To me, the road and driving have always been another way to feel freedom. Somehow the constrictions of society, our basic needs and wants melted away into nothingness. Life was the predominant feeling.

But, today it had a completely different meaning. I was dreading this moment for a while now, but it will stay with me for the rest of my life. The time that I had left with them was slipping away, and I needed to make the most of it. This is my last chance to say everything I felt and make them feel love. To make sure their last moments were happy. But, there will never be enough time in the world to tell them or show them how much they mean to me. My second family was about to die and there isn't anything I could do.

- Eric and Rhea, I just wanted to say that I love you both like you are my parents. I will always appreciate what you have done for me, the love and care you have given me. Thank you for accepting me into your family, for showing me the true meaning of life. Teaching me the value of life, of equality, the precious gift of acceptance and unconditional love. Without you, I would never have had a sister as kind as Lissa and brother as caring as Andre. You are the best people in this world and I will miss you.

Andre's and Christians car was following us, what were they thinking driving so close? I needed to collect myself, it was decision time. My choice made, for a second I hate myself, but this was not the time for self-pity.

- Mum, Dad, call the press! Rose, has just expressed her love for us all willingly!

Lissa pulled me into a hug. For that I was grateful, right now I needed it. I took a hold of her hand. It will be easier this way. Time slipping away.

- Rose, sweetheart did something happened? You know that to us you are a daughter, part of our family. It's not complete without you. You are in our hearts and minds, always. You too Lissa. You girls are precious gifts and we are thankful for all of our family every day.

Not long now. I could see the lights in the distance. Advancing too fast.

- Rose, Rhea is right. We always wanted another child and God brought you to us. After all, not many people protect those around them like you do, make Andre laugh just this bit louder, and bring Lissa out of her quieter shell. We love you.

I could see the car now. I could feel them in the woods. It was almost time now. The tree standing tall, the wind silent, and the moon high in the sky, casting an ominous presence over us. It is as if they all knew what was about to happen. The calm before the storm.

- Lissa is right, I wanted to say this to you because I don't say it enough. I want you to always remember how much love I hold for you. You touched and change the lives of those around you for the better. You have taught us all the lessons of the importance of protecting those we love, standing up for what we believe in, treating everyone equally and most of all, to always remember what is important in life. I promise you that I will do my best to follow them and to protect our family.

Second, that's all I had left. They didn't deserve this, but at least I can make sure their last moments are happy and painless. Focusing on their mind, deep within their memories, I pulled out those they cherished the most. Playing out before their eyes like a film. They were smiling. Reaching within myself, I brought my power to the surface and braced myself.

"Focus, its life or death now"

Time was playing with me today. While before it was passing by too fast, now it has slowed down to milliseconds. I watched as the car came around the corner, too fast and the lights blinding. Suddenly from the woods, two strigoi run out into the road. The car swerved, driving itself into our front. Holding on to Lissa's hand, I spread a shield between us. A watched with horror how the life left Erics and Rhea's eyes. Glass, metal and plastic flying everywhere. The shield protecting us from the impact. The man from the car, already dead, was thrown out of the car. Dinner for the strigoi served.

Andre's car was behind us. I spread my shield further until it reached the car and then both of the men. Christina and Andre were under my protection now. The hit came unexpectedly, even though I saw it coming months ago. I used the shield to slow down the boys car but it wasn't enough. My body was thrown forward, seatbelt cutting off my breathing for a second. Lissa! Looking across, I saw her eyes closed and body limp, but her chest was rising. Thank god. All three cars, meshing into one big mess, were standing still.

Stage one completed. Three lives saved and three lives gone. Forgive me Rhea and Eric, but life is not always fair and your children along with Christian are crucial to all of our futures. My melancholic thoughts were distracting me, and now was not the time, we were still in the dark. I had two hungry strigoi to take care of.

I needed to act, fast. Unbuckling the seatbelt, I used my power to push out the mangled door. Creeping out of the car, I crouched and walked to the end of the mess of what used to be a car. The male and female strigoi were hovering over and greedily drinking from the warm body of the dead man. Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I realised it was empty. No matter, I am the famous Rose. Some of the strigoi even gave me a nickname - the shadow. This will serve to distract me and to execute some vengeance. Checking that my shields still protected others, I paused and planned my attack. I felt tired. The man strogoi was drinking from the neck, while the woman from the wrist. A surprise attack was needed.

An idea formed in my head and I set off. Silently I started running towards them. A few more step, and I was bracing myself for a jump. Landing on top of the man, I took hold of his head, pulling his body up, twisting it to expose his neck and sinking my elongated fangs into his flesh. Drinking from him deeply, his body relaxed against me, as endorphins hit his system. My eyes were on the female. Realising that something was wrong, she suddenly looked up. No choice, but to snap his neck, I used the body as a sheild. The strike came just as i ducked, turning I pushed the body into her hands. Distracted for a second, I moved behind her, pushing her body down. Power simmered and I used it to still her body. I sunk my fangs into her flesh and drunk for the second time. Three more pulls were enough. I couldn't stake them, so fire was the only option. A fireball formed in my mind, and I threw it, setting their bodies on fire.

How would I explain this? I needed to cover my tracks, no one knew about my powers and it has to stay this way for now. Fuel! Looking at the car, with my mind I twisted the fuel cap, letting it hand and forcing the fuel to spill over and trickle to the ground.

Time was against me once again but in this case, I made it so, I had to hurry. Lissa and the guys were still in the cars. Within second I was inside our car once again. Lissa was still unconscious, freeing her from the seatbelt, I grabbed her body, pulling her out. Finally. we were out of the car, I dragged her behind the mess of it all. The explosion resonated behind me, the fuel finally exploded, sending smoke and debris into the air.

Noooo! Andre and Christian, they must live. I run to their car, it was empty. Where are they? Opening my mind, I heard Andre's thoughts. He was awake and panicking nearby. I rounded the corner, breathing a deep sigh of relief, Andre was bent down looking at Christian. - Andre, is he alive?

- Andre, is he alive?

- Yes, I don't know how thought. I should be dead. You should be dead. All of us should be dead.

- Unfortunately, death was unavoidable. Are you hurt?

Panic and fear filled his gaze when he looked up at me from his sitting position. Standing up, he looked me over, making sure that I was okay.

- No, not even a scratch. Where is Lissa? Where are my parents? Did the strigoi run away? I saw them before the crash.

- Lissa is alive and on the other side of the car.

Familiar faces of Rhea and Eric were flashing before me. Tears were forming in my eyes, even though I saw them die, it didn't seem real. I didn't want to say the words, just to pretend for a little while longer that they lived. But fantasies such as these are not part of my reality.

- I am so sorry Andre, your parents were right at the front, they died.

He reached for me, enveloping me into a hug, offering his support and putting my needs before his own, like a true big brother.

- It's going to be okay Rose. We need to call someone, we are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a deep forest. Plus, the strigoi are still around, and I am sure that more will my breathing and wiping away the tears, I spoke:

Calming my breathing and wiping away the tears, I spoke:

- There were two strigoi and both are dead, the fuel from the burned them up.

- Good, that a relief. We still need to call someone and my phone was destroyed in the car.

- I got it and I know exactly who to call.

I reached for my phone, dialling the only man I knew who would be able to help us and fast, my father. Two rings in and he picks up.

- Rose

- Old man, I need your help. We were in a car crash. Eric and Rhea are … dead, but Andre, Lissa, Christian and I are alive. An ambulance will be needed, to check everyone over. Only Andre and I are conscious. There were two strigoi but they are dead, the fire from the other car burned them.

- I bet it did. I am relieved that you are alive. I will send help, it will be there in 15 minutes. Rose, be safe. - the last part was a whisper, his worry for my life seeping through his facade of calmness.

- Thank you. - silently adding "I love you dad" just as the phone went dead.

He knew me too well. All we could do now is wait, help will come. I cast a shield around this area, similar to a ward, ensuring that no more strigoi would enter. For once, I had enough excitement.

- Andre, we need to move Christian closer to Lissa so we can watch over them both. You grab him from the right and I will hold up his left.

- Sure, ready?

- On three. One, two, three

Both of us tired and emotionally drained, we worked together to move him next to Lissa. Sitting down next to them, I leaned on Andre's shoulder. Neither of us spoke for a while, processing all that has happened in a space of less than an hour. Sometimes we are faced with making very difficult choices, the ones you don't want to make.

- Rose, what happened? Do you remember anything?

- We were driving and everything was fine. Just chatting away. I saw the light of the car approaching. It was driving too fast with full beam lights on, it was blinding. Then the two strigoi run out, causing the car to swerve right into our car. Eric and Rhea, oh god Andre, they didn't stand a chance! There wasn't anything I could have done. Next, I felt your car smashing into the back of our car and finally stop. I opened my eyes, Rhea and Eric, unmoving and Lissa unconscious but breathing. When I got out, I saw the strigoi were feeding on the poor guy. I saw the fuel leaking out. I unbuckled Lissa and pulled her out. Just as I put her down, the explosion went off. I panicked and starting looking for you guys. Your car was empty but I kept running. That's when I saw you both. A few minutes later, the fire reaching them and . Then I came out to find you.

- I can't believe it. This doesn't seem real. - Andre's voice was just a whisper, reality setting in.

- I know. - I replied. Knowing about this, didn't make it easier. When I saw this vision, I cried. I remember how I dialed Lissa, my voice raw, waking her up, and demanding to tell me how everyone was. - I think I can hear cars approaching.

Ahead we saw 3 black cars coming towards us. One went ahead, blocking the road at the front, another stayed behind while the final one, with the red cross and royal symbol, stopped just before us. They were all SUV's. Door opening, guardians, and medics were emerging. Scanning the area for strigoi, looking over the crash and taking in the 4 survivors. A medic and an alchemist were approaching us.

- Are you alright? What are your names? - asked the medic

- Yes, Andre and seem to be fine, but Lissa and Christian are still unconscious, please help them.

- Of course. - Looking behind her, she signaled for two more people to come over. - Louisa can you please look over these two, while Alex and I will take care of these two.

Louise started a serious of question and checks while her colleagues focused on Lissa and Christian. Once we were given the clean bill of health, head guardian started his questioning.

Can you please tell me your names and what happened here? My name is Rose and this is Andre Dragomir. These are his sister, Lissa Dragomi and her boyfriend Christian Ozera. We were in a car crash…

I told him the same story I told Andre, he looked satisfied for now. But looking into his mind, I read shock. We should be dead, no one could have possibly lived to tell the tale of this mess. The cars were beyond recognition, yet we were alive, talking and breathing. He signalled his team to start taking in the damage before our eyes. In the background the fire truck put down the fire, an alchemist disposed of the

- You are lucky to be alive. Your story is rare.

- Well, our parents are dead.

- I am sorry, please accept my deepest condolences.

Andre's only response was a nod. The officer spoke again.

- We are finishing up here, a full report will be constructed and we may need to speak with all of you again.

The medic approached us. Please give us some good news on this dark night.

- The couple seems to be okay, but I would like to take them to the hospital to look over them.

- We are coming with you.

- That's fine. Please follow me.

- Of course.

Just then another my phone flashed, my mother calling me.

- Hello

- Rose, you are alive, thank god. Why didn't you call me?

- No time, I had to make sure everyone was taken care of. Liss and Christian are unconscious, we are leaving with them to the St. Anna hospital. I need to go.

- Of course, call me, if you need anything.

- Okay, bye.

Andre held out his hand for me, and we climbed into the car. Lissa and Christian, pale and unconscious were now our main priority. I texted my father our next location and closed my eyes as we pulled away.