A week had come and gone, and Mason had not returned. I was really starting to miss him, and life with Hunter had become boring.

He still hadn't figured out what he wanted me to do, but I knew he was just stalling. Though after he told me about his past I think both of our hearts softened a great deal.

*Flashback*

"Whips."

I froze at his words. Whip marks?!

"Who would do that?" I asked staring into his now glassy, green eyes.

"You'd be surprised how many people think it's for the greater good," Hunter said sitting down.

I sat down next to him and waited for him to continue. I didn't want to seem too eager because I could see how this was hard for him. Especially since he gets so defensive everything.

"He said he was making me stronger. He said I needed to be punished."

Hunter looked down off the roof and into the woods. I could tell he wanted to run from it all. If I were him, I would, but I would also want someone to listen, like I was doing now.

"Do you know what it's like to be beaten until you're hanging onto life like it were a string thinner than your finger?"

I shook my head slowly, but I had a feeling his question was rhetorical, as he didn't even look at me.

"Can we forget we ever had this conversation?" He asked, finally looking up at me. He was crying.

I nodded, realizing he was being truly sincere. I sat on the roof until it began to rain. Hunter went in first, but I stayed letting the rain fall on me.

Maybe Hunter wouldn't do anything bad. For now, I'll trust him. And I'll let the rain wash away my worries.

*End of Flashback*

Raising my head up from my bed I could see Hunters legs hanging off the roof outside my window.

Deciding I should talk to him, I got up and climbed out my window. Hunter seemed slightly happier with my presence, but I didn't know if it was real.

"How are you feeling?" I asked looking at Hunter, who was looking at the sky.

"I'm fine," he said not taking his gaze off the clouds. I scrunched my nose at his statement. He was rather boring. He looked towards me and laughed slightly before returning his gaze to the sky.

"Does my face amuse you?" I asked scrunching my nose, as he looked again.

"I suppose so," he said chuckling.

"Can I see them?" I asked quietly.

"See what?" His smile had vanished and in its place was a straight line.

"Your scars," I said hesitantly.

He frowned, and furrowed his eyebrows before saying, "No."

"Why not?" I asked like a child.

"Because no one needs to see what he did," he spoke in disgust and annoyance.

"Who is he?" I questioned eagerly. I didn't want to hurt him, but I really did want to know.

"He is no one. It's none of your business."

He slid off the roof and landed on his feet. I heard his ankle make a popping sound as he limped off.

Jumping down I ran after him. I wasn't gonna let him get away this time! I intended to find out what happened to him.

I stopped for a moment, debating if chasing after him was really a good idea. I was being nosy, but I wanted to trust him, and in order to do that, I needed to know more about him, so I continued running.

"You made it my business when you chose to tell me about your scars!" I yelled chasing after his limping figure.

Turning around he looked at me fiercely. His eyes were sharp and angry.

"Why do you care about my life so much. Why care about me?"

I looked at him, considering my answer to his questions.

"Why wouldn't someone care for you? Hasn't anyone ever cared for you?"

"No," he said shaking his head firmly.

"Well I care for you. Haven't you ever cared for someone at least?" I found myself saying.

"Yes."

I saw his eyes dart to the side quickly, but before I could see what he had seen, he ran forward, and placed his lips on mine. They weren't cold, but they weren't warm. It was good feeling.

No! Bad Pandora! You're with Mason!

I shoved Hunter away from me and he fell back, almost tripping onto the ground. His face was oddly smug, and then I realized why. Mason was what he looked at! He had kissed me to make him jealous!

"What the hell was that for?!" I screamed, flailing my wings beside me.

Hunter only shrugged. I looked around frantically for Mason, but he had already flown away and was now only a spec against the clouds.

Taking a running start in his direction, I launched myself into the air. I worked my wings as fast as they would take me, but I hadn't seen where Mason had gone. I couldn't see him anymore. I would have to find him.

I needed to explain what had happened. What he had seen. What had he seen? He probably though that I'd cheated on him!

No no no no no! Ugh Hunter I hate you so freaking much! Go suck an egg!

Of course I only said that in my head, but I was dying to turn around and go beat him up. But only verbally. No maybe I would punch him.

Guessing that Mason had went to our tree, I decided to check the woods first, so I banked my wings and pushed on.

A thick fog had set in from yesterday's rain and made it harder to see. The visibility was always better towards the ground so I landed and began walking around.

He wasn't at the tree. I was really hoping he would be there, but I guess I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Next I walked deeper into the forest hoping he would be by the river or the creek. We went there a lot when we were little, swimming and skipping rocks.

As I walked, I heard a flapping sound, wings. It was much bigger than a bird. Maybe it was Mason.

"Mason, is that you?" I asked hopefully.

"You know I saw you kissing that human boy."

Was that Mason? It didn't sound like him.

I turned around trying to find where the voice was coming from, but with the fog I couldn't see. The voice was familiar, but it wasn't someone I knew well.

I heard more flapping and the creaking of tree branches before silence. I squinted trying to find the source of the voice, but it seemed as if the person was invisible, hidden deep within the fog.

"Tell me do you intend to mate with the human boy? I cannot and will not allow that."

I almost laughed, but I realized whoever was talking saw this as a serious matter. Furrowing my brows, I crossed my arms, very annoyed.

"Um no," I said, as I continued my search for the person the voice belonged to.

I thought I saw a figure, but when I looked again it was gone. Ugh. I swear if this actually was Mason and he was just messing with me, I'm going to kick his sorry butt.

"Good because I am having him killed right as we speak."

"No! You can't!" I yelled at the voice.

After all Hunter had been through I didn't want him to die. We were good people, we wouldn't just kill him.

"So you do love him? Interesting. Well in dear with this new information I have no choice, but to kill you too."

My eyes widened. I quickly swiveled around looking for the attacker, but again came up with nothing.

Why were people always trying to kill me?! For crying out loud I just want to live a happy life with my happy family! Is that too much to ask for?!

My only choice to save myself was to escape. Opening my wings, I sprung into the air like a slingshot, aiming for the sky. But I wasn't careful enough and I clipped my wing. Something sharp sliced my back, and suddenly I found myself falling back towards the ground.

Unable to turn myself around, my back and head took most of my fall. The wind was knocked from my lungs, I lie there desperately gasping for air. My head felt like someone had bashed it with a hammer. I swear I could see stars in my vision.

I could hear the leaves around me crunching and I saw a figure looming above me. It was Benjamin, one of the council members.

Before I could get enough air into my lungs, he had pressed his foot against my chest, causing me to begin gasping for air again. I reached for his foot, trying to throw it off, but he wouldn't budge. My chest was burning. I felt like I was drowning, minus the water part.

In his hand he held an old dagger. It looked rusted, but I suppose it'd get the job done. As he held it above me, ready to strike, I could feel my eyelids closing. I would die from the lack of oxygen if he didn't kill me first.

Before I could even blink, and before Benjamin could do any real harm, someone had disarmed him, and threw him into a near by tree. I tried to move, to get up, so I could run or fly, but my entire body felt numb, and my eyelids were undeniably falling shut.

Someone picked me up gently. Their warm arms encased me and I snuggled up to them without realizing. I didn't know who it was, but hopefully I was safe. I tried to lift my eyelids, but they felt like someone had glued them shut. Sleep was overtaking me.

Whoever was cradling me in my arms, I would thank them later. Unless it was Hunter because this was all his fault. Everything was his fault. And one day I would get him back so hard he wouldn't know what to do.