Ok, I know I just put a chapter up, but I decided to jst decided to pu this one up...so yeah. Hope you like it. Sorry I didn't do this last chapter, but props to clumsynconverse for being an amazing beta. Read on please.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Nina and her friends.

Rain fell from the sky, concealing the endless flow of tears running down Nina's cheeks. She had just left the infirmary. Riley was still there, saying his farewells to his sister. Cain had died. She had rejected the change. All because Nina hadn't gotten there in time. If Nina had hurried up Cain would be, well, alive. But no, she had to pause for breath, energy leaving her as Cain started to fade. That time had been valuable and she wasted it. The nurse had been surprised Cain had held on as long as she did.

This wasn't supposed to happen, not to Cain. Nina was the one with no direction. Cain had a plan. She had wanted to become a marine biologist, go to Australia and study the Coral Reef. Cain was so full of life and to watch that life just…evaporate, it was hard to comprehend. Nina knew there were two truths. One, it was her fault, and two, she shouldn't have died.

So with guilt swimming through her mind, Nina walked around the school grounds, aimlessly. The school used to be a plantation in the 1800s. It had been one of the first southern plantations to free it's slaves. The owner also gave them money and let them read and write. It had been empty and decrepit until House of Night came around. They fixed it up and added additions. (Now the main house was a school and had boarding for fledglings.) After two years they would move to the secondary housing, an old horse barn that had been converted into dorms.

Nina was wondering the old fields, the ones that the school wasn't using to grow their organic food. She was near the horses paddock right now, a forest bordering it. The red head watched the equestrian teacher take the horses in. The storm had escalated as thunder claps and lightning ripped through the sky. Nina couldn't complain, the weather mirrored her mood; sad, tired, angry. Looking back, she could still see the school, she wasn't far enough yet.

Once the coast was clear, she hopped the paddock's fence and ran to the other side, burning the little bit of energy she had left. Jumping over the other side, Nina walked through the forest.

Trees grew close together here and she couldn't see the school or anything resembling civilization. The only noise that could be heard was the steady pattering of rain on the trees. Eyes fluttering shut, calm settled on her as she let her hands trail on the trees, walking an invisible path.

Nina had never been out in the wild, until now. She had been a city girl for most of her life, only the seeing trees lined up at the mall. But out here, the Middle of Nowhere Ville, she felt at peace, like she belonged here. Cain would have liked it here, she thought. Immediately her eyes flew open and she choked on tears.

CRACK!

Before she could even move, something hit her. Falling to the ground, Nina felt a sharp pain go through her lankle. Looking down, Nina saw that a huge branch had fallen on her, great. Even better, a little branch coming off of the humongous one was sticking into her stomach, just perfect.

Letting her head thud to the ground, Nina let rain wash over her face as painful, hysterical laughter racked her body. This was the worse day ever, she could almost see Sponge Bob singing it now.

Eventually her laughter ended, she realized that her limbs felt weak, her head dizzy. She had lost a lot of blood. At least she would die somewhere she liked, and not a hospital. A shiver ran through her body at the prospect. Laying her head back down, Nina prepared for the ultimate nap. She had nothing left here, everyone she cared about was gone.

What about Riley, Jordan, Mom, Jake? a little voice asked. Her eyes flew open. Fear and adrenaline started to pump through her body. She couldn't leave them, especially Jake. He had already lost his father, he couldn't lose his sister too. It would rip him apart. No, no way in hell, she was not leaving him like dad had left her.

Gripping the branch, she lifted it out of her, but when she tried to move it to the side her arms wouldn't hold the weight. It fell back on her, luckily she had maneuvered it so the branch didn't stab her again. Groaning, the fledging screamed in anger, letting her anguish out as thunder rumbled in response, lightning flashing faster.

Cain had died. She had let people down and now she was going to die and do the exact same thing to Jake. Breathing hard, Nina glared at the darkening sky as the rain came down harder, the wind picking up.

Then she felt it, a wetness on her face that wasn't rain. Turning her head to the side she saw big hazel eyes staring back at her. It was a wolf cub, weird, but how could this day get any weirder? It whimpered and licked her face again. It whimpered again, she noticed it's paw was raised, injured. The poor thing had been separated from it's mother probably.

Nina was going to die, she knew it, but she was not going to leave that poor defenseless pup alone, she just wasn't.

Using what little adrenaline she had left, Nina lifted the branch again, pleading to Nyx it would come off her. As she got to pushing it to the side her arms started to wobble and pain shot through her stomach. Thinking of her brother, mother, and the wolf pup, Nina gave one last heave. The branch fell with a thump at the bottom of her feet.

Sliding over, she reached a tree trunk, leaning against it, relaxing. Blood poured from her wound, it was the size of a quarter from the looks of it, but boy could it bleed. The little wolf came over and nuzzled it's head next to her until she lifted her arm and let him rest in between her body and arm. A small smile came over her face as it licked her arm, it reminded her so much of Jacob.

Jakie, she couldn't leave him alone. But how was she going to get out of here. Stupidest idea ever, going into a forest alone. Sighing, Nina glanced at her stomach. The blood loss was making her vision blurry, but Nina could still make out the red liquid gushing from the wound, it didn't want to stop. Stupid blood.

Shutting her eyes, Nina let her head thump back against the trunk. She wished…..she wished so many things, but nothing would happen if she just wished for them. There was no point to wishing, she was going to die, that's it. Jake and Mom would have to deal with another-

No, happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts, Nina told herself. The cub licked her fingers, making her laugh painfully, placing her hands on the wound.

Life was so beautiful, even as one slipped away another was born. Jacob would say she was being angsty but it was true, everything had a purpose. The earth was the ultimate life giver, creating and destroying in it's wake. Another thought flashed in her mind, her dad bringing her to the park. The sun would always be shining on those days, birds would sing to them, and they would laugh all day. That was a good time, she hoped Jacob had days like those. Just thinking about that happiness spread warmth through her body, as if the sun from her memories was warming her now.

Maybe that's what heaven is, just a big sunny park. Was this death? Had she died? No rain was falling anymore and it felt like the sun was out. But then Nina felt a lick on her palm and a tickling on her stomach, wet cloth stuck to her skin. Sucking in a deep breath, Nina felt no pain, odd.

Her eyes fluttered open, the red head rolled her head so she could see her gorged out stomach. To her shock nothing was there, blood was still on her, but no more was gushing out. Where the hole had been was now smooth skin and….receding roots.

Yelping, Nina scooted from the tree as the roots that had healed her flowed away and settled back into the earth. Trying to stand, Nina felt a sharp pain in her ankle, guess the magic tree didn't fix that.

Grasping at dirt, Nina let out a long breath, shifting her weight. The wolf pup barked and ran off into the trees, traitor, Nina thought. Looking up she noticed the sky had cleared, the sun was out and shining on her face, drying her wet hair.

That's when it hit her, she was alive. Her ankle was broken, but that wasn't life threatening. Nina smiled and laid back on a bed of moss. Cain was still dead but Nina had a family she needed to be there for too. I think I'll lie her, juts for a while, she thought, tired.

Relaxing into the earth, Nina never felt more at home. Vines seemed to wrap around her fingers, moss grew and tangled in her hair, roots seemed to caress her skin. It was utter bliss, letting everything go and following her instincts. She didn't scream as more vines wrapped around her arms, trying to touch as much of her as possible.

A crunch could be heard from nearby along with a yelp. Nina snapped back to reality, shooting up and mentally ordering the plants off her. They receded, although reluctantly. Eventually Nina was alone, she felt exposed with out her new friends, they had spoken to her, telling her how much they loved her and that she would never be alone. Now she was alone, until, with a great crack, Professor Night stepped into the clearing. As he broke a branch, Nina cringed, as if feeling her own arm being injured.

"Ms. Watson." he started, not in a reprimanding tone, more worried.

"Hola." Nina said casually, leaning back against a tree.

"You-bu- wha?" he stuttered, expecting a timid apology or something, not a relaxed greeting.

"I wandered from school, I know. No need for lectures." she said nonchalantly.

"I know but…your bleeding." he said, his face becoming serious as he strode to her side, kneeling. "What happened?" he asked, giving her a penetrating look.

"Uh, the branch fell on me. But it was just a flesh wound." her response was unsure.

"Doesn't look like a flesh wound." he commented. "That's enough blood to kill someone."

"Well….well… you see….my ankles broken too." she said, trying to distract him. Luckily a bark came from behind him, the wolf cub from before rushed around. Jumping into her lap, he licked her stomach, exactly where the hole had been.

"Uh hey doggy, you need to go to your Mommy now. I have to go get my ankle painfully popped back into place." Nina said, waving her hands, she added, "So uh, shoo." The thing had the audacity to stare at her like she was insane.

"I do believe he has chosen you." Erik said, amused as the wolf yapped and licked the girl's face.

"Seriously? Now? A wolf?" she asked, "Why can I never be normal." she groaned. "Can you please get me back to the school, I really need some aspirin, today has sucked."

"Sure, but the wolf walks." he added, scooping the girl up. "You also might want to think of a better cover story, no one's going to believe it was only a flesh wound." he said nonchalantly.

"Thanks Prof." she said sarcastically. Chuckling, Erik sped up and they were across the field and in the infirmary within five minutes. Nina glanced at the end bed, Cain had died there. The sheets were crisp and clean, the room smelled of sterilization instead of blood. It was as if Cain's episode had been wiped from existence.

"What do we have here?" the nurse asked, making sure to give Erik a flirty smile first.

"Tripped in the forest, twisted my ankle, my nose was bleeding too but it stopped." Thankfully, Mr. Night made no comment, silently watching one of his drama students.

"Tut tut, I hope that teaches you a lesson." the woman reprimanded, "I'll need you to take your jacket of for me, dear. I need to do some tests if you were out in that storm. Did you hear it Professor Night? That was one heck of a storm, here and then gone." she commented, walking out of the room to get supplies.

"Yep" he said, crossing his arms as Nina slipped her black jacket off, revealing her green tank top. Erik's eyes widened as he noticed the tattoos spreading up her arms. The design was beautiful, it was like vines were wrapping up her arms, twisting and disappearing behind her shoulders. The left arm was covered with them, wrapping around her wrist then ending, a few small flowers scattered with the leaves. While the right had vines twisting around her index finger then continuing up her arm. All the tattoos were a mystifying green, unlike the usual blue.

"What the…" the girl started, staring down at her arms in shock. Thinking fast, Erik took her jacket and shoved it at her.

"Put it back on, quick." he ordered. Nina did as she was told, numb with shock.

Only adult vamps had tattoos, and her mark wasn't full, or someone would have commented by now. Nina's mind was jumbled with thoughts, why did she have tattoos? How had her wound really healed? Had she done it? And, now that she thought about it, why had those plants talked to her? Why had they seemed to come alive around her? Even if she had an affinity for plants, she shouldn't have tats all over her. What the hell was going on?

All those questions flowed through her mind as Erik conversed with the nurse. He convinced her that Nina didn't need any test run, just her ankle fixed. A half hour later, the two exited the room, Nina on crutches, still enveloped in her own thoughts. Limping away, she didn't notice Mr. Night staring at her hard, or how he took a cell phone out a few seoconds later.

Reveiw please, thanks