An Adventure

"Ana, we are going to be late," the loud voice of their mother made Ana stiffen in the arms of her sister.

Bella pushed her reluctant sister toward the door. She assured her that she would be fine alone since this was not the first time she was left behind.

"I will bring cupcakes back. Then we will sit on the roof and talk all night," she spoke fondly, trying her best to fill the void in Bella's heart when the elder sister nodded slowly.

As the door closed, Bella sighed. She was only three when she was left behind in this large house. Their father was an important man in the council; he often needed to travel and he took his family with him except her.

She had been alone in this house for so long, but it still hurt to be left behind.

Instead of sitting in the room and feeling bad for abandonment, Bella changed her clothes and locked the doors.

She walked out stealthily, hiding her face with the cloak. It was still late noon, yet the sky was dark due to the heavy clouds. She stared at the gloomy sky that matched her mood and sighed.

"My mother will find out if the mud leaves a stain on my dress," she cursed as she stared at the bracelet on her wrist. If not for this cursed jewel, she would have just flown in the sky to avoid the mud. But there was an adventurous glint in her eyes.

Since they had left her alone, she was going to make the most of it. She passed the dark streets and headed for the meadows and the dark woods behind them. The witches hardly ventured there anymore since it was the borderline of the land of vampires.

Witches who went there were mostly captured and killed, never to be found again.

"I would not have dared if I were you," she jumped at the voice whispering in her ear and glared at the young boy who appeared out of thin air, a feat she would have performed much better if not for the jewels.

"You are only human without your power. If they catch you, they will kill you," Luhan whispered softly in her ear, as if he was professing his love for her.

"And why do you care?" she snarled at the only witcher who paid attention to her. All of them ignored her as if she did not exist, or looked at her with disgust as if she was an abomination that had brought about their ruin.

"Burn her and all our troubles will end!" she had heard it more than she had heard any other words since she had learned to speak.

Luhan frowned. His eyes narrowed at her face and searched for something she did not like. She tried to turn away, but he held her shoulder and pulled her toward him.

"They all left you again." For some reason, he sounded hurt and she did not like the comfort it gave her, so she ignored him and jerked away.

"I am only going in search of an adventure. You do not need to come," though she knew he was already following her.

"My family has gone to meet the elders too. They are having a meeting again." He explained softly, "there is nothing fun to be there."

Bella shook her head. It was not about fun; it was about being part of the family. But she did not explain because Luhan knew it better.

"If you want an adventure, we could go to the black market of humans," he offered, making her finally stop in her tracks.

She stared hard at him, searching for lies, but he offered her a sincere smile.

"Recently, my father brought me to the black market. He told me it was for my training. They are going to send me as a spy to the vampire lands," he announced proudly, his face showing a rare smirk and she rolled her eyes.

But the thought thrilled her. He could see the shift in her eyes, and his smirk grew wider.

"I know the way and shortcuts. And if we get caught, I can always apparate you back here. They sell strange goods, and I am sure you would enjoy it. But if you are not interested," he shrugged and took a step away, but she held his wrist and pulled him back.

"I will go!" he cocked a brow, amused that she announced it as if she was doing him a favor.

"You do not need to," her eyes narrowed in a dangerous way, and he could see her black eyes flickering, darkness increasing in them slowly, and though she was a friend who would never harm him, he felt his breathing strain.

As if noticing the difference, Bella closed her eyes. Her grip on his arm loosened, and she started walking away.

"Hey! I was joking; I will take you with me," he ran behind her, knowing his folly. How could he be such a scum?

"I changed my mind," her blank voice was like a shard that pierced his tongue, "I do not want to go anymore."

"Oh, come on! Bella, I will show you a vampire," he offered, knowing well her intrigue, but she did not stop in her tracks.

Her speed increased, and this time he did not follow. He knew forcing her would not help him.

Bella disappeared into the dark woods and only stopped when she did not hear steps anymore. Only darkness and strange sounds of reptiles and owls filled the echoing darkness.

"Tsk! If he can go to the black market, I can go too. I do not need anyone to accompany me."