P R O L O G U E

It was a cold night. The wind was blowing, making me shiver. I was walking through the forest, trying to catch my breath from running for miles. My bare feet hit the cold, wet ground and my head was pounding. Exhausted, I stopped from walking and I sat down near a large tree.

It has been some rough days for me. My vision was blury, tears threatening to fall. I couldn't let them, I had to be a strong girl. If I showed weakness I would be damned. The world is a mean place. You couldn't survive if you weren't tough.

I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths. It was the beginning of winter and I was dressed in a torn gown. I wanted to be in a warm place, in my bed from my childhood. My mom would read me a bed story and would kiss my forehead good night.

I opened my eyes. It was pitch dark. I could barely distinguish the trunks of trees. I was so scared. For the first time I was scared for my life. I had nothing. No where to go at, no one to tell my problems to. Nothing. I was alone in this cruel world.

Wandering my gaze around, I saw a tall man's frame. My heart stopped beating. Suddenly I noticed him walking towards me.

I screamed. I screamed so hard that all the crows stirred and started screeching.

Blue eyes. Piercing blue eyes. That's the last thing I saw before darkness surrounded me.