A/N: Hello lovelies! So I've been away for a hot minute there and I'm still writing WYS, so the next update will be sporadic but I wanted to let everyone know that I'm NOT abandoning this story, I just don't want to take any more long breaks in between updates and leave y'all hanging, so my plan of action is to have this story 90% finished and edited so I can have consistent updates. At this point, I'm focusing more on my other story but behind the scenes, I'm working on WYS fervently. I appreciate every single one of you for sticking by this story and me as an author. I'm working on a lot of things right AND working on a secret project that I'm super excited about. I'm not gone and I will never abandon any of my stories ever. (I'm still working on the coffee shop and Night at the club believe it or not lol) and will finish….eventually. Thank you again, I love you, and of course

Enjoy!

When You Love Someone

Chapter 36: Eyes Open

Didyme stood tall, her eyes held a fire in them that I had never experienced with 'Diana'. There was a sense of purpose in everything she did now. I groaned as the blackened webbing spread but just as Didyme said, it would be stalled…. but not stopped.

"Bella don't move. It will aggravate the wound and make the poison spread more. When Diego comes again, I'll give you more blood; I don't know how much time that will buy you, but it should be enough to sustain the current webbing where it is. You need blood to prevent it from spreading anymore and the strength for the cure to be effective." Didyme whispered as she spread some damp herbs on my skin, and I hissed as the steam came off me in waves.

"I am sorry Bella; the remedy won't be as potent, but it will help with the pain and help bind the skin where the knife penetrated," Didyme murmured as I hissed again in pain as she grimaced.

"How do you know about the plants here, h-how did you get them here in the first place?" I asked quietly, trying to distract myself and being genuinely curious about the knowledge she had.

"I snuck some down on my person when I first arrived here. I've been shuffled from numerous prisons they have all over the world. Each time…at least before the potion….I snuck some of the natural healing properties of the land. Sage can be found everywhere now but it's called differently and more populist in certain lands but….sage can be used for many cures. It's best to plant some all over in case of emergency."

"Hmm, that's smart" I gasped as I continued to observe her movements. "I have so many questions to ask….the life you've lived, the history you've seen, how you learned so much. So many people admired you and loved you in the Volturi." I whispered as I focused on my breathing, the burning coming in waves as I became dizzy from the smell of my burning skin.

"My life wouldn't have been told as accurately, I'm sure." Didyme chuckled sadly as she wrung out her shawl. It was then I noticed that it was the only piece of clothing she had, and I turned questioning it before she wiped away venom from the wound and held it as more steam escaped and I hissed.

"Don't worry about it." She murmured noticing where my eyes drifted. "I've had this ever since I came here. All my clothes have been taken but I've managed to hide this well enough. It comes in use in times of trouble." She whispered as I sunk back to the ground and closed my eyes knowing what she meant by 'trouble.'

Wanting to distract her (and myself honestly) I thought back to everything I knew about her which, in honesty, wasn't much. Just how she died but not a lot of detail on how she lived.

"Didyme?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you do it?" I murmured quietly as she worked.

"Do what? Save your life? Call it not wanting my only friend to perish so soon." She mumbled as she swatted my hand away from the site as I hissed at the sting. "Don't move, it will make the poison spread quicker."

"No n-not that, although I am great-ful for that." I smiled as I adjusted "But what I mean is the potions, being an alchemist. I read about the danger, the arguments with Caius, and the bringing of the war. Yet you continued throughout all of it. Why did you keep going?" I asked as she stilled and grew stiff. She spread the final bit of paste as she rubbed her hands together and I continued to gaze.

"I'm not sure how to answer that, if you've asked others, you'll get an array of different answers. I'm sure one of them must have had a better answer than me." She whispered as she turned and settled her gaze on me.

"Well, I didn't ask but, I mean you must have had a reason. Why not stop and take the safer route than continue and be in danger? No one knew, no one had any suspicion of what you were doing…. well except those who wanted it for themselves….or if they helped you like – like A-Alec." I swallowed some venom as I remembered his face, his rare smiles that I received in our sanctuary and I desperately held onto that image as Didyme worked.

"Yes, it was secret, only for a select few to know. The only ones who knew for certain were a part of our inner circle or who found out for themselves. Truthfully I don't know why I continued." She whispered as she sat next to me, lost in thought. "In the beginning, it was mainly for discovery, a way to make ourselves better. That of course was well known but the experiments….pushing the limits of what we could do…. that was a bit more extreme. Of course, the whole thing sounds quite poetic. When the wars started that was when I started to experiment more. I knew it was dangerous, but I was so limited by what I could do….my brother he – he wanted more. I didn't blame him then, no, if you would have asked me then I would have fiercely defended his honor. His reasoning. The Romanians weren't kind. They weren't even respected but feared. They had a grip on the world that could not be shaken and we, all of us, wanted more. I wanted my life filled with peace, not violence. I never craved power, not the kind that had to come from force yet, I felt I had to do something." She whispered.

"The book you made; it was a record of what was happening wasn't it? More than a simple book of recipes." I stated as she smiled.

"You are perceptive, aren't you? Yes, it was meant as a record. I was able to get away with it for a time. Enough to get everything down but not that weapon. It was too dangerous; Carlisle had called it the la flamma but I always thought of it as the living fire. I'm sure now it has many names. Sometimes I question if it was worth it, now…..I'm not sure." She spoke quietly as I swallowed more venom and shifted to where I could see her clearly.

"It saved my life." I stated "The creation of something useful doesn't make it good or evil. It caused your life much pain, but it saved mine. I guess it depends on whoever uses it." I murmured as the philosophy of it all was never my strong point nor interest but now, well, what else were we supposed to do but think.

"That's what has me wondering but, there is no use in dwelling on what could be different. It has no use for us. Not here anyway." She looked up as light shone through the opening of our prison.

"No use here" I repeated as I lay back down, the stone casting shadows on the ground as I fluttered my fingers in the sunshine, my skin brightening and shining like diamonds in the light.

"What was it like?" I heard Didyme whisper as I shifted and took a glance. "You spent time with the Volturi; my Marcus and brother, Caius – the guard? How was life there? Is it different? The same? What are they like…now?" She asked curiously, her eyes bright with unshed tears as I pursed my lips.

"Well…. I'm not sure what they were like back then but now, with my time there anyway. Aro was…. crafty." I said as I tried to sit up and Didyme helped me sit against the wall. "He was always looking for the next talent. He was particularly interested in my talents as a human, he couldn't read me, even then." I smirked as the hazy memory of his disgruntled face popped into my head.

"Fascinating, your powers were manifesting as a human – tell me, were you ever told that your blood smelled sweeter than most?" She asked as I came up blank.

"Uh…. I don't know. I mean I was Edward's singer but I'm not sure if it was brought up. Sorry." I shrugged as she simply nodded.

"No mind it, just a theory I have; but what of Marcus? You told me he believed me dead." She said sadly as I nodded my head.

"Yeah, Marcus; he was always so quiet, never saying much. I had one conversation with him really and it was mainly about you." I smiled "He misses you, very much. He even cast a curse; I think. Honestly so much has happened that it's amazing the mention of a curse was the least surprising thing about this whole thing." I shrugged as I shook my head.

"A curse you say. In my time witches were quite common but humans thought they were among themselves. It caused quite an uproar and many innocent people, mainly women, suffered severe consequences, those poor people suffered greatly from paranoia. Witches are more than just human. It's true humans can study the use of magic, and maybe, if they possess the gift, they can even use the energy around them to cast 'spells' but unless they were willing to die they could not use it." Didyme said lightly as I jerked shocked.

"Witches are real?" I asked as Didyme smiled.

"My dear you know we exist, children of the moon exist, shapeshifters….you are surprised by the existence of witches? The existence of magical creatures is well known…at least they were when I was, well, before I was taken." She let out softly.

"Regardless the existence of creatures is well known if you know whom to ask…and where to look." She shrugged as she smoothed back some of my hair and I smiled.

"I almost don't believe it but after seeing everything…experiencing everything…. if I were able, I would love to learn more from you. Your book brought me this far" I smiled "I would be honored if I could tutor under you." I whispered as a wave of pain engulfed me, and I gasped as I ground my teeth together.

"If we escape and survive this; the honor would be mine to teach and enhance this gift you already have. You finished my work, something I had been working on for years and your dedication…. Bella without you I would still be trapped inside my own mind. I owe you my life, it would only be right of me to teach you what I know. 'Apprentice' however isn't the right title, you have more than earned the title of an alchemist and eventually….my successor." She muttered as I tried to smile and gasped out

"Successor?"

"Very good. Successor." Didyme smiled but quickly frowned as she looked over the injury once again. "You need more blood."

"We need to get out of here," I muttered as I stared up at the ceiling, the bars locked in place.

"There will be a time. I'm sure of it, we need to be patient; the remedy I created, although crude, will buy you enough time until we can escape." Didyme whispered as I looked up dubiously.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because Bella….there is always a chink in the armor." Didyme smiled. "When watching your enemy walk, don't forget to watch where your step falls."

"Taka Aki" I breathed out, recognizing the familiar words that Jacob would often say.

"Yes…. you heard of his works?" She asked curiously

"Better, I'm best friends with his decedents" I smiled as my face awed.

"I see, the wolves are still active. You mentioned a Jacob a time ago….is he the descendent of the chief?"

"Yes, Jacob is the current chief of their tribe…and one of my best friends, he's family," I whispered as I groaned and tried to ignore another wave of pain.

"I would love to meet them one day" She whispered as she smiled "What of the others? Alec and Jane? I'm sure you were close." She hedged as I smiled.

"Very. Jane and I became friends first….it was slow at first but eventually we became close, bonding over the game of chess. She and I share the same blunt outlook on life but have optimism that no one else could have understood…except maybe Alec. However, our relationship, or at the beginning, lack thereof, was confusing, but I loved him. I think I've always loved him." I said softly, smiling at the memory of our first meeting. I was so defensive, so guarded and he came in with a gentle bow and I was so angry that I wasn't….well angry. The moment I saw him, I felt at peace.

It was weird.

"We had the same outlook on life. He is so strong-willed, so headstrong about what he wants, and has a warmness that I had never seen in others. He never pretended or hid who he was, and although he had secrets, he never held secrets about who he was at his core. He had an honesty that I wasn't used to and he never allowed me to hide or lie to him. He never allowed me to lie to myself either which was a trait I needed at the time. Alec is someone who is dependable, and he always has his loved ones' best interests at heart, even if he doesn't let them know it. He doesn't like to be vulnerable, something I can understand but straggly enough…he was the first person I was comfortable showing my whole self to. It was easy…..being around him. Loving him." I rambled as Didyme's smile slowly widened.

"Although there are things that I didn't like, I still don't know what the whole thing was with Chelsea…or I guess you knew her as Charmion." I guessed as Didyme's smile slipped for a fragile second.

"Charmion…yes I knew her."

"I saw in your diary that you had, uh, concerns about her. You were right. She went by the name of Chelsea sometime after you were taken and…she was coerced into helping Aro. I don't know how she ended up in that situation but…I knew how it ended. She kidnaped me on Aro's orders, but she let me go. She had kept records of every action Aro did, and I had planned on asking her but…. she told me that he was coming and that if I didn't leave…..well, I don't think she survived that night." I finished softly

"I do believe you may be right. My brother is many things but a fool he is not. He wouldn't leave any loose ends unattached; even if Charmion never turned against him or helped you, her fate was sealed the second she allied herself with him."

"Was that why you never stopped? Making potions, practicing alchemy I mean." I asked as she turned her gaze back to me.

"Someone had to be there to stand against him. I never wanted to believe that he would turn into the person who could do such things, but the signs were clear. I had to ensure that there was something there that would stop him. My mistake was thinking that he had limits, lines he would dare not cross but…that wasn't true, and I paid the price. I always wanted my creations to be used to push our species forward. Be more than what we were told to be. If we all settled for the standard who would push to be better?"

"Hmm, that's something Carlisle would say." I chuckled as Didyme slowly smiled.

"Yes, in fact, that is something he did say. I took a shining to Carlisle, the man who strived to be more than he was. Much of my ideas grew from his philosophies. We would spend so much time discussing new ideas, new avenues yet to be explored. He even joined me on my travels while Alec recovered from the moonchild attack."

"The scar on his arm?" I guessed as she nodded her head regretfully.

"I got too close, and the sedative was wearing off. I was collecting samples that I didn't notice it stirring. Alec knocked me out of the way which spared me but not his arm. He fought valiantly though; I was being careless. I did however manage improvements on the balm that made it heal faster. In fact, I created a solvent that would leave nothing but a line on his skin. I…I was going to give it to him but then everything with the war…. I never got the chance."

"I saw the scar on his arm - when we escape…you can give it to him. I know he'll appreciate it. He misses you a lot, he blames himself for what happened to you." I admitted quietly.

"He was very devoted; he took his word seriously. On the eve of battle, he promised that he wouldn't have any harm come to me." She said sadly "Alec and Jane were so vulnerable when I found them. They were half dead, the venom itself wasn't enough to cure them, I had to keep their hearts beating for the venom to change them. When they awoke, they were thankful, but Alec was particularly loyal to me after. It was a few years until I discovered why." She whispered, "He discovered my secret."

"What do you mean?"

"A few times a year there were regions where I needed plants, herbs – specialties where I could try to study and replicate and, on my journeys, I would make friends. Allies who were more open-minded, the individuals who would not let fear plague their minds with superstitions. Among these individuals were William and Agnes. They were kind people, hardworking and generous. When rumors spread of witches in the area, they were one of the few who believed them to be innocent. They spoke of twins who were ousted from their home, their village believed them to be devils and gave them food when they needed it. I gave them money and resources in their continued aid; although I couldn't directly interfere, I did what I could, and it was they who told me of the mob and burning."

"They saved Jane and Alec's lives," I whispered as Didyme slowly nodded.

"I never planned to tell them, in fact, I made certain to send Aro to save them to further keep my secret. Somehow, Alec discovered my deeds and from his words, he wanted to devote his service to a being who believed in the well-being of others, not for the sake of gaining anything but because it was the right thing to do. He had seen far too little kindness for the sake of kindness and wanted to do his part in spreading the mindset."

"He wanted to do something good" I whispered

"He wanted to believe he was doing something right. The Romanian reign was an act of brute strength and cruelty. Alec, although had his own opinions took part and it weighed heavy on his conscious. I knew that at times he reveled in his newfound power and status but somewhere along the way he changed. He and his sister both – and ever since they were in my service. Jane was her own being, and I knew I had her respect but Alec and I had an understanding. He wanted to learn – so I taught him. Arithmetic, geology, philosophy, art, physics – topics such as those were banned in the halls of the Romanians and as a commoner, he never learned how to read or spell his own name."

"He admired you a great deal" I smiled, enthralled with learning more history of how Alec became the man I knew.

"He was one of the few who cared about what I thought and believed in what I was teaching. He was never one to follow blindly and when I trusted him enough to tell him little of what I was doing he helped me gather what I needed to create my inventions."

"That is very true, Alec is strong-willed – he does what he wants, never one to follow blindly indeed." I led on, thinking back to his strange behavior in the library, his cryptic comments, and rare smiles in the sanctuary.

"When Carlisle visited, Alec learned much more than I could teach him, and together we were able to push the boundaries of what we could be. My Marcus was ever the supporter but I'm afraid I may have pushed his limits with the children of the moon. After Alec's attack, Caius convinced the brothers that it would be safer if I stopped, and the practice of alchemy was outlawed. To prevent any more tragedy or accidents."

"But there was no tragedy, you were helping people!" I said aghast as Didyme shook her head.

"That wasn't how they saw it. They saw Alec's attack and my carelessness as too close a call, but it wasn't enough evidence to justify my potions and with the threat of the Romanians, Marcus agreed. Of course, I was never one for following rules." She smirked as I laughed and grasped my side in pain. Okay, laughing is a no-go.

"Never less, I assume you know what happened after." Didyme sighed as I nodded.

"All this time and I never knew what truly happened to you…. thank you Didyme for telling your story."

"Thank you for listening. It's been so long since I've known who I was and even longer since anyone has asked for my story – we will escape this Bella. We both have not reached our endings and we both have something to fight for."

"I know, I just, sometimes I think it's not enough," I whispered quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"I love Alec, but secretly, I'm scared to admit that if I do tell them, not knowing how he will react if he rejects me what would I do? I've held on to the hope that he loves me back, it's the one thing that gives me strength here when everything else isn't but…I worry about how I would react if he didn't. After everything that's happened…. would I be strong enough for someone else to leave me?" I whispered not daring to meet her gaze.

"I know this sounds pathetic, betting everything on a person, but…sometimes it's all I have. A stronger person would say all you need is yourself but there are times when that isn't enough for me. I don't want to die Didyme." I admitted softly tears smarting my eyes as I felt a gentle hand.

"It's not wrong to be wanted, Bella. We have not experienced the typical life of those who have not been through the horrors of prison. We hang on to the pieces of good that we have left; that isn't wrong. I can't speak to your feelings, but to me, you are not weak. To me, I see a strong, young woman who has been through much and has had her spirit trifled and battered. Your mind has been played with, your body violated, and your spirit beat to its almost extinction, and yet…here you are. You are surviving, you have lived to see another day. No matter what you choose to hold on to, to see tomorrow is your choice and your journey. That is your hope. We survive one more day to live a hundred more."

"I know, I just wish I would know the truth. Mate or no mate I love him, I know I do and what keeps me hanging on is the truth of it all. That's what I look forward to."

"The power of truth is one of the strongest forces in the world. It's enough to topple kingdoms and strong enough to bring down the mightiest of enemies. The power of truth is almost as strong as love. Truth brings clarity and love brings passion – faith is the tie that binds them all. Together - they are the key to true power."

"Huh, I think your right." I groaned and smirked to myself "You know for being really wise that reminded me of a motivation poster from Michaels" I giggled as Didyme gave me a confused look.

"A…motivational poster? From Michaels? I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with these terms."

Right, of course, because she's locked away for centuries idiot "Oh, yeah, uh, sorry it's um a store or a building where you can purchase things for like making your home pretty?" I stumbled as Didyme never lost the confused look, but she suddenly looked up and placed a firm hand over my mouth as I stopped my ramblings. She put a finger to her lips as she closed her eyes and smiled widely.

"There's been changes" She murmured as I felt my eyebrows raise and I looked up at the darkened entrance. "They speak in the old tongue, they have ever since you arrived – the language from the court, but I know it. I can speak it, understand it. One of the outposts was ambushed by a group of Volturi soldiers. A captain never reported in…. Vladimir has left!" Didyme whispered urgently as I waited on bated breath for her to continue.

"We're going to be transferred in a few days, Bella." Didyme said as I choked on my words "Our time has come. This is our chance! We can escape!"

I stared, shocked, as Didyme was busying herself making another concoction, except this time it was meant to harm, not heal. Didyme's plan was kind of ingenious. It's been three days and already we were preparing. Didyme was given blood however it was given to me. I wouldn't dare call myself at full strength, but I could fight and that was all we needed.

Didyme informed me that when I was unconscious or brought up for 'questioning' guards by the name of Mele and Corrina would come down to question Didyme. Those two were our first targets and the hardest to fight.

They were trained, gifted, and worst of all – they knew our weaknesses. The one thing we had was time and the knowledge that 'Diana' was Didyme. I just had to trust Didyme's word that it was going to work. Trust in her abilities as well. The potion was crude but effective. The healing balm, in large enough doses, would sting, and although not inflict any damage itself, with my shield Didyme will do the rest. Their abilities were purely mental, and I was positive that with the blood from the last few weeks and Maria's attack I was strong enough to have us both shielded for that time. Didyme knew how to fight and from the look in her eye, it was a fight a long time coming.

Then the rest would fall into place.

"I know the balm will help little but though the pain you have to lie still. Mele and Corrina will come down on the crane. From there they will approach you first, by now the poison should have killed you and they will bring your body up first to be burned and come back down for me. While you are above there will be more guards that lead into the castle. Shield them all and wrap us in a bubble, like the one I taught you." She instructed as I nodded my head and Didyme set her mouth into a hard line.

"We should still watch for Stefan but if the events were severe enough for Vladimir to depart, he will be more concerned for himself than the prisoners. Tonight, I will be fed for the last time, but you must take every drop, but…. I'll be weak Bella. I'll be slower so if anything were to happen…" She led on as I shook my head, not even giving her a chance to finish.

"Then we'll improvise. I don't care what happens I'm not leaving you. Either we both go, or we don't, I didn't do all of this to leave you here to die. I won't and you're just going to have to accept that if you want this to work." I said harshly, glaring at her.

With a sigh, Didyme muttered her agreement but I wasn't folding on this. I refuse to leave her behind. Not after what I know now. Not after what we've both been through.

"The room I was taken to the first night I came here, are you sure you know what to do," I grumbled as I grasped my side, the black cracking and damaged skin worsening by the day.

"Yes, I've been up there a few times and know where to go. I can make an ointment and it will be enough to pause the effects but once we're out of here I can get what I need for the cure. I'm sorry Bella but it will be painful, but you'll be healed." Didyme grimaced as I nodded my head.

"Then I don't care about the pain, whatever we have to do right?"

"Right" She whispered

"We'll be free….no matter what," I whispered as I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing.

No matter what.

"Bring it down!" A female voice roared from above me as I looked up and Didyme and I shared a look and nodded our heads.

This was it.

The day we've been waiting for, praying for, had arrived.

Just as Didyme predicted I let my body drop and stopped my breathing and held my eyes closed. The metal clang of the chains dropping was my only inclination that anything out of the ordinary was happening until the thud of boots on the dirt ground held my attention.

"Corrina…to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" Didyme asked fearfully, playing her role perfectly.

"You've been assigned to a new room. The transfer order has gone through and it's time for a move. Pity for your friend, however." Corrina scoffed as I felt the swift kick of her boot into my injured side, and it took all my will not to scream and lie there silent.

"Don't touch her!" Didyme yelled followed by a sickening slap.

"Remember your place! Or you'll wind up like her." Corrina seethed as the metallic clanging came back at full force and silently, I was in cool, unfamiliar arms, the leather and wool of her uniform uncomfortable against my bare skin.

The time it took me to be lifted from the cell felt like an eternity, seconds felt like hours until finally, I was thrown to the side, my body making a loud crack as I hit the stone and I dare a glance at our surroundings. For the first time, I was finally able to see what was above for so long.

Long hallways with brick archways lined the walls, while the chandelier at the roof was so dim it cast long shadows on an otherwise unassuming room. The walls were white with no signs or artwork of any kind. They were just blank and looked empty. I chanced a look behind me and I was stunned to see that Corrina was the only guard there. A quick sniff of the air only confirmed my suspicions that, indeed, Corrina was the only thing that stood in front of our freedom.

With a gasp, Didyme was pushed beside me as her eyes found mine and I smirked. Didyme subtly sniffed the air and came to the same conclusion I had.

With a hard set of her mouth, Didyme swiftly turned and I threw up my shield, exactly as planned as Corrina, caught off guard, was swiftly taken down and I jumped up and tore off a piece of her arm as her scream echoed off the walls.

"You bitch!" She yelled as I shrugged and Didyme pulled off her head, the scream cutting off as I kicked her body down the hole and Didyme tossed her head beside her.

"Enjoy!" I hollered as I smiled before Didyme grabbed my hand and dragged me behind her.

"Come on Bella, we have to move fast before Mele, or another guard comes looking!" Didyme hissed as I swallowed and followed Didyme's lead. I wished I had taken into account the detail of the walls, or the art or…really anything of our surroundings but my only instinct, my only priority was to run and not stop.

Suddenly Didyme raised her hand and pulled me towards a corridor as I bit my lip and smelled two more scents. Although I had my shield up, the second they got close they would sense us.

Didyme knew that too.

"Ahhh!" She cried as she jumped on a guard and without hesitation, I threw my shield around all of us, Didyme tearing off the head of the hissing guard as I dodged and punched the male guard in front of me and ripped off his mask only for him to lunge and bite me on the arm.

I yelped but twisted out of his grip and climbed his back, exactly how Jasper taught me, and before I knew it his head was on the floor and Didyme was grabbing his mask.

"Put on the unforms Bella, we can sneak out this way. The corridor leads to the lab!" She instructed as I followed her directions and gripped my arm, the stinging pain rising tenfold as my side protested the new activity.

"Keep going" She whispered urgently as I hastily threw on the jacket and mask, scrunching my nose at the invasive smell. Nevertheless, we persisted, keeping a measured pace as I looked all around keeping an ear out for footsteps or scents. Didyme was a natural, her back straight but I could tell that with each step she was getting weaker. Once we got to the familiar hallway I pointed left until we approached the door and Didyme threw open the door and shut it tightly as I threw up my shield quickly.

Didyme got to work, dashing over to the table, ransacking the cabinets, and started measuring herbs as I kept my ear to the door. I knew the seconds were ticking and I heard footsteps coming in our direction. "We're going to have company" I hissed as she nodded and mumbled under her breath in Italian.

Soon there were swift knocks on the door, and I panicked as we both looked at each other, the purplish paste being heated over a small flame before a voice shouted "what are you doing in there! All guards must report to the prison!" He yelled as the knocked became more frequent.

"We're on different orders" I mumbled, trying to change my voice as the door handle jiggled and I pushed my weight on the door.

"No such thing, I command you to open the door!" The guard yelled as my strength wavered and I groaned, Didyme giving me a worried look.

"I don't have enough strength to keep my shield up and run!" I said as the guards were yelling for backup and I looked up desperate for what to do.

"Take it down on my signal Bella" She whispered harshly as I gasped "On my signal….ready?" She commanded as I gulped and nodded. As ready as I'll ever be.

"Now!" She yelled as I took it down and at once the door burst open at its hinges and it crashed into the wall as the guards descended on us – two were on me immediately as I struggled to tear off their limbs but it was harder than Mele. I was getting weaker when a bottle crashed onto them and they collapsed as Didyme tackled us to the ground and I rolled away as Didyme crushed a paste mixture onto the face of a guard as he screamed.

Two more guards were coming down the hall and I threw up my shield and ran towards them as they crashed into the invisible wall I tore off their heads, breathing heavily as I saw a window along the wall. Perfect.

"Didyme!" I screamed as she looked up and smiled when she saw the window but a vampire came up behind her and pricked her with a needle causing her to scream and go limp as I screamed "No!"

I dashed as the vampire caught me but I turned, using the same stance Jasper taught me so long ago, and twisted out his grip and jumped on their shoulders removing both of their arms and I crashed to the floor. Without thinking I picked up Didyme's limp body and carried her on my shoulders running full speed towards the window until I jumped…the sweet smell of the grass and wind enveloped me, and I flashbacked to months prior when I did the same tactic.

The same move, the same desperation, the same small taste of sweet freedom as I heard the birds chirping in the distance. I once dreamed of a perfect day – my friends and family surrounding me and Alec by my side however now I had something to add….my mentor and friend were alive and thriving as we survived the nightmare together. I once had no choice but to surrender…. now I had no choice but to flee.

I hit the ground hard as Didyme groaned and rolled out of my arms, but I swiftly picked her up and ran as fast as I dared. I could hear the screaming of the guards and the pounding steps behind, but I dared not look back. I had to reach the sea no matter what.

My legs pumped up the earth behind me and I felt the ache and pain in my side, but I had to keep going. Their footsteps pounded louder, and I knew they would reach me if I didn't find something soon.

I had to try it. In the prisons, Didyme taught me how to do the bubble, separated from me but enough to where I would gain enough distance to be safe.

Reaching down deep I drew up all my strength and cast out my wall, stretching away from my body and using it to cover miles of land. The crunch of bodies hitting my shield made the pain worth it and I heard the rushing water of the river as I laughed.

Without thinking I saw the icy blue waters and dived in, Didyme's extra weight causing me to falter some but swimming with one arm was enough.

The water was cold and deep and to be honest I couldn't tell you how long I swam but after some time I smelled the saltiness of the ocean and was greeted with a beautiful sight.

Miles and miles of ocean with the sun slowly rising on the horizon and I smiled….I smiled long and hard and laughed with the miracle that, finally, I was coming home. We were both coming home and finally, after so many tortuous months I was keeping my promise.

I was coming home.

So here you are, two steps ahead and stayin' on guard
Every lesson forms a new scar
They never thought you'd make it this far
But turn around (turn around), oh they've surrounded you
It's a showdown (showdown) and nobody comes to save you now
But you've got something they don't
Yeah, you've got something they don't
You've just gotta keep your eyes open

Eyes Open – Taylor Swift