Chapter 19-

No Ones POV-

Bryah was the more spiritual of Ash's parents. She didn't grow up as a church goer like Eyana and wasn't searching for a religious answer like Terrell did in college. She believed if things happened then they happened and that your fate was up to you. Her leaving home was fate, or one of the fateful paths to come out of her horrible home situation. But meeting Eyana and Terrell and then having Ash, they were destiny.

If Bryah could see Ash and Leah, albeit quiet and content in the silence, she would say that destiny had pulled them together.

It was in the way Ash relaxed like she could only do around people she was comfortable with. In the way the tension left Leah's shoulders and her ever present scowl smoothed out and left a neutral face. Leah looked over at Ash who was staring out the window, her head thankfully empty. She thinks too much.

"Billy said to come by Jacobs garage tomorrow to see what they can do about your car." Leah told her. "It will probably be cheaper than whatever the hell your insurance company tries to tell you."

"Probably." Ash still didn't take her eyes off the window. Her voice didn't even sound like her's right then. It was tired and dragged down and only with effort did she manage to whisper the word. Leah was worried. She didn't know the girl but damn if she didn't know what defeat sounded like.

"While I don't know jack shit about cars, I promise you that in the hands of Jacob it will come out better than ever. Or, better than having a fucking wrecked windshield." Ash didn't reply. "Are you normally this silent or has today just been extra shitty?"

"Both, excluding my truck." She snorted.

"I know how that feels." Leah said tiredly. Life was exhausting at the moment for the two girls. Being pushed and pulled in different directions, not only physically but emotionally, was taxing. Emotions were running high and they couldn't see their way down.

It wasn't long before they pulled up at her dad's house, which was closer and followed the directions Ash had given. Before she got out Ash said something that shocked Leah.

"Thank you for the ride."

"You're welcome." Leah said as Ash got out of the car. Ash shot her a look that was indiscernible with a gravitational attraction that made it hard to look away. How could two souls see each other so clearly?

Ash's POV-

My dad's house always had a warmness to it like my mothers' but that warmness escaped me now. I had always felt alone, even in a room full of people I could feel like I was the only soul left alive but right now I felt truly lonely. I couldn't talk to my parents about this, I didn't want to talk to them about this. I mean, could they even imagine what I was going through. I knew exactly who I needed to talk to and unfortunately, he wasn't a phone call away. But on the bright side, a letter worked just fine and I had the materials in my room. I got to work immediately.

Dear Marcus,

I know it's been a while since we've last had contact but right now I… I need you. I need your advice and wisdom.

I could write and rewrite this letter one hundred times over and I still wouldn't know exactly what to say and that's my thing. I always know what to say. I'm supposed to because I think so carefully about what comes out of my mouth or else I say something rude, or hurtful or what people don't want to hear. But Marcus, in these pages just between you and I, can I be honest?

I'm heartbroken.

I'm angry.

I'm sad.

I'm anxious.

And as I write this to you, I'm jealous of the love you told me you shared with Didyme. It sounds so easy. My relationship is falling apart and I don't even know what my heart is doing anymore. I talk to him, I tell him things I wouldn't tell anyone but those I loved and yet it's not enough for him. I want to hide, Marcus. I want the world to fall away and to forget about you, Tyler, my parents, even myself.

If only for one day my problems would disappear and I wouldn't have to pretend because isn't that what I'm doing most times? Pretending? Have I just become my mask or am I becoming some I no longer recognize?

I wasn't too distracted by my inked words to not notice the tear that was falling onto the page. I was quick to wipe it off before it completely soaked in and messed my letter up. I still had more to say but by time the sun started coming up and I had written nothing else, I was exhausted. I hid in my bed and let sleep take me away. I didn't have to think. I could just be.

Marcus' POV-

The Volturi was regularly insufferable with Aro's need for fear and power along with Caius' sadistic ways but it was also very boring which has made life for me mundane. It's not only the lack of a mate that has made me retreat into myself but also how long I have lived and seen nothing change. Technology advances, people die and power hungry Tyrants rise to power. It was dull because it was done.

So when the unexpected happened in the shape of beautiful brown eyes, black hair and a sure posture, I was all too happy to welcome her like I was now. Her envelope sat on my desk, addressed to my safe house and me and her knew about, just waiting for me to open it. I am thankful I always had the foresight to have my own 'guard' besides the ones who were Aro's puppets.

As I read her words and mistakenly touched the tear stains on the pain, my heart which had been long dead seemed to come to life just to break all over again. I knew the troubles of love and life. She wanted my wisdom and that was what I would impart on her and hopefully give her some insight.

Dear Naia,

It does not matter how long or how short our last communication is, I am always happy to talk to you. Night or day, which is all the same to me since I never sleep, I am here for you.

Having the gift to be self aware is rare and wonderful but I understand its drawbacks. Not everyone wants a pleasing answer or something politically correct. Yes, to keep the peace of yourself you must be careful with your words, but there are times, my sweet darling Naia, when you must just speak your mind. It's a habit you broke but now it's a habit you need to fix and find a balance with. Be honest, like you are with me, in these pages just between us.

And as you grow you learn that broken hearts can be put back together. That anger unchecked can become resentment. That sadness is a useful emotion to help reflect and self soothe and that being anxious only means that you want to be sure of the choices you make. Do not let these emotions take a wrong turn and turn you into someone you do not know. Someone like me who lives as a statue.

And most of all, do not idolize me and Didyme. We had our fair share of problems as lovers but I wish for those problems again because it would mean I'm here with her and that we are working our issues out. Every relationship worth having is worth fighting for.

Words are not always enough. They may be for you but not to other people. Sometimes it is the most simple of actions, the gentlest of touches that are worth more than sacred texts.

Lastly, I have never known you, Naia, to be a pretender. You have always been the same little girl who was brave enough to sneak into a predator's den and pet one of the biggest ones. You are changing, that is ok. People can not remain the same or they will never adapt. So hide in your room, feel what you feel because in the end, everything will workout.

Life is only just getting to know you so let it know someone worthy.

I folded the letter up and hid it in my robe before leaving to our treasury. It was never before now that I was happy to be part of such an old coven that kept ancient treasures. I think sending the letter with a gift from the heart would at least lift Naia's somber mood. I had in mind the piece that would do her just.

It was far in the back, one of the older treasures we had and sat in a wooden box with a silver lock that had seen better days. I only took one look before nodding and taking it from our treasury.

Didyme, please watch over this girl.

I needed to bring back Marcus and please note the bit of playfulness that I feel like suits him.

Until Next Time-BigSmallWonder