Above is Krista's dress. I figured it would be cool to actually put it in here.

*The next day*

I wake up in the same bed I fell asleep in and the lights have been turned off, I assume, by the boy I encountered last night. Stretching, I walk into the gorgeous bathing room to find all the necessities I need. I turn on the water and immediately feel the hot steam hit my face as I undress and dip into the soothing water. After about 15 minutes of soaking, I hear a knock on the bedroom door, a click of the lock, the creak of the door opening, and shuffling around the room. I also see the light come on. I finish my bath and walk into the beige colored room to find the bed made and clothing laying on the bed with a note. 

'Wear these today. Once you are dressed, go out your bedroom and follow the candles to the dining room. I will be there momentarily so be quick.' 

As soon as I read the last word, the paper disappears with nothing but a puff of grey smoke. Turning back to the clothing, I notice one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. It's a purple long-sleeve with lace detail. I slip it on over my head, admiring how perfectly it fits. The dress itself reaches a few inches above my knees, though, not leaving much to the imagination. To finish getting ready, I pull my wavy auburn hair into a high ponytail with a crown braid and do as I was told. 

Opening the door, I see multiple tea candles giving off just enough light to see the floor. I follow the candles, admiring the scent of vanilla, to a beautifully decorated dining room. Instantly someone pops up beside me and I'm pinned to the nearest wall. The lights go off, but I can tell who is pinning me against my will by the glowing red eyes. He leans close and his lips brush against my ear. 

"I thought I told you to hurry, Krista. It took you a half hour longer than it did me. Now the breakfast has gone cold, but that's not the problem here, is it," he whispers and leans closer, "beware there will be consequences when you disobey me. Only one warning is what you get and each of the consequences depends on you," he finishes and moves closer to me. We're only a few inches apart by now and if he moves any closer, he'll be pushing me fully against the wall. He moves his head and I can feel his hot breath a mere centimeter from my neck. The lights flick back on but he doesn't move until another voice is heard in the dining room. 

"That's enough Thomas. You're frightening the poor Krista," the voice says. Thomas is blocking my view so I can't see the person who's talking. 

Thomas puts his hands up in defeat. "Fine, Dale but just know that you never let me have any fun," he says and releases me from the pinned position. I can now see the other voice. Dale has messy brown hair, blue eyes with the same tint of red, and fewer freckles than Thomas. They could be brothers, but... no... the legends say that their kind doesn't have family and that they are born by other means than the way we are. 

"So now that I know your names..."I attempt to say but am interrupted by Thomas. 

"What makes you think you know who we are?"

"Let's see... You're Thomas," I say pointing to the boy with green eyes, "and you're Dale," I finish pointing at the boy with blue eyes. They both sigh and swear under their breath. I quickly grab a butter knife from the table and point it at the two boys. 

"How do you people know me? Why won't you let me leave? Who exactly are you? What are you, because from what I've seen you aren't human. And if you are what I think you are, are you going to kill me?" Thomas speaks first to answer my questions. 

"I can't guarantee we won't kill you even if we aren't what you think we are. Speaking of which, what makes you think we aren't human? As for your other questions, that's for us to know and none of your concern." 

"Now will you both please sit down so we can eat breakfast?" Dale cuts in before I can say something else to Thomas. 

"You guys aren't human, are you," I ask sitting in a chair next to Dale. Thomas starts to answer but is cut off by Dale, obviously the more mannered of the two. 

"You are correct Miss Krista," he sighs, "what gave it away?" I look over at Thomas and that's enough said. 

"He answered one part of my suspicions by showing me the red glow of his eyes. By that, I guessed the last few things and apparently I was right. I will admit, though, I'm kinda confused about why you guys haven't tried to kill me and saved me instead," I finish and Thomas scoffs. Dale glares at him.

"I would have already killed you if it wasn't for-" Thomas says being cut off by Dale.

"For me, he means. He's too rude to our guests and seems to have little manners at all."

"Are you two brothers," I ask to hopefully prevent their anger from elevating. 

"No," Thomas.

"Yes," Dale. 

"Well, which one is it?"

"It's really none of your damn business," says Thomas. I decide not to ask any more questions so I reach for the bread and realize it's gone cold. Thomas sees my reaction and waves his hand in the air with a scoff. Dale glares at him but he ignores it. I reach for it again to find that it's warm and give up on questioning until after breakfast. 

After everyone is finished, Thomas storms off to some other part of the mansion and Dale offers to give me a tour as well as a new room upstairs where he doesn't have to lock me in. I gladly accept with me getting claustrophobic easily. Throughout the tour, I find that the elaborate mansion has six floors including the main floor and basement where I was chased then saved last night. On that topic, I ask a few more questions as we wander the halls. 

"So what's up with Thomas? Does he always act like that or..." 

"Well ever since he was little, he was always cocky. It became worse after our mother died, though. That and he doesn't entirely enjoy the fact that he wasn't born an only child," he finishes and stops to point out another room. 

"So you two are brothers?" He nods in response. "You two look so much alike, you could be twins."

"Yeah, but anyway, he's been like that for a long  while and I don't think he'll grow out of it anytime soon."

"Oh okay then. So what am I supposed to do all day while I'm stuck here against my will?"

"Well," he rubs the back of his neck and squints his blue eyes, "we were informed you like to read."

We walk up to a room with doors the height of the ceiling. He opens them with a small gold key and I mentally forget how to breathe. The sight before me is a large room lined with bookcases as high as the ceiling and several smaller rooms lined with books as well. In the center of each room are chairs and a coffee table complementing the different colors of each rug underneath. I step into the large room as if walking on glass, frightened I might disturb the peace and quiet of the intricate library. As I stand there in awe, Dale chuckles.

"I thought you might like it," he says. 

"Mhm and what made you think that?"

"Sorry Krista, but I'm not at liberty to share that information."

"Fine then," I say crossing my arms.

"What?"

"Nothing. Is it ok if I stay here for a while?"

"Yes, just hit that button when you want to go back to your room."

"Okay," I say uncrossing my arms. He then leaves the library with a small smile on his face. 

I spent about 3 hours reading books, writing, and just plain lounging. The silence is wonderful but slowly becomes lonely. I also spend that time thinking, which I haven't really had time to do since I got here. I wonder about everyone back at the village and about how they probably haven't even realized I'm gone. My train of thought is interrupted by the sound of a door opening. I look toward it through one of the many room's doorways to see a familiar face from breakfast. It's the one with messy brown hair and green eyes, still with the red tint. 

"Figured I'd find you here," Thomas says.

"Why do you sound so annoyed," I ask standing up and walking over to him.

"Because he spoils you too much for why you're actually here."

"And why is that, mister know-it-all?"

"None of your damn business."

"Well, it kinda is since it includes me."

"No. It. Isn't."

"Yes. It. Is."

"God, we aren't children. Why are you humans so immature?"

"Fine, you'll have to tell me eventually. So why is it that you came looking for me?"

"Dale sent me to get you for lunch and he threatened to chop my head off if I didn't get you back safe," he says with a scoff "com'on." I follow as told, reluctant to go back into the darkness. 

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust as I hang on to Thomas' shirt and he guides me down the dark hallway, his glowing red eyes being the only physical light. This sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy in front of me is a peculiar one indeed, but there is something I just can't place about him. There's something about both these boys that irks me. They're so mysterious, it kind of scares me. My thoughts are interrupted once again but not by the same person. It's a growl and Thomas's sudden stop that knocks my train of thought off balance, causing me to almost run into him. From what I can see, his face is blank. He turns around and looks at me for a moment. 

"Stay behind me. We'll both be killed if you don't," he says nervously. All I can do is nod in response. He takes a couple of steps forward and I follow suit. The same growl again echoes through the hallway. A dark shadow pounces from behind a corner and Thomas screams in pain and anger. I slowly take a few steps back and trip on something. As I fall on my backside, two pairs of glowing red eyes look back at me. 

"Run," Thomas yells. I struggle to get back up and start running for my life once again. I hear footsteps behind me and realize it isn't Thomas when it pounces and scratches me, causing me to fall with a shriek. Within the next few minutes, all I see is a blinding green light shot towards me, a shadow on top of me blown to the side, and a pair of soft red-green eyes walking towards me. 

I pass out.

Lot's of dialog, I know... But if you don't like it, oh well. Please continue reading. 

- Rosa