I spent most of the next day in bed, swaddled in the plush comforter and watching the snowflakes spinning outside my window. Fleur declared me back to normal by that evening, though she cautioned me that I might feel tired for another day or so. We would stay one more day to be certain that I'd recovered before moving on to their base.

With our departure imminent, I woke early on the second day and pulled on the jeans and blouse someone had laid out for me. My leather jacket was tossed over the back of the chair the punk girl had occupied my first night in the house, and I shrugged it on, sighing blissfully when the soft scent of my home and favorite perfume reached my nose.

My hair went into a messy bun, and a quick glance in the mirror revealed that I looked as worn as I felt. The dark streak winding through my hair taunted me. Reaching for my power, I let it rush through me until the piece faded to the same golden blonde as the rest of my hair. The change might raise questions, but I needed to make the change to convince myself that this new power hadn't affected my shifting ability permanently.

Hoping I wasn't going to be stopped, I opted to leave the house via the front door. Though Fleur's ministrations had removed most of the aches and pains of the last week, my memory of the pain from the fall was vivid enough to deter me. Shoulders tense, I crept down the hallway, only hesitating when I reached the stairs.

Voices drifted up the stairwell sending heat to my fingertips as my nerves tangled in my stomach. Just walk down there like a boss, I thought to myself. I wasn't a prisoner, and I wasn't doing anything wrong.

My descent was slow and painful. The carpet muffled any sound from my boots, and all the boards were sound. No pesky, attention grabbing squeaks gave me away, but anyone who wasn't deaf should've been able to hear my heavy breathing. Placing my hand over my mouth, I urged myself to calm down. You are not doing anything wrong! Just a few more steps to that front door, and then you can have a moment to yourself before you leave everything behind again. You got this.

My courage bolstered by my less than stellar pep talk, I moved through the foyer at a much faster pace than before. Doors to my right and left led into a formal dining room and a living area. A quick peek through each room revealed they were empty, but the voices I'd heard before were louder. Glancing through the dining room once more, I saw it led into the kitchen, and I almost screamed when Percy's large frame came into view.

Not bothering to see if I'd been caught, I snatched open the front door and set off at a jog. No shouts of alarm went off behind me, and I slowed to a brisk walk. My destination was not any single place; instead, I wished to wander and say goodbye to the town, that for a quiet moment, had offered me refuge.

When I reached Main Street, I headed straight towards the Java Joint. A day this cold required hot coffee and flaky pastries. The sidewalks were mostly empty, the Harvest Festival long over and most people were at work. Tonight, the town would be crawling with costumed children dragging along their harried parents, who in turn, would be eyeing the slutty single crowd with longing, disgust, or both. Any other Halloween evening would be spent with a bowl of buttery popcorn in front of my picture window enjoying the spectacle. I shook my head to rid myself of the sadness creeping through the memories. The Camille who sat at the window could never let herself be a part of the crowd. Maybe I was going to gain more than I lost this time.

"Hey Camille," Judy said as I entered the cozy coffee shop. The brick front fireplace had been lit, the cheerful flames were enough to bathe the store in a comfortable heat.

"Hey Judy," I returned, feeling the tension leak out of my body as my eyes devoured the familiar face before me. Judy was a single mom in her late forties who'd turned her divorce settlement into a dream career. And while her coffee was excellent, her friendliness drove customers back in again and again.

"If you say iced today, I'm refusing. It's an abomination to drink iced coffee when there is ice on the ground."

Chuckling, I shrugged. "What can I say? I know what I like, but I'll take whatever you make me today. Surprise me."

The fine lines around her eyes creased as she eyed me with confusion. "You're not usually one to change things up," she responded while pulling espresso shots.

"Guess I want to try new things. And I can't think of anything riskier than messing with my coffee order."

"Those are true words my dear, but I promise I won't lead you astray."

She set my cup down in front of me and watched expectantly. Lifting the cup, I took a hesitant sniff, nearly moaning at the aromatic combination of hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla. Swiping at the generous mound of cinnamon sprinkled whip cream with my tongue, I then pressed my lips against the edge of the cup and took the first sip of the sweet brew.

"Oh lord that's fine."

Judy's eyes glittered. "I've been dying for someone to try that since I came up with it. I usually practice on Katerina, but she's called out all week."

The coffee turned bitter in my mouth, and I had to force the burning liquid down my throat before I spewed it across the counter. "Oh, when did you hear from her last?"

"Last time I spoke to her was her last shift. When she didn't show up for work a few days ago, her dad called me and said she'd be out of all week. Think she has the flu."

"That's terrible," I managed to say as I slid my payment across the counter. I always kept extra cash in the lining of my jacket in case I had to go on the run. The heat in the room was too much now, and I was ready to leave.

"This one is on the house. Consider it a gift for being my guinea pig."

"Thanks Judy."

"Anytime. You know you're one of my girls. See you soon?"

"Sure thing," I lied, escaping back into the cold.