The Return (Eve)

[Silas Driscoll]

Since the Manager of the B&B in Liverpool had quite rudely told Silas that they were disturbing the other customers, which since Silas had seen nothing but fleas and cockroaches couldnt fathom out who was the other customers, Silas had announced to Eve that they were to leave later that night. Despite the fact he couldnt get the bleeding phone to work, which he had shaken and thrown across the room many times before finally giving up with the damned thing. He had known the younger girl found it quite funny how Silas knew everything, or seemed to, and yet couldnt work a simple phone. Though the many menu's and the small circle thing at the back, which flashed if he pressed a certain button, not to mention the strange buttons and numerous other things he could just not figure it out. The Vampire had simply just not been able to get his mind around it and eventually ended up becoming rather stressed with it all. Thankfully, Eve knew how to use them, so at least he wouldnt have to worry about it too much.

It hadnt been that much of a bad trip from Liverpool to Manchester, though for some reason the train broke down at St Helens so they had to make their way down to St Helens junction and then from there to Manchester. That had been the only hick about it really. Even though it was late at night, Silas was recieving strange looks from people and one guy, who could only be described as into his books, said he looked familiar, though Silas glared so he said no more on the matter. The bus trip to the junction was considerably bumpy as the roads arent really smooth, though it only took them ten minutes so it wasnt too bad.

By the time they got to Manchester, Silas was exceptionally grumpy. Snarling at the drunks within the town centre, especially the ones who hit on Eve. He kept her close to him so they wouldnt be seperated in the mass of people, sometimes the city centre really wound Silas up, but he was on guard and he was tense, even through this crowd of beer smelling idiots, Silas could smell the fur of the Lycans, this was the part of the journey Silas would have said would be most dangerous, however it seemed the docks in Ireland was the most dangerous as no injuries occured between Liverpool and Manchester.

It took the two of them over an hour to get through the city, Silas would have taken to the rooftops if he was alone, but Eve wouldnt be able to keep up. They cut through the city and into the Dell. Looking to Eve he smiled, "I am sorry." He apologized before scooping her up so she was on his back, "This is the Dell." He told her, "Its a marshland, can be quite dangerous but it is the quickest route. It has bogs and quicksand within it, but I know where to step and it will be easier if I dont have to worry about you." So, keeping hold of Eve, his hands holding her legs just underneath her knees as her arms were slung around his neck in a piggyback fashion, he carefully crossed the marshland. They had to cut through the forest yet and go through the more dead part of the town. Once he was clear of the marsh and on the edge of the forest, his eyes narrowed as he put her down and said quietly, "Stay close."

He walked even slower through the forest, walking quietly and keeping on his guard. A hoot of an owl nearby caused him to spin around, though narrowing his eyes again, he turned back on track. He knew this forest was a place the Lycans liked to go as it spanned around Manchester and gave them perfect cover. Unless your name was Demetrius of course and your fur was bright white. Then not so much cover. They were soon out of the forest and into the residential area, they were soon past there and they were stood on a grassy part, facing two large metal gates and a huge darkened manor, Manchester really was a big place, but he looked around. He turned to Eve and said simply, "Do you believe everything you read in stories or see in movies?" Silas looked at her, his eyes quite saddened, "I need to know, because if you dont, we will have to come up with something as there will be no point in continuing. You will not want to." Then he looked back upto the Manor, lights were on in the windows and he could smell the familiar scent of home. "If you have any doubts in your mind, tell me now, once we pass through those gates it will be too late to turn back." He placed his hands on the girls shoulders, "My family is a large one, and within it everyone has their place. Do not feel intimidated, people will want to get to know you. Especially the younger ones, though if you stick with Antonia you will be fine, and dont worry I'll always be around too." He was worried now, he was trying to tell her his family wasnt exactly normal, but he couldnt blurt out the fact they were Vampires could he?

[Eve Regan]

Events would have taken an entirely different turn if Silas, right there and then, had blurted out that he was a vampire, for learning of the betrayal later on could hardly work out well, but Eve’s natural reaction would first be incredulity she wouldn’t believe it, until the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place, then shock would have turned to anger at being deceived and realising she was in the company of a bleeding vampire; no pun intended.

But faced with such a difficult dilemma of when to reveal the disturbing truth Silas did what any other human, or rather vampire in this case would do; he’d delay the inevitable; finding out in Liverpool over half way through her journey would have been devastating, naturally her first impulse would have been to run, likely straight onto the first available ferry to the Isle of Man. Yet for now Eve was still utterly in the dark, and none the wiser as to the real race of her travelling companion, all she knew was that she trusted him, and that was all that really mattered.

Told they were to leave later that night Eve settled down for the wait; curling her legs up onto the bed and lazing in a cat like way upon the not so comfy, thin duvet that didn’t soften the springy mattress one bit. Watching Silas and his complete inability to use the mobile she couldn’t help but laugh; one because she’d naively believed everyone knew how to use one, everyone who was anyone at least, and two because he seemed entirely capable of handling any situation, yet here he was struggling to use a simple mobile, the irony wasn’t lost on Eve and she did laugh aloud, until she saw his increasingly annoyed looks and stifled her giggles deciding that she’d do the nice thing and try to help him. The slight hitch would be his pride she thought; most people would be utterly embarrassed that they couldn’t even use the phone but he didn’t seem to care about what others thought, more that it just wasn’t working for him when he needed it. Eve was a willing and capable teacher, she knew that giving him a few lessons would help pass the time and she enjoyed helping people anyway, so dragging him to sit beside her on the bed she was particularly careful not to patronise him but also to show everything carefully for she knew how confusing mobiles were for the older generation as she’d put it. Eve showed Silas the ropes, showing him all the ins and outs of the phone; most importantly how to put in numbers in the address book and then to phone those numbers and how to send and receive text messages. Getting him to punch in her number and showing him how to send her a text she’d guessed he’d pick it up pretty quick, and she was right; if his temper and impatience hadn’t have got the better of him he could easily have taught himself she believed, in fact she figured he’d acted up almost to get her to teach him just improve their relations even more. Looking back in hindsight she later came to believe that she’d been oh so carefully manipulated every step of the way.

When the time came for them to leave the pretty shabby B&B Eve was particularly glad, she’d seen a number of spiders and screamed a couple of times whenever they’d come to close, jabbing Silas in the ribs until he dealt with them for her demanding that he “be a gentleman,” for she was petrified of spiders. Giving a very dark look to the owner of the B&B she knew the age old motto of ‘the customer was always right’ and so cheekily said on leaving, “you know you’ve a spider infestation don’t you? Oh and cockroaches and fleas even, we’re thinking of reporting you to the…” she hadn’t needed to finish the comment as the which was lucky because she couldn’t offhand think of the governing body she’d need to report the disgraceful conditions too, the owner of the B&B obviously did though and very kindly knocked off the price of the breakfast on the condition they wouldn’t tell anyone. Cheekily grinning Eve had commented, “see I do have my uses,” to Silas as they walked swiftly to the train station that would take them onto Manchester itself.

Eve had tried engaging Silas in small talk on numerous occasions throughout the journey but he’d remained incredibly tight lipped and seemed quite content to glare about at fellow travellers, he really did become secretive and clam up she realised. So plugging in her MP3 player she’d instead listened to a little music and had a little nap, knowing Silas would hardly leave without her, and that he’d bite someone’s head off if they tried disturbing her in any way. Dreaming of her family Eve, for once, wasn’t awoken kicking and screaming by dreadful dreams perhaps her subconscious knew that she had to remain under the radar while they travelled so mercifully she remained quite peacefully asleep as everyone could tell by the small smile playing across her lips and the way he head lolled against Silas shoulder. Perhaps that had put Silas in such a foul mood, but Eve hadn’t purposefully leaned against him, it was in fact better that she blamed herself for his grumpy mood rather than knowing the real reason of the danger they were in; as instead of asking countless questions she remained quiet and kept up with his quick pace walking by his shoulder. It was lucky she did or else she would have been swept away by the crowds of people flowing to and from the busy pubs and clubs that they had to struggle past. Eve received numerous wolf whistles, even though she wasn’t wearing anything that particularly flaunted her figure she was still exceptionally pretty and thus it was little surprise to others that a blind drunk teenager did try flirting with her, Eve did know she was pretty stunning, she’d been told often enough but she still remained modest about it and blushed whenever anyone commented on her looks. She wouldn’t have admitted it but she was glad that Silas had been there to ward off the countless young men on the prowl with a soundless growl and a menacing glance, because she never knew how to reply to anyone so was inwardly ecstatic and outwardly glad when Silas whisked her away which didn’t give her the opportunity to the reply to the comment of “god yer gorgeous” in a rather drunken way, at least that’s what it had sounded like. She then firmly shut her mind off from other passing comments and kept her own eyes lowered to the ground, she herself wasn’t looking as she still had high hopes that Sean would remain her boyfriend so long as she stayed in touch, regularly, which would prove more difficult than she’d first imagined. Startled out of her reverie by a hard slap on her rump she replied without thinking with a knee in the guy’s family jewels; growing up in a rowdy Irish pub had its uses and the guy actually got off lightly as Silas probably would have disembowelled him, as the threat was shown by the next ambitious, stupidly drunk guy whose hands were crushed as he was shoved back into a gaggle of his friends waiting to catch him and laugh their heads off about it for days afterwards.

Eve would have said she was glad to leave that area of town, that was until she saw the marsh that they had to cross, “we’ve got to go through that?” She sighed now thankful she wasn’t wearing her best shoes, she’d stumbled through marshland before now but, “woah,” she cried surprised as she was so easily hoisted aloft as if she weighed no more than a feather, and that was with a filled rucksack upon her back too. “It’s ok,” she replied as he apologised, laughing she commented with a happy smile, “you make me feel like I weigh nothing at all.” As he explained about the marshland she was now thoroughly delighted that she was safe upon his back, she didn’t fancy suffocating under quicksand her wild and strikingly vivid imagination was showing Eve in her minds eye just how horrible a death it would be; slow and agonising. No it was definitely not on her list of how she’d rather die, which including dying laughing or during sex, either would do her fine.

Set back upon her feet as they entered a very dark, very forboding looking forest, which was only heightened by her paranoia and the likeness to that of the forests in her nightmares, Eve shivered wondering if she couldn’t have stayed safe upon Silas’ back, but she’d feel childish and cowardly to ask him that, so she simply nodded as he grimly bade her stay close, she had no intention of letting him out of her sight, especially not here and therefore trod carefully exactly where he walked. Amazed at how silently he moved she couldn’t hear his movement or breathing at all, he made not a sound, all she could hear was nightly noises of distant owls and foxes and the sound of her own ragged breathing and feverishly thumping heart. Eve was able to move fairly quietly, she’d been hunting with her father and brothers a few times and been able to creep up upon them so light of foot she had been, but she was a stomping giant in comparison to him and she marvelled at his silent way, but kept the compliment she wanted to give to herself for fear of breaking the deathly silence. The way Silas’ eyes roved about the terrain and how he reacted to the hoot of an owl, which her own reaction was a major amplification of as she nearly jumped out of her skin, but thankfully managed to suppress the scream that had involuntarily jumped to her lips. Eve knew that if Silas was edgy then she likely had good reason to be too so she wouldn’t have been overly embarrassed if she had screamed as she wasn’t afraid of admitted her fright but yelling in a such a way wouldn’t exactly have been in line with the stealthy way they were trying, or rathermore; that Eve was trying to manage and Silas was managing effortlessly, to move.

Thankfully the ever so slightly terrifying trip through the forest, that she could have sworn she very distinctly recognised from her dreams, was soon over and Eve thanked her lucky stars, especially on seeing the large, hulking shape of what looked like a manor, and proved to be one. If she’d known what was awaiting her inside she would have known then that her lucky stars had somewhat forsaken her for a time. “You live there?” She gasped incredulously, “don’t tell me you’re a bachelor?” She laughed “cause you’re not exactly eligible,” realising that was a bit of a stinging blow she quickly added, “well maybe you are somebody’s type.” Grinning she poked the big man playfully in the ribs, but turned serious as he asked a blunt and seemingly random question.
“Uhm, no not really…” she considered a moment, “I want to believe the happy and hopeful ones, where people live happily ever after, but they just don’t really happen to people.”
Puzzling over his comment about having to come up with something if she did believe in what pictures books and films paint she replied, “well I know my life isn’t exactly going to be easy…if that’s what you mean?” Looking a little perplexed her puzzlement was heightened on seeing his sorrowful expression and the way he looked with such longing at the manor, the place itself was dear to him or, as Eve rather wanted to believe, the people within it were.

“Well of course I’ve got loads of doubts,” she replied a touch of exasperation tingeing her voice, as people seemed to forget how confusing and downright difficult everything was for her, “but I have to just go for it really. I have to be able to control these stupid dreams, I’m terrified, completely terrified of hurting others, even you now,” she admitted, “so I know that this is where I have to stay, if you say so, if I can get help here so then I won’t hurt anyone.” It took a lot for Eve to admit that above everything else she was governed by the fear of her nightmares; the fear that they would come true.

Trying to put a brave face on everything she joked, “hey if I’m not intimidated by you then I won’t get intimidated by anyone will I?” She laughed, hoping that Silas would be the scariest person she’d ever meet, because when it got down to the nitty gritty, and she could see through his armour she knew he was just a big softy really. “I’m just glad you’re not a bachelor and people my own age will be cool to meet,” obviously to her “younger ones” pointed towards people more her age, yet another thing that she was sadly mistaken about.

As Silas looked up at the manor she muttered under breath, not knowing that he would easily be able to hear her murmur; “you’d better stick around,” I don’t want to be left alone she thought worriedly beginning to get a sinking feeling in her stomach, but before it could get any worse she summoned up her courage, taking a breath she said, “well let’s get this over with before I get cold feet, your family can’t be that bad.” She tried laughing but it came out more like a wimper but she looked fairly confident, her knees weren’t knocking together and her lips were pressed firmly together in a thin line of gritted determination.

[Silas Driscoll]

((Sorry it took so long, and its not great))

He was home. Silas had never been happier to see the Manor and hear the sounds of the inhabitants. However if you looked at him you would think he really did not want to be here. His mission was complete, he had retrieved Eve safely as ordered and even grown to respect the girl somewhat. She, right now, was his only link to ever having a past he could call normal. Of course, Normal wasnt a word that was put into a Vampires Dictionary. Their lives were far from normal. "No, Im not a bachelor, but yes." Silas looked at Eve, "I live here with my ever expanding family." Hearing her say he wasnt elligible, he really wanted to say for someone nearing 4000 years old, he was pretty damn good looking. Of course, he refrained from doing so. "Im not interested in anything like that." He had loved once, and he never would again. That was the way Silas was. He liked his own space anyway and a wife would just nag him in this day and age. How humans put up with it now he would never know.
"No, they really dont happen." Silas answered, his face darkened as his coat was swaying lightly. "Life is not like a fairytale. There usually arent any happy ever afters, but it is amazing how many people. Inlcuding my family, hope for some form of a better future." This was said more to himself then to Eve. He looked at her and shook his head, "That is not what I mean." Silas looked away from her, "You must have figured I'm not exactly the run of the mill man, havnt you?" Silas asked, "You saw what happened on the docks, and the injuries I suffered, but yet im still here to tell the tale. Surely you have figured that, im not exactly..." Human. He wanted to say human. But he couldnt. "Normal?"
"Things arent always what they seem," Silas told her, "Bunnies can be evil whereas things like... I dont know..." Frowning, "Vampires may not be. Not everything is how it is depicted within a story or movie. Or in Histories own text books." Silas looked at her, "Just remember one thing. I never lied to you"

"If there is one thing you dont have to worry about," Silas smiled, "It is hurting me. I can handle myself, and im sure I can handle whatever you throw at me" Holding out his hand to her as he walked a little ways infront of her, Silas' ice blue eyes landed on her brown ones. "You know who I am now, and you know I have helped you. I will not, however, force you to come with me." He looked back upto the manor, "But I wont give up on you either. Your choice; If you choose to trust me, take my hand. If you dont." Well she would have to run, and he suspected that she would more than likely hightail it back to the docks in a vain hope she could return home. Silas wasnt about to give up on Eve, there was another Seer, so if he lost her, it wouldnt be a bad loss really, well not to the clan. Though to Silas he would feel like he was losing Chan again, and he could not. No would not, let that happen.

Silas was a cold person and he did scare quite a few people. He was always moody and never joined in unless it was something to do with training or fighting with the Lycans. He did not like people running in the Manor as there were expensive, irreplaceable things in there that could be broken. He was, all in all, what the younger ones called, 'Mister Misery.' Though this didnt bother Silas, he got his job done and kept everyone safe, and that was all that mattered. "Its highly unlikely you will" He smiled, Eve had seen a softer side of the Vampire, one no other person barr Alexandria had seen. Ranvier had seen him laugh once or twice in their long years together but nobody else had even seen him crack a smile. He wouldnt go as far as saying he was a big softy, but he wasnt as stone hearted as people thought he was and he was able to care, and when he did, he did it properly and deeply to the point of losing someone almost ripped him inside. Though he cared for his family, he hadnt cared that deeply in too long. Maybe Eve would bring out a caring fatherly side of Silas which had been buried deep underneath the surface. "Well a lot of them still act like ten year olds," Silas growled, though inwardly he thought some of the antics were quite amusing. "Ranvier is one of the oldest in the family, though from his attitude, you'd think he was still a five year old."

Silas could hear her muttering, but he didnt answer. He knew he would be around for as long as she needed him or wanted him there. Someone was going to have to nuture her into this new world, and he knew that someone was more than likely going to be himself. He nodded at Eve as she spoke about getting this over with. Walking to the main gates, which towered over him. As they got closer, the gates swung forward, allowing them entry into the main courtyard of the Manor. A few of the younger Vampires were still outside the Manor, once they spotted him they came running upto him, with yells of "Silas!" and "Silas is home!" A couple of the more daring and cheeky youngsters began yelling things like, "Mister Misery returns!" and "The place has been so dull without you brightening it up." He stood with them for a little while, letting them chat at him, not really paying much mind. The crowd dispersed and the two were alble to walk foward into the Manor.

[Eve Regan]

Fear of the unknown mingled with curiosity as Eve looked up at the manor biting her lip in deep, pensive thought wondering if she’d meet more unique individuals like Silas because she’d never met someone like him before; which wasn’t exactly a compliment nor an insult either, he puzzled her extremely with his strange mannerisms as if he belonged to a different age entirely he intrigued yet frightened her in near equal measure so when he mentioned an ever extending family she couldn’t conceive others like him, not exactly like him at least. Much as she was gradually starting to trust Silas she couldn’t have imagined living solely with him, Eve had always needed people her own age about her; playful and fun people and nobody could really say that Silas was that. Though she’d been with him for a few days now she still found him a complete mystery and not an entirely pleasant one, she wanted to know more about his past to understand what had shaped him into the person he was today, but she already knew that she’d never receive full replies that would satisfy her curiosity. Eve’s eyes flickered towards Silas as he stated rather bluntly that he wasn’t interested in love, something that Eve found incredulous as she still held high, naïve hopes of the world and those inhabiting it. She nearly squeezed his shoulder but thought better of it as her hovering hand fell limp again at her side, quickly looking back to the manor she studied it a moment longer running her hands through her hair Eve sighed everything was just so confusing, as Silas commented about how unreal fairytales were she replied near tartly, “way to depress me,” but realising that was a bit pessimistic and that she’d been rather short with him saying such a thing she added, “well I suppose hope is always good.” She didn’t quite believe her own words though as a sudden crushing feeling that she was silly and childish to hope that Sean could possibly still love her, when she’d in effect deserted him, staring blankly at the ground she heard Silas’ next words but they didn’t sink in straight away, he was pointing out what should have been obvious to her; of course she had noticed everything, it had been hard not to, but she’d refused to believe to begin with but throughout the trip she’d slowly begun to realise that the world she’d lived in had barely scratched the surface of what the true realities were.

“You coulda just been lucky,” she mumbled failing even to convince herself of that she shook her head looking up from a deep study of her shoes, “ok that was weird, but so are my dreams and everything, so I’m kinda starting to believe that I don’t know anything about the world anymore…and that’s scary,” she added in a small voice not able to keep eye contact with Silas, preferring to study his shoes now as he continued trying to very carefully explain something that Eve just couldn’t get, he seemed to be choosing his words deliberately even.

“Bunnies and Vampires?” She repeated puzzled, “what have they got to do with it?” She joked, course she knew it was meant for the contrast, but still; Vampires weren’t exactly the model of heroism and good deeds. Smirking a little she looked back up at Silas now, studying his face, “I know what you’re getting at though, I’ll try not to prejudge stuff…no promises mind,” she added hastily, because she never made any promises, for fear of breaking them and hurting others.
Trying to smile she counted off her fingers saying “ok one you never lied, and two, don’t believe everything from films and stories. I think I can remember that.” She rolled her eyes ever so slightly, “do you really think I’m that naïve?” Stupid question really, she probably was, “ok maybe I am, but I’ll try not to be…somehow.” Bravely putting on a smile her eyes were dragged back to the threatening forest and it faded she shivered seeing dark beings from her dreams hidden in every shadow. Quickly she turned back to the pale light coming from the manor, if there wasn’t a roaring fire that she could sit before to warm herself and drive away thoughts of the forest she’d be very disappointed.

Sighing a little exasperatedly she looked up at Silas replying, “what are you? Like fifty something? And you still haven’t figured out that women worry anyway whatever you tell them, so I’m gunna worry away.” What if I don’t just throw punches at you? She thought words can hurt so much more, even big buggers like you Of course she’d never dare say that out loud.

Eve had already made her mind a long time ago, she was going to try sticking it out, whatever this would quite turn out to be, she expected she’d need to train her mind and body which would be tough work, but she hadn’t really dwelled upon what lay ahead of her; she preferred living for the moment and besides her other plans of joining the EU had been thrown awry, she’d dropped out of university just like that, just up and left and she hadn’t wanted to think about that, deserting family and friends without a word, what would they be thinking? Worried sick and cursing her name, no she’d tried not the dwell upon such things but the chance to turn back was presented to her, and for a fleeting moment she really, really wanted to run back, to run and hide from her problems, she looked back, knowing this was the turning point; that behind her lay her old life; already fading fast and before her lay this strange new world where her dreams could be governed and she wouldn’t endanger others. Momentary doubt was plain upon her face as she really did consider running back, but she knew that she’d set out upon this path now, and so she’d stay on it, wherever it led her.

Taking a deep shuddering breath she closed her eyes for a few seconds calming herself and convincing herself that going on was the only way. Opening her eyes she looked up at Silas saying simply with a shrug meant to show apparent indifference to the decision which was obviously plaguing her completely, “well I’ve come all this way.” Slowly, ever so slowly she raised her hand, knowing this was probably her last chance to turn back, to escape but knowing too that she’d never forgive herself for running from her problems, it would be cowardice, she had to tackle them head on. So with a hand that shook ever so slightly she reached out to Silas placing her slender fingers in his, then squeezing tight after a moment of deathly silence. “That was symbolic wasn’t it?” Laughed Eve nervously, “my life’s never gonna be the same” a clear sadness crept into her voice but it became steely as she shook herself inwardly berating her nervousness and sadness as she’d made the decision and now had to stick with it. It felt too strange and awkward to keep her hand in his so she slipped it out, looking down at the ground, “sorry, just felt weird,” she muttered folding her arms and hugging herself tight without realising it.
“You promised Sean you’d keep me safe didn’t you?” Eve asked her soft, sad eyes downcast once more, “well I hope you’re gonna keep to the promise you made to him.” It was her way of saying that she wanted, and needed his help, she just didn’t want to come straight out with it, better to make it seem as if she was more worried for Sean than herself.

Hearing a name mentioned she told herself she’d remember it, along with Antonia, so were those the people most dear to him then? Eve felt a little comforted that someone was compared to a five year old, even if it was just banter it still meant there was an element of fun in his family, that’s how she read it.

It was now or never, without looking back Eve followed Silas through the gates that swung inward on their well oiled hinges with seemingly nobody opening them, they must have been automatic. Stepping through Eve barely had time to register her surroundings before stealthy figures emerged at a run from the shadows with effortless grace, ever so slightly taken aback she tried a warm smile of greeting but it came out more of a grimace, though her lips softened to a small smile then a nervous laugh as they jubilantly cried their greetings to Silas and clapped him on the back. Involuntarily Eve had jumped closer to Silas for protection her hand grabbing his as the young looking men and women had sprang from the shadows, their focus was purely upon Silas to begin with and Eve tried not to look worried, though her brow creased slightly on seeing how dark all their clothing was, and their faintly sallow skin colour. When their penetrating eyes fell open her she felt as she was naked before them, and her nervous look turned to a slight glare as they asked Silas, “who’s this then?” and “bit young for a new recruit ain’t she?” But from a withering gaze from Silas, well she presumed he’d done something as they dispersed she let go of Silas’ hand but kept close, unnerved by the one young man whose unwavering gaze still lingered upon her, and had focused purely upon her from the start. Saying to herself, pretend he’s not staring at me, pretend he’s not, maybe there’s something on my face, well my hair definitely a mess but still feeling like she needed to say something she whispered to Silas in reference to his dubious title, “so you’re not just grumpy around me then?” As the crowd literally seemed to have disappeared entirely within seconds Eve kept her eyes downcast hoping the one that was left had stopped staring at her, she could feel his gaze needling her back even now, “uhm…so what is this place? Some sort of…orphanage? Or what?” She wondered aloud blushing as she felt embarrassed and downright silly for asking it, but how was she to know? She certainly wasn’t to know the terrible truth of it.