Brooklyn was dreaming. She didn't know what in particular, but she loved it. Nothing could ruin this for her. Well, unless she woke up, but that wouldn't be for a while.
Looking around, she saw vast open spaces of dark fields caused by the night. The full moon was silver and high above her with sparkles around it. Clouds were shimmering over, it giving it more beauty. She was awed by it, nothing was more beautiful than this right now.
Sniffing the air, she could smell the moist grass and the earlier rain. How could she smell that so strongly? She looked at her surroundings again. The dark fields led to nowhere in particular and their was nothing else surrounding her. Her head went down and she saw grey and white paws. Why were there grey and white paws? She tried to speak but it came as a low bark.
'Am I a wolf?…' She thought with a bit of confusion.
'Yes you are.' An odd male voice replied to her left. She looked to the left and saw a large white wolf with blue eyes.
'Who are you?' Brook asked looking at her visitor. She could tell that male next to her wasn't dangerous or else she would have sensed it.
'Ashton.' He answered.
'Brooklyn.' She offered her name without question. He seemed familiar to her in a weird way but she shrugged it off. 'What are you doing here?' There was nothing in the question except curiosity. What was this guy doing inside her head? She didn't like anyone in her mind except Francesca.
'Just thought I could join you for a run.' Ashton replied in a deep calm tone. Her mind became quizzical at the answer so she searched his mind for any threats. She wasn't about to trust anyone just yet. Not after what she's been through, but all she found was a deep soothing calm. No threat whatsoever.
'Alright, lets go.' She responded with a nod of her head ahead of her. He responded with a dash out leap in front of her.
They ran through the vast open fields in the night. There was no direction to anywhere. They were just content on running to nowhere with only the moon being their guide, shining down on them and running with them. Brook felt the freedom in her and nohting else. No fear, sadness, sorrow, or even her insanity she felt. The only thing she felt was freedom and piece. It was even better with her mysterious companion whom she didn't know. That should have frightened her, but it didn't. In an odd sense, he made her feel safe, along with the odd connection she felt with him. But again, she shrugged it off. It wasn't important right now.
All too soon, the dream was shattered by something. Whatever it was, she wanted to curse at it really bad but once she opened her eyes, she saw that it was a young looking girl around her age and was a little startled by her presence. She jumped up in a sitting position.
"Who are you?" Brook asked. The girl stared at her for a few seconds before answering.
Skyler studied her for a few moments. The girl looked startled and a bit scared at her presence giving the fact that girl didn't who she was. Gabriel and Francesca told her about the girl and what had happened to her. It surprised to her. She thought that she would never find anyone like her other than the Carpathian people. She wanted someone she could relate to, just not any males. Females she could deal with.
Francesca and Gabriel talked about adopting Brook. She didn't know how she felt about it so she decided to meet her. "Skyler. What's your name?" She answered. She already knew her name but asked anyway.
Brook observed Skyler. She didn't feel threatened by her presence, she looked her age or a little bit older. Probably fifteen or sixteen. She thought that Skyler was pretty with her long black her and big grey eyes that looked too old for her innocent face, she was a little bit taller than her. She could tell that she has seen a lot and been through a lot in her life.
"Brooklyn." She took the protective cover's off her lap to stand up and stretch her legs.
"Are you hungry?" She heard Skyler ask. As if on cue, her stomach growled in response. Skyler giggled, then said, "Come on, I'll fix you something." Brook followed smiling. She was liking Skyler, which was strange for her since she hasn't been around anyone for seven years.
"How do you know Francesca?" Brook asked, watching her poor a bowl of cereal.
"She's like my mother, along with her husband, Gabriel who is like my father." She answered. Furrowing her brows, she asked, "Who's Gabriel?"
"Francesca's husband." Skyler could feel that Brook didn't like the idea of being near a male. "Don't worry about him, he's a really good person." She assured the young girl.
"Really?" She said, happy for the assurance.
"Yeah, he's harmless." Skyler gave her the bowl of Fruity Pebbles for her to eat. "Here, eat this. It's my favorite type of cereal. It's really good." Brook sat down, scooting the bowl towards herself a bit.
"Thank you." Brook said softly, giving her a smile with just a quirk of her lips then began eating the food.
"So, how old are you?" Skyler asked, starting up a conversation. She didn't pay attention to the tattered clothes she was wearing.
"Fourteen. How old are you?"
"Sixteen." Skyler didn't talk to people this easily unless it was Joseph or one of Falcon's and Sara's children, she wanted Brook to get comfortable around her.
"What are Francesca and Gabriel like?" She asked taking another bite of her food.
"They are the best people you will ever know. They adopted me when I was your age. Francesca is a mother figure to me, and Gabriel is like father figure to me when I didn't have a good dad." Skyler answered her question in all honesty. Brook stopped eating for a second to reflect on her words. "They are really nice people, you will really like them alot." She added.
"You think so?" She was more than halfway done with her food. "Yes."
"If you don't mind me asking, why did they adopt you?" She asked with curiosity. Looking at the bruises on her face and neck, Skyler was a little hesitant to answer.
"Because my father abused me." She said shortly. "Did you know your mother?" Brook asked looking at her with big forest-green eyes. Skyler found her eyes a little odd since you didn't see that color normally in people's eyes but she also found them pretty. Her knotted dark brown hair went down to her waist. Her features reminded her of nature.
"Yes. I loved my mother. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. Do you know your parents?" Brook was finished with her cereal, she picked up the bowl to gulp down the milk to give her time to answer. She didn't want to talk about her parents, but she wanted to confide in someone, anyone that would understand and Skyler seemed like she would understand better than anyone.
"Yes. I had loving parents. The last time I saw them was when I was seven." She stopped at that point, it was too hard to talk about.
Skyler sensed that she didn't want to talk about her parents, being it too hard to think about so she left it at that. "Okay." She said. She offered her more food but the girl declined. She was really thin but she could see why she didn't want anymore food, if you've been starved you can take in so much at a time before you puke it up.
Changing the subject to a more pleasant one, Skyler asked, "You looked like you were have a good dream, what was it about?" Brook didn't know if she wanted to answer. Skyler sat down across the table from her.
"Oh, um, it was just a good dream, that's all." Brook answered with unsurity. Skyler knitted her brows together. She knew the dream wasn't anything sexual, just peaceful. She could understand why she didn't want to share her dream with anyone. It was her peace, no one else's.
"Okay, do you want to get a shower?" She asked, letting go of the earlier subject. Brook got a smile on her face like she offered her a nice big peace of chocolate.
"Yes I would, thank you very much." Getting up, Skyler lead her to the bathroom.
"Ok, wait here and I'll give you some of my clothes to wear. Some of them have grown to be too small for me." She went to her room and got out a pair of dark jeans, and a t-shirt along with a sports bra and underwear. She might find the sports bra better than an under-wire, or one that hooked in the back. She went back to the bathroom.
"Here you go, these should fit you. You were my height when I was younger." She said, giving a smile. Going to the bathroom cabinet she got out a towel and wash rag, then showed her how to work the knobs on the shower but Brook preferred to take a bath. She left her to take her bath.
"Thank you, Skyler." Brook said with appreciation. "Your welcome, Brook." With that, she left.
Brook worked the knobs to a comfortable temperature, and got in to the tub with a sigh of relief. Grabbing the shampoo that smelled like lavender, she scrubbed the years old dirt form her long hair in circular motions. Then grabbed the wash rag, dunked it in the tub, and squeezed the heavy water from it. She then, scrubbed the bar of soap from it. She scrubbed her body from head to toe but was careful with the bruises making sure she didn't add much pressure on them. After she was done with cleaning herself, she soaked in the tub a little longer. Getting out, she dried herself off with the soft cotton towel, then put on the clothes that Skyler got for her.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she walked down a hall that lead into the living room seeing Francesca, and Skyler whom she smiled at. She saw a male, where her smile stopped. He was a big guy with black hair, and dark eyes that looked black with sharp, hansom, angles to his face.
Francesca got up from the couch they were sitting on. "Skyler, this is Gabriel, my husband." Francesca introduced with a small smile. He didn't seem to pose a threat, and she couldn't feel any stench of evil coming off of him. Looking at him, his eyes held a kindness like Francesca's. If Francesca and Skyler like him, then she could too. They were smart people. But she was still a little shaky about the guy. For reassurance, she began to search his mind for any sign of threat. She knew that he was different like Francesca the moment she entered his mind. His mind was completely open to hers letting her search his mind.
He knew what she was doing, he was only allowing her to see what she wanted her to see. He wanted her to be comfortable around him so thats we he did. Just let her see into his mind a bit. She didn't find any sign that he was a threat.
'Anything could be decieving.' She thougth to herself.
"Hi." She attempted at talking to them.
"Feel better?" Skyler asked smiling.
"Yes, thank you." She answered. Skyler got up from the couch and walked over to Brook. "Come on, I'll show you my room." She hooked her arm through Brooks and lead her to her room.
Francesca and Gabriel:
"She seems pretty shaky around me." Gabriel observed after Skyler and Brook left.
"Yea, she does. But she'll get used to you. Plus you let her look into your mind." Francesca informed her lifemate. She snuggled up to him with him putting his arm around her.
"I know she will. I'll talk to her when I get the chance too." He sighed.
"Skyler likes her so that's a sign that we don't have a problem with adopting her." Francesca smiled and layed her head on his chest.
"That's good because Skyler doesn't talk to anyone except for me, you, and a few of the Carpathians. She does like Joseph though and a few of Sara and Falcons children." Gabriel explained.
Informing Gabriel, she said, "Yes, she does and she likes Brook. I think she likes the idea of having a little sister figure around. It's good for her." She got up from the couch and stretched.
"You better go to the hospital. You have alot of patients to cure." He said, smiling. "Ok then, try talking to Brook this evening if you can." She suggested before getting ready for the hospital.
Skyler went to the hospital with Francesca. She has always been fascinated at how she heals her patients, so she went with her. Plus she like helping out with the patients. Brook was still in Skylers room probably laying down. She would be really tired so he let her sleep for a few hours.
Gabriel:
With Gabriel's enhanced hearing, he heard the girl get up and start walking around Skyler's room. This would be his chance to talk to her, hopefully. He got up from the tan couch and went to Skyler's room, knocking on her door.
"Skyler, can I come in?" He asked, knocking on the door. He heard movements going on, she was sitting on the bed. "Yeah." She yelled. He opened the door, and saw the girl sitting on the Skyler's white bed.
"Hey." He said. The girl was twirling her fingers in nervousness with her head down. She looked up with her big, forest green-eyes peeking a look at him. "Hi." She replied, her voice low.
"Can I sit down?" He asked with a small smile to cut down her nervousness. "Sure. It's your house." She answered. She picked up the covers and set them on her lap for something to twirl her fingers in. She liked the feel of Skyler's blankets. They were soft and comfortable, they feel of them made her feel safe in a weird way.
Gabriel sat down beside her but gave her space so she didn't feel crowded. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked softly, getting straight to the topic. Looking up at him, she answered, playing with the cover in her scarred hands, "Not really." Her tone was low and she looked down again.
"You seem to be a little suspicious around me." He informed from his earlier observations.
"Yea, I am. But thats only because..." She paused, unsure if she should go on. "Go on. You can tell me." Gabriel prompted. Brook studied his face for a moment before continueing. "You remind of the thing that took me." She stopped, waiting for his reaction.
Gabriel was a little shocked at what she said. From what he read of Francesca, he could see why since most Carpathian males resemble each other in a way. He took her hand and said, "You don't ever have to worry about me hurting you, little one. I am incapable of doing that." He reassured her with his voice.
Brook believed what he said, and she didn't feel suspicious towards him. "Ok, I believe you." She said with a smile appearing on her pale face. She could tell that he meant it in his voice. She like the sound of his voice. It was...soothing. He smiled, showing white perfect teeth. He really had a charming smile and he used it shamelessly. He let go of her hand.
"Gabirel, can I ask you something?" She asked with a quizical look on her bruised face.
"Yes."
She shifted on the bed, turning towards him. "I've noticed when Francesca was somehow healing me, she was different and I can tell that your different too. How are is that possible?" Her face was quizzical while waiting for an answer. He would have to tell her how they were different sooner or later.
"We have gifts like some people do. Francesca can heal people and I can do the same. We can also read minds." Brook looked amazed at what he was telling her. "Do you have gifts like we do?" He asked softly.
Brook was debating whether or not she should tell him. "Yes, I can somehow start fire with my mind, and read people's mind. It's weird, and freaks me out." She answered.
Gabriel could tell that she was getting comfotable talking to him. "You don't have to be freaked out by who you are. Your gifts have probably helped you in someway." He assured her.
"Yeah, they have. In a way that I'm not proud of." She said with a tint of sadness.
"How?" He asked. She was silent for a moment before answering. "I don't know if you will believe me. Francesca already knows."
"You can tell me anything and I will believe you." he said taking her hand. "You know, another one of my gifts is seeing into other peoples minds." She looked up at his face shocked. "Really?" She asked, with a smile. He nodded.
"So if you want, you can show me." He offered. The girl became quiet. She knew that he wasn't threat to her in any way but she wasn't sure if she wanted someone inside her mind. But she was beginning to trust him. He sat their waiting for her to answer patiently. "Ok." She finally agreed.
"Give me your hands." He took both her hands and captured her gaze with his.
He startled Brook with his cheerful laughter in her mind. "Hello, I can hear you." She laughed. "I can hear you too." He responded with his same cheerful laughter. He searched through her mind seeing everything that Francesca saw. She had destroyed the vampire, and he respected her for her courage and bravery. She has been abused the same way that Skyler was. He let go of her mind and hands.
"You are very lucky to get away and destroy that vampire." He said. The way that she was looking down, she was waiting for him to condemn her. He caught her chin between his finger and thumb making her look at him and said, "You do not have to be ashamed of what you've done. You are very brave and courageous. Don't ever condemn yourself for doing what needed to be done." She smiled at what he said. Letting her go, she hugged him. This was a good time to talk about the adoption.
"What would think about living here with us?" He asked.
"You mean, you, Francesca, and Skyler?" She asked, shocked at his question. He nodded. She got the biggest smile on her face she could manage. "That would be a yes." He laughed.
They talked a few more minutes before leaving Brook. As he was walking out the door, Brook called his name. He looked back at her. "Thank you." She said with a soft smile before laying down on the bed with her back to him. He left the room.
She was beginning to heal, not much, but it's a start.
Francesca and Skyler came home a few hours later, around eleven. Skyler went to bed as soon as she walked in the door.
"How did everything go?" Francesca asked as soon as they were in their chamber.
"It went well, she's not suspicious of me anymore." Gabriel answered.
"That's good." She walked over into his arms.
"I talked to her about the adoption. She wants to live with us." Francesca smiled at the good news.
"We have another permanent member in our family."
"Yes we do, and we couldn't be happier." They buried themselves beneath the earth, nourished, with their arms surrounding each other.
-End of chapter-
I think this chapter was longer than the last one. For that, I'm sorry. This chapter was meant to introduce Ashton. Anyways, Please R&R. Your allowed to critisize. Just tell me what you think.
