I was planning on not updating until I got another review, but I didn't want anybody dying from suspense. I wouldn't get any reads that way, would I?

Elizabeth was panting when she awoke, having dreamt of an ecstasy she hadn't felt since her husband's death. Her mouth nearly watered at the thought of that creature. She hadn't seen his face, but he'd been strong, more so than Jonathan, his embrace the sweetest thing she'd ever felt. She remembered the fire when he'd kissed her, the captivating heat of his body pressed against hers. The last thing she recalled before waking up was his eyes, his loving gaze that was so dark and mysterious. But where have I seen them before?

She turned to face the window, seeing the sky was still dark. She still wasn't sure how she felt about Justin, the one who had saved her, more than once, who had protected her in so many ways. She sighed, again recalling their short talk in the library. She'd trusted him with so much, without thinking twice. He was just so caring, so gentle and so easy to talk to. Recalling that made her remember Isabella, Justin's niece, who'd explained to her that he was one of the most sought-after guys in the community. She'd figured out quickly that it was more than just his looks. He was truly a kind and tender soul.

But he can be dangerous, too. She was forced to recall their last few hours together, when he'd saved her from Jenner. He'd handled his blade as though it were paper, able to fight back even with the evil rat's full weight upon him. It surprised her, since he was so thin, and the thought made her laugh. Her heart longed to see him again, to see how much he had changed, what he doing to lead his new home.

My children are more important. In that brief respite she'd completely forgotten the issue at hand, what she was going to do to find her missing child. She just hoped she'd be able to handle what the future brought, no matter what path it decided to take. With that, she fell back into a troubled sleep.

She awoke again at Cynthia's cry. The little girl dashed in her room, holding a shred of cloth in her hands. "R-Resa gone, mommy," she sobbed.

"What?" Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, forgetting her cape as she knelt before her youngest child. "Cynthia, what do you mean, your sister's gone?"

"That big birdie came back," she pointed to the window. "It swoopded down and taked Resa. Then it dropped this." She held out the cloth, which was in fact a piece of Teresa's pink hair ribbon. Elizabeth's eyes stung with tears, but she dared not break down. She couldn't, not now.

"Children," she said, grabbing her cape from its hook. She tied it firmly around her slim neck. Timothy peeked in from the other room. "Get your things. We're going to Thorn Valley."

They cheered, and she set out to get her friend Jeremy. But she wouldn't get the chance. Moments after she exited her house, a large, heavy object struck her skull, knocking her to the ground and in to a world of darkness.

(****)

It felt like days had passed before she awoke, gasping in the night. The air was chill. Her head ached from the wound she'd received, but she paid it no mind as she rushed back inside, only to find the house in a shambles, her two remaining children nowhere to be found. Eyes filling with tears, she dashed back into the dark, only to have a trap form around her, A form in black grasped the handle, inserting a small hose into the only exit. It pushed a strange, foul-smelling smoke in her face, its green hue all but blending with the black plastic walls. She began panting, falling first to her knees, then to her stomach. She held herself up with her hands, liquid falling down her face as she once more fell unconscious.

(****)

Justin gasped, eyes wide. He glanced around wildly in fear, heart pounding in his chest. His muscles were clenched and sweat was dripping from his hair. He was in his room, having just suffered a nightmare. It involved Elizabeth, and had started out so beautifully. They'd been together, in a placid place far from any other creatures. They'd been lying on the grassy bank of a small stream, both stripped to fur. She'd been frightened of him, backing away, but then she'd heard his voice, and she'd instantly changed.

Her slim, tender body had fallen in his arms; their lips meeting thoroughly as he'd prepared to make love to her. He'd been on his knees, holding her easily, his gaze locked with hers. But then her face had frozen, beauty melting to reveal an undead monster, with freezing claws and gleaming teeth. He'd tried to back away, but it was stronger than he was. Its eyes had been red, pulsating like the Stone itself. Her loving caress had turned vile, the scent wicked. Then its lips had touched his.

He'd felt his life leave him, forced to watch as his fur turned grey, as his limbs grew thin and brittle. His flesh dissolved, but he remained consious, seeing his bones boil and evaporate, his scream echoing around him as what little remained plunged into hell. The last thing he saw before flames was her face, once again young and beautiful, but with a look of pure evil.

What could it mean? He tossed his sheets aside, knowing he wouldn't sleep again, curling up so his head rested on his knees. He was shaking, with cold and with fear, wishing feverously for an embrace he knew would never come.