky to be lost, to not have my mother and father, to not know who I was…no, I was not lucky. Yet I suppose when it came to me cheating death, whatever happened inside me, whatever changed within me – I should feel lucky in that regard, feel grateful.

"Alright, well if you need me I'll leave my door open tonight so don't hesitate to shout out." He angled his body to leave and so I released his hands.

"You heal really fast, you know that right?" He said it lightly, and I had no choice but to mimic his tone.

"Call it my superpower." I told him lightly, wrapping my arms around myself – my nails secretly digging into my skin as my emotions slipped through some unsealed crack.

"Yea, anyways – sweet dreams Willa."

"Sweet dreams, Charlie." I called after him before slipping back inside the bathroom to clean the mess I had made.

When the room was neat and tidy and my hair dry and silky – I carefully tiptoed towards my door, being careful not to wake Bella nor Charlie as they slept deeply. Closing my door with a soft click, I let myself fall back against my door as I breathed in deeply.

Mama.

She had so many secrets, so many unknown tales. The reason why we travelled – to play our game of hide and seek, to hide from the monsters…Monsters. I nimbly walked over to my bookshelf and let my fingers run along the spines of fantastical and magical books until…my finger quivered against the spine of the book I searched for, longed for. It was a beautifully bound book of fairytales. My father had given this book to my mother, his writing staining the pages in beautiful and lyrical handwriting. His writing swirled and looped, circled words and connected them to others on the pages.

We carried this everywhere we went – it had been my mother's most prized possession most –

""But if anything should ever happen to you, read and your father will guide you."

Whatever happened to me, whatever was happening to me – it had to be in here. I pulled out the book and flipped through the pages, uncertain of what I was actually looking for. The answer to our game of hide and seek, to who the monsters were, to who my father was, to who I was…it had to be in here. I scanned all the pages in quick desperation – my eyes moving with messy speed. I needed to make my mind focus, to unravel this mystery until…

On the top of page 423 was a series of page numbers and next to them were…my eyes opened widely as a new-found purpose pulsed within me. These were page numbers corresponding with lines and how many words across. I quickly grabbed a piece of paper, holding the pen in my mouth as I flipped through the pages and wrote down the code. My hand writing was messy, and my hands shook with a mixture of fearful anticipation and need.

When the code was complete, I felt my breath stutter as I read it aloud from the center of my room.

"Once upon a time, there lived a healer."


As the sun crafted a new day into existence, I sat on the window-sill in my bedroom. I had slept little, read a little and ate a little.

Healer…

Was that what I was? And if so, then what did that comprise of?

There was a soft tap at the door before Bella gently pushed it open to reveal herself as dressed with her backpack slung over her shoulder. Today was the day of the class field-trip. It combined both Biology and Environmental Science students.

"Are you ready?" She asked in a tense manner.

I inclined my head as a gesture of yes and followed her to the car with my violin and backpack. With the ground and sky still recovering from mother nature's tears, I was dressed in a pink cloak raincoat, soft petal yellow rain boots and underneath a long-sleeve baby blue dress with a lace peter-pan collar. I braided my hair into two twin plaits that hung over both of my shoulders.

As we drove to school the sky seemed to be on the cusp of raining. The car ride was silent as we drove, and due to my lack of sleep, I couldn't help but rest my head against the window, allow my eyes to mist over, and fall asleep to the deep hum of the engine.


The morning seemed to pass in a frenetic whirlwind of people asking if we were alright. I wasn't used to so much attention, and if it weren't for Josie and Otto's light humor, I may have drawn into myself completely. I was too lost in thought from what I had read, from what had happened, but as the day went on I attempted to push them aside and allow myself to become fully immersed in my subjects.

By the time lunchtime came – I found myself walking through the halls alone, lost in my own self-created melody as I sang quietly, my fingers gently swaying to the rhythm that coursed out of me. Yet the longer I sang, the further I walked…I began to hear the soft, deep sound of a cello. The door to the music room was open – allowing whoever played that beautiful and hypnotic melody to fill the halls with their music. I felt a magnetic pull in my heart towards the door and my singing hushed. The piece was complex and intricate, each note a single bead of deep and heartbroken emotion. My feet were light on the marble floor as suddenly, I became afraid to make a sound.

Reaching the doorway, I took in a deep breath before lightly brushing my fingertips on the doorframe and positioned myself to see the magician of this magnetic, electric and hypnotic piece. My eyes widen at the sight they captured and I couldn't help but press a hand to my beating heart as tears threatened to spill over the rims of my eyes. There – in the center of the room sat Jasper – playing and consuming himself to the music he played. His eyes were closed and the way his body swayed with the cello, the way his face tightened, and pulled and relaxed and became delicate with the music…my heart swelled within me for I knew then that I had never seen something so beautiful until now.

The vulnerability on his face…it was as if all masks, all protective layers of himself had dissolved and left him with his raw self. He looked so gentle, as if he could break at a single touch, a single breeze of air.

I felt my breath hiccup – release a small sweet and high sound of complete awe that broke through his melody and drew him to a halt. His eyes snapped open and his posture straightened, yet when his eyes met mine – his expression from when he played did not change.

My lips parted, yet no words came out as I tried to work out a suitable apology. Yet before I could master my words, an airy string of words came out before I could comprehend them. "I…would you like me to leave?" I had no desire to leave, but I suppose my embarrassment of interrupting him had taken control of my voice.

He offered me a crooked smile, his body turning towards mine in his chair. "No." His smile faded as a glaze of serious and deep thought decorated his expression. "I find your presence soothing."

I took a brave step in at his words, my fingertips falling from the doorframe. "You were playing The Phantom of The Opera, weren't you?" I asked politely with deep yet cautious intrigue. I came to sit on the chair facing his, my pink cloak raincoat nosily positioning itself against the chair as I did so. I placed both of my hands in my lap – one over the other.

His eyes widened in happiness and his head inclined in acceptance "Why yes, it was Willa, how did you know?" He asked, balancing the neck of the cello against his shoulder.

"It's one of my favorite pieces to play on the violin." I confessed eagerly. "The sequence of notes…. it's just magic singing to the heart." My hand went to my heart as I spoke to him, as I told him what music meant to me and him to himself. We were open and fluid, as our words ran from each other and embraced intimately in the air between us. "How long have you played the cello for?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my seat as I smiled.

He had somehow moved closer to me, his cello now positioned beside him as our knee's grazed against each other's. "Ever since I can remember. I find it relaxing," he paused, as if searching for the word that would could close to defining his emotion. "An escape." When he spoke that word, it was as if it were a drug to him – escape, his sweet bliss and freedom.

I nodded, softening my features as my fingers played with the hem of my cloak raincoat. "I understand, music can truly be the world's greatest teleporter, protector and key to unleashing our deepest wishes, desires and needs." My voice drifted, faded as I spoke and became hypnotized by them. Yet my eyes never left his, and his never left mine – as if in that moment we were all each other had that tethered us to this world.

"My family," he began tightly, "they tend to…be over protective of me." A sense of sadness and loss decorated his expression and my hand stuttered, wanting to reach out and touch him. "And despite appreciating that and loving them…I like to be alone, to have something that is just my own." His eyes shifted down to where his hands lay – palms up on his knees. I watched quietly as his fingers folded inwards and he formed two fists – his knuckles whitening as a look of anger glimmered in his eyes. I could feel my heartbeat increase at his sudden change in mood, as I watched him fight his own emotions.

"Ever," the word came out weak and desperate, desperate to distract him from whatever thoughts ran through his mind. His eyes snapped to mine and his fingers uncurled. "Ever since I was little, I used to sneak out of school during lunch and hide away in a place no other knew about. And there, I would play my music – I would dance and sing and simply be free." The sides of his lips twitched upwards and a fondness appeared in his eyes that I had never seen before. "Have you ever played to the stars?" I asked softly, leaning forward as my breath hiccupped sweetly.

His eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment. "To the stars, I apologize but I do not understand."

"That's alright my lovely. You see I have always believed that the stars are those who have passed, that they watch over their loved ones in hopes of inspiring them through their shine. By playing to the stars, one plays to the dead." I told him gently, my finger outstretching towards his but never touching.

He then did something that I never would have excepted. His face tightened and that predator – that terrifying and weapon-like predator took over his features and body as he looked away. His hands clenched once more, but the longer I looked at him I could see that it was not just a dangerous man that sat in front of me, but one who was in great pain, feeling great shame and torment from some past memory. "If that is the case I think it might be best if I play behind a roof and walls."

I was taken off guard by his harshness of his tone and for a while I did not know how to respond. He looked in that moment as if he had killed a man and I, my fingers trembled yet I did not cower. Inhaling a sweet breath of air, I moved my chair next to his and took his hands in mine. His eyes snapped to mine, and I stared out his fury and pain – allowing it to drip from him as a softness I had previously saw in him returned. My tiny hands drowned in his as I caressed his skin with my thumbs. "Why is that? Are you afraid of the dead?" I asked delicately, keeping my eyes wide and fragile.

His voice was full of pain, of guilt and shame as his eyes adverted once more. "I'm afraid of what they'll think of me, of how they'll rightly judge me." His words were tight, sharp and strong.

"Judge you?" I shook my head in innocent confusion. Resting a delicate hand on the side of his face, I cupped his cheek, allowing my thumb to rest behind his ear. "The only way they could judge you is with a positive glow."

He turned his face away from me, as if he was afraid of seeing something within me. My hand fell to my lap like a fallen petal. "I'm afraid that's not true, unfortunately."

I shook my head once more. "I don't believe that. "I told him, each word as delicate as thin glass. "Would you," I paused, gathering my courage before I asked him my question. "Would you like to play something together? I have my violin with me."

I could feel the fear within me grow as I waited for his answer. I wet my lips lightly as I waited, as my fingers played with the hem of my cloak raincoat. His expression softened, became sweet and delicate and beautiful. "I would love that," he spoke strongly and meaningfully – the Texan twang on his words were heavy and melodic to my ears. The right corner of his mouth tugged upwards as he gave me a crooked mine. "Truly."

"Magic!" I exclaimed with a wide smile as I bent down to retrieve my violin. It was light and cool against my skin and I couldn't help but sigh in bliss as I rested my chin upon it. "Now my daring, what shall we play?"

We played music for the whole duration of lunch – getting lost in each other's own gifts, own notes and melodies and surprises. Each sound he created – we created, was mesmeric. It was as if my blood was singing, as if my heart beat twice as fast to keep in time with the music. We smiled and laughed, remained quiet and lost in one another. Our eyes remained fixed on one another – and I couldn't help but want to draw closer to him, to allow my music to caress his skin and heart as his did mine. Time slipped from us like water slipped through separated fingers. And before my mind could come to accept it, the bell rang and students began to fill the halls. Our sudden companionship seemed threatened, violated as if neither one of us wanted to be seen together by another set of eyes, as if the presence of another would crack this unspoken and misty intimacy.

We packed up in silence, stealing glances at one another. I was just about to leave when his hand grasped mine – delicate in nature but firm with purpose. My lips parted as the corners of my lips twitched up in curiosity and some heated excitement. His hand slipped out of mine, yet he took a few steps towards me – his figure drowning my shadow as he towered over me. I titled my head upwards to capture his eyes.

"Would you promise me something, Willa?" He asked in but a mere whisper.

"What is it my lovely?" I replied, my voice soft and fragile as if I was afraid someone else would hear me.

He raised his hand as if to cup my cheek – yet he did not touch me. His hand hovered inches away from my face as he spoke, as his hand trembled lightly. "To never hide from what and who you really are."

"I promise." I told him, taking a step towards him and rising on my tiptoes. "Now promise me something in return."

"Of course," he tilted his downwards, "darlin."

"That you will do the same, forever and always."

He took his time in responding, took his time to run his eyes over me as if he sought to unravel me. And then – he leaned forward, bending down to whisper in my ear - "I promise."

And before I could blink – he was gone.


The rain had not yet slipped from the clouds when we were waiting to board the buses to the greenhouse. Despite going on the same field trip as Bella, we were unable to sit next to one another due to my clumsy tardiness. I had to race to the library to return a book I had accidentally taken without checking out. And by the time I had arrived – my lungs rising and falling in a quickened manner as stray strands of hair floated in front of my eyes – Bella's bus was already full.

I had no friends in my environmental class, and so as I boarded the second bus – my eyes looked for no familiar faces. Yet they found some. At the back of the bus sat Jasper, Alice and Edward. They sat close to one another, as if their presences relieved some sort of pain. I did not meet any of their eyes as I found an empty window seat. With the drive being a long one – I pulled my legs up to my chest and retrieved the book that I had kept hidden in my bag. My hands were hesitant before they grazed the spine of my mother's book. I was afraid that someone may see it – recognize it. But when my fingertips grazed its surface – it's calling was too strong to resist. It was like my blood was humming along to the rhythm of the stories within it, singing and chanting to its secrets. My eyes misted over as I felt the books magic wriggle within me.

"Willa."

My eyes burst open. That voice, rich and deep, sticky like honey…

"Dad." I whispered, my eyes fearful as I pulled the book out of my bag and cradled it against my chest, my knees pressing it closer towards me, closer and tighter as my surroundings slipped away and all that was here was the book and me. My eyes closed once more as I silently begged for that voice to return, but before I could make one final plea – I felt the outside world slip away from me as my soul, as my eyes and mind and heart fell and tumbled into a world of memories – memories of a past that stained and illustrated the pages of this book.

He had cradled me in his arms, a prince of sunlight whose soul was tethered to life and growth and love. His arms were strong around me - around the baby I used to be. He held me tightly, as if this was the last time he would get to do and I suppose, by the look in his eyes…that it was. Two teardrops fell from his eyes and onto my baby-skin. We were in the woods, the moonlight claiming the darkened sky yet, my father's skin smelt of the sun and the warmth and grass. His eyes were a deep green and his hair – like sand moving in the breeze.

He sang me a song – a song whose words were kept secret by the foreign language they were in. I could feel his love for me, his need and overwhelming desire to protect me, to protect –

"Silas!" The voice who called my father was sweet and fragile, like a freshly picked berry coated in sugar. My father's arm relaxed around me as he turned to see my mama running towards him. She was dressed in a white dress – her hair a wild thing of curls and waves as she ran. He moved towards her, leaning against her as she threw her arms around him and allowed her fingers to play with his hair. He smelt my mama, taking pleasure in her sweet scent before she pulled away with fear in her eyes. "They're coming."

My father stiffened at her words and his heart pushed against his skin as if it wanted to escape from his own body and nestle inside my mothers. My mother's hand went to his face, cupping and caressing his cheeks as her fingers got lost in his long hair. "What are we going to do?" She asked helplessly, looking down at me – the baby that Silas held in his arms, so oblivious and innocent to the world.

"Flora," his voice broke as did his heart at her expression. Placing me on the soft grass, he stood fully before my mama. He was strong, a warrior prince whose eyes had a fearless spirit within them. Yet around my mama – he took her in his arms, kissing her soft lips in slow and succulent motions. He savored every moment, every touch of her fingers against his shoulders, arms and chest – just as she did him. "My beautiful heart." He called her, pulling away to place a lingering kiss on her forehead. "I want you to take Willa, to run as far as you can and don't look back."

"No, no I can't I –" tears streamed down her cheeks as she pulled him close to her, resting her head against his chest. "I can't let you. They'll kill you." My father placed a gentle finger underneath her cheek – guiding her head upwards for their eyes to meet.

"I won't let them hurt you, I won't let them hurt Willa. If they find you – they'll drain both of you dry, or keep you as their slaves, their blood banks." Venom laced his words as anger consumed him whole. "I made you a promise, I will not break it."

"There has to be another way." My mama pleaded him as he held her in his arms, his hands running through her hair. "There has to be."

"Have faith in me my love, I may survive." His words brought hope to her as she stepped away from him, his hands taking her face in the most gentle and fragile of manners. "I will buy you and Willa as much time as you need to cross the border. No matter what you hear, no matter what you see, keep running. Know that I am with you always my darling, my mate, my song and heartbeat." His words melted into a kiss as he pressed his lips to hers once more. The kiss was soft and beautiful – like melting chocolate as his arms wrapped around her tiny frame. They were born to be together, made for one another.

Pulling away, his lips lingered against hers before he picked me up from the grass, holding me tightly as he placed a kiss on my forehead. "You will make a great healer my angel, my Willa. Do our species proud, do me, your mother and the stars proud." With a final kiss, he placed me in my mama's arms – her face wet with tears as her body convulsed lightly as she cried.

"I love you." She cried ungracefully as he pulled my mother and I towards him.

"I love you." And with a final kiss to her lips – he ran.

The memory blurred into shifting blue and red mist as screams and cries and pleas filled the air. They were screams of suffering, of pain and anger and desperation – of grief. My eyes slowly opened, and I had not realized that I too had been crying – my breathing was fast and deep, as if there was not enough oxygen in the world for me to breathe.

Healer.

For the rest of the ride I searched the book for its meaning, for memories and hidden messages. My eyes, my mind and heart could not read fast enough, just as the oxygen flowing through me could not keep up with my lungs demands. My mother had told me my father was killed from a mosquito born virus.

No.

Tears, silent and fluid, ran from me as I suddenly realized the truth behind the lies. My father…he was murdered. Murdered for something he, something we had.

"They'll drain both of you dry, or keep you as their slaves, their blood banks."

"Do our species proud."

What was I. But deep down I knew…

I was not a human.

No.

I was a healer.

Healer. What did that mean…and if there are healers then that means that other creatures must exist as well. I looked and searched through the book, until I found another code to untangle. I did the same as before, finding words on different pages, finding pictures until I had my answer. I knew what I was, I knew the blood that swam inside me, and I now knew that there were creatures after it. For a healer is not just gifted with the ability to heal others in various ways, whether that be medically or spiritually…. But we also had charmed blood. Blood that if consumed by others could heal all their wounds and for some – bring the dead back to life. Our blood, once our gift was awakened, would deem us immortal. For our blood could not only heal others, but also ourselves…

The book fell to the floor as everything else in the whole universe went silent. My eyes were wide with fear, uncertainly and shock. Had my whole life been a lie…my skin became itchy, heavy as if it was no longer my own. I tried to blink, tried to move and think and wonder. But I couldn't. I felt paralyzed. Every bone, every heartbeat and breathe I took…the seat that I sat on. Was this real? Was this but a dream?

No.

The bus lurched to a stop to signal our arrival. I felt afraid as I stood, as I walked off the bus with the other students. My arms were wrapped around me tightly – the book pulsing in my bag as I carried it on my back. I felt alone, afraid, no – petrified, but at the same time…mystified. My emotions were both fearful and excited, both cautious and intrigued and I suddenly felt as if I was suffocating. I needed a minute, some time away from all the students, teachers and my Bella. I stood still as the students walked past me to the greenhouse. My eyes remained fixed forward and I dropped my arms to my sides. Nearly everyone had walked passed me when suddenly, a hand brushed mine in a purposeful and secretive manner. The skin was cool and as I looked up, Jasper's eyes met mine. His eyes were full of questions, of concern and care but he did not stop walking. His touch was fleeting as was his gaze upon me. And before another second could pass, he had walked away with Alice and Edward.

Watching the class leave, I then turned my back on them and walked towards the forest – my feet soft against the ground as my walk turned into a jog and then into a run. I ran, ran faster than I ever had before as the need for escapism, for isolation and clarity of thought drove me. Memories of my mother and father pulsed through me, thoughts of what I was…who I am now…I needed to feel the wind, to feel the ground beneath my feet, to feel alive and one with the earth. My hair waved behind me like feathers in the wind, the wind rushing into my lungs, into my body and consuming me whole. I felt free, and in that moment, it didn't matter who I was. All that mattered was the wind and the earth and…. I skidded to a stop, reaching a cliff's edge that plunged down into the deep ocean below.

A part of me wanted to jump, to see if I really was a healer – if I could survive, if I was immortal. I began to take a few steps forward, the tips of my toes curling in my yellow rain boots as I reached the edge. I could feel the wind pushing me forward, and my fingers separated as I let the breeze flow between them. I needed to know, needed to feel my healers blood in me – to understand this mythical notion.

Jump.

A gust of wind suddenly pushed me back and I fell to the ground – my hands scrapping open against the dirt and rocks and roots. Everything that I knew the world to be…everything that I knew the past to be…it was all a lie. I had never felt so afraid, so alone as I wished, as I begged for my mama and papa, for someone to help me, to hold me and say everything was alright. My nails dug into the ground as I let out a raw sob and cried – my emotions over spilling as my body shook and quivered – as I cried in the forest against the dirt and insects and fallen leaves.


By the time I had returned to class – no one had noticed my absence. I followed the line of students through the greenhouse, my heart beating heavy and strong as I recovered from my flood of tears. I felt stronger, felt sure and alive and hypnotized by this enigma that was now me…that was my past and world around me. I spotted my cousin ahead of me, talking to Edward. Her features were pulled tight as if she was stressed talking to him. He had stopped the van – was he a creature? And if so, was he a monster, or a something like me?

When we exited the greenhouse, and finished listening to the lecture, I couldn't help but look at everyone different, but no one else seemed different except…

That hand brushed against mine once more, his pinky entwining with mine in such an endearing and intimate manner that caused my heart to blush and flutter and gasp. I suddenly felt a piece of paper in my palm and his touch left mine as he walked towards the bus with Alice. I could see Edward talking to Bella, and I knew in my heart that I suddenly felt more protective over her.

Not wanting to disturb her, I slowly opened the piece of paper that Jasper had placed in my hand. His writing was neat and elegant, lyrical and mesmeric.

Darlin' Willa,

I hope you don't mind me writing to you but I was wondering if I could call on you? Would you like to play music in the forest tonight? I'll be waiting at 10 o'clock by the waterfall.

I promise to keep you safe.

Jasper


The rest of the day slipped by like a wet block of soap against a tile. Bella told me about her confrontation with Edward, about how she could feel and sense regret in him. But I couldn't believe that. Whatever was driving Edward to be distant and cold with my cousin couldn't be regret – it had to be much more complex. When we arrived home, I cooked us some dinner, the smell of ratatouille floating through the house. I couldn't help but close my eyes and sigh with a sweet smile as the aroma tickled my nostrils. I loved food, the way it made my mouth water and my nose beg for me to taste it. It was intoxicating. Opening my eyes, I ran my finger across the sauce and sucked my finger dry, savoring each sweet flavor before serving up three portions and resting them on the table for us to eat.

Once dinner was over, I waited in my room until the clock struck 9:30. I had been sitting on the floor, reading and researching everything I could about Healers. We were perceived as a mythical legend, a race of gods and godness that were tethered to this earth to heal it, to protect it. We were the sunshine of this world, the light and blossoming spring and summer. I couldn't help but roll my shoulders back, close my eyes over and sigh as I pressed two fingers to the pulse in my neck and listened – listened to my healer's heartbeat and the blood that coursed through my veins.

Blood.

It was both sweet and dangerous – it was hunted. Opening my eyes, I had continued to read and research. I discovered that our blood could heal others from wounds that were incurable by mortal medicine, that our blood could heal our own bodies and protect us from death. Once activated, through a near death experience, our blood would keep us young – would freeze us in time as we served mortals and immortals alike – creatures and humans in a secretive fashion. Yet – we could still die. If all of our blood was drained from us, we had no way to heal – no life to give others or ourselves.

Papa.

He was murdered for his blood.

I closed the book shut with quivering hands at what I had just discovered. My body shook, trembled as I pulled my knees up to my chest and hid from the dancing moonlight that flittered across my room. I let my head drop, fall against my knees as I tried to make sense of all of this. My finger nails – painted a pastel pink, dug into my legs as I held them tightly against me. I couldn't go to Bella, couldn't go to anyone but the stars and that faint whisper in the wind. I had never felt so alone, so lost but…I knew I couldn't let anyone see, I couldn't let anyone know this secret. My hands went to my hair and clawed inwards as I quivered. Was this real? I suddenly doubted my own sanity but no, this had to be real – this was real.

When the clock chimed 9:30, a strange sense of relief and need pulsed within me, a need to taste the nighttime air and fall into world were this was but a distant memory, a fact that I could ignore and forget. I dressed in a simple white dress, it's hem brushing against my bare legs. The dress was a summer one – the sleeves a sheer white with delicate white roses embroidered in it. I needed to feel the frost, to allow it to calm my burning heart and boiling blood – to let it melt away all fear, all worries and uncertainty. Upon my feet were my yellow rain boots.

I slung my violin case over my shoulder and began to hum a beautiful and delicate tune – my fingers dancing at my sides as I walked through the silent house to ensure that everyone was asleep. The hallways were dark, haunted by dreams and nightmares that pounded and danced in Bella and Charlies minds. My footsteps were light and nimble as I padded across the house – singing sweetly as my humming melted into a lullaby crafted from love, starlight and the promise of hope. My heartbeat softened knowing that they were in peace – and with one final breath, I left the house and took off into a run towards the forest – towards Jasper and the stars.


Authors Note: Hi again! So there you have it! The next chapter will be mainly focusing on Jasper and Willa progress and there will be a lot more action and discovery! I hope you don't mind the longer chapter and I really can't wait to see what you think! Please be gentle and until next time, happy reading!

GawkyTC:Hi! As per usual your review literally made my day! I'm so so happy that you thought those things and I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter! The next one will have a lot of Jasper/Willa interaction so you have heaps to look forward too! Much Love, Lisette

ArsenicAssassin: Thank you so much, that is truly so sweet of you to say. I always get so afraid before I post a new chapter so to hear you say that truly makes my heart blossom with happiness. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I can't wait to see what you think!

Littlecosma001: Hi! Oh no! I think you may need to reread it, or I could have been more clear, I'm sorry! So what happened is that Willa got hit by the car and was very close to death with broken bones and all. However she suddenly healed herself and that is what this chapter more focused on because she isn't human. So she'll go on this huge journey about discovering her roots and all! And as you can guess from the end of this chapter, (without giving away spoilers) she won't become a vampire. Which will make her and Jasper's relationship very interesting I hope! I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter!

Snow Black:N'aww thank you so much! That is truly so sweet of you to say and goodness, you guessed it! She is a healer! But she has a lot to learn yet and a lot of journeys to experience and work out! I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be very Jasper/Willa heavy focus! Much Love, Lisette

AmberinAshes: Hiya! i hope you enjoyed this chapter and I can't wait to see what you think!

JessEwa26: Hello Jess! Thank you so much for your review. What you wrote truly made me so happy! I hope you enjoyed this chapter although there weren't many Jasper/Willa moments. The next chapter will focus on them a lot so except a lot of cute moments! If you have any scenes or dreams that you would like to see happen between Jasper and Willa then please let me know! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I can't wait to hear what you think of it! Much Love, Lisette! :)