7th chapter

It was Christmas Day, at least for the Americans. Minna was used to celebrate Christmas on the 24th December, so basically one day earlier. Everyone did it like that and continued to do so to that day in Germany. But since her new life she didn't celebrate anything, not any holiday or God-forbid her initial birthday. By now she couldn't even remember the exact date.

Minna was on her usual way to the cliff on this cold winter morning. She still wondered what Carlisle would be up to, after all she didn't know him that well. As soon as she arrived at the cliff she sat down on the boulder, letting her eyes wander for a moment, before they settled on her clothes.

She still wore her new clothes, even though Esme stuck to her word and had her old one's ready yesterday. But she liked them, she felt more like a woman and less like the mere thief she was. It was particularly cloudy that morning, Minna barely had the chance to see the rising sun, like she did the past days. She had no company that morning, which she quite enjoyed if she was honest. She watched the fog crawling over the water and the wind shaking the trees nearby. Listening to the sound of the rustling leaves, her mind got carried away to the day her life changed forever.

She saw her family's old house in her mind, the busy men and women on the streets and even some kids playing with sticks and a saddened smile appeared on her face until she remembered the hard glare and loud voice of her father.

"You leave me no other choice but to find you a suitable husband", her father raised his voice taking a large step in her direction. Her mother took immediately a step back, shrinking in her position with a pleading look in her eyes. Tears spread over Minna's face. "Father, please. I beg you" – "Silence! I have enough of your unwomanly behavior, running into the woods like some dumb animal."

He breathed for a moment, straightened his posture but the cold look remained. "Look at your sister! She found a good husband and even got him an heir with the next on the way." He was proud whenever he talked about her sister, but when her father looked into Minna's swollen eyes his expression turned into disappointment. "I will find you a husband and you will fulfill your duty. Do you understand?" Minna gulped and took a step backwards. "Do you understand?", her father repeated with even more force in his voice. She looked at her mother almost apologetically. "I'm sorry, I can't do this", she cried and turned, running through the door, out of the house and into the woods.

"Wilhelmina, you come back here at once!", was the last thing she heard of her father before she vanished in the forest. It was late in the evening; tears were streaming down her cheeks and she sobbed bitterly while her feet carried her deeper and deeper. She finally reached a small stream and saw her friend André on the other side of it. His eyes showed deep concern and he walked a few steps closer to Minna.

She knew what he was, he and Olga told her after some time. They've known each other for a few years then and they were the only friends Minna had.

"Minna, what happened?", his voice was tender. She stopped on her side of the stream, kneeling down to wash her face. "My father wants to force me into marriage. This time for real", she sobbed, clawing into her legs while her tears fell into the water. "Apparently he has a potential candidate, but I can't." She raised her head at him. Her eyes red of crying stared into his almost black irises. "Please, take me with you when you leave. Just somewhere else, please."

André closed his eyes for a moment, fighting back his hunger. He loved her as a sister, but they couldn't take her somewhere else. Her knowing their secret was already risky enough. He looked back at the human, who stood up and started to make her way through the water. She walked carefully, not to slide away on the slippery ground.

Suddenly they heard a yell, Minna abruptly turned around, thinking her father might have followed her. In her sheer panic she forgot about her surroundings and slipped and fell. The stream wasn't strong but dragged her a few metres, sharp rocks cut into her legs and arms, dying the water around her in a faint red. All of a sudden, she felt arms pulling her out of the water, the cold skin making her shiver. For a moment she thought, she was safe again until a sharp pain on her neck made her body jolt in agony. A fearful scream escaped her lips and she tried desperately to push André away but to no avail.

Her attempts to free herself grew weaker by every passing second. Incomprehensible words left her lips and her body hung almost lifelessly in his fierce grip. She felt cold and tired. Before she lost consciousness, she heard a shocked scream of a woman. Minna believed it would be Olga, she felt her body getting pushed away and the pain on her neck lessened. She felt numb, she heard loud voices but couldn't understand a word. She could barely keep her eyes open, she just wanted to sleep. That was until she felt as if she was on fire. An agonized moan escaped her mouth, her eyes were widened in shock and her body started to shake uncontrollably.

Minna could barely recognize her environment, the pain flowing through her body was too intense. Whimpers and screams were all she could share. She felt cold hands on her arms, probably trying to ease her. She heard the words 'I'm so sorry' multiple times but couldn't answer. She felt as if she were in hell, day after day an unstoppable and rigid pain which felt like years. She felt her heart pump heavily in her chest just until everything vanished at once. The pain, the numbness and even the racing of her heart.

When she opened her eyes, she was met by an unfamiliar clarity. She saw the grass, the forest but never like that. She rubbed her eyes but in a soft motion her hands were taken and held by the woman in front of her. "Minna, my dear." Olga sounded somewhat relived, but deeply sorry at the same time. On her other side appeared André, his eyes almost didn't dare to look at her. "I'm so sorry", he whispered. "I didn't mean to. Please forgive me." Minna just looked at him, still completely confused what happened to her. She tried to stand up, but her fast movements irritated her. Without a word, Olga guided Minna to a campfire they made earlier. They sat down and the pair started explaining.

Minna sighed deeply when she recalled those memories. It was her fault, not André's. She was acting like a child. Probably her father was right, she was just a nuisance. She tried to push away the upcoming feeling, a feeling that dwelled in her for so long, but almost disappeared over the course of the last days.

Pictures flooded her mind, fighting off her creators because she wanted to go back into the village to see her mother, quickly followed by seeing them dismembered on the floor next to her mother's and father's bloodless corpses. André and Olga had tried to convince her that she wouldn't be ready yet, but she had been hardheaded and had run into the village a few days after her change. Naturally she couldn't control herself, but her mind was not ready to comprehend. Not until she had lost everything. She had fled the scene into the forest. She has heard rumors that the other villagers burned the house down, her sister was unharmed but she never dared to show herself. She knew the rules and she stuck to them.

She visited her mother's grave every so often, placing a violet, her favorite flower, on it every time. She also had attended her sister's funeral. A heartbreaking moment, which she had endured all alone in the shadows. Occasionally she would have checked on her sons, the only relatives she had, but had stopped seeing after her family, when both of them had been laid to rest.

Minna shook her head eagerly to push away those thoughts. With one last glance at the horizon, she stood up and slowly made her way through the national park. Snowflakes started to fall slowly to the ground. Images of the past still arose before her gaze, when she suddenly heard her name being called.

"Minna", Maggie appeared next to her in an instant. A smile spread on her face. "I admit, I was curious about this place. You always talked so eagerly about the beauty of this park, that I had to check for myself." She looked around for a moment before her eyes met Minna's. "You're right. It's really beautiful." Minna smiled back at her. "Told you so."

Both women started to walk slowly, they didn't intend to go back directly, they rather enjoyed the peaceful moment. "Oh, Merry Christmas, by the way", Maggie grinned and poked her friend. "One day late for our origin", Minna answered, "but Merry Christmas to you too." Maggie laughed but quickly shut it as she recognized her friend's pensiveness. She laid a hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

Minna sighed deeply. "Oh, I just recalled old memories. I'm sorry, bad habit." Maggie just smiled and nodded at her. She knew if Minna wanted to talk about it, she would do it. They were friends, they didn't force anything out of each other and Minna was exceptionally good at keeping her secrets. The Irish didn't mind, they loved her like a close relative, they even asked her if she wanted to join their coven, but Minna was too scared to move on.

Maggie, as well as Liam and Siobhan, realized that she somehow changed since they arrived in America. Definitely for better, she seemed more confident, happier in general, they just hoped that their trip here had a happy ending after all.

It was getting dark already when Maggie and Minna arrived back at the Cullen's house. Some nomads were still standing outside, but no shapeshifter was around. They were probably at their homes, celebrating with their families. The women made their way into the house, Maggie left to get to Siobhan and Liam, who stood in the living room, having a relaxed conversation with Garret, Kate and Tanya. Minna stopped when she saw Carlisle and Esme preparing something in another room. She knocked on the frame to get their attention.

"May I help you with something?" She saw several champagne glasses on the counter and some bags filled with a well-known red liquid. "Thank you, but you are a guest and we want to thank all of you at least a little through this gesture. Besides we're almost done," Carlisle answered in his usual calm and polite way of talking. Esme smiled at the German, arranging the last few glasses. "Thank you for offering you help, it's appreciated." Minna smiled back at her, nodding silently. "Why don't you go back into the living room, we will be there shortly." Minna left them and went into said room.