Ember pushed her way through the celebrating crowd, trying to distance herself further from the group she had just left.

"What the hell was that?" She whispered fiercely.

Ember broke through the crowds and continued out past the tables and tents that surrounded the perimeter of the village. She walked slowly into the meadow, beyond the party-goers, noise, and twinkling lights. Breathing deeply, she looked up at the clear night sky, wondering why they had gotten so quiet at her mentioning celebrating her birthday on the hill.

How would they even know anything about her family's plans? Was it more than a family tradition?

Her grandmother hadn't told her not to talk about it to anyone. If she had known it was some weird 'Midnight' thing, she definitely would have kept it to herself. Ember had barely started to enjoy herself at the festival, and of course, somehow, had ruined it all. No way that anyone in the group she met would want to talk to her or become friends with her after whatever weird shit happened a few moments ago.

Ember sighed, continuing further out into the meadow. The tall grass tickled her legs as she walked, taking in the beauty of her surroundings. She came through the grass into a small clearing, a large boulder situated directly in the middle. She stopped, eyeing the big rock.

This would be a perfect spot to sit and clear her head before heading back to find her aunt and her grandmother. To try and salvage what was left of her birthday.

"I don't get it," Ember said, her voice ringing out in the empty dark night. She sat on the rock, pulling her legs up and gently folding them underneath her.

It was a beautiful clear night, one that she should be enjoying. Having fun and making friends. Not sitting out in the middle of a field, on a rock, feeling as if she were completely and utterly alone in the world.

"You aren't alone." A familiar low silky voice spoke from behind her.

Ember jumped up quickly, whipping around, and stumbling forward.

And just like that, he caught her again, preventing her from crashing to the ground.

It was him!

Her breath hitched.

The hooded man from earlier. Where had he come from? She hadn't heard or seen anyone approaching the area, and she knew that he wasn't here a few moments ago.

"Thank you." Her voice came out all breathy, what was wrong with her? She cleared her throat, "For helping me not fall again."

God, he was so tall. His face still hidden by the cloak's hood, she wanted to reach up and push it back, to see his face.

She glanced over at the twinkling lights of the village. They looked further away than they had a moment before.

The man didn't speak, but he was still holding onto her. His hands were warm and rough. Ember's skin tingled at the contact.

"You helped me before," she continued lamely, "in the village when I tripped and almost fell."

He released her then, still standing close enough that she felt the soft fabric of his cloak brush against her.

"Well, um, I- I should probably get back to the festival." She told him taking a step back.

Why wasn't he saying anything? And why did she feel the way she did? She wanted him to touch her again. She wanted to hear him say her name.

"Thanks again for helping me." With that Ember picked up her skirt, readying herself for the walk back to the party.

She took a step towards the tall grass, to head back to the village.

"Ember." His voice called out to her, velvety rich. Like a caress on her skin.

Hearing his voice stopped her dead in her tracks. Her bare arms were covered in chills. The way he said her name, it was familiar. It was like he read her mind and gave her everything that she ever wanted, with just one word. Her name.

Ember was certain that she had never met this man before though. She didn't know anyone here at all. So, how did he know her name?

Ember slowly turned around to face the dark hooded stranger.

"Do I know...." The question died before it finished leaving her lips.

He was gone.

She was standing alone in the clearing once again. The man was nowhere to be seen. Ember hadn't imagined him. He had touched her. He had been right next to her. He spoke to her. She felt him inside of her soul.

She looked around frantically. The meadow remained empty, and suddenly she felt cold. Her heart skipped. He wasn't there anymore.

There was no way that he was hiding, there was nothing to hide behind. Besides, why would he hide? It was as if he had vanished. There was no way that he had made it back to the village, and the tree line was twice as far away, so she knew he hadn't run to take cover there.

Why would he run away from her? After saying her name like that.

Ember looked around again, almost expecting him to magically reappear. He wasn't.

Ember snorted, "I really am going crazy," she muttered, turning and heading back towards the music, food, and festivities.

As she slowly made her way back, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. She didn't feel as if she were in danger, but she still wanted to pick up her skirt hem and take off running until she was in the safety of the village crowd.

She glanced over her shoulder, expecting him to be standing behind her. She could almost feel his warmth. Her heart felt as if it were in her throat. She, however, was still alone out there. Shaking herself lightly she continued, back to the village.

Ember didn't know who he was, but she had a feeling this wasn't the last time she would see her mysterious hooded stranger.

That's when she heard it in the distance. Across the field, in the thick trees. A low forlorn rumble, not quite a roar, but damn near close. A wild animal. Some sort of big cat? There weren't animals like that here, were there? The howl hit her again, making her stumble.

The noise pierced her heart for some reason, unbeknownst to her. Like a sad song, played for her and her alone.

Ember picked up her skirts then and ran the remaining distance, holding back unshed tears she didn't understand why were threatening to fall.