• Chapter 3 *Elena*

    I gazed up at the sign that said security in the airport and beyond that, all the people with their suitcases and plane tickets, checking their blackberry’s for the time.

    I sighed and turned to my teary eyed mother as she handed me my ticket.

    “Have fun.” She whispered sadly.

    “You’re acting like I died! Would you stop?!”

    She threw her arms around me and I froze.

    “Is your heart as cold as your skin?”

    I cast my eyes upward as I rested my hand on the back of her head and held her to me gently. She cried softly and then slowly, let her arms fall away from my form.

    “Embarrassed?” she asked.

    “Thoroughly.” I said dryly, picking up my bag again.

    “Stay safe alright Elena? Please, promise me.”

    “Oh mom, you know I will. I love you and I’ll call you later alright?”

    She nodded and waved goodbye as I passed through security. I glanced back one last time.

    It might be the last time I saw her.

    She smiled sadly, but I could see that deep down, she was happy for me.
    Way to lie and make her think that you’re going to actually MAKE something of yourself…genius! I thought as I smiled and waved back.

    I walked down the long hallway and then turned to the right so it looked like I was going the right way and then waited, listened for her footsteps as she traveled away from me.

    I would refund her money for the ticket later, right now, I had more important business to attend.

    I waited until I couldn’t hear her anymore and then turned back around and nearly bumped into someone.

    “Oh sorry!” I said, quickly jumping back to avoid touching him.

    He grabbed my upper arm and kept me from walking away.

    “Hey let go creep!” my hand balled into a fist and I was ready to kick the snot out of this guy if needed when he lowered his sunglasses and I saw the silver eyes.

    He was one of my kind.

    “No reason to fret Elena, I’m Jay and I’m here to take you back to the Academy.”

    “Did think I could handle myself did they?”

    He chuckled faintly and spun me around to face the opposite direction.

    “Well, judging by your sense of direction I’d say you have a tendency to get lost.”

    “Yeah, well would you mind letting go of me, this feels a little awkward…”

    He let his grip loosen and he dropped his hand, nodding.

    “Of course, sorry.”

    “Hey man don’t sweat it. You wanted to make sure I didn’t run away right?”

    He chuckled, “You’re a fast one eh?”

    I shrugged, “I don’t mean to brag but yeah. I could probably outrun you if I tried.”

    “You think so?”

    I giggled, “I know so.”

    “You’re cocky for a newborn. It’s surprising.”

    “Dude, I’ve been a vamp for a year, I’ve gotten a lot of stuff figured already.”

    He looked down at me curiously, “Then why come to the Academy?”

    “I’ll let you know when I can answer that because frankly, I have no idea why…”

    He led me out to a black cab in the parking lot.

    “You’ll be riding in style.” He smirked, holding the door open for me.

    I grunted and climbed in the backseat.

    “He knows what to do.” Jay said, nodding towards the driver before shutting the door.

    Before I could any questions the cab pulled away and Jay disappeared. I should get used to this, after all, there would be a lot of spell casting, blood drinking, and disappearing where I was headed.

    To the land of no return…

    When we pulled up to the Academy two huge Red Brick, narrow building stood in front.

    “Uh, thanks.” I said, handing money to the driver.

    “Already…paid for…” he said in a heavy, tired voice.

    I looked closer and saw that his eyes were white.

    Chilled to the core I stuffed the money back in my pockets, grabbed my back and hurried out of the car.

    He drove off slowly, around the bend and disappeared.

    I looked up at the huge buildings and then through the arch in the that connected them.

    And here we…go…