The safe house, as Jordan called it, was a place where no one would find ever us. He never let anyone inside except me, himself, Emily, and Nevaeh. Very few had stumbled across our humble abode but those that did were never seen again. Jordan would take them into the woods and wouldn't be back until late that night, alone and covered in dirt. 

          Every time I'd ask him where the stranger was he'd look at me with dark haggard eyes and say, "They're sleeping." And the tone of his voice told me to drop it so I never pressed for more, but I wanted to. Sometimes I almost would, but he'd clench his fists in warning and I'd snap my mouth shut.

Jordan's actions seemed to always irritate Emily and she'd start yelling the minute he got back. Nevaeh would cover her ears and cower under her bed sheets, sometimes I heard her crying softly. But none of it bugged me, because if I sang loud enough I could tune it out and didn't hear it at all.

It's long into the wee hours of the night when our little cabin finally comes into view. But we're still a long ways away with two streams to cross and three mini hills to climb. With the cold soaking into the depths of my core and my lips as dry as a bone, I plop down like a stone into the snow.

          "Jordan!" I call out to the figure stomping steadily up ahead. He pauses and turns, two clear green orbs peering through the darkness.

          "Yes?"

          "I'm tired! I don't want to walk anymore!" I cry, puffing out my lower lip and expelling phony whimpers. Jordan sighs and shakes his head, his back facing me once more.

          "Get up and walk Bella, we're almost there." He snaps gruffly, his dark tone holding a note of finality. But I didn't want to.

          "No!" I yell, my voice echoing off the high mountains surrounding us and bouncing through the snowy air. Jordan cringes, his entire body going taut. Suddenly, he turns and stomps back toward me with a dark vehemence driving his actions. My eyes widen and I yelp, flailing backwards as he nears me.

          "No, no, no!" I cry, rolling over and scampering madly through the deep snow. But Jordan's too fast for me and his arms latch on to my waist, hauling me savagely to my feet and whipping me around to face him.

          "No screaming!" He barks loudly, his face only inches from mine and the warmth of his breath fanning my face. "Just walk." Jordan demands and shoves me forward, keeping one hand locked around my bicep. I hiccup on a sob and nod, pulling my lower lip between my teeth and stumbling through the snow.

          "Jordan?" I murmur, tromping through the snow with hardly any feeling in my body.

          "What?"

          "Who is Astrid?" He comes up short and glances over at me with a wild, slightly deranged look in his ever-calm eyes. I pinch my lips together and twiddle with the locket in my fingers, waiting patiently.

          "A bad girl; a very bad girl." He replies, voice darker than the night sky. I tilt my head and frown, then why would he call me that?

"But why?" Jordan gives a loud, gruff sigh and takes a moment to pause and face me.

"She's done bad things, she's not nice and we're not talking about this anymore." Jordan orders and runs his hand over his face, deep stress lines pulling it taut. I pout, puffing out my lower lip and frowning.

"Okay, I'm sorry Jordan. Are you mad at me now?" I wonder nervously and blink up at him with big doe eyes. Jordan struggles for a minute, pinching his lips and furrowing his eyebrows like he doesn't know what to say. Finally, he sighs and sinks down into the snow.

"No, not at you Bella. I'm mad at Astrid." He mumbles and cups his head in his hands haggardly. I hesitate for a moment, confused.

"Are we allowed to talk about this?" I ask and lower myself into the snow too, unbothered by the cold because I was already completely numb. Jordan gives a harsh sardonic laugh and shakes his head.

"I don't know anymore, I don't have a clue what I'm doing." Jordan admits miserably and spares me a pained glance. I twitch my lips and fiddle with the locket.

"What are you trying to do?" I wonder, peaking up at him through my hair. Jordan sighs, hiding his face in his hands and shrugging.

"I don't – I'm trying to – There's someone who – Nevermind, come on. We're going to freeze out here." Jordan stutters, finally pulling himself together and offering me a hand up. I take it and curl my arms around his chest, engulfing him in a bone crushing hug.

"Bella –" he grunts. "What're you doing?" Jordan exclaims in surprise, I giggle and glance up at him with a smile stretching my lips.

"You seemed like you needed a hug." I answer and hold on a bit tighter. A mirage of emotion crosses Jordan's face, and finally his arms come around me and he drops his head to my shoulder. He's very still for several moments and I remain right where I am, content with being in his arms.

"Thank you." He mumbles softly into my ear. Then Jordan clears his throat and pulls away, untangling me from his body.

"You're welcome." I sing-song, slipping out ahead of him and dashing through the snow, kicking up flurries that rain down on me like falling crystals.

"Bella, don't go too far!" Jordan reminds from somewhere behind me and I slow down a bit, drawing with my fingers and toes in the snow until he catches up. He takes the lead and I trail behind, skipping around like a child lost in a mystical forest.

"Can I play with Nevaeh when we get home?" I ask abruptly and peak a glance at him. Jordan comes to a screeching halt and seems to deflate, a soft tremble going through him. He stands very still for a moment and lowers his head.

"Nevaeh's gone Bella." He states, voice void of emotion and face crippled with agony.

"When is she coming back?" I inquire, Jordan sighs.

"Never, she's never coming back." He mumbles defeatedly and continues walking. "Come on, let's go." Jordan motions, pulling on my arm and prompting us forward.

"Okay, but why isn't she coming back? I like her." I push, brows furrowed. Jordan's hold on my arm tights so much so that tiny shocks vibrate beneath my skin.

"Bella please, stop asking questions." He snaps, voice suddenly cold and terrifying. I shrink away from him and nod silently.

We creep ever closer to the house and soon I recognize a black car sitting in the driveway and feel excitement overwhelm me. Emily was parading around the house with a flashlight in hand and an urgency in her voice.