I enter the church, my wings fluttering a mile a minute on my back. I was feeling overall jittery, like something was going to happen. Something feels off.
I have had this feeling before multiple times, and generally every-time something disastrous has happened. As the doors opened, the feeling in my gut intensified. It was like a pulling sensation, that is the only way it can be described. Like someone has my insides on a lead and pulling me towards danger. The last time I had this feeling so badly, an accident killed my parents.
Fuck, now is not the time to be dwelling on this Anna. Suck it up.

I walk through the entrance looking for Sarah, my gut feeling has always been right. I am not liking this, as I step through, low and behold I see Sarah and Steve entertaining 2 guests walking towards the main area of the church where the doors are shut, Steve has his phone to his ear. It is only a short walk between the entrance and the large wooden doors that open into the main area of the church.

"Annabella!" Sarah shouts, as I walk towards her.
"Where have you been?" She proceeds to ask as she walks further towards me, and wraps her arm around my shoulder. I look up at her, Sarah has never been one to willingly show me affection. She leads me towards the guests. I take time to notice them. A blonde women stood beside a man with brown hair who clearly appears uncomfortable and unsettled. The blonde women has a rather large smile plastered on her face, wearing a patterned blue sundress. As I edge towards them being led by Sarah, she moves to meet me. Even from afar I could tell something was off about this couple.

"Holly, Rufus, this is Annabella" Steve says, his creepy smile on his face, showing his molars. This is his false smile, I can spot this from anywhere, what is he planning. I move to shake hands exchanging pleasantries.
"Holly and Rufus are looking to get married, right here at our church. Isn't that amazing!" Sarah says with obvious false excitement. Great another set of vampire hating people, just what this church needs.

I plaster a smile on my face and begin to agree with her.
"Yes, that's amazing. I am sure you will positively love it here." I agree.
"Come, join us, we are just showing them around." Steve says.
"Oh, no I am sure she has more important things to do" Sarah says back to Steve, moving her hand to his chest to reduce whatever tension were between them.
"Well, I believe that she has not seen the monument in which the entire fellowship of the sun is based upon." Steve insists.
"Annabella does not need to see that, I can show her another time." Sarah says back her voice becoming firm towards the end.
Steve continues on with his stretched out smile.
"Now, Sarah. I am sure Annabella will love it just as much. After all she is family, she must come have a look at it." Steve replies back removing Sarah's hand from his chest.

OK, this is definitely strange. I begin to edge away.
"It was nice meeting you, Holly, Rufus. But I think I am going to go now. " I say back.
"Nonsense" Steve says and grabs me by the arm, he motions to the doors which open fully into the main area of the church.

"Be careful now." Steve says his back to the door, his hand still holding my arm.
"Careful? About What?" Rufus replies looking to Holly before looking back to Sarah and Steve.

"Sometimes when we open these doors so much love comes out that it will just knock you right down, if you're not ready for it." Steve continues on.
What a load of rubbish. I wonder what the hell Steve and Sarah are up to. I am not liking where this is going. And what monument is Steve talking about. I thought the fellow ship was built upon his fathers grave or something.

"We'll be sure to brace ourselves" Holly replies.
Steve adjusts his grip on my arm and loosens his hold enough for me to move my arm away and step back slightly, just as Steve and Sarah pull the wooden carved doors open. The light filters through the large windows, and makes Holly and Rufus blink. It is quite bring, especially are times such as sunrise and sunset. The large windows light up the entire room, and cast the room in a warm hue. I suppose to outsiders it can look quite breath-taking and ethereal at first glance. The room, consists of aisles of dark oak benches and a stage to the front. I myself find this room rather bleak. I prefer open areas surrounded by wood which is actually alive and not moulded into a specific shape.
"oh, my gosh" Holly whispers slowly entering the room. I follow behind them giving way, and being pushed along in the process by Steve.

"I just love it in here, the way it glows" Sarah exclaims.
"But nothing beats the glow of the morning sun filtering through the windows. Isn't it amazing!" She continues on.

They come to stop in the middle of the aisle, and Rufus turns to Holly.
"This is perfect. I can't wait to see you walk down this aisle."
I roll my eyes, corny much. Today just needs to hurry up already so I can Godric out of here.

I move away from the aisle to the side, and and pull my phone out of my pocket to check the time. It was just after 11am, I had another 7 hours until sun-down. I hope Godric is OK, perhaps I should have placed the silver back on him, what if they find out that I took the silver off. All I can picture is Godric tied up with silver and it makes my heart clench.
No, I made the correct decision leaving the silver off. No being should be treated as they are treating Godric.

Holly whips her head around to look at me, with that creepy smile still attached to her face. I raise my eyebrow at her, what is her problem.

"How about you stay for the Lock-In?" Steve suggests.

"That's tonight?" I exclaim. I thought this was going to be another night, not tonight. I don't have enough time. I need to get Godric out. No, no no. I feel panic take hold of my heart, and my wings flutter even more on my back. Steve grabs my arm and gives it a squeeze, and his eyes glare into mine.

"No Annabella, we are having the Lock-In tomorrow night, however it is always good to be prepared, everyone is coming over. And it will give the couple a chance to meet like minded people of God." He turns back around to face Holly and Rufus.

"A Lock-In?" Holly inquires, her smile fading, and her head slightly turning to the side.

"Yes, it will be a fun event. Everyone will bring there sleeping bags and we eat, and have games, Bible readings." I feel like all I ever do is roll my eyes. The Lock-In sounds like a load of crap to me. I always hate the idea of being forced into something that I do not believe in. However if the Lock-In tomorrow night is going to be the time in which they plan to use Godric, then that leaves me with very little options. I need to contact this Eric Northman as soon as possible.
My mind flickers through a variety of possibilities. Should I have left a message with that women on the phone. Or should I just text Eric.
No, I cannot do that. And say what? Oh hey Eric, I know you don't know me, but my crazy uncle and aunt have you maker in the basement and he won't leave willingly. No...I can't do that? Can I?

I am pulled out of my short lived musings by Steve and hearing my name being mentioned.
"We all spend the night on cots, Sarah and myself included. And this year Annabella will be joining us. Doesn't that sound like fun?" Steve continues on.
Holly turns back to Rufus and says.
"Oh Rufus, we gotta go get our sleeping bags."
Rufus nods his head, as Holly continues on.
"We gotta make sure we can get sorted in time for the Lock-Down."
At this point my phone starts ringing. I look down and check to see who it is, as Steve emphasis that the Lock-In, won't be happening till tomorrow night.

Turning to Sarah, "May I leave now? My friend is calling me?" Sarah nods her head, and I move to make my way.
"It was lovely meeting you, but I will be on my way now. I hope to see you again soon." With that I make my way back down the aisle towards the church doors, my arm feeling achy from the pressure of Steves' grip. Why was he holding on so tight. Briefly as I open the doors, I hear Steve introducing the happy odd couple to Gabe.

Well that was strange. I push open the doors just as my phone stops ringing. Noticing that it was Jordan who called.

I text him back.

'Hey Jordan,
Sorry missed your call, whats up?

~bella'

I edge towards the woods, thankfully my gut feeling has calmed down the further away I move from the church. Passing by some the fellowship soldiers still working on the stage.

'Nothing much,
just wanted to check on you.
I have missed you.

~Jordan'

Huh.

'What is really up?

~bella'

I reply back.

'Okay, you got me.
Guess who I have in my bed right now.
Thats right the one and only blonde goddess.

~Jordan'

I roll my eyes. Of course Jordan will want to show-off the fact he slept with Mike. I wrinkle my nose.

'Congrats, although blonde goddess... really?
Hardly.
:)

~bella'

I place my phone back in my pocket and walk further into the woods. My back is itching for some action. Being outside always feels like home. I love the feeling of the natural carpet of grass under my feet, and the birds singing in the trees. I can feel the draw of the animals coming to me, and the movement of butterflys coming closer.

I walk further into the woods, the church far in the distance, as I come upon a clearing, being surrounded by the trees and a small muggy lake a meter or so away. Perfect. I sit down for a little while, just enjoying the calmness of the breeze and the trees slight swaying. It is not long before I hear the movement in the bushes, I tense up a little, but relax back down when I realise it is just a Hare.
The ground is slightly damp from the lake, but not enough to deter me away from the scene. The Hare is an off light brown colour, with little specs of grey and mud gathered around its paws and fur from the obvious adventures in the bushes. I lay my hand out, slowly not to startle the little thing, and it makes its way closer. The little animal, edges closer, and sniffs my hand. The ears of the Hare stuck to his head as he analyses my scent. The long silver whiskers of the Hare brushing against my fingers.
The Hare recognising I am not going to hurt it, comes closer to my side, pausing looking up at me, before laying against me.
Strangely enough, this is a normal occurrence for me. I must have a draw that the animals seem to like. I run my hand over the head and down the back, it tenses slightly before giving in. His stance still like he could pounce away, but calm enough to accept the attention.
After a short while, a heavy breeze disturbs the environment picking up leaves and throwing them around and into the lake. The Hare picks up his head and takes off back into the bushes.
Looking around, the itch has become impossible to ignore. I lift my shirt up and over my head, and fold it neatly onto the grass floor. Following through with my bra. With a breath I let them release. It starts as a small shiver at the base of my spine, and it spreads up my back. It is similar to a need to stretch with your arms. Except they sprout from my back, and stretch all the way out, the ivory feathers ruffling in release. I can feel my whole being relaxing down, my span spreading almost 6ft in length.
What a relief to have them out and not confined.

Hey guys, sorry about the lack of updates. I will be fully updating this story and rewriting previous chapters. I will most likely do this as I continue to post. It should not change too much.

Updates will arrive quicker on my blog bleedingredpaint dot wordpress dot com however they are in progress of being rewritten as well. If the link does not display, you can find the link on my profile page or search for me in wordpress using my pen-name.

As of now regular updates can be expected till Meet Me Halfway is finalised

Please Enjoy! And Thank You for sticking with me! We are getting to the good stuff

Next chapter: Expect to find out more about Annabella and abilities, and what is up with Steve and Sarah, and can she get Godric out of there in time

~BleedingRedPaint