It will probably be a day or so before the next one. :)

Samantha walked northwest, along a small stream, toward the city called Jalfreu. There was an underground temple there, one where she could learn to fight the nightmares, of her mind and the world. She kept a careful look out for the Sentinalz. It was after sundown and if they caught her she would be imprisoned again, only this time she wouldn't be able to escape. The brick streets were dirty and empty except for the occasional sound of Sentinalz chasing someone unlucky enough to be caught. She snuck through the bushes, to a place her parents used to visit. She had to have an in, someone older who could get her into the temple.

At the door to the liquor store, which was only technically in town, she knocked three times in quick succession, paused, and knocked twice more. A small opening appeared in the door; an unnaturally blue eye peered out at her. "Where did you get that necklace?" A raspy voice that sent chills down her spine, asked.

"It was my grandmother's," Layla replied trying her best to hide her discomfort, "She sings with the goddess and her disciples in the forest of the mist."

No one ever spoke of the goddess anymore, except the hunters and even then it was in secret. She was outlawed now, which is ironic considering that the Archestry used her as a uniting force among the resistance. Hunting, the greatest show of your devotion to her too was outlawed in this "better" world.

"What of your blood?" His voice asked, still suspicious.

"It runs from nothing, and through everyone," she responded, it was a test and she knew how important it was she respond perfectly, one word off and she would be locked out forever. Her only chance destroyed.

"What of the earth?"

"It crumbles under my will."

"What of the water?"

"It destroys all obstacles in my way."

"What of the fire?" He asked.

"It burns me and all others unworthy of the Goddess."

"What of the wind?"

"It always blows in my face, bringing the scent of my prey with it."

The door opened, and she was ushered inside quickly, the door was dead bolted behind her. Inside it smelled of mildew and tobacco smoke, the lights were on the fritz and blinked on and off in a seemingly random pattern. He led her down an aisle, limping slightly, his arms pulled closely to his asymmetric body. They walked past all kind of liquors and cheap snacks, to a door in the back of the store. He opened the sturdy door with a small brass key. There was an enclosed courtyard, a few stunted and deformed trees and ten tables. The courtyard was three fourths full of people, some in white, some in black, some in grey and even one in red.

Samantha walked in slowly, this many people in such a small space, made her more nervous than the blue eyed man had. She couldn't see any escape routes except the now locked door she'd just entered from. The woman wearing a red t-shirt dress smiled wickedly at her from her seat in a dark corner. The woman's bright red eyes and mouth full of sharp elongated teeth gleamed in the light. 'Must be a vampire elder' She thought, 'No way a fledgling could wear red.'

The woman licked her lips and gestured to a man wearing a white shirt with a grey stripe down the middle, white pants, and white shoes, with sunken eyes and thin arms. He came to her and sat on her lap, she sunk her teeth deep into his neck while her eyes still made contact with Samantha's. He was a blood doll, no more than food to her. It made Samantha sick, but she didn't break eye contact as she went to an empty table. She had been through way too much to let a feeding vampire unnerve her. She pulled out the dagger; a sharpening stone and some oil then began to sharpen her father's favorite dagger. The sound the metal made as it slid across the stone had a strangely calming affect on her. She smiled, good memories beating the bad ones back into her subconscious.

She thought about her mother's smile whenever she drew something "fridge worthy". The way her father's brow would crease with deep concentration. And she thought of her best friend, her brother, her protector, Dean. Samantha didn't see what happened to him, he had run upstairs to get his present for her and hadn't come down before she was kidnapped. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice, when a man in black walked up to her.

"What is your name child?" he inquired.

She jumped and scolded herself for her lack of awareness to her surroundings. She felt his eyes on her and was suspicious of his motives, but answered him anyways, she knew he wouldn't/couldn't hurt her here, among all the hunters. "Samantha," she responded, not looking up and still working on the dagger.

"Why have you come here, Samantha?"

"To become a hunter," she stated boldly looking up and into his dark purple eyes.

"Why would you want to do that? You're still so young, so much of your life still to live."

She laughed and it caught the man off guard, "live?" She questioned, slamming the stone on the table, "I died with my parents and brother." Her knuckles were white, she was holding the dagger so tight.

He put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner, but she brushed him off. She didn't need him to comfort her; she needed someone to train her and take her to the temple. She cocked her head at him, challenging him to say something else. He didn't even step back. Just smiled down at her.

"I am Robert Singer and I will train you, young Samantha, if you wish," He spoke quietly but with stern conviction.

"I... I'm most grateful," she stuttered in mild shock, a smile plastered itself all over her face. Samantha put her supplies back in her bag and stood. Even standing she just barely went past Robert's elbow. Her journey could finally start, she had a mentor and soon she would have the necessary skills to take her revenge. With her pack over her shoulder, and the dagger within easy reach, she followed Robert back though the store and out into the night.