Sorry I haven't updated in, err, two weeks, I had a bit of writers block :(. Anyway, I'll just shut up (for now). Chapter thataways! Or, wait, crap there's not a down arrow. I'M A FAILURE, WAAAHHH!!

~Dianna's POV~ (right after leaving the building)

I rush out the front doors and head straight towards the line of trees calling to me, going deeper until I suddenly sink down and put my head in my hands.

C'mon, Dianna, what are you doing? There's absolutely no reason for you to be in the woods, panicking over nothing.

Right. So why couldn't I just get up?

The sound of something moving behind me has me tensing up and I automatically feel my mental shroud falling into place, making me essentially undetectable.

Suddenly the sound--that I identified to be two people walking--cut off, and I hear a voice that causes me to start panicking again, but for entirely the wrong reason.

This voice should not be so familiar, and It should definitely not be making me feel like-like this!

Listening again as I hear another voice, I start to frown. Why are they here, and what are they talking about?

Then it registers what the unfamiliar voice is asking.

Who is she?

I frown. They go out into the woods to talk about a girl? Is this really how people spend their time?

Brow furrowing as the conversation continues, I hear the unfamiliar voice say something else in a mocking tone.

Only you, Ash, only you.

Ash? The name sends a strange shiver down my spine as it's accompanied by a faint smell on the breeze as it blows across my face. What a strange name.

What a delicious name.

No! What are you thinking, Dianna, get a hold of yourself. You could never deserve someone like that.

Well why not?

Why not? Because you're a disgrace, a freak, your own father can't stand to look at you, that's why!

Sounds like a terrible reason to be alone at night. Especially when you could be with him.

Ha, like he'd even want to be with someone like me, not when he looks like that. And unbidden comes the image of his short light brown/blond hair, deep green/grey eyes and a face that could make Michael Angelo weep.

Of course he'd want you, you're mates.

I freeze up as I suddenly realize something. A) I have no clue what a mate is, B) I'm having an argument in my head, and C) I'm not arguing with myself.

Who are you?

What, don't remember me? I think I'm insulted.

Why? Who are you? Why are you in my head?

It's Crimson, sister-mine. Remember me? Kicked me out some 10 odd years ago? Ring a bell?

Crimson? I freeze in shock at a voice from my childhood that I never thought I'd hear again.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

What-? Why-? What are you doing here?!

Ouch. Not exactly the Welcome Back I was hoping for. Don't you remember what I said before I left, Dianna dear?

My eyes narrow in confusion as I think back to that day.

~Flashback 9 years ago~

I hug my bruised ribs as I whimper in pain, and think over what my daddy had yelled at me when I'd asked if we could go to the zoo like my friend Jessica had with her daddy.

He'd looked at me with those chilling eyes that I'd swiftly learnt meant trouble.

"What did you say? You want to go to the zoo, huh? You want to do normal things like your friend does with her father, hmm?" Rage filled his black eyes. "YOU DON'T DESERVE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT! YOU'RE NOT NORMAL! YOU'RE AN UNNATURAL FREAK, A MONSTER!"

Tears flooded my young eyes. "But daddy-" I was cut off by his backhanded slap that left my ears ringing and the lingering feeling of rage and despair on my cheek as I fell to the ground with a pained cry of disbelief.

He'd never hit me before. Daddy's didn't hit their daughters. Daddy's yelled, not hit. Never hit. Jessica had said so.

So why was Daddy hitting me?

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT? I DON'T WANT A MONSTER FOR A CHILD, AN UNGRATEFUL BRAT! I WANT TO HOLD MY SOPHIA AGAIN, NOT TO SEE HER BEAUTIFUL EYES IN THE FACE OF A MONSTER!"

Tears ran down my face as Daddy dragged me back up by my hair, making me cry harder at the pain.

He sneered at me."You'll never be worthy of anything you took from her, of a normal life, so I'll make sure you don't get one." He spat in my face. "After all, monsters live alone, and only a monster could kill an angel."

Now I sit on my bed, his words ringing in my ears. He's right, isn't he? I am a monster. I'm not worthy of a normal life, because I'm a monster.

Dianna, don't-

Crimson. I cut her off. I-I think you should go.

I can feel her shock. What?

I feel a tear fall as I prepare to send my lifelong best friend away, knowing I shouldn't have her.

Monsters belong alone.

Please. I plead with her. Leave me. You don't deserve to be stuck with a monster, and I don't deserve any friends. So please, just go.

Go? Go where!? I'm not some spirit haunting you, Di, I am you. I can't just leave!

Yes, you can. You have to! I deserve to suffer, and suffer alone. Do it for yourself. Go.

Dianna, you are myself!

I refused to think about how right she was.Then if you won't do it for yourself, do it for me. Please, Crim? Please?

She sighs and stays silent for a long time.

Is this really what you want?

What I want? Never! It's what I deserve. But I can't tell her that, or she'll never leave.

Yes. It feels weird, lying to Crimson.

She sighs again. Alright, I'll go. But remember this Dianna, I'll be back. When you find our mate, I'll be back and I won't leave again, no matter what.

Mate? What's a mate? I go to question her, but realize she's already gone. Feeling an emptiness I've never felt before, I cry myself to sleep, allowing myself to mourn for the family I would never have.

~ Flashback End ~

Crim? I ask, deflated. What's a mate?

She sighs dreamily and starts to explain. A mate is a best friend, a lover, someone that'll come running when you ask, or even when you don't. Someone you'll want to be with forever, and who will be with you forever. Someone who was made for you, to love you, whose arms were made to hold you, and who'll never give you up. That's what a mate is. A mate is true love.

I freeze in horror. True love? No, impossible. I didn't have a true love, I couldn't! I am a monster, and monsters belong alone.

No, no! You're wrong! He's-he's not my mate, there has to be some misunderstanding! A joke! A cruel, cruel joke, that's what this is! It has to be!

Really, Dianna, you can't tell me you seriously believe that.

I have to!

Says who, exactly?

Me!

And since when are you the most reliable source?

No, no, this can't be happening, I-I refuse- Suddenly, I stop stampering, wondering offhandedly why, until I realize it was a snippet of the conversation I had stopped listening to that had caught my attention.

"Ashton," the unfamiliar voice said, "are you telling me, that your mate, is Dianna? The Dianna?"

Oh goddess. It was true.

Distantly, as though I was watching everything from outside my body, I feel the shroud I'd spent years perfecting slip through my fingers like mist, leaving me completely vulnerable as my vision started swimming, a familiar blackness taking over until there was nothing left.

~

Sorry, I'm always one for dramatics, even though I freaking hate drama with a passion.

So, what'd ya think? Any thoughts on Crimson? Her dad? ANYTHING?? Leave me some comments, I love them!

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll try and update sooner next to time, but no promises.

Well, Hasta la Vista!

Ex nay Emilaye(???)