The Crossroads


"Hey." Nexie opened up the front door before Godric could knock. "Nexie, how are you?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Skip the chit-chat." She pushed passed him and closed the front door behind her, making her way to the chairs on the porch. Looking at the woman confused, he followed and sat in one of the chairs. "Sorry, Hale moved in and he told me he was appointed by my father so I'm trying not to have him in earshot of this."

Godric nodded. Nexie leaned back in her chair and stared out into the night. "Have you talked to her?"

"I have not. I've called her several times yet, I haven't heard her voice." Godric looked at Nexie as she nodded."Have you?"

Nexie shook her head. It had been well over a week since Alana disappeared. Soon after Hale began looming over Nexie, all of their friends began to move on, never asking Nexie where her dear cousin was. Sam began to search for his family as Sookie went in search for Bill. Tara mourned Eggs and Jason was just being Jason. It pained Nexie, that as everyone who had impacted their lives seemed to become wrapped within their own. Eric would talk to Nexie for a few moments at night and seemed to avoid her like the plague, Pam was more constant than the man she believed to be her companion. Resentment had begun to settle in for Sookie, the near sight of her drove Nexie mad.

Even with Alana's disappearance, Godric still visited often. Though Nexie wouldn't admit it she found it to be comforting and for Godric it was his way to keep an eye of the house ensuring all of their protection.

"I'm gonna show you something. Just trust me, okay?"

Before the 2,000 year old vampire could respond, Nexie grabbed his hand and closed her eyes. He followed her actions and did the same as well.

Dream

Godric opened his eyes and looked around eventually landing his eyes on Nexie. His eyes quickly shifted towards the sun and the wooded area around him.

"It's fine." Nexie stated. "For the past two nights I've been having a weird feeling and it wasn't until today I got this dream."

"A dream?" The vampire asked.

"Well- not really a dream, more like a symbolic premonition." She looked at his confused look and rolled her eyes, "Okay people have different types of dreams: literal, interpreted, and something else. Well this was something else."

Nexie grabbed his hand dragging him to a clearing. Tall spruces seemed to surround them, the smell of spring filled the air. As Godric looked around trying to figure out what Nexie was trying to show him, he was met with the sight of what they both wanted to see. "Is that-"

"Yeah, that's her." Nexie finished his sentence as they watched Alana in a silk robe exit a small cottage. She pulled her hair up in a clip as she hummed to herself, Nexie's eyes were glue to her. Alana seemed as though she was looking in their direction yet, not entirely at them. Nexie looked at him and smiled, "We can see her but she can't see us. Technically we are made of plasma so within the dream world everything is real and we aren't. Just visitors."

They followed Alana towards a small lake. Slowly slipping off her shoes, Alana dropped her robe entering the water. Godric spoke "She isn't turning and yet isn't wearing my pendent."

"Oh it gets even weirder. Trust me." They watched as she stood in the water smiling and humming. The water steamed, as if it was a hot spring one typically found in Norway or Sweden. Godric heard laughter behind him causing him and Nexie to turn back. However, when Nexie turned back she cursed.

Godric looked at her and moved to where Alana was and rose his eyebrows. Alana was no longer young but older. Her hair was a resilient grayish white, wrinkles lightly etched her faces. She slowly slipped on her shoes as she was fully clothed.

"I never see her transition from young to old, there is always another factor that draws my attention away and then bam she ages like 40 years."

"How can she age? Nex-"

"Mémé!" A young girl rushed over her long brown curls bounced as she ran, her younger brother in tow. "Mémé, Francis cut himself out in the woods."

Godric and Nexie watched as Alana cooed at the young boy examining his hand. "Alice go get your father and tell him to get the first aid kit." The brown haired girl nodded quickly running towards the cottage. "Papa!"

"Now, now little one. You will be just fine. Your mémé is going to fix you right up." She said soothingly to the young boy, who seemed to be about three years old. A man well into his thirties ran out catching both Nexie and Godric's attention, in hand was a small box. He was tall with light brown hair and lightly freckled skin. "Mamá, what happened?"

Setting the first aid kit he helped his mother wrap the young boy's hand, "Oh Anders, he's fine. Just a little bump and scratch."

She laid a small kiss on the bindings. Nexie eyes watched Godric in a scene that unfolded many times before to her. She knew Alana would kiss the young boy's hand and would say they would need to clean up before dinner. That she would stand up look in their direction, almost hauntingly at Nexie and then turn back as everyone passed her. She watched as his eyes were glued to Alana, smiling softly yet confused at what was before them.

She could seem him longing for her, even with her aged appearance. To him, she was still magnificent and alluring as she was all those years before.

"Josef should be home soon." It is the last thing she says to her unnamed son before entering the cottage.

End

The world around them went black. Godric and Nexie opened their eyes, looking at one another. The soft hum of crickets filled the air as Nexie let go of his hand.

"What does that mean?"

Nexie shrugged, "I don't really know. All I do know is she is human in the dream." Godric took an unnecessary breath and spoke quietly, "She mentioned Josef.." The lavender haired girl nodded, for she was just as lost about it as he.

He inhaled, she knew the dream had struck a chord with him. 'Josef' the man that had stolen Alana's heart, the man that made her heart soar, tempting her to give it all up for him, the man who broke her heart with his passing. Alana never spoke of him, he had only heard her speak of him once after she woke up from a dream that he was in.

The two stayed silent until she broke the silence once more, "I lied to you earlier. Well- not lied just not informed. I didn't speak to her, I spoke to Marina. She's at her house. She didn't tell me what happened all she said was that she was there and that I should give her some space." Nexie fiddled with the bottom of her shirt as she spoke, "It probably has to do with it having to indirectly do with me, but I think you should go."

He looked at her quizzically thinking back to their last encounter. The one in the woods. He held her as she sobbed and told her that he still loved her. He watched as she stared at him, holding her breath and beginning to cry again. He picked her up, vamping into her house and placing her in bed. She never said a word to him after his declaration. The next day when he awoke, she was gone; Her drawers were open and missing clothes. The only explanation was a letter left on the dresser saying she was summoned to court and had no clue when she would return. A mere 30 words scribbled on a page signed Alana was what was left.

"Perhaps, little one."


Alana sat on the bed looking at the ocean she once called home. It had been two days since she faced the Mirror of Macedonia. Music echoed the halls from her nephew, James' piano lesson, smiling softly she watched the sun slowly set. Dressed in a soft cotton long sleeve and pants, she held her legs to her chest. Marina had cared for her in secret knowing what crimes she could face, if she was harboring someone in exile. Yet, it was probably the most daring thing Marina had done because in her mind, her sister had every right. The young woman had tried to help her sister get back on her feet, it ached her to see Alana for countless hours stare at the ocean with sorrow filling the air.

A soft knock broke the silence, "Come in," Alana said softly. Marina had entered with a small linen blanket in hand. Alana smiled softly at her older sister, "I uh-" Marina spoke quietly matching Alana's. "I thought we might go on a walk? Maybe get some fresh air? Just you and I."

Alana smiled and inhaled deeply and nodded. Marina smiled back and exited the room, agreeing to meet her downstairs. Alana quietly got ready, refusing to think about the past few days. The sun had set by the time she descended the stairs and followed Marina out of the house. The lights twinkled around her from lanterns and the insides of their neighbors homes. It was a sight she missed daily when she moved to Bon Temps but that's what made it special to her. "You know Alana, you will have to return home soon. You can't forget your life that you have there." Marina was the first to speak. The young woman stared at the ground as she spoke, "I love you but it kills me to see you like this."

"I know," Alana said breathlessly.

"You know.." Marina stopped in her tracks, just by the terrace that overlooked the water. "Just because you don't have your powers, doesn't mean you are any less than."

"She's right." The two women turned around to see their eldest sister approach them. Marina smiled at the icy blonde, which Cleo reciprocated. "Alana, if you believe you are nothing without your powers then you never deserved them to begin with."

Cleo sported an all black outfit, looking as if she had been at work. Standing next to her sweeter counterpart, Marina screamed schoolteacher and house wife with her long golden hair trailing down her back and vintage sundress. Cleo was always one for tough love where Marina was softer with her words, like a caring mother. Alana had wished she seen them on better terms as of recent.

"What... our dear sister meant by that is, you mean something. Who knows maybe Uncle will look back on his options and not to mention when Nexie becomes Queen she can always reinstate you." Marina smiled softly as the sister's gathered. Alana stared off into the distance as Cleo rolled her eyes. "Yeah I wouldn't hold my breath. Mom was cold but that man is frigid. I'm surprised Aunt Melody came out with some semblance of a heart."

Alana's head quickly turned to Cleo at the mention of their late aunt. "Why are you here? I thought you were in London?"

"I was but I was called to court. We all were. Apparently Uncle is out for blood." Alana nodded at Cleo's remark. She chewed on her lip as her sister chose to sit down on the bench before them. "I was just telling Alana that maybe it's time to go home and reintegrate herself back into her old routine." Marina informed Cleo as she sat on the bench next to her.

"And get asked by her friends what happened and subjecting herself to spill all the details?"

Marina breathed in deeply, believing Cleo was only making this worse. "No, she needs to get back into it. Sitting in her room all day and barely eating isn't doing her any good, Cleo. She needs to go work, have drinks with friends, go on dates."

"Dates with who Marina? The brooding vampire? No offense but he hasn't help this situation in the slightest." Before Marina could fire back, Cleo turned her vision to Alana who was standing still staring slightly off to the distance. "Alana, why don't you travel for a while. Sell that little practice and get away. Nothing is holding you down there anymore."

Alana didn't respond yet her sister didn't take any notice of it. She then continued, "How about Berlin? Adrian is there. I'm sure he would love to see his aunt again and it would be new territory. No one knows you there. A fresh start."

Marina clapped her hands as she began to counter Cleo. Alana stayed silent as she considered what she would do next. Bon Temps was where she felt at home for once, not because her tribe was there or she found love but the community itself. Sure she didn't fit in but it seemed as though no one truly fit. Yet, she knew questions would arise and she couldn't find herself to answer any of them. Maybe it was time to leave. All within three months, so much had happened and though it glued her band of friends together maybe this was where she needed to part ways. She looked at Cleo as she fiercely debated with her Marina, she dropped her eyes down. This wasn't how it should be. Only seeing her sisters when things went wrong. Perhaps she should go see Adrian for a time and the venture on.

She had rarely seen Cleo's only child. Her sister wasn't the mothering type but she did love her son fiercely. Appeasing her mother and Uncle, Cleo wed and had her only son. After the death of her husband, she moved to London and raised Adrian. Much like his mother he was calculating yet, ambitious and focused. The young man however, was more soft hearted. Both he and Nexie got along very well, more like siblings than cousins.

"It doesn't matter Marina. The point is, she cannot stay here. Our tribe will catch wind of her exile and once they see her, it will become an issue. Do not make our sister subject herself to more than she has endured."

Marina scoffed, "Yeah I know that but if you think about the technicalities-"

"Enough," Alana said quietly.

"-even if Uncle hears of this, Marina he will-" Cleo cut her off.

"Enough." Alana said more firmly. Both of her sister's turned their heads to her. The sister's shared the same quizzical look as their youngest sister finally removed her eyes from the ocean. "I'll think about it, but I think I know where I should go."

Marina and Cleo stood and offered soft smiles. They nodded, silently agreeing to stop fighting for their sister's sake.