A/N I am so sorry this its been so late since I updated and that this chapter is shorter than I would have liked it to be, but I hope you enjoy it! :) & thank you to my lovely reviewers: CelticH2O, guest, and PandaPuppet You're reviews made my day when I read them and I really hope you like this chapter and review again! :) 3

Chapter 2: Stranger Danger

Emma's P.O.V.

I was woken up at about six o'clock to a weird tingling feeling in the back of my neck. I touched the back of my neck; it was a bit warm but I couldn't feel anything really different about it. The tingling only lasted for about five minutes, so I wasn't too worried about it, but after I was too awake to fall back asleep. Plus, I still had a lot on my mind from yesterday. So I decided to go for a run, like I used to do everyday back when I was on the swim team.

I grabbed my light blue sweat pants, a white tang top, and my gym shoes. I put my hair up in a high ponytail so it wouldn't get in my face. I left a note on the kitchen table, simply saying 'Out for a run – Emma.' I didn't say when I would be back, I didn't really know, but if they needed me they could call me. Then I set off running along the shore.

Sometimes running helps me calm down so I can think things through, and I had a lot to think about now. Multiple questions that I couldn't answer ran through my mind. Was I really a princess? If so, where? Why was I left on an island? Did my parents leave me there, did they not want me? Or was it something beyond their control; are they still looking for me? If Emma is not my real name, what is? If my birthday is really the day I was found, what was the day I was born? Was there any way I could find out who I really am? Was there anyone I could trust? It really frustrated me, having so many questions I had no way to answer; there must be some way, someone.

I had run for maybe about fifteen minutes when I saw this strange man sitting alone on a park bench. He was dressed up pretty nice, a black suit with a white shirt and red tie along with a black fedora. He looked maybe thirty and he was staring at me strangely. I thought I have seen him somewhere – then it hit me.

My vision went hazy, all I could see was black for a bit then when I saw something it seemed more like a dream. Suddenly I felt like I was stuck in a corner. I was about three years old, and for some reason I was sad. There were tears in my eyes, making it harder to make sense of my surroundings, and I had my knees pulled up to my chest. I saw the same guy, but he was a lot younger, maybe 16 but no older. He smiled, I think, but his eyes seemed to glare at me. Then he handed me a treat, it didn't look like anything I remembered, but it did look sweet. I reached out for it and took it gratefully, it tasted really good; I felt like I hadn't eaten in days. Then the memory stopped.

When I came to again I was sitting up on the ground, that man was supporting me. I immediately stood up straight and he followed slowly, with a sort of smirk on his face.

"Are you okay miss?" He asked politely, he had a strange accent that I couldn't place no matter how hard I tried.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied curtly, kind of weirded out by what I thought may have been a real memory, something I lost when I got amnesia. A reasonable part of me was telling me to get to know him; that he may have known my parents and could be a ticket to learning of my past. However, another part of me I didn't understand was telling me he was dangerous, telling me not to trust him. He bent down to pick up something behind me, it could have fallen out of my pocket

"What is it?" I asked turning to him, but his face looked different now, there was something different in his eyes and a more sly than kind smile on his face.

"Nothing important," he said pocketing said item. I couldn't make it out, his hand covered it.

"Okay, well, thanks," I said turning to leave, wanting to clear my head of thoughts I didn't understand.

"Wait!" He said, "I have to talk to you."

"I don't think so," I replied, it was getting weird.

"We can go to a more crowded place if it will make you feel more comfortable," He said, that seemed less intimidating; "I really have to talk to you. I'm a friend of your father, your real father." That got me.

"There is the Juicenet, it's not too far," I said, trying not to sound as desperate as I am to learn about my real parents.

"Okay let's go," He said sticking out his elbow for me to put my hand through. That was really weird. Just shook my head and walked ahead.

"Not one for formalities are you?" He said jogging to catch up with me then falling in step beside me.

"Not with strangers," I replied walking faster, his closeness was making me too uncomfortable.

"I thought a princess was supposed to be formal with all of her subjects," he asked looking seriously confused.

"I'm not a princess," I replied, though I really wasn't sure.

"Sure you are, Princess Lydia; a becoming name considering the land of your birth," he said so matter-of-factly I almost laughed, it sounded ridiculous. It sounded impossible.

"I guess you're confused, my name is Emma," I told him.

"Not your birth name," he replied.

"What do you know about me?" I asked glaring at him.

"More than you can imagine," he said with a smirk.

"And how can you prove yourself?" I asked.

"All the evidence you need is in here," he said slightly lifting a briefcase I hadn't known he was carrying before.

"Fine, I'll listen to your stories," I told him. Thankfully the Juicenet came into sight, "That's it."

It was only about 7:00 I think, the Juicenet wasn't exactly open yet but I knew Ash would be in there setting up. If anyone he would protect me. He would understand. And this way I don't have to worry about anyone I don't like eavesdropping on our conversation.

"This establishment doesn't seem to be open," He said stopping.

"I know the manager," I said heading straight through the beaded entrance.

"Emma, you're here early," Ash said greeting me. He was dressed fully in the work uniform and carrying a basket of fruits, on his way to the freezer, "I told you not to come in until 8:00 AM today. And you … brought a friend?" By now the strange man had come in behind me and Ash was giving me a confused look.

"Go sit in that booth, I will be over there in a second," I said to the guy pointing to a booth sort of in the back. When he left I gave Ash a guilty look.

"You know non-workers aren't allowed in the café before it opens," Ash sort of whispered to me.

"Unless approved by the manager," I said hopefully.

"Why did you bring him here anyway? Who is he?" Ash asked glancing towards the man.

"Honestly, I have no idea. But he seems to know who I am," I said.

"That doesn't make sense, you know who you are," Ash said, "Why do you need some random guy to tell you that? Does he know?"

"No! I would never be so careless, you know that. Look, I just learned yesterday that I was actually adopted, and he may have known my birth parents," I said giving him the puppy dog eyes I knew he couldn't resist. I hadn't given him the whole truth, but I will in time.

"Fine, you can talk with him, but be careful, I don't trust that guy," He said glaring at the guy who was now on the phone talking in a sort of whisper.

"Thanks!" I finished, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and then walking slowly over to the guy who was now waiting patiently for me. I took a seat right across from him.

"Okay, so what did you want to tell me?" I asked him.

"Impatient I see," He said with the sly smile you usually see on the villains in movies, "Well to start things off, I am Garry Hennings Jr., head Guard of Vanderville palace. And you, my dear, are princess Lydia Avide Vanderville, heir to the Sirenthian throne."

A/N Sorry I couldn't help but end it like this, the next chapter will give a lot more information :) & Please leave Review!