NOW

The golden hour streaked beams through the fields. Spring air, still young in the season, swirled across as well that Sunday evening. The reeds were set to a dance. Across that field were a scattering of houses where fireplaces may still be lit, yet children were beginning to play out in yards. Their laughter also carried across the field, reaching Anna.

She hugged it to her as she did the scents of forest, waking from a long winter. Though they were nearing Aprils end Anna knew the weather could turn. Either it could flurry tomorrow or it could shoot up to 85 degrees. So she cherished the in between.

Anna Jane Louisa Simone was not one to take the in between for granted.

Turning away from the open field, she moved further into the forest. The trail path wasn't as well beaten this time of year, but her steps were sure. Anna couldn't say she had a sense of direction in that she always knew where she was, but she knew her nose enough to get where she was going. If her wellingtons sunk in some in the mud, and that was just fine. Better than skidding through ice.

Breathing deep, she laid a beat on a thick tree trunk as she skirted it. She'd missed this. Not just the hike after a winter and even mud season of mostly indoors. But the feelings with it. The way it both awakened and healed her. She had to admit, to herself if not others, that she hadn't felt things all the way through as she once had. Grief had taken so much of her emotion; little else was able to get past it.

She hadn't locked herself away, wallowing, Anna reminded herself. She kept doing the things she loved, seeing the people she needed to, doing the work that kept her energized. She'd taken the boys on her hikes when they stayed. She was still here, and it would be a disservice to do anything but go on. It was more that Anna went through the motions and lived on paper, rather than how she'd embraced prior.

When a stranger notices a change, from nothing but pictures; well then its time to evaluate. Anna thought of Hayley with a smile. If she had imagined someone that would knock Cole so completely off his feet, they would have been quite close to Hayley. And hadn't she wished for this for herself and Ethan too? To be able to open themselves once more to the love and friendship? The warmth of it reached her even before the sinking sunbeams.

She'd invite her to stay a weekend, Anna decided. Hayley would likely be thrown into their world sooner rather than later, if that nose of Anna's was right. It might do for them to have some girl time. Some simple bonding didn't seem like too much to ask. There would be change and struggle soon enough. Fun could be added to the schedule.

Fun. Even when things had been at their most chaotic, Anna had always found time for harmless fun. Even when there was no one else around. Even with the power some would spend their days cursing.

The breeze picked up, a cover Anna had often used, though not in years. The simple joy it used to bring, she remembered. Glancing around, doing a quick turn, she saw no one, heard nothing but her own breathing and that of the woods.

As though by muscle memory, her hand danced at her side, fingers curling, sending the stones and twigs below tumbling. They followed her as she continued on her walk, giving a jolt to the tree above with her other hand so she could hear the leaves sing. A startled bird took off from the tree, and soared. In her way, so did Anna.

With nothing more than her mind and hands, she cleared the trail ahead of her of fallen branches, rogue rocks, and brush. Her body twirled in tune with her power, a dance she hadn't allowed herself in too long. Coming up on a skinny stream, she gave her hands a rest and with a look made soft waves coast through the water, lapping at the moss covered stoned next to it.

Even in the early days of learning what they were, Anna would enjoy these times. When a part of her that was so forceful could be light and happy. She'd show Hayley this, as she knew the boys would too. What they were could be freeing.

Just as it could be lethal.

Cocking her head slightly, Anna noticed she no longer heard the birds. Animals, smarter than people, were often in tune to the difference between them, and well. Them. Her power hadn't scattered them, but another's may have.

Breathing in the air, she got the answer and walked a few more steps to the boulders that lined the streams. She then looked up at the canopy of trees. Finding the size she needed, she jerked her head and snapped one of the branches. It flew behind her and into the vampire that stalked down trail. The branch shattered and the vampire was only knocked back a step.

"Hey dummy." Anna gleefully waved. "Been a while since one of you were foolish enough to check in."

He didn't answer her, and in a blink was a yard away. As Anna hoped.

With a cry her arms crossed by one another and with them two enormous boulders crashed into the vampire, separating the top and lower half. The force behind the move had Anna swaying with the effort, but her face remained fierce. Knowing she only had seconds, Anna glared into the undead mans eyes and seeing the flames in her mind a moment before they were transferred to him.

When it was done. When she doused the burn sight and took care of the woods around her. The birds started singing again.

"Typical." Anna sighed as she splashed her hands in the cool stream a few times and considered it done. She didn't sense anyone else, but figured it was best to get home. The boys would need to know. If the preservers were sending only one, they weren't planning much, but Anna wouldn't be surprised if they sent someone to sweep Ethan and Cole too.

It seems the turn had already been made.

The drive back home wasn't nearly as freeing as the drive to the trail was. Her playlist didn't quite reach her, so Anna switched over to her Bluetooth and called the ones who could handle the next steps. It had been a while since she'd crossed paths with a preserver, let alone killed one. Though all of them knew they did as they had to in order to survive, it never got ordinary to kill. It never failed to linger.

Pulling into the drive, Anna saw her neighbors were out. Just as well, but the quiet had her checking the tells she left outside and then on the window sills in her apartment. Finding all as it should, she pulled out her phone and scrolled to Ethan's number.

"I was just dialing you." He answered.

"Dirty. I bet I can guess why."

"Oh I don't doubt it."

"How much is she in the know?"

"A lot for her, but really just dipped in. You'll want to be around for the full shot and it's about that time Shine."

"No kidding. I was checked in on during a hike. Only one, I took care of it."

"Goddamn it. Do you think its clear?"

"As its going to be. I already called it in, they're not likely to try anything else for the time being."

"We talked Gillies into stopping the night work for now. Figured it was best in general, but also freeing up for a visit."

"To me?!"

"Its best right?"

Anna spun around and did a little dance. "Of course it is! I mean there's hardly enough room, we'll be crammed like sardines. But its perfect."

"Good. We're up the road."

The dancing stopped. "Fucking featherheads." Anna disconnected and looked around the house. There wasn't much cleaning she could do in moments, so she cursed once more and at least turned on lights and lit the candles.

On the other end of the line, Ethan winced at the click. "Not her full mad at least but we'll get a cuff for sure." He told Cole.

"Earned it." Hayley followed the boys as they walked from the bus stop. "I don't see why we couldn't have stopped to call her."

"Just better all in all." Cole made another grab for her suitcase and cast his eyes to the sky when she rolled ahead. "You don't even know where you're going, would you give me that?"

Ignoring him, Hayley kept on wheeling, taking in the town. The sun was low, close to setting, so the village had a golden tint with shadows growing. No one seemed to be in a particular hurry, so unfamiliar to Hayley at this point. They crossed an intersection and around that corner stood an old house. Recognizing it from one of Cole's framed pictures, Hayley smiled.

"Sure beats a six floor walk up."

"Get the lady a place in the country Masen." Ethan dodged the whack from Hayley's suitcase by jogging up the steps. "Shine!" He called out in lieu of the bell.

Anna opened the main and swung out the screen door. "I raised you heathens better than this." She gave smacks to the back of Ethan and Cole's heads, but her hands still stroked down their shoulders before she turned open arms to Hayley. "I had hoped a bit of a better occasion to be your first trip here."

"I'm in love with this heathen, if that's a better occasion to draw off of." Hayley jerked her chin towards Cole.

"The very best." Anna kissed Hayley's cheek.

"Again, but slower."

"Don't be typical." Anna snarled at Cole, but laughed as he kissed her cheek as well. "Go on in. I would have met you all at the train you know."

"They were in a hurry." Hayley told her as she stepped in, and her breath caught.

It was a bit like stepping into a story book, she decided. And hadn't she done that already since she met Cole? Now she was looking at all the bright colors and art, not feeling Ethan take her suitcase from her. The rooms filled with both antiques and whimsical pieces. The boys chuckled and moved to opposite ends of the kitchen as Anna pulled a gawking Hayley to the living area. As they sat Hayley breathed deep, and smelled the candles lit around the space.

"Anna this is incredible. You've done all of this in an apartment."

"Kissed my security deposit good bye years ago. Totally worth it."

"I'll say. I always figured I'd decorate when I felt settled in a place. Still waiting."

"I remember that feeling well." Anna rubbed Hayley's arm. "Since you're not yet settled here, I'll tell you now, its as much yours as it is theirs. Of course had I had more warning I would have hit the grocery beforehand." She glared at the boys, already poking in the fridge and cupboards.

"We'll all go, we're just seeing what we need. Cole, is there rice?"

Anna rolled her eyes. "We'll not all go. You two made the choice to not give me notice. You two can go to the store." Grabbing her keys from their plate she tossed them at Ethan. "We need girl time. Allez."

"Shooing. We're being shooed." Ethan scoffed.

Cole looked at Hayley inquiringly. She gave a quick nod in response and he relaxed. "Then they can't argue with what we decide to cook tonight." He told Ethan.

Ethan snapped his fingers and pointed at him. "Right on."

Cole tucked his hands behind his back when Anna tried to offer her wallet. "Annie are you sure it's a good idea though?"

Anna tilted her head at him as she advanced. Even as the lights brightened near to bursting Cole held up his hands in defense.

"Apologies. I'm an idiot in love."

Softening Anna only put half effort to the shove. "You are at that. Go before I fly you out."

Hayley chuckled as the boys left hurriedly. Only for it to turn into a laugh as Cole came rushing back to kiss her.

Anna's smile was full of warmth as she watched them. She curled her legs up on the couch and turned that smile at Hayley once they were alone. "Honey are you holding up ok?"

"Checking for shock?" Hayley smirked.

"Just checking on you. It's a lot. It's going to feel like a lot for a long while to come. But especially now, it's a lot to up route."

"I suppose that's part of the gig. Look Anna, I want us to be friends. I feel like we are, and that we can be even closer. But I still have to make sure you're alright with all of this too. Opening your home to a stranger, I'm sure you're also taking off work tomorrow."

Anna waved it away. "You know its funny. When I was on my hike I was thinking about how much you've noticed of us, and me in general when you're a stranger. But that wasn't even the right thought. You never felt like a stranger. Neither did the boys when I met them. The others who have stood with us. Been a part of this. I just didn't want to project that hope on to you and Cole. You deserved normalcy."

"Haven't we all?" Hayley sighed. "I guess what I find craziest, is that I don't feel any of this is crazy. That any of it isn't normal. It feels right. It shouldn't."

"Maybe not. Yet you feeling that way washes away damn near any worry I had left." We'll figure the rest out."

Hayley watched as Anna spun the gold ring she wore on her left thumb. She'd done that in the city as well. "I have a mountain of questions. Can we pretend I didn't tonight though? Can we just make Ethan cook whatever he has planned and just be?"

"We absolutely will." Anna rubbed her knee. "I'm greedy for this time, and we're going to have it. The rest can wait for when we're damn ready."

As twilight fell the four enjoyed their meal and each other. As only a close bond can do, they felt the comfort of knowing the worries would be dealt with together. What lurked for them around the edges of that hamlet couldn't touch that peace and knowing.