I rode through the back woods of Summerland as the trees towered over head and the sun was in late afternoon. Midnight's hooves dug into the trail with every stomp of his gallop. With another gentle kick from me, he picked up the speed allowing the trees to blur before us, only focusing on our destination. We cut around a large tree turning left, two minutes after, Midnight leaped over a fallen branch as I laughed happily. The adrenaline was running through my veins as Midnight landed with an earth-shaking stomp. Even after he landed he continued to gallop at full speed. He was excited; I guess a week without me was too long for him.

Once we reached uphill I slowed him down, "Whoa boy." He snorted in annoyance but he listened and settled into a pleasant walk.

Using his powerful muscles he climbed up; while I watched the birds flew overhead and the small creatures scatter into the woods as we came by. I breathed in the air, but the scent was off. Not of trees and clean air, but of something burning. I looked up and found a single line of dark gray smoke rising into the sky. It wasn't a forest fire but an unsupervised campfire could become one.

I allowed Midnight into a trot and when we reached the top of the cliff we found a small fire burning. I scanned the area but found no one, I sighed, "Seriously people," I whispered to myself. I swung my leg over and jumped to the ground, Midnight took the chance to graze near the grass and I began to gather dirt in my hands. I turned away from the flame for one minute but when I turned back a small man with a native headdress was sitting in front of the fire.

I jumped as the dirt fell back to the ground and a small girlish scream escaped from my lips. The man looked up, his face was layered with winkles, his eyes dark as night and his skin was the shade of dark copper with long gray hair over his shoulder. He wore simple khakis with a long sleeve tan colored shirt. The feathers of his headdress reached to his midsection and it was made completely out of eagle feathers. With colorful beads festooning the head band that held it all together.

"Hehe, you scared me," I said, trying to save face.

The man nodded his apology and turned back to the fire. I clapped my hands together nervously, "so is this your campfire?"

He nodded and I continued, "Well, you shouldn't really leave it alone like that. I mean, I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything just-"

"You care for the forest," the man spoke. "That's good, Great Mother will be happy."

"O-kay," I glanced back to my horse, "Well, I'll just be going now."

The moment I turned away from the man, I found myself facing him again, blocking my path to Midnight.

"Whoa!" I stepped back and quickly glanced back to the campfire, he wasn't there. I pushed back my fear and filled my voice with forced bravery and an edge of sarcasm. "Good trick. Do you rent yourself out for parties?"

"You cover your fear with sarcasm," he said calmly.

"It helps when old men can magically transport themselves in front other people."

He gave a cool stare, "So you believe in magick?"

"No, I believe in illusions. Like magic shows, and sawing a person in half, and Criss Angel." I said with a matter-fact tone.

He shook his head, almost as if he was sorry for me, and then he said, "They're coming for you Amy."

My eyes widen, "How do you know my name?"

He continued without answering my question. "They're regrets will be placed on your shoulders."

Why the hell I'm still listening to him? He's just a senile old man. I shook my head and mumbled curses as I moved around him, walking away.

He continued, "Are you really going to run away again? Cause no matter where you run they will find you."

Anger clouded my vision, "Listen to me you crazy, son of a-" when I turned around he was gone along with his campfire.

Jessica walked in from the kitchen to find Blake answering the door for three young men. "Blake!" she called out in surprise as she walked to his side. She pulled him back, "You're not allowed to answer the door by yourself." Blake gave his usually blank stare and ran back into the house. Jessica faced the men in suites, all three were blond with colorful eyes and all of them offered greeting smiles.

"May I help you?" Jessica asked.

"Yes," the man in front spoke. "I'm Arthur Kirkland," he gestures to the men behind him, "These men are my associates, Francis Bonnefoy and Matthew Williams. We are here to congratulate your daughter on winning our scholarship."

"Scholarship?" Jessica asked uncertain.

"Yes, the Student International Society Scholarship, it's for students that take part in international affairs, your daughter Amy Hawkfeather goes to Nightingale I believe, her essay on the whole experience was simply brilliant."

Jessica gave a small smile, "Oh well, Amy isn't here right now, but she'll be back in thirty minutes or so. Come in," she held the door out for them and all three men walked in.

She leads them into the living room, with Arthur and Matthew taking the couch and Francis on the love seat.

"This house is truly lovely," Francis said as he took sight of the Native American styled room.

"Thank you," Jessica smiled, "Would any of you like something to drink?"

"Tea, if you may," Arthur requested as the others asked for the same drink.

Jessica nodded, "I'll be right back."

Matthew watched as she left the room and let out a sigh, realizing he was holding his breath for the entire time. "I almost thought she wasn't going to let us in," he whispered.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Just stay calm Matthew, we'll be fine."

"Hi!" a light brown skinned girl jumped from behind the couch to hang between them.

All three nations jumped in surprise and the girl giggled, "Got you."

"Well hello there," Francis smiled.

The girl knitted her brows, "You talk funny."

Arthur smirked, "See Frog, even a child can tell your English is horrible."

"Then I shall speak in French," he remarked in his native tongue. "My language is so much prettier anyway."

"What he say?" The girl asked.

"Oh, just some insults that will start-" Matthew was cut off when Arthur hissed, "The Queen's English is just as beautiful as any other!"

"And there they go." Matthew sighed.

The girl giggled, "You guys are funny, too bad we're gonna have to banish you back to hell."

All three countries snapped to attention and turned to face her. "What did you say?" Matthew asked, afraid he misheard.

The girl leaped over the couch and jumped on top of the coffee table. "You heard me demon!" She pulled out a crucifix from her back pocket, "Blake said you're not of this world and that you came for Auntie Amy! You won't have her!"

Matthew and his once care-takers stared at the child; dumbfounded.

"Be gone demons!" she waves the crucifix in front of their faces. She gets annoyed when Matthew and the others show no sign of pain and yelled, "Blake get out the sage!"

All three turned to the bottom of the stair case where the boy that answered door stood. He held a tied stack of sage in his hand and a lighter in the other. He lit the top of it and blew out the fire allowing the smoke to spread.

The girl continued, "Be gone demons! Be gone!"

"They're spirits," Blake called out.

"What?" the girl gave a frustrated look, "It doesn't matter. We want them gone right?"

Blake nodded and the girl turned back to Matthew, "The power of Christ compels you!"

"What's going on here?" Jessica walked back in and her face paled. "Blair! What are you doing?!" She walked over to lift Blair off the coffee table and took the crucifix out her hands. "Is this the crucifix that my mother gave me?"

Blair darted her eyes around the room, "no."

Jessica looked up to meet with Blake's eyes, "And is that your Grandpa's good sage?"

Blake stared at the floor and whispered, "no."

Jessica closed her eyes; Matthew caught her counting to ten when she mumbled.

"Tell these nice men that your sorry this instant," Jessica said as she took the sage from Blake's hand.

"But Grandma, they're here to take Auntie Amy away," Blair shouted.

"No one's taking anyone away."

"They are! Blake said they're not human!"

Blake nodded and Jessica shook her head, "That's enough; if you two aren't going to apologize, then go to your rooms."

Blair gave her a confused look, "We don't have rooms here."

"Then use the guestroom, now go!"

The twins quickly retreat upstairs, entering a room and closing it behind them.

Jessica turned back to her guests, "I am so, so sorry. They don't usually act like that, especially Blake. Again, I am so sorry."

Arthur gave a forced smile, "it's quite alright, their just children with over reactive imaginations."

"Oui," Francis added, "just children having some fun."

The kettle whistled and Jessica said, "Oh, I'll be right back."

Once she left the room Matthew faced his companions, "Do you think Amy talked about us?"

Arthur shook his head, "No, the boy has the Sight."

"The Sight?"

"It was before your time Matthieu," Francis said, taking a moment to think. "It has been four hundred years since the last time I've seen one."

"What exactly is the Sight?" Matthew asked.

"It's a rare gift that allows a human to see spirits and auras." Arthur added.

"They can see we're not... human?"

"Yes, by our auras."

"You see Matthieu," Francis took a moment before continuing, "We have different color auras than other humans."

"What color?"

"Gold," Arthur finished.

Matthew sighed, "That explains why Blake said we had gold."

Arthur nodded, "But we can't allow the child to distract us. Just play off his accusations as childish misunderstandings. Remember our mission is to persuade Amy's parents that she has won our scholarship and to send her to the University of New York."

What the nations didn't realize, that at the top of the stair case Blair and Blake were listening in.

"You were right," Blair whispered to her younger twin brother, "They really are here to take Auntie Amy away."

"What do we do?" Blake asked.

"We need call G-Pa."

"How? We don't have cell phones."

"We'll use Grandma's."

"But she's down there; we can't get by those guys without them seeing us."

Blair glanced to the balcony and grinned, "I have an idea."

John Senior Hawkfeather sat in his office when his phone rang. He searches through his scattered books on his desk and found his phone lying face down as bookmark. He pulled it out, saw it was Jessica and answered, "Hello Jessica."

"G-Pa! It's me, Blair!" the voice of his great-grandchild whispered, but sounded scared.

"What's wrong?" John asked as he rose from his desk.

"Bad guys are here to take Auntie Amy away!"

"What?!"

"Blake said they're not human! Tell him!" The phone was silent till he heard Blake's voice, "it's true G-Pa! They're-"

"What are you two doing with my phone?" Jessica's voice called out from afar, and the phone was quickly pulled from their grasp. The children protested but Jessica ignored them.

The call ended and John knitted his brows in confusion. The pit of his stomach began to stir nervously; I got a bad feeling about all this.

A few moments before hand. . .

Jessica placed the tray of jasmine tea on the coffee table, "Hope you don't mind, all we have is jasmine tea."

"Oh no, its quite alright," Arthur nodded to her as he lifted the tea to his lips.

Jessica was about to take her seat but stopped when she heard the frighten whispers from the kitchen. She excused herself and quickly walked back into the room.

"What are you two doing with my phone?" she asked her temper slipping.

The twins stuttered for an answer but came up with nothing for their defense.

When Jessica snatched back her phone, her finger slid across the touchscreen to end the call. She checked the phone to find they've called John Senior, she shook her head. "Why did you call your great-grandfather?"

"We need his help!" Blair shouted.

"G-Pa's the only one that can protect Aunt Amy from them!" Blake added in.

"That's enough! Mr. Kirkland and his friends are people just like you and me. The way you two have been acting has been ugly and when your parents get here I will make sure they know exactly what you did." Jessica lectured them as she guided them back to the stairs.

The men noticed her and she smiled, "I'm sorry, please excuse me, again."

She gestured them to the guestroom and quickly noticed that the sheets were missing from the bed. She then turned to the balcony to find a hand-made bed sheet rope tied together by the ends. The first sheet was tied to the rail of the balcony as the rest fell to the front porch.

Jessica clutched her fists, "You two, next room, now."

The twins quickly ran into the next guestroom, knowing all too well their grandmother was about to lose her temper.

Jessica counted to twenty, for ten no longer worked. Once her temper was in check, she walked downstairs to meet with her guests.

"Sorry for the wait," she said as she finally sat down in the matching love seat across from Francis.

"It's fine," Matthew said with a smile.

"Children are quite a handful," Arthur added as he sipped his tea.

"Yes they are," Jessica sighed. "So, what is this Student International Society?"

"It's our group that allows young adults to interact with people from other countries and to discuss the world's issues. This grant is offered to students that wish to take part in world government."

Jessica gave a confused look, "That's strange my daughter doesn't really care for politics."

"Well her paper says otherwise," Arthur than pulled out a small stack of papers. He hands her two sheets of paper stapled together.

Jessica looked over the essay, and found it thought-provoking and well-written. "I never thought she cared this much," she muttered to herself.

"Amy has the intelligence and skill to continue on with this career, that's why we're offering this scholarship through the University of New York."

"New York?" Jessica's brows rose.

"Yes, the university has amazing programs for her major."

"You should really talk this over with Amy," Jessica turned to the clock, "it's five forty-five. Amy knows she has to be home by six for dinner so you can give her till then. If she doesn't make it, you can come back tomorrow." Jessica rose from her seat and walked back to the kitchen. It was about time to take out the enchiladas from the oven.

Arthur held back his tongue as he watched Jessica leave the room. Matthew sighed as Francis groaned, "Great she wants us to wait for Amy. Quick. Drink your tea before she could use it as a weapon."

Before Arthur could comment, the front door of the house opened and closed. The countries became alert; expecting Amy. But instead of the young nation; they found an elderly native man in her place.

His dark eyes were wide and he was pointing at them with a shaky hand. "No," he whispered at first but his voice increased in volume, "No. She- she's not ready!"

Arthur and his colleagues shared a worried glance with one another.

The old man continued, "She's not ready for y-" his voice deserted him as he clutched a hand to his chest and fell to his knees.

Arthur jumped to his feet and ran to his side. He gently moved the man to lie on his back, "This man is having a heart attack. Call an ambulance," Arthur commanded calmly.

Matthew nodded and ran into the kitchen, "Where's your phone?!"

The man grabbed on to Arthur's arm, "Mess-age," he choked out.

"Save your strength sir," Arthur soothed but he continued.

"Mess-age from. . . . Al-fred," he choked.

Arthur's eyes widened as Francis muttered, "Mon dieu."

"You knew Alfred? How?" Arthur cried.

He didn't answer only continued with his message, "He. . . . wan-ted. . . . me. . to say-" he coughed and said his last words, "I'm sorry."

His hand lost its grip and fell to his side as the light disappeared from his eyes.

Five minutes earlier. . . .

I took my time heading back home, riding through the forest trying to clear my head. Repeating the events with Arthur, Matthew, and Francis, then with Ludwig and Feliciano and finally to the old man and his magic tricks. Am I magnet for crazy people?!

I was almost happy that school will start tomorrow, I needed something distract me from these thoughts. I yielded Midnight to stop and took a moment to breath in the pleasant sensation of the forest. If only I could hide out here forever. I gave two kicks at Midnight sides and guided him home into a full gallop.

Once I arrived home, I unsaddled Midnight and guided him out into the open field. I entered the house through the back to find Mom pulling something out of the oven.

"Hey Sweetie, I made your favorite enchiladas," she greeted me with a smile.

"Awesome," I slid into a dining room chair.

"Oh, there's also three young men here talking about a scholarship."

"Scholarship?" I asked confused.

A loud thud resounded from the living room and someone came running in, "Where's your phone?!"

I jumped to my feet at the sight of Matthew, "What the hell are you doing in my house!"

"Amy!" Mom snapped.

Matthew ignored me and continued, "Someone's having a heart attack!"

I grew tense and pushed aside Matthew as I ran into the living room.

Arthur was kneeing beside a body, its shape and clothes were all too familiar. Arthur and Francis jolted and looked up, both looked like a deer caught in the head lights. I ignored them for now and stepped towards the body. My gut twisted as I laid eyes on my grandfather lying on the floor; lifeless. I released a silent cry as my knees dropped beside him. My vision blurred with tears as I tried in failure to shake him back to life.

"Amy, he's-" I glanced to Arthur who was talking, but I heard nothing except for a buzzing in my ears. The moment I laid eyes on his face, anger boiled in my veins. I saw red as rage clouded my thoughts. I leaped over Grandpa's body and tackled Arthur to floor; screaming, "I'm gonna kill you!"

I punched and backhanded him again and again. He spat out blood but I refused to stop. Arms grabbed me from behind and pulled me off of him, "Go!" I heard Mom yell, "I can't hold her for long!"

"It's your fault! Everything's your fault!" I shouted as Francis lifted Arthur from the floor and half dragged half carried him to the door, with Matthew right behind him. When I heard the door shut behind them, I released a scream like howl and I slumped into my mother's arms. She held me to her chest, soothing me with sweet words as I bawled like a baby.